Wow! So much to learn.

[Martian]

Well if you have the commitment, the battle is already over Glad to see you stepped up to the 5010, you'll be much better off with it than the 3616. Sounds like you have a really good dealer your dealing with as well, always nice to see should there be any warrantee work.

 

[Mike476]

Great post, I agree you've made the right decision for your use.

One thing I would add, although you don't have a BH I'd suggest having the road ditched on the hillward side of that stretch of driveway you say ices up mostly from run-off and making sure there is a good crown in the road. By the photos it looks like a significant grade on the opposite side of the road and it doesn't take much to start down a slippery slope while removing snow.

Not trying to scare you but it would be one of the first things I'd suggest you get done if you plan to continue to work your property over the winter months.

 

[emcvay]

Great post, I agree you've made the right decision for your use.

One thing I would add, although you don't have a BH I'd suggest having the road ditched on the hillward side of that stretch of driveway you say ices up mostly from run-off and making sure there is a good crown in the road. By the photos it looks like a significant grade on the opposite side of the road and it doesn't take much to start down a slippery slope while removing snow.

Not trying to scare you but it would be one of the first things I'd suggest you get done if you plan to continue to work your property over the winter months.

What is a BH?

I was watching a video on everythingattachments on using a box blade and it looks like it wouldn't be hard to add a small runoff ditch on the hill side of the driveway. My plan is to grade it up, dig in a runoff ditch, get chains and then use the box blade to rip the ice out if it starts to build up in the winter

 

[emcvay]

My jeep (The Road Warrior) has passed the 251,000 mile mark and I think needs to retire. My latest engine codes suggest it needs some O2 sensors and a new catalytic converter; not a big deal but I'm just getting ready to replace the radiator and heat shroud and put the skid plate back on. I had the T case replaced a few months back as well as the breaks done and a few other items......

So I told the wife I think it's time to stop using it as a skidder at the cabin and she said "hmmm.....you know you're going to have to get that tractor sooner then later right"?

Yes dear I know that, so stop holding me back! lmao

Ahhh women! I love my wife and without her keeping the finances straight I wouldn't be buying a tractor at all (I'm sure) so I can't complain but sometimes I never get the logic....

Anyway, 'nuff said. Looks like I better get planning.

 

[k0ua]

BH= Back Hoe

James K0UA

 

[emcvay]

BH= Back Hoe

James K0UA

DOH!

Hadn't thought of that. I'm assuming though that I can do a small ditch with the box blade (as in the video) though arguably that might be tough because of all the rock...guess we'll see!

 

[deezler]

View attachment 269861
Last one -- notice the ICE -- it can get 6+ inches deep on this road. Mostly from the snow melt both on the drive itself but also the trees.

Wow. I don't think you're going to fix this lack of high-side drainage with just a CUT and box blade. Given how many rocks you've got, you'll probably need a backhoe or excavator. Sorry.

 

[emcvay]

One thing I've considered is adding gravel/dirt on top of that part of the road until I'd built it up enough to put a shallow ditch on the high side.

Thoughts?

I'm also thinking I need to get a rock rake to both clear rocks (we have a lot of them perhaps because it's all glacial drift) and to clean up the wood debris from years of the forest being left to itself. Much of it is rotten or partially so but I'm sure a lot of it, hidden in the grass, would be hard on a mower?

I'm wondering if I wouldn't have to rake the acreage before mowing it?

 

[emcvay]

Hi All,

If there is one thing I've learned in the last 6-12 months is that I have much to learn!

I've been kicking tires a little and planning my first tractor purchase. I'm not in a huge hurry (thanks to a tight budget and poor economy and my desire not to use credit, or to limit its use) but expect to buy soon (3 months maybe).

After much investigating we decided to use credit (saves what cash we have / keeps savings in tact) and buy new instead of buying used -- funny how you can completely change your thinking over time.

We've got 20 acres of mostly pine forest with a little bit of natural pasture (maybe as much as 5 acres but I've never measured and guess more like 2 or 3) and are in the process of building a cabin and orchard.

Since the land is in the hills (and more or less a hill) I have some grades between benches to deal with as well as 2+ feet of snow in the winter. We don't live on the land but would like to make sure we have access year round so we'll have to plow/blow snow during the few months of snow in the winter.

I also plan to clean up the access road and work on some roads on the property as well as clear brush, mow, move slash piles to safe areas for burning, clear rocks, mow brush, bushes, saplings to increase meadow area and disk/plow/till the acreage that we have that's meadow so we can start growing some cover crops (to fix the soil for other crops or perhaps just to attract game).

At some point we'll likely put a few cows on the property to eat and sell annually but I have a fence to build first among other things.

I also have a small sawmill (Woodmizer LT10) and would like a tractor that I can use to pull logs to the mill as well as load them.

My father who lived on a farm when he was a boy (born and raised actually) tells me that 30hp is about all I should need. His dad had a Farmall A that was about 15hp so perhaps he's right...or not. Anyway, I'm thinking 30-35hp and 4wd but all of that is just from tire kicking, talking to salesmen and gleaning info off others on the net.

I've settled on a 50hp tractor for various reasons (many of which came from all of you -- thanks) -- one of which is that I found one that isn't much different in price then a 36hp model compact -- I found a Mahindra 5010 for $20k with loader at a dealer near me as many of you now know.

I've love to hear your thoughts on what I probably could use/need would be nice to have etc as well as on brands particularly these: Manhindra, Massey, Branson, New Holland, John Deere, Kubota and Case.

Thanks for all the input -- I've learned that finding a good dealer near by may be as important as a tractor with a good name if not more! The Mahindra dealer is 15 minutes from my house and while he's 4 hours from my property, so is just about everyone else! lol

Dollar wise I was originally looking at buying used in the $3500-$5000 range but have since moved into the New/Used $10,000-$20,000 range because of financing options offered lately and my desire to get the best tractor I can get for the money without limiting myself to 2WD tractors that are 40 years old

OK that's out the window! lol -- I'm not looking at $24-$25k after taxes and implements but I think it's the best way to go today.

My latest interest is a New Holland 1510 w/loader that is being offered at $15,375 new. It's tempting but I want to be certain that it's the right approach before I go out and commit to that much cash/credit!

Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge.
Erik

After looking at the difference between a compact (like the 1510 or the Mahindra 3616) I came to realize that I wanted/needed a full sized utility tractor for the work I have to do. SO that's out the window.

Thanks again for all of the input, we've decided what we want/need now and are in the process of arranging to pay for it now

Wish us luck!!!
Thanks
Erik

 

[Verticaltrx]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind, but before you sign any paperwork it'd be worth your while to check out both the Kubota Mx4700 and Deere 5045e. Both are 4wd, gear drive/shuttle shift and around 40hp at the PTO (enough for most small time haying operations). If you drive a hard bargain you could get either new for about $23-24K with a loader. I don't know much about the other brands you've been looking at but I do know that both the Deere and Kubota are high quality machines with a good dealer/parts network and excellent resale value.