best of luck given your wide financial latitude. wise to post your question here. i can't recommend a size model for you other than saying look at a machine that will not only serve your present needs, but that has the size & HP for your future ambitions. best in choosing what will serve you. keep the big pic in mind & never underestimate your future direction. my uneducated guess would be to at least look at the L's (not grand L's due to price, esp w/ tier 4 increase, etc). big decision for you. best.... :thumbsup:
Where do I start? 7 acres...
- Thread starter spooons
- Start date
- Views: 7851
LLS
Member
Something you can afford, you got free money and you don't have a clue what's what.
GManBart
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2012
- Messages
- 4,976
- Location
- Detroit, Michigan
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson 241, Kubota SVL90-2
Welcome to TBN!
One quick question for you...have you ever owned a tractor, or spent any time running them before?
As far as models and sizing, picking the right size can be pretty difficult the first time, but keep in mind that the rule is "they shrink when you bring them home." For whatever reason, it definitely seems to be true. Most of the tasks you mentioned can be done with a sub-compact, but the jobs will take longer. For what you're talking about, I wouldn't want to go smaller than the smallest L models from Kubota, and similar models from other brands.
If you're new to tractors, I've been putting together something of a tractor buyer's guide for newbies....shoot me a PM with your e-mail if you'd like a digital copy.
One dealer worth visiting not far from you (30min or so I'm guessing) is Michigan Iron and Equipment...super nice folks, very easy to deal with and have a great reputation here. I haven't bought a tractor from them (yet) but have visited, and spoken to them on the phone a number of times. I actually drove past my previous dealer (who also carries Kioti) to visit MI&E to check out the new NX line when I was considering buying one....decided to go much bigger for now.
I don't know why it says "error" but this does take you to MI&Es site.
Error
One quick question for you...have you ever owned a tractor, or spent any time running them before?
As far as models and sizing, picking the right size can be pretty difficult the first time, but keep in mind that the rule is "they shrink when you bring them home." For whatever reason, it definitely seems to be true. Most of the tasks you mentioned can be done with a sub-compact, but the jobs will take longer. For what you're talking about, I wouldn't want to go smaller than the smallest L models from Kubota, and similar models from other brands.
If you're new to tractors, I've been putting together something of a tractor buyer's guide for newbies....shoot me a PM with your e-mail if you'd like a digital copy.
One dealer worth visiting not far from you (30min or so I'm guessing) is Michigan Iron and Equipment...super nice folks, very easy to deal with and have a great reputation here. I haven't bought a tractor from them (yet) but have visited, and spoken to them on the phone a number of times. I actually drove past my previous dealer (who also carries Kioti) to visit MI&E to check out the new NX line when I was considering buying one....decided to go much bigger for now.
I don't know why it says "error" but this does take you to MI&Es site.
Error
GManBart - no, i have never owned or operated a tractor - total newbie, which is why I came here as I knew from talking to friends who DO own tractors that this is a good place for information. I am taking this slow, doing a lot of research. Very intimidating, more so than buying a car because I will be using this machine to do a lot of things. Ill definitely check out MI&E!
Everyone has a first tractor, and this will be mine.
Everyone has a first tractor, and this will be mine.
flusher
Super Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2005
- Messages
- 7,555
- Location
- Sacramento
- Tractor
- Getting old. Sold the ranch. Sold the tractors. Moved back to the city.
30-40 hp (pto), hydrostatic tranny, 4WD, draft control, differential lock, power steering, dual rear hydraulic remotes, FEL (6 ft wide bucket, chain hooks, tooth bar, skid steer quick attach option).
All the major tractor manufacturers have models with these features.
Test drive as much as you can before buying.
I assume you'll be doing the scheduled maintenance yourself. If not, choose a nearby dealer with decent service and parts departments.
Good luck
boggen
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2011
- Messages
- 3,789
- Location
- Trivoli, IL
- Tractor
- SSTT (Sideways Snake Tain Tractor) and STB (sideways train box) tractor, dirt harvester
7 acres. is not a whole lot. compared to others folks.
20 to 30HP tractor with 3pt hitch, and FEL (front end loader) will most likely do what you want. it will take more time with smaller machine, vs bigger machine, but still get stuff done. and remove a lot of the old manual doings (shovels, axes, hand rakes, etc..)
get a small tractor. and for some things you are just going to need to higher it out. or rent a larger machine.
being that you are in MI (michigain) snow is going to be an issue, and if you have rock driveway or any dirt /rock roads. driveway maintenance going to be an issue.
3pt htich backhoe w/ subframe, might be something. FEL (front end loader), and backhoe tend to be high dollar ticket items, if you get them on same purchase with tractor, you are more likely to get a bigger discount. vs purchase things seperately.
you may end up with enough lawn, for dedicated mowing machine like a zero turn or a cheap riding lawn mower.
small size 20 to 30 HP tractor will not have a whole lot of power as in lifting power, to help deal with building say a house / shed, moving pallets off of a truck. (lighter weight things, but not fully loaded to the max pallets)
--it will be big enough to say put in new water lines, eletrical lines, telephone lines, gas lines, etc.. maybe help ya dig around basement walls if you need to dig down some and deal with a leaky basement.
--it will help ya put in a garden.
--it will help ya maintain a driveway
--it will be a finishing mower (mowing regular grass)
--it will mow down tall weeds with a rotatory cutter)
--it will help ya move sand/dirt/rock that you might have delivered and put it were you want it.
--it will help ya move some heavier items in/out of a truck or off trailer, with some chains (not on pallets)
--help ya put in an in ground pool or perhaps liner koi /goldfish pond.
--help ya put in fence lines / replace a fence line (digging holes / stretching fence out)
a small SCUT (sub compact utilty tractor) that has a FEL (front end loader) and a 3pt hitch on it. will do a huge amount more than a riding lawn mower stated as a "garden tractor". some things will be slow and take extra time. vs larger tractor. but it should work for ya.
small tractors have a lot of compromises made compared to larger tractors, from split rear breaks, to over all features for 3pt hitch, to higher ground clearance, to more weight on larger tractors. but for as small as they are they can get the job done.
20 to 30HP tractor with 3pt hitch, and FEL (front end loader) will most likely do what you want. it will take more time with smaller machine, vs bigger machine, but still get stuff done. and remove a lot of the old manual doings (shovels, axes, hand rakes, etc..)
get a small tractor. and for some things you are just going to need to higher it out. or rent a larger machine.
being that you are in MI (michigain) snow is going to be an issue, and if you have rock driveway or any dirt /rock roads. driveway maintenance going to be an issue.
3pt htich backhoe w/ subframe, might be something. FEL (front end loader), and backhoe tend to be high dollar ticket items, if you get them on same purchase with tractor, you are more likely to get a bigger discount. vs purchase things seperately.
you may end up with enough lawn, for dedicated mowing machine like a zero turn or a cheap riding lawn mower.
small size 20 to 30 HP tractor will not have a whole lot of power as in lifting power, to help deal with building say a house / shed, moving pallets off of a truck. (lighter weight things, but not fully loaded to the max pallets)
--it will be big enough to say put in new water lines, eletrical lines, telephone lines, gas lines, etc.. maybe help ya dig around basement walls if you need to dig down some and deal with a leaky basement.
--it will help ya put in a garden.
--it will help ya maintain a driveway
--it will be a finishing mower (mowing regular grass)
--it will mow down tall weeds with a rotatory cutter)
--it will help ya move sand/dirt/rock that you might have delivered and put it were you want it.
--it will help ya move some heavier items in/out of a truck or off trailer, with some chains (not on pallets)
--help ya put in an in ground pool or perhaps liner koi /goldfish pond.
--help ya put in fence lines / replace a fence line (digging holes / stretching fence out)
a small SCUT (sub compact utilty tractor) that has a FEL (front end loader) and a 3pt hitch on it. will do a huge amount more than a riding lawn mower stated as a "garden tractor". some things will be slow and take extra time. vs larger tractor. but it should work for ya.
small tractors have a lot of compromises made compared to larger tractors, from split rear breaks, to over all features for 3pt hitch, to higher ground clearance, to more weight on larger tractors. but for as small as they are they can get the job done.
Baby Grand
Elite Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2007
- Messages
- 4,649
- Location
- Windsor, CT.
- Tractor
- Kubotas: L3240GST B2320HST B5100D & G5200H
Welcome to TBN, spooons! This is a great place for digging up useful information.
Based on your desire to plant different, small plots I'm going to recommend something in the Bs.
I love my L3240 for it's ability to pull a 24" diameter oak stem, a heavy box blade and support a 9' backhoe.
But when I need to work in our vegetable gardens, it's size and weight becomes a real setback.
That's where the B2320 really shines.
It's light & nimble.
With it, I can work in restricted areas and not compact the soil too much.
Consider renting a bigger tractor to get your site in roughly the shape you need, if that even needs to be done.
Then buy a tractor that's the right size for 95% of your needs.
The other 5% you can either rent/hire done, or just accept that you're not using the optimum size machine and allow more time to get it done.
While your taking that extra time, savor how much less time it's taking than doing it with a shovel & wheel barrow.
Based on your desire to plant different, small plots I'm going to recommend something in the Bs.
I love my L3240 for it's ability to pull a 24" diameter oak stem, a heavy box blade and support a 9' backhoe.
But when I need to work in our vegetable gardens, it's size and weight becomes a real setback.
That's where the B2320 really shines.
It's light & nimble.
With it, I can work in restricted areas and not compact the soil too much.
Consider renting a bigger tractor to get your site in roughly the shape you need, if that even needs to be done.
Then buy a tractor that's the right size for 95% of your needs.
The other 5% you can either rent/hire done, or just accept that you're not using the optimum size machine and allow more time to get it done.
While your taking that extra time, savor how much less time it's taking than doing it with a shovel & wheel barrow.
JDL130
Bronze Member
So my wife and I are expanding our small urban farm to 7 acres (we are moving from the city to the semi-country). We recieved a grant to purchase a tractor (well, its enough to put a substantial downpayment). We dont think we need anything extraordinary or large and have been looking at what most manufacturers classify as "Utility Tractors". We have been looking heavily into Kubota B and BX models but dont have any brand preference at this point.
We need some help determining what would be the best option for us. We have about $7,500 to put down and dont want to spend more than $15,000 (I know most places have 0% financing). We would like it to be used for the following things (initially):
- Tilling
- Bucket for moving mulch/rocks/dirt/whatever
- Something for basic digging
- ability to have other implements attached easily
- ability to pull - such as removing a stump
Keep in mind this is about 6 acres of tillable land and we aren't doing one large crop, so there will be smaller .5-1.5acre sections that we utilize. Some will be row crops, some wont be.
Id also like to mow my lawn with it if possible...
Unrelated question, where/how did you get the grant?? We have a similar property that I'd like to do something with and I'd be interested in hearing if it's a state thing, or a federal thing you did.
On the tractor note, they're hard to find but I really like my B1750, although it bogs a bit with the rototiller when breaking new ground. A B7800 or similar is a nice sized tractor similar to the 1750 but I think with more horsepower.
The current model L2501 is a very nice-looking tractor with more horsepower than some of the older B's and I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I had the $$$.
well looking over your described needs & the replies.....are you looking for a 1 does all garden tractor as well as a "utility" machine (to use your own words) for all the tasks for your property?
my suggestion? get a small L and then look @ all the opts (including outside of Kubota) on the gardening side, even walk behind interchangeable implement machines. look at all the options!!! sometimes 1 machine is not the best way to go. best regards
btw best walk behind garden machinery site i know..... Earth Tools
my suggestion? get a small L and then look @ all the opts (including outside of Kubota) on the gardening side, even walk behind interchangeable implement machines. look at all the options!!! sometimes 1 machine is not the best way to go. best regards
btw best walk behind garden machinery site i know..... Earth Tools
