Requesting help selecting first tractor. 73 wooded acres and a mile of steep roads.

[MF283]

I have a friend that lives in NE TN, always have plenty of firewood, freezer full of food, a generator is handy & be prepared to stay home during some of the snow falls.
His drive is partially paved on the lower end & can challenge 2WD vehicles on the upper gravel section. A land plane/leveler will work good on the road once you have it established & i agree a Grappler would be very handy.
The only thing i have to say on the tractor, low & wide for stability, remotes on the rear for extra hydraulic uses.

Ronnie

 

[Old Guy in Tenn]

Outside of your building site and the ground occupied by the road, what use will be made of the balance of your 73 acres?

Our children have all declared that they will be building cabins. At least 2 will be down by the water, where there is already a road but the land is fairly steep. One will be up higher, but several hundred yards beyond the main house. Each cabin site is currently forest ad will need everything done to prepare for the building. There are a couple of good pond locations. Each will involve decisions regarding the foundation - perimeter, post, or a combination. We plan one pond, and will need to build (or have built) a dam. We expect to have chickens, and perhaps a few goats for fun, along with just enough garden for us.

At least 1/2 of the land is too steep for me to develop, beyond perhaps carving trails for access. That land will be left as forest.

 

[Old Guy in Tenn]

MF283 - We are looking forward to having Mother Nature use some snow and black ice to give us some enforced solitude. We can walk or side-by to our neighbors, or just hang out. It will melt. Thank you for the tractor tips.

 

[stuckmotor]

Here's something to consider. The 236 loader on my MF mounts on a bar that goes under the tractor costing me a few inches of ground clearance. When I have to straddle something, I often wish it mounted higher. On the other hand, I suppose having weight toward the bottom lowers the center of gravity and aids to prevent tipping. Good luck with your decision.

 

[newbury]

Our children have all declared that they will be building cabins. At least 2 will be down by the water, where there is already a road but the land is fairly steep. One will be up higher, but several hundred yards beyond the main house. Each cabin site is currently forest ad will need everything done to prepare for the building. There are a couple of good pond locations. Each will involve decisions regarding the foundation - perimeter, post, or a combination. We plan one pond, and will need to build (or have built) a dam. We expect to have chickens, and perhaps a few goats for fun, along with just enough garden for us.

At least 1/2 of the land is too steep for me to develop, beyond perhaps carving trails for access. That land will be left as forest.

Is that "they" you? Or will they be bringing in their own equipment? How many "children" and how responsible and able to work? That can make a big difference. With three ADULT children that can and will do a fair amount of work more equipment would certainly be useful.

One on a bulldozer, one on a backhoe, one on a tractor and you in an ATV directing it all

 

[bucktaker]

Powell River Valley....Speedwell ? I have a cabin on Norris Lake Flat Hollow area, PM me if you want to

 

[Old Guy in Tenn]

Newbury; We had the Who Will Build the Cabins question on the table last Thanksgiving. The kids are all adults - 25 to 35. They, and their significant others, are each capable of actually contributing to cabin builds. They each know that, if they want a cabin, they will build it. None of them have their own equipment. We will use mine or rented equipment as needed. I will participate as much as they do. As you hinted, I will be the idea guy, helping them to understand what needs to be done and how to do it. And pitching in. They will do the heavy lifting.

I suggested, and will continue to remind them, that many hands make (relatively) light work. Life is good.

 

[patchnball]

back to tractor.......35 hp minimum. Probably look at 50. Hydrostatic is a no brainer especially if you have little experience on a tractor. FEL mandatory, Top and tilt for the tractor, rear hydraulics, 4 wheel drive, Ag tires , backhoe attachment, air ride seat....comfort.

 

[Old Guy in Tenn]

We have a line on what seems to be a good New Holland TN70DA. 4WD, 67HP, Cab, Loader, under 500 hours. Offer can be as a package with forks, Woods bush hog and box blade, Bush-Hog post-hole digger, and Woods back-hoe.

A lot of details to go through, but wondering what you think of this tractor.

Thanks.

John

 

[newbury]

We have a line on what seems to be a good New Holland TN70DA. 4WD, 67HP, Cab, Loader, under 500 hours. Offer can be as a package with forks, Woods bush hog and box blade, Bush-Hog post-hole digger, and Woods back-hoe.

A lot of details to go through, but wondering what you think of this tractor.

Thanks.

John

Reads like a good package, especially with the Backhoe.

NH/Ford makes some popular tractors.

Does it have SSQA? Can you get a grapple thrown in?