How big or little - a SCUT...maybe a BX1880?

[kenmbz]

I agree on the separate mower, have lawn tractor for mowing so I can get into tight spaces. I have more than enough other work on the tractor to not be messing with it for a few acres of mowing.

 

[Diggin It]

Just saw this one! I will be working in the woods, so ground clearance could be a real issue.

- a BX owner was having issues b/c the bottom wheel/axle assembly is only 3 inches off the ground and he was hitting rocks:

Yes, smaller machines have lower ground clearance. I don't need a veedeeoo to tell me that.

 

[airbiscuit]

Whether you get a Sub-Compact (Kubota BX or John Deere 1000 series) or a Small Frame Compact (Kubota B or John Deere 2000 series), you will be a happy camper. Either size will do your tasks. My preference would be for the larger frame size, but it's your budget and your money, so you will find your way to the right decision for you.

I do notice that a lot of SCUTs get traded in, presumably for larger tractors.

 

[dragoneggs]

Just saw this one! I will be working in the woods, so ground clearance could be a real issue. Another Messick's video talks about official clearance specs vs. real life - a BX owner was having issues b/c the bottom wheel/axle assembly is only 3 inches off the ground and he was hitting rocks: Kubota BX Ground Clearance | Spec vs Reality - Neil Answers - YouTube.

Interesting. I just went out to check my BX25D at the same point and measured 4in. That said I haven't had an issue with that being a problem and I have lots of small boulders softball size or under and a few at volleyball size that I routinely work through. I've also driven over small downed trees/branches at least 6in diameter with no problems. That said, if you are concerned with that clearance you will not be doing well at all with a belly mower!

 

[airbiscuit]

Consider a flail mower for yard or trails -

 

[airbiscuit]

About $400 more than a Mid Mount mower - easier to remove, and can do groomed and rough cut mowing. Frees up ground clearance.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
So - my goals with a SCUT include mowing grass, transporting mulch and rocks, dragging logs and trash out of the woods (left by previous owner), plowing over old landscaped beds, uprooting bushes, and transporting heavy items around the property.

Some of the heavier work (or trickier work for me as a beginner) could include creating short swales to manage drainage, regrading and renewing an old 100-120 ft. gravel drive that is now overgrown, clearing a walking path in the woods, and possibly creating a short gravel connector (40-50 ft.) through the lawn between the main asphalt drive and the old gravel drive.

I would say most the grading work is not overly involved - generally more like tweaking here and there and then putting down gravel on the drive. Taking an inch or two off the crown of a short hill and packing the dirt a few feet away at the bottom.

Implements I am putting into the budget: pallet forks, a tooth blade, box scraper, and a landscape rake.

Now the question: how much tractor do I need to accomplish the above? (Or, what might I not be able to do with a smaller SCUT?)

<snip>

My Grandfather and Father maintained about 5 acres (w/ two houses) in suburban Poughkeepsie, New York for about 10 years doing all the chores you mentioned PLUS snowblowing driveways etc. with a 2 wheel Gravely and lot's of good attachments. They usually had about an acre of garden and flowerbeds. Eventually they put a sulky on. They moved it to Vermont and tried to maintain 30 acres with it but eventually added a 15 hp 4 wheel tractor.

So what you need is minimal. A smaller tractor usually means you just do things in smaller pieces IF POSSIBLE.

One of my requirements was to lift logs onto my sawmill. My logs are up to 20" diameter, 10' long oak and weigh about 1500 lbs so my B7610 (bought years before my sawmill) was too small.

What's the heaviest thing you envision moving? As in

dragging logs

or

transporting heavy items around the property.

 

[DanThaTractorMan]

Consider a flail mower for yard or trails -

That is worth looking into, especially if I can find one that cuts close to a finish mower! I also have a good bit of curves around beds etc on the lawn, but it looks like this would not swing out like a rear trailing mower...I am not hearing a lot of love for the MMMs (or more accurately, taking them on and off)! :laughing:

 

[DanThaTractorMan]

Probably dragging fallen oak trees out of the woods - but I can control the weight there somewhat by sectioning them as much as needed first...

 

[DanThaTractorMan]

I will check out that brand also - thanks! I found that guy's channel and he does a great job. I am mostly cutting grass but I have brush too and it is tough to manage without the right equipment.....