Starting my search

[Bryan1965]

I'll second the advice to get more tractor than you think you may need, and to look at all manufacturers as well. I am on 5 wooded acres, and 3 months ago bought a 45 Hp LS XR4145HC 4,400 lb bare weight tractor. I haven't regretted the size for a second.

I've been very impressed by the "fit and finish" of my LS as well. I just finished completely removing all of the interior panels in the cab (ceiling, side pillars and interior fender mounts) to install and wire up a backup and implement camera, and while I was in there, install a stereo and put in new speakers. I was pleasantly surprised with how professionally everything was wired up with cables protected from abrasion, fully-secured to avoid rattles and vibration, sealed-up to be water tight and minimize sound transmission, etc.

Thank you, great information. Good to know, rktractorguy (no longer here) explained why RK is lower, it does always make you worry that some lower quality to,get the lower price.good to see firsthand that quality is still up there

 

[Bryan1965]

I suggest you measure the slope angles in several places before you continue your tractor search.

Thank you, one thing I hope to do is find another area less steep, but need a bush hog and to cut some trees back to see what’s under the growth. My son also drives his 4x4 jeep down that hill, afraid it will get worse

 

[MF2604h]

Take a look at Massey Ferguson. They don稚 cost as much as JD or Kubota.

Go look at everything near you and drive them see what you like best. Then go from there.

Good luck on your search

 

[Gee Ray]

I know you all are trying to be helpful but there are very few tractor dealers in and around Salt Fork. The Kubota dealer is the only one nearby and he has 4 stores in SE Ohio to draw from. The land is very hilly and muddy a lot of the year. Most of the winter it is to warm to freeze the ground solid. A larger tractor would be ideal but there is a budget to consider. I would suggest a L2501 for a weekend house. It will allow you to transverse the terrain better then then B models due to the larger tires. Set the wheels out wide and practice hill side safety rules. Use the 4wd to help with braking.

 

[Bryan1965]

fyi, Besides the kubota in Quaker city. I have rural king in New Phili and an LS dealer in Dennison. I think there is a JD in cambridge, I also have a JD (Ag Pro) less than 2 miles from my home in hilliard and a place I can get kioti not to far from columbus as options. Have not researched any of the others. I am also looking for used.

if I go kubota will most likely be L3301. I am worried about the 24 HP 2501 being to small.

 

[edgarrian]

We have 8 acres as well. My background is operating heavy equipment. My suggestion if you need to build roads or make a path, clear areas. Better off to rent an excavator and do the work with that. Be ready to have a tire repair kit as those are very useful when you own a tractor. As far was what you should buy. Sounds like you need some weight for the area. Just keep in mind it doesn't matter what you have or how big it is. Tipping a tractor is relatively easy. Especially if you are in a unfamiliar area. Part of the reason why i think you should rent an excavator. Good luck

 

[Bryan1965]

We have 8 acres as well. My background is operating heavy equipment. My suggestion if you need to build roads or make a path, clear areas. Better off to rent an excavator and do the work with that. Be ready to have a tire repair kit as those are very useful when you own a tractor. As far was what you should buy. Sounds like you need some weight for the area. Just keep in mind it doesn't matter what you have or how big it is. Tipping a tractor is relatively easy. Especially if you are in a unfamiliar area. Part of the reason why i think you should rent an excavator. Good luck

After RK told me we could not add any rental back hoe to the tractor. I already decided I was going to rent the whole machine. Most of the work will be adding dirt and gravel to raise the area, with pipe buried to allow water to run from one side to the other, as i already have the main path finished. Well do what I have to when I open new paths. But most will be dry.

its to bad you can't rent back hoes.. but already have my machine scoped out I am gonna rent to dig a few trenches and get some stumps out.

 

[MossRoad]

A possible issue with renting hydraulically operated attachments and using them on a machine that you owned is you never know what kind of contaminates could be in that fluid from previous users/renters, and what it might do to your hydraulic system components.

 

[Bryan1965]

A possible issue with renting hydraulically operated attachments and using them on a machine that you owned is you never know what kind of contaminates could be in that fluid from previous users/renters, and what it might do to your hydraulic system components.

hmm never thought of this. Thanks.. Still cheaper to rent a machine.. Saved me 7 - 8 thousand if I do not have to get a BH

 

[fried1765]

We purchased 8 acres so we could use as a weekend getaway and spend our vacations in the summer and have a place for grandkids to get out of the city. The house sits on top of a hill, most of the property is far below this area. Most of yard is wooded, we have tried to clear a few areas. But it was untouched for years, a lot of growth. Had a neighbor bush hog a main path to the other side of property down the street. From that area, we have to go through a wet area to, get to back of property, in spring it was about 6 inches deep, once we get past that, it is pretty dry

I purchased a JD E140, but have blown 2 tires, and went through blades in like just a few times mowing spots we bush hogged, so will need something bigger

Was looking for a sub compact, but am worried it will be too small. My JD mower is 24HP hard to imagine a 24 HP tractor will be of great use on hills, especially since I want to take gravel down and try to make a land bridge past water area so the back of my property is not useless in spring

Also, will be taking wood up the hill to get to the house as plan on putting in a wood stove and outdoor fire pit.

Other than transport of gravel and wood, main purpose will be bush hog and maintaining or cutting paths into the wooded area.

Have been here for a few weeks, have learned more than I thought I would but still want advice as I make my search. Don稚 want to regret after I buy,

Of note, we own a home in Columbus Ohio, still make payments, there is a 125 year old house we are restoring, there was no septic, and may need to put in a cistern as water is not very good, a lot of iron, most people in area have cisterns also eventually want to put pole barn in, also restoration is not cheap, there were 20 some people living here and they were evicted about a year before we bought it, we do own the home, was able to get a good deal and paid cash.

But as you can imagine, Keeping cost down is essential,

Been looking at RK, but am worried, especially since 2 representatives mysteriously disappeared. Was thinking of RK 24, but am leaning toward RK 37, not sure I can afford a JD or Kubota that has the weight HP I think I need. Never heard of kioti or some of these other bands I have been reading about here. And not sure of dealers in area.

This is my starting point, open to suggestions and help sorry this is so long, wanted to give you as much info as possible so you know where I am at.

No one here has recommended Branson.
The TBN member (ptsg) in post #15 owns a Branson, and is apparently very happy with his.
I have never seen a Branson, but after reading reviews, Branson would be the very first place I would look, followed by LS.