Help, I'm clueless!

[wntrwhte]

I just purchased a property in the Northeast Kingdom that totals over 150 acres but only about 18-ish are currently cleared or mostly cleared. The rest is dense woods.

The cleared land consists of about an acre surrounding the house, which has some tight spaces, and then larger swaths of open land. It might need to be bush hogged once every couple months, but I'm guessing a rotary cutter could do it the rest of the time. In the northeast, mowing is one of the best things you can do for your grass, so figure I will be mowing at least once every other week the entire cleared acreage.

The land will eventually be fenced and be pasture for horses.

Since I just shelled out big money on this property - I don't have a huge budget to buy equipment. I currently do have a 1955 IH 300 Hi Utility that is in ok working order minus needing new rear tires and some elbow grease. It does have some attachments like a lord loader and a couple back blades.

For general mowing, post hole digging, and light land clearing tasks, and assuming I can use the IH for heavy snow removal for the time being, could I get away with something along the lines of a Kubota BX2370, Kioti CK2610HST or its equivalents?

I was also eyeing a Mahindra MAX26XL. Any recommendations are welcome. I would prefer HST, as I'm a 5' tall, 105lb female and this is a lot of tractor for me at my size, never mind bigger!

I would say I have a pretty hard budget of $15k to get me to a place where I can mow and do light garden tasks on the current acreage. If I clear much more, I would invest in something larger, but it's a few years out. I could maybe go up to 18k if there were 0% financing available for some length of time as Kioti and Kubota currently have.

 

[davrow]

Welcome, wntrwhte! While the ones you cite might do the job, I question whether the mowing deck size might become a restriction due to time spent at your activities, since you intend to repeat them fairly often.

That said, those are all fine choices.

160 acres, I'm so envious. Hmm, VT vs So Cal...maybe only envious part of the year! :laughing:

 

[wntrwhte]

The other option is to hold on the tractor and use the IH and buy a zero turn, but as I haven't walked every foot of all 18+ acres, I don't know what there is for holes and similar things that would trip one up. I could also purchase a wider tow behind to do the larger open areas and use the mid deck for the lawn. There's options, they just cost money

Winters haven't been too bad in these parts for the past few years. One or two major snowstorms, otherwise just cold. I'll take it for this kind of land!

I've had horses for 20 years, but this is the first time I'll be solely responsible for agricultural maintenance, and I want to be sure I don't make an $18,000 mistake buying the wrong tractor.

 

[jeff9366]

I just purchased a property that totals over 150 acres but only about 18-ish are currently cleared or mostly cleared. The rest is dense woods.

What about slopes and hills? Tractors are inherently unstable. If you will operate on hills and slopes it will alter the suggestions you receive.

What is your plan for the dense woods? Leave alone? Trails? Game Food Plots? Clean up the edges?

The cleared land consists of about an acre surrounding the house, which has some tight spaces, and then larger swaths of open land. It might need to be bush hogged once every couple months, but I'm guessing a rotary cutter could do it the rest of the time.

Larger swaths does us no good. One acre surrounding the house and _ _ _ acres of open land that will eventually be fenced for horse pasture.

A Bush Hog is a brand of Rotary Cutter. Rotary Cutters are Three Point Hitch implements for mowing rough land.

There are relatively delicate Three Point Hitch Finish Mowers, for turf only. However somewhat difficult to maneuver around obstacles.

Since I just shelled out big money on this property - I don't have a huge budget to buy equipment. I currently do have a 1955 IH 300 Hi Utility that is in ok working order minus needing new rear tires and some elbow grease. It does have some attachments like a lord loader and a couple back blades.

IH 300 SPECS: TractorData.com International Harvester 3 tractor information

IH 300 is a good, heavy, 2-WD tractor but it predates the (Ferguson) Three Point Hitch, which mean only IH "Fast Hitch" implements will fit it at present.
(Ferguson) Three Point Hitch conversions are still readily available: Google
Research would be required to find out if "Hi Utility" configuration is a complication.

For general mowing, post hole digging, and light land clearing tasks, and assuming I can use the IH for heavy snow removal for the time being, could I get away with something along the lines of a Kubota BX2370, Kioti CK2610HST or its equivalents?

Your need to move hay bales, either small squares or round bales will be a key factor in your NEXT tractor selection.

I was also eyeing a Mahindra MAX26XL. Any recommendations are welcome. I would prefer HST, as I'm a 5' tall, 105lb female and this is a lot of tractor for me at my size, never mind bigger!

I would say I have a pretty hard budget of $15k to get me to a place where I can mow and do light garden tasks on the current acreage. If I clear much more, I would invest in something larger, but it's a few years out. I could maybe go up to 18k if there were 0% financing available for some length of time as Kioti and Kubota currently have.

For opening a Kitchen Garden, light grading and light land clearing a Ratchet Rake attachment for your loader bucket is all you need to start. I would buy a Ratchet Rake and see if you can tolerate that IH300 until the budget is stronger. One big question: Does the IH 300 have power steering?
VIDEO: RATCHET RAKE - YouTube

After experimenting with the Ratchet Rake, consider a Three Point Hitch conversion, which will allow you to use all contemporary Three Point Hitch implements, unless the Hi Utility factor interferes.

When you eventually replace the IH300 you will want a tractor with a bare tractor weight of ~~~4,000 pounds,~~~ close to what the IH 300 weighs.

 

[wntrwhte]

I just purchased a property that totals over 150 acres but only about 18-ish are currently cleared or mostly cleared. The rest is dense woods.

What about slopes and hills? Tractors are inherently unstable. If you will operate on hills and slopes it will alter the suggestions you receive.

What is your plan for the dense woods? Leave alone? Trails? Game Food Plots? Clean up the edges?

The cleared land consists of about an acre surrounding the house, which has some tight spaces, and then larger swaths of open land. It might need to be bush hogged once every couple months, but I'm guessing a rotary cutter could do it the rest of the time.

Larger swaths does us no good. One acre surrounding the house and _ _ _ acres of open land that will eventually be fenced for horse pasture.

A Bush Hog is a brand of Rotary Cutter, which are for mowing rough land. There are also relatively delicate Finish Mowers, for turf only.

Since I just shelled out big money on this property - I don't have a huge budget to buy equipment. I currently do have a 1955 IH 300 Hi Utility that is in ok working order minus needing new rear tires and some elbow grease. It does have some attachments like a lord loader and a couple back blades.

IH 300 SPECS: TractorData.com International Harvester 3 tractor information

IH 300 is a good, heavy, 2-WD tractor but it predates the (Ferguson) Three Point Hitch, which mean only IH "Fast Hitch" implements will fit it at present.
(Ferguson) Three Point Hitch conversions are still readily available: Google
Research would be required to find out if "Hi Utility" configuration is a complication.

For general mowing, post hole digging, and light land clearing tasks, and assuming I can use the IH for heavy snow removal for the time being, could I get away with something along the lines of a Kubota BX2370, Kioti CK2610HST or its equivalents?

Your need to move hay bales, either small squares or round bales will be a key factor in your NEXT tractor selection.

I was also eyeing a Mahindra MAX26XL. Any recommendations are welcome. I would prefer HST, as I'm a 5' tall, 105lb female and this is a lot of tractor for me at my size, never mind bigger!

I would say I have a pretty hard budget of $15k to get me to a place where I can mow and do light garden tasks on the current acreage. If I clear much more, I would invest in something larger, but it's a few years out. I could maybe go up to 18k if there were 0% financing available for some length of time as Kioti and Kubota currently have.

For opening a Kitchen Garden, light grading and light land clearing a Ratchet Rake attachment for your loader bucket is all you need to start. I would buy a Ratchet Rake and see if you can tolerate that IH300 until the budget is stronger. One big question: Does the IH 300 have power steering?
VIDEO: RATCHET RAKE - YouTube

After experimenting with the Ratchet Rake, consider a Three Point Hitch conversion, which will allow you to use all contemporary Three Point Hitch implements, unless the Hi Utility factor interferes.

When you eventually replace the IH300 you will want a tractor with a bare tractor weight of ~~~4,000 pounds,~~~ close to what the IH 300 weighs.

Trying to respond in order:

1. The property is sloped. I don't have the grade % handy but it is a relatively mild grade, but the whole property is coming down from a mountain ridge towards a low spot where the main road is centered. I have a topographical map somewhere if it will help. It slopes down away from the house.

The woods are to be left alone. Right now approximately 75 acres is protected by a state tax provision that taxes me if there is destruction for any reason other than forestry maintenance. The other portion is not protected but the budget does not cover clearing it at this time. Eventually the clear acreage and pasture, over the next 10 or so years, should approach approx 50 acres. The property is in three sections.

2. The acreage outside of the area immediately around the house is open land with a few trees here and there. It is pasture grass and has been maintained up to now with regular rotary cutting and finish mowing.

3. I checked with my husband, there are some back blades, a tiller, and one other attachment as well as the FEL for the IH. The immediate need is a way to mow and by the end of the fall season will need to be able to move snow.

4. The IH does not have power steering and it also is quite difficult for me to drive being that it requires shifting and I'm quite small for it, hence the desire to upgrade.

As I said, I'm open to other equipment suggestions that would meet the need as long as I don't need to be writing a $50k check for all of it.

 

[newbury]

Welcome aboard!
When is ice out?
I pretty much left northern Vermont in 1975, but still have about 75 acres about a mile south of Bakersfield. So I have some understanding of your physical environment.

I just purchased a property in the Northeast Kingdom that totals over 150 acres but only about 18-ish are currently cleared or mostly cleared. The rest is dense woods.

Is that mature forest or 30 year old regrown clearcut? Conifer, deciduous or mixed? Makes a big difference in getting through it.

The cleared land consists of about an acre surrounding the house, which has some tight spaces, and then larger swaths of open land. It might need to be bush hogged once every couple months, but I'm guessing a rotary cutter could do it the rest of the time. In the northeast, mowing is one of the best things you can do for your grass, so figure I will be mowing at least once every other week the entire cleared acreage.

The land will eventually be fenced and be pasture for horses.

And what is the definition of summer in northern Vermont now? When I left living there full time we considered full blown summer a couple of weeks in August. But now I read it's like Virginia in the '60's!

The newest evidence? Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled its new, 2012 Plant Hardiness Zone map. The Vermont map confirms what local growers have been saying for years: The Green Mountain State is becoming more temporate and now more resembles the climate of Virginia in the 1960s.

from here

I didn't realize it had gotten that warm. This greatly increase your mowing season.

Since I just shelled out big money on this property - I don't have a huge budget to buy equipment. I currently do have a 1955 IH 300 Hi Utility that is in ok working order minus needing new rear tires and some elbow grease. It does have some attachments like a lord loader and a couple back blades.

For general mowing, post hole digging, and light land clearing tasks, and assuming I can use the IH for heavy snow removal for the time being, could I get away with something along the lines of a Kubota BX2370, Kioti CK2610HST or its equivalents?

I was also eyeing a Mahindra MAX26XL. Any recommendations are welcome. I would prefer HST, as I'm a 5' tall, 105lb female and this is a lot of tractor for me at my size, never mind bigger!

I would say I have a pretty hard budget of $15k to get me to a place where I can mow and do light garden tasks on the current acreage. If I clear much more, I would invest in something larger, but it's a few years out. I could maybe go up to 18k if there were 0% financing available for some length of time as Kioti and Kubota currently have.

Remember a tractor is just an engine on wheels, it's the attachments that do the work. Do you need to buy new? Can you wrench some hydraulic hoses etc.? Do you have a truck and trailer? And how close is the nearest dealer? (some people live a mile from their dealer and never need a trailer).

Looking at Tractordata (the IH is a gasser correct?) if it's all functional, good 3pt, good loader, good PTO I'd suggest you get that up to good condition, get a good rotary cutter for your pasture that will fit the IH and a future tractor, a PHD and use that until you can decide on what you really need. With 150 acres I think you will eventually need a tractor the size of your IH or larger. Trees and horses are heavy. If you buy "stuff" for a small tractor (rotary mowers, grapples, and other things you will need) you will need to rebuy for a larger tractor.

And limit your close cropped classic lawn to something you COULD cut with a standard push reel mower. Then get a small ride on or self powered or robotic lawnmower. Or sheep

/edit - OP - you posted while I was composing.

Trying to respond in order:

<snip>
3. I checked with my husband, there are some back blades, a tiller, and one other attachment as well as the FEL for the IH. The immediate need is a way to mow and by the end of the fall season will need to be able to move snow.

4. The IH does not have power steering and it also is quite difficult for me to drive being that it requires shifting and I'm quite small for it, hence the desire to upgrade.

As I said, I'm open to other equipment suggestions that would meet the need as long as I don't need to be writing a $50k check for all of it.

Mowing for lawn is best done with other stuff. A Mid Mount Mower for a BX runs about $2K.

Your probably going to need at least a 40HP tractor if you are going to run horses.

 

[TheMadOne]

If you plan on mowing 18 acres every two weeks I suggest either rethinking your tractor needs to include something that can power a 15ft batwing, getting goats, or loading up on audio books and your drink of choice. Even at full tilt on a zero turn you'd be looking at a minimum of 6-8 hours of work. Trying to do it with a 5 foot brush cutter, mid mount mower, or rear finish mower you'd easily double that.

I think you're way underestimating the size of tractor you'll need, especially moving forward to when you have horses. Even if you're planning on getting small square hay bales from somewhere, are you sure you can also get straw in small bales? Most folk won't do straw in small bales, not enough call for it. Even less than hay.

A tractor, like most other modern equipment, doesn't care how big you are. As long as you can reach the pedals you can work the machine. Your IH comes from a time where operators still needed to wrestle with the machines. My bosses 15 year old son can make a Case Magnum that weighs over 27000 pounds dance with one hand on the wheel.

 

[jeff9366]

I currently have a 1955 IH 300 Hi Utility that is in OK working order minus needing new rear tires and some elbow grease. It does have some attachments like a lord loader, a couple back blades, a tiller, and one other attachment as well as the FEL. The immediate need is a way to mow and by the end of the fall season will need to be able to move snow. The IH does NOT have power steering and it also is quite difficult for me to drive being that it requires shifting and I'm quite small for it,

For general mowing, post hole digging, and light land clearing tasks, and assuming I can use the IH for heavy snow removal for the time being, could I get away with something along the lines of a Kubota BX2370, Kioti CK2610HST or its equivalents?

I was also eyeing a Mahindra MAX26XL. Any recommendations are welcome. I would prefer HST, as I'm a 5' tall, 105lb female and this is a lot of tractor for me at my size, never mind bigger!

I would say I have a pretty hard budget of $15k to get me to a place where I can mow and do light garden tasks on the current acreage. If I clear much more, I would invest in something larger, but it's a few years out. I could maybe go up to 18k if there were 0% financing available for some length of time as Kioti and Kubota currently have.

What brand tractors are sold within 20 miles of your property. Most helpful if you list closest first.

You need a tractor with 12" to 14" ground clearance. Nine inches ground clearance is not enough.

Roto-tilling the garden will be a once a year task for the IH300. Snow for the IH300.

You really need a new tractor only for a Post Hole Digger, a Rotary Cutter and probably a Garden Cultivator. You will still want a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment for your other tasks. Consider a Zero Turn dedicated mower in lieu of a Finish Mower. Consider if you want the tractor to enter the horse barn for mucking out, utilizing the FEL bucket as a wheelbarrow.

Nothing wrong with Kioti, Kubota or Mahindra. But keep in mind Mahindra re-badges small tractors from other suppliers. Mahindra does not make small tractors in its own plants.
LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...375391-series-mahindras-made-japan-south.html

RE SLOPES: Have the dealer fill the rear tires with freeze resistant liquid. This lowers the tractor's center-of-gravity making the tractor more stable. Question if new tractors you inspect have wheel widths that can be spread. Wider tread is more stable than narrow tread. Heavier tractors have more inertia, hence are more stable. They also have larger wheels, which are less likely to be swallowed in holes and ruts.

When you visit Kubota, check out the L2501/HST/4-WD. An L2501 can operate a 60" Rotary Mower.
VIDEO: kubota L2501 tractor - YouTube

 

[wntrwhte]

Thanks for the advice. There are no dealers of any type within 20 miles. The closest dealer that does heavy equipment (not just garden tractors/small zero turns) is Kubota, around 30-35 miles away. Nearby to them is JD. I bought my RTV400 as a holdover from that dealer. That dealer also has a used 2013 BX2370 with a mower deck and FEL in my price range, which opened me up to this question. However, if a zero turn is better/faster, then I'll spend a lot less even buying a really nice one of those.

As for moving hay, etc - hay bales here are between 50 and 65 pounds. I don't bed with straw, I bed with wood pellets in the stalls that are purchased by the pallet. This is all moved with a Kubota RTV400 that has a dump bed and fits in the barn aisle. I also use this to pull the manure spreader, and actually to do most everything - haul water, hay, muck out stalls and dump, move small amounts of fill around, carry posts and jumps - a lot of things. I could get a pull behind mower for it but the slow speed is not conducive to getting anything done in a finite amount of time. If I can mow with a zero turn and move snow with the IH, then maybe I don't have an immediate need for a tractor. That thing is old and it is incredibly hard for me to work with, especially going forward and reverse as you do moving snow, so that will be a temporary thing until I can get something with HST.

I'll probably mow in sections, so over a cumulative two weeks the whole thing will get mowed, then start over. Not do the whole thing in a day every two weeks.

 

[jeff9366]

If I can mow with a zero turn and move snow with the IH, then maybe I don't have an immediate need for a (contemporary) tractor.

LINK: Zero turn and rough groumd - Google Search