Buying Advice Looking for advice for first tractor purchase.

[bheif]

Hey - OP here - thanks again for all the comments!

A few thoughts:

My 15-20k budget would be for the tractor and loader, and I was originally only looking at used equipment. However, for some of the asking prices I'm seeing for used equipment, I should be able to by something like a Kubota L series new - so I'm going to look start shopping new dealers as well. I can add used accessories and implements when I am able to find them.

As for hiring someone to do the initial clearing - that certainly is an option and would probably make sense from a time point of view. But, then I would miss out on the pleasure and satisfaction from doing the work myself. Since my land was logged about 10 years before I bought it, I'm not really dealing with clearing any large trees for my walking trails - almost all small stuff under 6" and lots of brush and brambles. My guess is that to hire someone to cut and clear a couple miles of paths will cost almost as much as buying the tractor. I also already have 2000' of road in place to maintain.

For the chipping - probably a 6" capable machine would be fine - bigger if I can find one used for a reasonable price. I'm not going to be taking down any large trees.

Seems like my truck will be able to handle pulling the tractor on the few occasions I want to move it. I think I would rent a trailer for the few times I will need it. My Ram 1500 has the towing package with brake controller, so I should be good for that.

Anyway - appreciate everyone's input.

 

[jeff9366]

You may wish to consider a Forestry Tiller, if you buy a heavy enough tractor.

VIDEO: forestry tiller - YouTube
VENDER: Iowa Farm Equipment - Arbor, Forestry & Logging Equipment


I use a Dirt Dog (brand) Field Cultivator for dragging out roots, vines and corms, then use same to drag debris to the burn pit.
LINK: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/339095-dirt-dog-all-purpose-plow.html?highlight=
VENDER: 3-Point All Purpose Chisel Plows

 

[searcyfarms]

here is a thought for you - to do the initial clearing so you can be a part of it - for safety, for usability, for time, my experiences with clearing land here and I am talking hardwoods/cedars/deadfall on any kind of terrain out side of boulders - go rent a skid steer with one of the NEWER heavy duty brush cutters, they look like a brush hog but OH MY - they will destroy anything up to 8-10 inches - no I am not kidding!!!! you can safely push forward on 90% of the things you want to cut for trails and lift it up in the air and trim things you don't want to take all the way down. I cannot believe how versatile these are when it comes to mulching, clearing, trimming, safely. No chainsaw required, no back strain, no risk of things falling on you, its amazing. You can trim trails, you can make new ones, you can clean around things, you can mulch deadfall, take your pick.

I can rent one WITH a tracked machine or wheel machine around here for 550 per weekend for the skidsteer and cutter. once you get that done THEN you can maintain it with your tractor that you buy - there is no way I would take a 20K dollar tractor and beat it around in the brush and over use it - Oh and did I mention you will enjoy using the SS and Mower, and then take it back!!!!

No Large Trees so mostly 6" heck that will be easy for these - this is the one I rent occasionally - Vail Brush Cutter - Vail X Series Land Clearing Attachments

No I am not some salesman, no I have no dog in this hunt, I am just sharing my experience and trying to save wear n tear on my own stuff and I do some side jobs and have tried tons of different options for my friends/family trying to do it the least costly and from tearing up/abusing my own stuff.

Make you a list - what do I want to get done this fall - rent the skid steer/mower - clear it and then maintain that with your tractor, next spring, fall chew ( if you cant do it all in one rental )off another chunk with the SS/mower - I can clear a LOT in a weekend on one of those machines - my latest was clearing out 8 yr honey locust growth - yes thorny honey locusts - I cleared about 7 acres of them and I am talking some were 6 inch a handful larger - they take more time to chew - but I cleared that and probably 3 acres more of 2 to 5 inch hardwoods/cedars in about 14 hours on a sat/sun - if you are only talking trails to start with and clearing around the logged out remains, that would be perfect for on of these combos.

There is truly an art to using one, cut on right side/left side/downward/forward - do yourself a favor and watch the video before you run one - you will catch on pretty quick

just my 2 cents

once you get things cleared and can see what you are up against then you can invest appropriately in your tractor portion/implements

 

[majorwager]

You may wish to consider a Forestry Tiller, if you buy a heavy enough tractor.

VIDEO: forestry tiller - YouTube
VENDER: Iowa Farm Equipment - Arbor, Forestry & Logging Equipment


I use a Dirt Dog (brand) Field Cultivator for dragging out roots, vines and corms, then use same to drag debris to the burn pit.
LINK: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/339095-dirt-dog-all-purpose-plow.html?highlight=
VENDER: 3-Point All Purpose Chisel Plows

Jeffy

This suggestion takes the cake. Almost too ridiculous to warrant a response. It is the member's first tractor w/ a STATED budget around $20K

You recommend an implement requiring 220 to 400 hp and an implement costing perhaps + twice his budget? You may deem this humorous but it is an irresponsible manner to treat NEW members seeking legitimate advice.

 

[bheif]

Searcyfarms - that is a very good suggestion for the initial clearing. That machine will easily eat up anything I would want to clear pretty quickly! I'll look around and see what it would be to rent and if one is available locally. Could then use tractor with box blade and root rake/grapple to clean up and maintain.

 

[ericm979]

The smallest 3pt mounted forestry mulchers need a tractor with 50+ hp and cost $12k. That's going to bust the OP's budget big time. Renting one on a track loader would be a much better idea, if they're available for a reasonable rate in your area. The track loader can go places a tractor can't and compacts the soil less.

If your budget can stretch to a new Kubota L01 you should consider the competition in that size range. With other manufacturers you can often get a similar tractor for less, or more tractor for the same price.

 

[searcyfarms]

yes the forestry mulchers are beasts but require tons of power, I have wanted to try a fecon or bradco drum style but honestly not many places to rent nor the machine to run it - so that is why I opted for the Skid Steer and heavy brush cutters like I spoke of above, they will make quick work of things even above head level for getting your tractor through.

they are wonderful and you don't have to worry about getting flats on the SS either if you get a track machine - you don't have to have a hi-flow for the 66inch unit either - its amazing what they will do, I have tried the tree pullers/saws/cutters and nothing compares in the amount of time will spend as you are moving 90% of the time not sitting hile trying to eat through with a saw or pull it up and then what are you going to do with it? you have to pile it!!! then deal with it again.

I have been trying out various means of these devices for over 10 yrs and outside of a drum/fecon style I don't think you could get more work done and have nothing left to deal with that is laborious to deal with not to mention large and hard to handle with a scut or cut.

I can easily justify 500 one year and 500 the next while saving so much time/money/on my own stuff not to mention flat tires, dents, scratches, broken stuff, etc.....

its my new go to when I need to clear things - the SS to run it is 350/wkened the mower is 200 I pay the guy cash ;-)

 

[majorwager]

You may wish to consider a Forestry Tiller, if you buy a heavy enough tractor.

VIDEO: forestry tiller - YouTube
VENDER: Iowa Farm Equipment - Arbor, Forestry & Logging Equipment


I use a Dirt Dog (brand) Field Cultivator for dragging out roots, vines and corms, then use same to drag debris to the burn pit.
LINK: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/339095-dirt-dog-all-purpose-plow.html?highlight=
VENDER: 3-Point All Purpose Chisel Plows

Searcy,
Take a look at the forestry tiller suggested by jeffy vs the forestry muncher you propose. The muncher could well be a viable option to rent when attached to a skidsteer.

The implement Jeffy recommends requires a min of 220 hp and up to 400 hp . The tiller does not seem practical for the OP. The tiller can ONLY be PTO driven, no skid steer could power this thing !!!. It is unlike any tiller I am familiar.

The tiller pulverizes stumps, large stumps, 20 inches below the grade surface. Would you recommend this tool for a new tractor owner?

 

[searcyfarms]

oh yes I have seen those, FAE and SEPPI make them - probably others - and how in the world are you going to get a 220HP tractor in the woods w/out taking out HUGE amounts of timber - next im not driving my pneumatic tires over anything with thorns I don't care what kind of grinder/tiller you used there will still be thorns!!!!

we have tons of thorns here from locust/hedge they don't rot either ugh...........

they never show what happens when you drive over rocks we have those here too ;-)

as for the rest I presume jeff meant it as a joke since its way out of the price range and it would never work with a lightweight/underpowered cut

you ever tried to run a tiller 20 inches into the ground, that takes power!!! and no I would NOT recommend this for a new tractor owner

I wouldn't want one of those on my tractors either - I have seen a few fae rotary mulchers around here for SS used - they are hard on machines but not as hard as rams breaking up concrete/rocks

 

[Tennsawdust]

here is a thought for you - to do the initial clearing so you can be a part of it - for safety, for usability, for time, my experiences with clearing land here and I am talking hardwoods/cedars/deadfall on any kind of terrain out side of boulders - go rent a skid steer with one of the NEWER heavy duty brush cutters, they look like a brush hog but OH MY - they will destroy anything up to 8-10 inches - no I am not kidding!!!! you can safely push forward on 90% of the things you want to cut for trails and lift it up in the air and trim things you don't want to take all the way down. I cannot believe how versatile these are when it comes to mulching, clearing, trimming, safely. No chainsaw required, no back strain, no risk of things falling on you, its amazing. You can trim trails, you can make new ones, you can clean around things, you can mulch deadfall, take your pick.

I can rent one WITH a tracked machine or wheel machine around here for 550 per weekend for the skidsteer and cutter. once you get that done THEN you can maintain it with your tractor that you buy - there is no way I would take a 20K dollar tractor and beat it around in the brush and over use it - Oh and did I mention you will enjoy using the SS and Mower, and then take it back!!!!

No Large Trees so mostly 6" heck that will be easy for these - this is the one I rent occasionally - Vail Brush Cutter - Vail X Series Land Clearing Attachments

No I am not some salesman, no I have no dog in this hunt, I am just sharing my experience and trying to save wear n tear on my own stuff and I do some side jobs and have tried tons of different options for my friends/family trying to do it the least costly and from tearing up/abusing my own stuff.

Make you a list - what do I want to get done this fall - rent the skid steer/mower - clear it and then maintain that with your tractor, next spring, fall chew ( if you cant do it all in one rental )off another chunk with the SS/mower - I can clear a LOT in a weekend on one of those machines - my latest was clearing out 8 yr honey locust growth - yes thorny honey locusts - I cleared about 7 acres of them and I am talking some were 6 inch a handful larger - they take more time to chew - but I cleared that and probably 3 acres more of 2 to 5 inch hardwoods/cedars in about 14 hours on a sat/sun - if you are only talking trails to start with and clearing around the logged out remains, that would be perfect for on of these combos.

There is truly an art to using one, cut on right side/left side/downward/forward - do yourself a favor and watch the video before you run one - you will catch on pretty quick

just my 2 cents

once you get things cleared and can see what you are up against then you can invest appropriately in your tractor portion/implements

Good suggestion. Those are popular around here. Several rental yards and the local farmer's co-ops offer them. There are also a few people that have purchased them and are offering clearing services.