Tractor or new kitchen?

[ericm979]

There's a lot of horror stories here about loggers who left huge messes. You could easily end up with more of a fire danger than you started with. Large trees are less of a fire risk than small ones or brush or slash. Most people recommend hiring a consulting forester. They'll know the market and how to make a contract that gets the logger to do the right thing. Either way you'll need a certain number of trees to make it worthwhile.

When I was looking to upgrade a couple years ago I also found that decent used machines were hard to find in CA. The economy is doing well or at least not too bad for a lot of people and there's a relative large number of people who want tractors- that's true for much of the US. California's agricultural history does not have a lot of small farms like places back east or in the south. So there's fewer CUT sized machines from that source.

 

[Racenut]

Yeah, I've read a few stories. And yes, I'll consult with a forester before anyone is actually dropping trees. The mess seems to depend if it's just a logging operation vs land clearing. Get more money for the trees from just straight logging, but may get more value if the the proceeds also pay for clearing. If you get paid for lumber, you pay taxes on that and is it's own special can of worms. So having the cost of clearing coming out of the lumber first could work better. Of course the county has their hand out for "permits" too. Also have power lines to worry about.

I'm learning that it's not just as simple and cutting some trees down and hauling them away.

 

[Racenut]

After much deliberation, we ordered an LS XR3135H, Will order a wicked grapple on Monday. Tractor manufactures are smart.. once you decide on a model, you end up with the.. well for a little more money we can get more THIS.. and then for a little more we can get s little more THAT.. lol. But stopped at the XR3135 because I think anything bigger is going to start getting tricky in the tree areas. The local dealer has been great to work with so far. Even suggested I have the grapple shipped to them so they can make sure the third function has the right connections and everything works as it should. They had grapples available, but nothing that I'd rather have over the wicked one. They were totally fine with that, no pressure.

As Mr Walker suggested above, I did end up hiring pros with big yellow machines to come in for the big stuff. Took down 35-40 big pine trees that were close to Mom's house. The cleanup guy will get his equipment on site next week. He'll cleanup all the slash from the big trees and clear defensible space around the house. That will give us a good place to start working on the rest of the property and then just keeping up on it so it doesn't end up the same way it was.

I think I've learned a lot reading stuff here the last few months, will keep on doing that as well. Once I actually get to play with the new toy, I'm sure I'll have more questions to find answers for... and I'm grateful to those here willing to share their knowledge and experience.

Oh, and this morning my wife brings out a little blue tractor tree ornament.

 

[3gunr]

I do kitchens and baths for a living and you could buy 2 or 3 tractors for what people are spending on new kitchens.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Congrats on your new tractor.

Post up some pics when you get it.

Also, give us your feedback on the model EA grapple you picked out, once you get a chance to use it.

 

[AllByteNoBark]

Congrats on the new tractor. Sounds like you have a good plan.

 

[sodamo]

Congrats on your decision

 

[sandman2234]

Congratulations on your purchase! Now start a savings program to fund the kitchen!
I remember when I first started driving a tractor, there were things that I now know to avoid. Watch where you put the tractor!! In my case, muddy areas love for a tractor to come visit, and they keep the tractor there for a longer visit. Second, with clearing and cleaning up brush, you will have a tendency to get in a hurry and that will not be good, because brush has a tendency to reach out and bite anything from hydraulic lines to radiators, and grills, to tires and others. Take your time, as short as seat time will be, or you will have added expenses you were not expecting! There is a reason people buy skid pans when doing that type of work!
David from jax

 

[Richard]

brush has a tendency to reach out and bite anything from hydraulic lines to radiators, and grills, to tires and others. Take your time, as short as seat time will be, or you will have added expenses you were not expecting!

Words of wisdom!!!

I was once on the back side of farm cleaning up some slash piles from lumber folk who cleared much of the wood.... going backward or forward, I rolled over a branch. As tire weight hit the end of it, the branch stood up at an angle, now becoming a spear and literally sliced through my backhoe hoses.

I don't know how much the entire backhoe weighs on an industrial machine (I have a JCB) but imagine picking it up to 5-10 feet in height and literally just DROPPING it to the ground. There was no bleed-down as the oil squirted out the hose (I guess in literal terms there was but it was SO brief...)

In one moment I was working.... the next moment, my hoe was laying on the ground behind me, dead. I pulled the lever and saw the ROAR of oil shoot out....which is when I realized I had a bigger problem than I thought.

I started the walk home as the machine would have to be fixed in the field.

You would probably do this but always have your phone with you.

 

[ericm979]

Since you're in the Sierra foothills, your land probably has slopes. Be careful operating on them, especially side hills. It doesn't take much to tip some tractors over. Setting the rear wheels to their widest position, or adding spacers, reduces the tendency to tip sideways. Adding liquid ballast to the rear wheels lowers the center of gravity of the tractor and also reduces side tipping. It also adds weight which helps traction.

My old Kubota was tippy even with the wheels set as wide as they'd go. When I got the Branson I had the dealer put on slightly smaller wheels and tires from a different model, to lower the CG. And add rear spacers and Rimguard ballast. Unlike the Kubota I've had no tippy moments on the Branson, and I've taken it more places on our land.