Buying Advice Yet another newbie, trying to size this right

[Polimom]

What THIS "Ye" thinks is that you have little/no idea of what size tractor you want/need, other than small enough to fit between some trees of unspecified size and spacing.... however you seem to have already settled on a brand name (-:
??? Curious ???

Heh. I'm glad you brought that up Reg. Cuz we actually started out up the hill at Cub Cadet. Super nice guy, good selection, tons of helpful dialogue.

Expanded to include JD and Kubota, visited and chatted several times with each. Turned out our local JD dealer is more like a storefront; service, etc. is handled the next town over, have fun getting your tractor in. This local JD dealer also told us some very odd things that dealers farther away in the state denied when we called.

Ultimately, though, it's been Kubota's price, local dealer, and reputation that has pulled us over thattaway... though I suppose it's possible Mr. Cub Cadet will still plow back into the equation (so to speak). CC's prices were, however, significantly higher than the other two.

Your equipment suggestion, particularly in relation to the construction industry, is very interesting -- thank you for you insight! Another thing to think about...

 

[rpraymond]

More food for thought, though you're probably full. Definitely talk with a forestry management consultant. We did about 15 years ago and he not only helped our woods but when he writes up the bidding contract he specified how we wanted our woods left when the cutting was done.
As far as snow removal, is your driveway long and exposed to the wind or short and sheltered? If it's the former then a cab is really a nice feature. Especially if you need to clear the driveway and head off to work. It also would help dictate what size tractor you would need. Any size will do the job but the time it takes will change.
Hope this helps.

 

[General Lee]

What's the latest verdict on the B3200 engine vibration? I've never owned one, but heard a few say they found the vibration level objectionable..

Sean

Mine had it but it didn't bother me to much. It did make a lot of the bolt on stuff rattle more than anything.

 

[Reg]

Heh. I'm glad you brought that up Reg. Cuz we actually started out up the hill at Cub Cadet. Super nice guy, good selection, tons of helpful dialogue.

Expanded to include JD and Kubota, visited and chatted several times with each. Turned out our local JD dealer is more like a storefront; service, etc. is handled the next town over, have fun getting your tractor in. This local JD dealer also told us some very odd things that dealers farther away in the state denied when we called.

Ultimately, though, it's been Kubota's price, local dealer, and reputation that has pulled us over thattaway... though I suppose it's possible Mr. Cub Cadet will still plow back into the equation (so to speak). CC's prices were, however, significantly higher than the other two.

Your equipment suggestion, particularly in relation to the construction industry, is very interesting -- thank you for you insight! Another thing to think about...

Just for grinz;
Get the spec sheets for any two (Maybe 3 or 4) like sized machines from different manufacturers side by side.
"like sized machines" may mean (claimed) Horse Power, but at least be sure that they are of roughly comparable wheel & tire size, engine displacement, track, wheelbase, etc.
Which one has the lighter frame, axles, transmission and other general "guts" ?

Yep, I have NOT done this for any group of tractors from the manufacturers you are considering in the size range you seem to be interested in, but I think I can anticipate the outcome for SOME of the matching.

Not that useless weight is GOOD, but I would want to know where what is "missing" from the lighter tractor.

Thinner/lighter what(s) ?

I avoid saying, "You get what you pay for", sometimes you don't.
You almost never get MORE than what you pay for (-:

 

[rbargeron]

.................We think we need: FEL, backhoe, serious front-mount snowblower, and the brush hog. Backhoe would be for clearing drainage and stream outlets, repairing fences, moving boulders (if weight is too high, we'll dig holes and roll), pulling smaller trees / stumps...............What think ye? Is that the right range for the work we have?

Despite age having taught me that my experience is only that, I sometimes chime in anyway when someone presents this picture.

A couple points about the land you describe: In most cases, if you start with something less than about 3,000 pounds and 35 horsepower, you'll eventually trade up to that. If you start with that, you might want 2,000 more lbs and 15 more hp someday, but you may want to keep the 35 hp rig.

Taking out rocks & stumps is real work. Don't worry about having too much tractor. There is really no Kubota under 75 hp that you would think was too big after using it a while. It's a matter of becoming tuned in to the scale of what you are doing - which is only possible with some seat time.

BTW weight is good - that's why they're called tractors.

 

[Verdemont]

My .02.

- I had a B7610 for several years and put 100's of hours on it. 24HP, 3 Cylinder. I just had a FEL and a 5' blade. Used it a lot and loved it. Sold the property and the tractor.

- Got a new property and wanted a "beefier" tractor. Ended up with a B3300SU with FEL, BH77 backhoe, PHD, and 6" blade. Under $25K and the 5-year Kubota 0% interest. If you need a front mounted snowblower then the B3300SU won't work as it doesn't have a mid-mount PTO so perhaps the B3200.

I have used the heck out of my backhoe so far and also a lot of FEL work. I would not live w/o a backhoe as it is so helpful and will be there whenever I need it. For snow removal a 5' rear blade worked for me for several years before and we average 150" of snow per year. I plan to use my new 6' blade now for all snow duties. I also have done work for $$ for neighbors already and the thumb on my backhoe is my new best friend.

I would NOT pay $18K for a used B7610 with the equipment you mentioned. Would rather go with new and start at ground zero. I got 10% off of MSRP from my local dealer and could not be happier. My FEL and BH are Kubota. My blade and PHD are Rhino, recommended by the dealer.

I do NOT regret the bigger B3300SU as it's great. I could even have gone to the L as well.

Tom

 

[Baby Grand]

So what are your eventual plans for this spread? Will you be harvesting wood for raw material or heat? Big garden/ground engaging work? Raising a crop of critters? Dish on your dreams for this place!
-Jim

 

[Chilly807]

Sean -- thoughts on the woods challenges are great. I need to get a bona fide forester out here to draw up a management plan, and it may very well turn out that we bring somebody in for some selective cutting anyway, which will necessarily require some access bigger than foot trails. Worst case, we'd be cleaning up their access if we do that.

Depending on the area you're in and who/what is available, you MIGHT be able to get someone to selectively cut and haul for you using horses. It means almost zero impact on the ground, and you have the enjoyment of watching them work. I hate seeing a skidder/forwarder going to work, they generally make one **** of a mess, especially on a small property like yours.

Sean

 

[ChuckinNH]

My woods are full of boulders, and some wet areas, and it has been logged off twice, and used as a skidder trail for logging another adjoining property. It was full of blackberries, and grown in skidder ruts, along with plenty of 2" or so fast growing trees like birch, popular, etc. I needed something either large enough to go over everything like the skidder did, or small enough to work between the ruts, rocks, and stumps until I could get it more accessable. The B has worked well for that, and even then I have a tight time turning around without making small places to do that. With my 4' box blade I have filled in many places the skidder got stuck in the spring, and some of the deeper ruts though I have some boulder strewn areas and quite a bit more to do before the trails connect. It has been fun, but I still don't have it to where an "L" series Kubota would fit everywhere I have worked.. though a larger B probably would, and would give much stronger backhoe performance if I bought one which I am strongly debating now. Here are a couple of pics to give you an idea of where my B, and I have been though I have no pics of my latest efforts yet.

 

[Polimom]

So what are your eventual plans for this spread? Will you be harvesting wood for raw material or heat? Big garden/ground engaging work? Raising a crop of critters? Dish on your dreams for this place!
-Jim

Ah, Jim. My dreams for this place... hmmm....

What actually kicked off the realization that we needed serious gear (like a tractor) in the first place was reclaiming the pastures. The prior owners' horses have been gone a few years, there is (WAS!) an invasive vine that took out an entire birch stand, and part of the fencing (when the trees started collapsing), and the streams that go into / out of the pond had silted / clogged... which meant a potential new pond in one of the pastures. (no thank you!) I spent a couple days clearing a drain stream probably 100' long with a shovel, looked around at what was left to dig, and had an "oh sh*&t" moment.

We have thought of bringing in some small livestock. Alpacas? Goats? Sheep? But if the fences are coming down and the pastures are being reclaimed, then nothing is possible. It'll just be more woods at the end of the day.

The woods (speaking of) -- many of the trails are now verging on impassible. Between our property and the two adjoining, though, there are nearly 70 acres of marked trail system, and I'd like to bring as much of that back as possible. I can probably only affect 30 acres directly (new owner in the back), but even that would be SO much better!

All of these things add value to our property, as well as increase our ability to do with it what we want.

So I guess my dreams is to be able to do what I want with it. And for it to be as beautiful as it can be. To have flexibility. To hike the trails and set up photography blinds and give classes.

:thumbsup: