Tractor Sizing Dealer thinks 1023 I think 3005. What do you think?

[kc9kmz]

Hello

This will be my first post. I look forward to learning from from all the knowledge on this site. We live on three level acres and plan to expand in the future. We have half an acre that needs to be brought up 2-3 feet to match the rest of the property. There is about half an acre that needs to be cleared of trees and brush. We will be keeping the wood from this property for heating. The raised and cleared land will become grass and garden space. In the future we plan to get atleast another twenty acres of wooded property. We will harvest the wood, plant food plots and clear trails for hunting.
The dealer says the 1023 will take care of up to five acres. After describing our property and future plans to the dealer he still thinks a 1023 is the way to go. He says you can get a larger tractor as your needs change. I was considering the 3005. Thought it would be better for working in the woods, (ground clearence) lifting and hauling tree limbs and trunks more efficiently. They seem to have a reputation as a real workhorse.
What do you think about the two tractors? Which one do you thing would be better for the jobs described?

 

[RoyJackson]

Welcome to TBN!!!

I think the 3005 would be a better fit with your current needs, but too small for your future needs.
But even with the 3005, filling a half acre to raise it 2-3 feet is going to be a daunting task...that's better done by much larger equipment, so contract it out.

As far as the tree and brush clearing...the 3005 will be OK, but it is going to be a lot of work!

The 1023 is a subCUT...way too small for the work you have planned.

 

[TripleR]

Like Roy, I would pay someone to do the dirt work.

I don't know the right size tractor, but I do believe the 1023 is too small; we have a BX2660 and precursor to the 1023, a 2305 and would not pick either for that. I would size the tractor with future plans in mind rather than trading up as you go.

If you are thinking of one "do it all" tractor including mowing your lawn that is going to limit you to a compromise machine. I'm not that familiar with all the John Deere models, so someone else can guide you better.

Good luck

 

[JD755]

Welcome to TBN.

I think folks here will pretty much agree you should get a larger tractor now if you think you will need one in the future, and it sounds like you will. Trading up later uses money that could instead go for needed implements.

73, K0GY

 

[Dirtworker]

I am in the situation your are, land.... brush ect. I am able to clear very small trees with in, nothing more than maybe 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
You are not going to be pulling any large roots out with it.
It is not possible to really dig down in to the ground to level with the FEL unless the area is vegetation free, with weeds,and dry ground, its very tough. However moving dirt or brush piles is no problem. I purchased the 1026 for the added HP, I could easily see moving up down the road, or purchasing the backhoe option to help with clearing.

 

[kc9kmz]

Thank you for the quick responses:thumbsup: I agree, not only is the 1023 a little small for the jobs planned, my money tree has dried up with the drought around here so upgrading will be difficult for a while.
I have thought of other transmissions. Have used the neighbhors tractor with a hydro. It was easy to changing directions while moving dirt. Hydros are nice but I am used to a gear shift. Grew up on Ford 2,8 &9 N's.
They say the 3005 is designed for pushing and pulling. Which is what I expect to be doing with it.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thank you for the quick responses:thumbsup: I agree, not only is the 1023 a little small for the jobs planned, my money tree has dried up with the drought around here so upgrading will be difficult for a while.
I have thought of other transmissions. Have used the neighbhors tractor with a hydro. It was easy to changing directions while moving dirt. Hydros are nice but I am used to a gear shift. Grew up on Ford 2,8 &9 N's.
They say the 3005 is designed for pushing and pulling. Which is what I expect to be doing with it.

If you have a couple of acres of lawn I recommend you get a riding mower or garden tractor for this first. Then when funds are available get a larger tractor with the hydro tranny. All of us older guys grew up running gear tractors that doesn't mean we have to stick with them. A good hydro tractor is much easier to use and allows you to focus on what you are doing.

 

[Martian]

If you have a couple of acres of lawn I recommend you get a riding mower or garden tractor for this first. Then when funds are available get a larger tractor with the hydro tranny. All of us older guys grew up running gear tractors that doesn't mean we have to stick with them. A good hydro tractor is much easier to use and allows you to focus on what you are doing.

Couldn't say it better myself!

There's people who buy one tractor to do it all, and it does everything, but nothing perfect. I'll spend a little more and get multiple machines that will do every job perfectly. With what I've got now, I don't know anything that I couldn't easily tackle, and should it come up, it would be to big of a project anyway and should be hired out.

I would start off with a nice lawn and garden tractor and work your way into a nice larger sized tractor when funds are available, preferable something larger than even the 3005.

 

[cjdavis618]

I agree with the dealer and I am in much the same situation as you. 3 acres, trees to clear, etc, etc.

I chose the 1026R and it performs better than I could have ever imagined. I bought mine in a Tractor, Loader, Backhoe with mid mount 60" mower. It has done everything I have asked and moved literally 100 yards of dirt with it. You just have to space it out over time.

The only reason in your case that I would get a bigger tractor would be the fill in that you want to do, but that would depend on your time table. If you want it done quick, hire somebody and have it done in a couple of days. Otherwise, save the money, get the 1023 (Or even better, 1026R) and enjoy a very capable tractor and get some seat time. I see so many people claiming that the 1 series tractor is not big enough, or it is a toy.. For someone that has an 80 horse tractor+ and has to tend cattle, small farm work, etc. Then sure it might be. But for what you are describing, the 1 series is perfect. Just today I was doing something everyone told me couldn't be done. I was using a full size Cat 1 subsoiler at full depth, pulling it through clay dirt so hard it was like concrete. In fact the 1026R has so much power that I broke a shear bolt just pulling it through the hardest area, no roots or rocks to hit. The tractor gets great traction and has enough weight to do what you want. Yet is still light enough to mow your yard with quality of the best lawnmowers on the market.

To get the best benefit of the tractor, get your self the ratchet rake, as many implements that you can afford in the beginning and get to work. There is not a better multipurpose unit on the market than the 1 series, especially with all of the creature comforts and the ease of conecting and disconnecting attachments. Not to mention the Hydrostatic on the 1 series is worlds better than any gear tractor in ease of use and you would't believe the time savings in Hydro over Gear. I had a gear tractor and it took so much longer to change gears, ranges, etc, and after getting the hydro, I can get 3 times the work done just by having pedals only to push.

 

[Mace Canute]

Maybe I'm getting cranky in my dotage but it bugs me to no end when people post about equipment and don't give the make, only the model. :irked: