cdoggatx,
Rotary cutter and grapple are recommended as the first two implements to pursue for land clearing. Grapple requires third-function valve on the loader; be sure to add that with the tractor at time of purchase. The Armstrong Ag 5' BGR Mini Grapple sounds small, but it works wonders for just under a thousand dollars. As Red Horse mentions, you don't need an overly wide grapple to get big jobs done fast. The largest grapple models are best reserved for tractors that have exceptionally powerful loaders and tasks that require lifting more than a ton at a time (e.g. logging and construction debris). You can pick-up the Armstrong Ag BGR locally at Epperson Tractor near Waco, which isn't too far a drive from Elgin; or another tractor dealer in the area may have the same painted green.
Before making a final decision, consider reviewing other models (and possibly look at another brand or two, and an alternate JD dealership). I found gathering more first-hand information by sitting in several different brand cabs and walking around competitor models really helped confirm my final decision. Talking with people at different dealers was also helpful, knowing there were alternatives available. Some of the dealerships I visited, just walked up and jumped in a few cabs, walked around to inspect the tractors, and that was enough to see. Didn't need to talk with a salesman where I found obvious limitations. Be sure to check the underside and lower front sides of the tractor... are the hoses and hydraulic connection points protected from brush?
Definitely spend time test driving the final models being compared and see which cab you prefer. Comfortable seat time should be one of the highest priorities, given you're likely to spend many hours working in the tractor to the tame the land. Jump in and out of the cab multiple times to see how easy it is to move from the seat thru the door without catching on anything. Being tall, you'll want to make sure knees have plenty of room to avoid hitting things when driving over rough ground. If possible, test drive over hard bumps or ruts to check how well the seat handles your weight.
For many jobs around the property, both models (4044R vs 5055E) are likely to perform nearly equivalent, but if one cab is more comfortable than the other, you're better off in the cab that you enjoy.
The HST transmission option on the 4-series is great for loader work and doing any kind of job close-in around obstacles. Cruise-control on an HST avoids having to push the pedal for hours while working large fields. The 4-series is available in larger HP models with HST (e.g. 4052M and 4066M).
Check PTO HP ratings and compare to rotary cutter and tiller requirements. If you're looking at 6' attachments, anything >30 HP is likely to prove sufficient for cutting 2" material and below, but you'll likely be at the top-end for the 4044R. The 5055E will do better than the 4044R on the first pass thru the property to drop the largest brush, but after the initial clearing exercise is complete, you should have grass and small brush to cut in the future, which the 4044R can handle the same as the 5055E. If you have future ideas of using larger implements, such as pulling a flexwing or a 7' tiller, the larger tractor wins.
How heavy is the brush you're looking to tackle on the property? Consider your neighbor's dozer and/or paying a crew to clear the worst of it (e.g. root plowing), especially if there is a lot of mesquite.
You can have ballast _and_ sealant in your tires, to increase tractor weight while also resisting central Texas thorns. Multiseal is made in Texas, and easy to fill tires yourself or have the dealer do it at time of purchase.
As others have suggested, the 4044R may be a bit small to tackle an overgrown 190 acres, especially if you plan on frequent field work (e.g. discing, mowing, and earth moving). But for smaller tasks, a few acres at a time, the 4044R will do great. The 5055E is only about +10 HP in comparison, but the loader and overall weight are likely of greater benefit than HP. I recommend buying as big a tractor as you afford, but keep in mind your long term goals. Given the pursuit of wildlife management programs and not full-on farming, a smaller tractor will do fine after you've cleared the areas that need clearing. If I were in your position and favored JD as the brand, I'd be looking at the higher HP models in the 4-series to compare against the 5-series.
Wildlife programs suggest _less_ large-scale field work (e.g. discing and tilling), instead focusing on a variety of tasks, where the HST cab models in the 4-series may offer a better option against the cost of an equivalent HP 5-series cab. But, if the 5-series cab is more spacious, I'd really think hard about the choice.
If the majority of your tasks are going to involve discing, tilling, and mowing large fields, definitely go 5-series.
