Suggestions for 6 - 16 Hilly Wooded Acres?

[PapaPerk]

John Deere 825i is awesome looking but I can't get past its Chinese built engine. Have not heard of any complaints yet though. I also considered the 825i but I went with the Kubota 900xt.

John Deere is more expensive, no power steering, no hydraulic lift (slow electric over hydraulic option) for bed, belt transmission, and thirsty! I still think its the best looking out of all the UTV's.

My thoughts exactly!!! :thumbsup:

 

[PapaPerk]

Hi Folks,

I got some helpful advice here on a tractor for a property we didn't end up buying... so, no tractor!

The place we did end up getting is six wooded acres up on a ridge top, at the end of half a mile of gravel road that needs a good deal of maintenance. The ridge is in a bend of the Chestatee river; there's a road down to the river, but it's darned steep... I'd guess 35 degrees in places. The property itself has some relatively level areas (my five-year-old calls them "flateaus" ... great word, I think), but most of it is pretty hilly. We want to clear some of the land for gardens, fruit trees, and a bee pasture, and we want to take out most of the smaller undergrowth trees throughout.

We may end up acquiring one or perhaps both of two adjacent five-acre plots... so, it's six to sixteen acres.

I'm thinking a UTV would be very handy here.

I'm not interested in going fast. I'm not interested in any kind of radical off-roading, but would want to be able to manuever through the woods. This is in the North Georgia mountains, so cold and snow aren't big factors.

We'll probably be purchasing around March, give or take a month, so I have time to stalk deals and such.

We'd like to be able to:

1) Maintain the road... perhaps with something like this: ATV Driveway Graders - Gravel Rascal® - ABI Attachments

2) Drag downed timber to the road or pavillion for cutting and splitting

3) Pull whatever stumps we can

4) Shuttle firewood from the pavillion to the house (house has a wood stove)

5) Haul and dump mulch, etc. (wife is a big-time organic gardener)

6) Toodle down to the river with our fly fishing gear in the back

7) Whatever

I have an idea about what I want (based in large measure from cruising this forum), but would rather ask for suggestions without putting my thumb on the scale.

So... any suggestions? Is a UTV the right tool for the job? If so, which one? And, what kind of tires, and what accessories or implements?

Thanks for any help

I think you need a tractor first. And then a UTV. :thumbsup:

 

[Martian]

Thanks for all your suggestions, folks. I'm actually feeling less sure what I want than I did at the outset, but that's probably OK... I just need to digest this a bit more, and spend some more time on the property (we're not even completely moved in yet).

Martian, do you know what's a decent price on that Bobcat 3450?

Thanks again.

I don't know on a price. Never had one of those priced out as I didn't need the loader function and such on the front. Would have to imagine around or above $20-25k. That's a complete guess though.

How much "heavy" work do you plan on doing. Do you want more of a sport vehicle. I tend to agree with others on here you might be best suited with a CUT and a 4 wheeler if you want sport vehicle to go up and down your river but have the capability of a CUT. If you have the budget I would tell you to look at a Toolcat 5600 but they are really expensive. 40k+.

What would your budget be? You may want either both a CUT and a UTV on or the other or something like the Toolcat. That is all dependent on you budget though.

 

[timswi]

The accessories on the Bobcat UTV will most likely be brutal and I dobt that there is enough counter balance to make the FEL worth much...From the looks of the FEL, its very small....

I'd personally go with a CUT/SCUT before entertaining the bobcat UTV.

Toolcats are insane in terms of price...A commercial operation might be able to justify it, but not many property owners can...They are pretty cool though.
If you read the thread on the Toolcat, they are far from trouble free though.

 

[Martian]

The accessories on the Bobcat UTV will most likely be brutal and I dobt that there is enough counter balance to make the FEL worth much...From the looks of the FEL, its very small....

I'd personally go with a CUT/SCUT before entertaining the bobcat UTV.

Toolcats are insane in terms of price...A commercial operation might be able to justify it, but not many property owners can...They are pretty cool though.
If you read the thread on the Toolcat, they are far from trouble free though.

Great advise as well. The Bobcat 3450 definitely wouldn't be as capable as a CUT but if what you truly want is a UTV to do the work then this would be your best option. The Toolcat would also be nice but you can get a CUT and a UTV for less and as mentioned they seem to have a lot of problems.

If you are really sold on the UTV idea where you can tote you and your family around the 3450 would be the best option.

If you are still open I would recommend a compact now and a UTV later. Thats what most people do. That's what I did, that's what a lot of people that have already advised you have done. I would recommend a CUT, but then were getting in a whole new league. If we knew your budget we could advise better on how much things are and if you can only afford a UTV or a you could afford or CUT or preferably you could afford both!:thumbsup:

 

[BradGad]

Our budget for now is probably $20k, max, and of course we'd like to keep it under that.

I'm not sold sold on a UTV over a CUT... In fact, what I really want is a CUT. For some reason, I got it in my head that since we had no open land on this property (unlike the others we had looked at), that a tractor would be less useful. And, I do have some anxiety about a tractor on the slopes.

Being able to trundle folks down to the river on a UTV would be really nice, but that's really not the top priority.

The top priorities are maintaining the road and clearing a couple acres.

I've looked at Kiotis and Kubotos... I'm rather enamored with something like a Kioti CK27 or CK30. I know Kubotos are good, but the sales guy at the dealer I went to (there are others in the area) really turned me off... Total used car salesman vibe, and he flat out trash talked the Kioti in a way that I found unprofessional, and he kinda made me feel like a noobie wannabe city-slicker. And maybe I kinda am, but still.

 

[timswi]

Our budget for now is probably $20k, max, and of course we'd like to keep it under that.

I'm not sold sold on a UTV over a CUT... In fact, what I really want is a CUT. For some reason, I got it in my head that since we had no open land on this property (unlike the others we had looked at), that a tractor would be less useful. And, I do have some anxiety about a tractor on the slopes.

Being able to trundle folks down to the river on a UTV would be really nice, but that's really not the top priority.

The top priorities are maintaining the road and clearing a couple acres.

I've looked at Kiotis and Kubotos... I'm rather enamored with something like a Kioti CK27 or CK30. I know Kubotos are good, but the sales guy at the dealer I went to (there are others in the area) really turned me off... Total used car salesman vibe, and he flat out trash talked the Kioti in a way that I found unprofessional, and he kinda made me feel like a noobie wannabe city-slicker. And maybe I kinda am, but still.

The dealer is a shame...You should be able to get a nice CUT with FEL (manditory) and a 3PH..Might even sneak in an impliment or 2 in that budget.

 

[Martian]

Our budget for now is probably $20k, max, and of course we'd like to keep it under that.

I'm not sold sold on a UTV over a CUT... In fact, what I really want is a CUT. For some reason, I got it in my head that since we had no open land on this property (unlike the others we had looked at), that a tractor would be less useful. And, I do have some anxiety about a tractor on the slopes.

Being able to trundle folks down to the river on a UTV would be really nice, but that's really not the top priority.

The top priorities are maintaining the road and clearing a couple acres.

I've looked at Kiotis and Kubotos... I'm rather enamored with something like a Kioti CK27 or CK30. I know Kubotos are good, but the sales guy at the dealer I went to (there are others in the area) really turned me off... Total used car salesman vibe, and he flat out trash talked the Kioti in a way that I found unprofessional, and he kinda made me feel like a noobie wannabe city-slicker. And maybe I kinda am, but still.

20k can buy you a nice tractor. Buying a CUT without a FEL is like buying a car without tires. You have to do it. Unless all you plan to do with a CUT is mow it should be law that you have a FEL!:laughing: Just a really versatile attachment and could not imagine a tractor without one. What other dealers are in your area? I would recommend a Deere. Probably around a 2720. You'll pay a little more upfront but I like the look and feel of them the best. That is just my opinion and you have to find the tractor right for you. Everyone is different but I would definitely look at a 2720. I was at my dealer today and sat on a 2320 (same frame less HP as 2720) which I was really impressed of the ergonomics. The way they integrate everything is really nice. I know my dealer is always really helpful but that varies as well. I think a 2720 would fit you well.

You'll find the right salesman and he'll sell you a tractor. I have John Deeres because my Deere dealer is extremely friendly and happy to just talk if thats what I want to do. 15 years or so ago went in with intent to purchase a Kubota from a guy and practically chased me out of the store. Really looked at the other brands but I wasn't sold on them. Ended up with 5 Deere tractors with them since. Loved everyone and had little to no problems with any. Even looking at comparable models I still find a Deere tough to beat. They do cost more but they have a low cost of ownership and they have a real "luxury" feel to them that I didn't feel on other tractors.

Brand preference is entirely up to you though. You'll find your reasons for your tractor and why its better for you than others. Look at ALL tractors though and you'll find the one that will work best for you:thumbsup:

 

[PapaPerk]

Our budget for now is probably $20k, max, and of course we'd like to keep it under that.

I'm not sold sold on a UTV over a CUT... In fact, what I really want is a CUT. For some reason, I got it in my head that since we had no open land on this property (unlike the others we had looked at), that a tractor would be less useful. And, I do have some anxiety about a tractor on the slopes.

Being able to trundle folks down to the river on a UTV would be really nice, but that's really not the top priority.

The top priorities are maintaining the road and clearing a couple acres.

I've looked at Kiotis and Kubotos... I'm rather enamored with something like a Kioti CK27 or CK30. I know Kubotos are good, but the sales guy at the dealer I went to (there are others in the area) really turned me off... Total used car salesman vibe, and he flat out trash talked the Kioti in a way that I found unprofessional, and he kinda made me feel like a noobie wannabe city-slicker. And maybe I kinda am, but still.

Maybe there's another Kubota dealer close by? Kubotas are very nice. :thumbsup:

 

[Martian]

Maybe there's another Kubota dealer close by? Kubotas are very nice. :thumbsup:

They are but I wouldn't travel out of my way to get a Kubota. Other machines compare well. I have JD because Deere and Kubota are the main dealers in my area and the Kubota guy isn't the greatest. Time is money and all those times you just need to run up to the dealer for something quick or a question to go out of your way is a pain. I have three Deere dealers within half an hour of my house. One is maybe 10 minutes away, 15 and then the last is right at 30. My closest Kubota dealer is 45 minutes away and an @ss. On top of that I do prefer a Deere machine. From the farthest Deere dealer the Kubota dealer is another 15 minutes down the same road so I'll go check them out. I've never had a regret. I look at them and although I'm sure they have plenty of power but their ergonomics aren't the same as my Deere's. Just little things, nothing big. Like the loader control on the B series not being standard and coming on the loader and running across the entry from the right hand side where the 2x20 series have it built in so you can easy enter/exit and it doesn't interfere with your leg. It would be near impossible to squeeze by exiting on the right without hitting the loader joystick. Again its nothing big but it's little things like that which are just unnecessary short cuts IMO. Not to say it doesn't have the same power but just the ergonomics and little things like that where I feel JD does a better job. That's my opinion though. Kubotas a great machine but you have to find that suits YOU best. Nobody can make your opinion on brand, only appropriate HP/size that you will require and you have to determine the brand that has that size. But if you want to look at Kiotis and Deere's as you mentioned you like the Kiotis and the Kubota guy wasn't great I would say CK27 or CK 30 or a 2520 or 2720 on Deere. If you want a larger frame then 3320 Deere.