Buying Advice Help me find a tractor to manage my 40 wooded acres

[grm61]

I didn't drive the TYM T430 since I was still really wanting an HST and SSQA. Most of the tractors on his lot didn't have the SSQA. But his offer of allowing a trade-up to a more expensive tractor got me thinking that I could go for a smaller (24-30hp), more basic tractor first and then trade up next year if it doesn't fit the bill.

I read through most of your post.....It is cheaper to buy enough tractor the first time, and fit your implements to that machine, so you don't have to do that all over again.
By moving up to the 40 to 50 horse frame size in a make by say kioti, LS, Massey, you double your lift capacity over most 30 to 35 horse machines.

My DK 45 will lift 2765lbs to full height properly ballasted.....more than most tractors this size, it is a decent sized tractor....but to put things in perspective, It doesn't hold a candle to a full sized 580 case hoe.

Its is an awesome tractor and I really like it, but I would not want any thing less.
My Dad has a 97 John Deere 970..Made by Yanmar, Awesome tractor for its siz 33 horse and I have spent some time on i,t it has a much smaller bucket and is much narrower and tippy than my DK45....stability between the two is night and day.

You have a lot to do, you start getting a lot of gravel and rock hauled in, and start shuttling it around with the little weeny bucket on the 35 horse units and you will think you will never get done, I sometimes feel that way on mine, and it is a fair amount bigger than the 35 horse units.

I am not retired and work every day, when a project comes up I need to get it done in a timely fasion, you need enough tractor when this matters.

Good luck, buy enough tractor!

 

[grm61]

I'm leaning toward the R1's. I have sandy soil and have gotten stuck before in my 4x4 truck. When it rains, it's muddy for weeks, it seems.

Sandy soil, the R4s are going to give you better traction and flotation.

 

[grm61]

R1s are the only option for a tractor that's going to do serious work.

Tell that to the billions of Case Backhoe owners :laughing:

 

[2ndhalf]

Tell that to the billions of Case Backhoe owners :laughing:

I was thinking that when I read that too.

 

[AllenArmory]

View attachment 458579 I don't know of any disease:laughing:

Wow! I'm thinking I need a cab now. I think I'll go broke hanging around this site.

 

[AllenArmory]

Have any of you heard of Richie Bros. Auctions? There's an auction in Fort Worth next week and they have several tractors that could be in my price range.

https://www.rbauction.com

 

[grm61]

Wow! I'm thinking I need a cab now. I think I'll go broke hanging around this site.

Thata boy!:thumbsup:

 

[grm61]

Have any of you heard of Richie Bros. Auctions? There's an auction in Fort Worth next week and they have several tractors that could be in my price range.

https://www.rbauction.com

Yea, they have them here in Washington...never been to one.
A little risky IMO if you don't know what your looking at:confused3:

 

[AllenArmory]

Yea, they have them here in Washington...never been to one.
A little risky IMO if you don't know what your looking at:confused3:

True, but my one of my best friends is a mechanic (owns a garage) and he may go with me to check it out. The same tractor I was looking at the other day (for $17900) sold for $12000 in one of these auctions. They have smaller Kubota SCUTs with backhoes for $10,000. May be worth checking out, if just to see a bunch of tractors and heavy equipment all in one place.

 

[grm61]

True, but my one of my best friends is a mechanic (owns a garage) and he may go with me to check it out. The same tractor I was looking at the other day (for $17900) sold for $12000 in one of these auctions. They have smaller Kubota SCUTs with backhoes for $10,000. May be worth checking out, if just to see a bunch of tractors and heavy equipment all in one place.

10-4 on the mechanic buddy:thumbsup:
The cab tractors with heat and A/C are really nice, I love mine.
Keep in mind you mentioned heavily wooded..with a cab unit you may need to trim your trails to prevent damage to the top, (roof). On most of these tractors they are made of plastic or fiberglass, and house the A/C condenser, and heater core and fan.