Buying Advice Tractor Rec for 10acre Hills/Woods

[gunnyosu]

Hello y'all!

My family and I recently moved to the NC mountains and we finally were able to get a small plot of land with the house (10ac). It is a mix of hills with heavy brush, grass, and woods. Looking to maintain the fields and move cut wood/clippings. Due to the land having slopes, I figured a heavier, wider track tractor would be more stable. I was initially leaning towards a Kubota L3301 but now strongly considering the Bobcat 2035 as it's a good 6 inches wider and heavier. Ideally looking to cap the cost at $25k. Unfortunately JD tractors in this price range are almost 1000lb lighter than the Bobcat.

Really appreciate any thoughts y'all may have, there seems to be a wealth of knowledge here! Thanks in advance.

 

[K5lwq]

I think you are on the right track! Weight and width are your friend with slopes. Horse power wise, I would be looking at 35HP as a minimum. Are you wanting gear transmission or HST?

Congratulations on the land purchase and welcome to TBN!

 

[Egon]

It is not the weight but the Center of gravity that is important on slopes.

 

[gunnyosu]

I think you are on the right track! Weight and width are your friend with slopes. Horse power wise, I would be looking at 35HP as a minimum. Are you wanting gear transmission or HST?

Congratulations on the land purchase and welcome to TBN!

Thank you, definitely looking for an HST. As far as power, maybe a 4045 would be the move...hmmm

It is not the weight but the Center of gravity that is important on slopes.

That is a good point - CoG is key.

 

[Citydude]

Weight is a definite consideration with your terrain. Horsepower comes into play with the PTO output. What PTO implements are you considering in maintaining your place?

 

[oosik]

Generally speaking - if you get compact tractor, you will need rear wheel spacers to get a wider stance. If you move up to a utility tractor it should have adjustable agricultural rims. Ag rims can be adjusted to many widths. Also - consider adding solution - RV antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, RimGuard - to the rear tires. Maybe also - cast wheel weights.

Remember this - go slow. If it doesn't feel safe, it's probably not. Operating on the ragged edge of safety is only good until one of the wheels drop into a hole.

 

[Thomas]

All consider type of tire thread for slopes and loose ground also if the ground damp.

 

[ericm979]

I have steep slopes on my land- from one corner to the other it averages 33%. I got my current tractor set up with a slightly smaller set of wheels and tires (Branson's 20/25 series has a range of three tire sizes), rear spacers, and Rimguard in the rear tires. It's much more stable on slopes than my previous Kubota.

 

[Mat4644]

Since the Bobcat is a rebadged Kioti tractor and only recently started selling this line how does the price compare to it's Kioti twin?

 

[rScotty]

Since the Bobcat is a rebadged Kioti tractor and only recently started selling this line how does the price compare to it's Kioti twin?

That's an interesting question. Hmmm.....were Bobcat's compact tractors always rebadged Kiotis? Or were they selling some other make before recently? I seem to recall a few years ago when Bobcat handled rebadged compacts and then for a while they didn't. Five or ten years isn't all that long in tractor time. What's the level of support on those previous models? That will give some idea of what to expect.

Sometimes it's hard for us older guys to break out out-of-date thinking habits. We think of familiar US brand names - like Bobcat - as being products of a solid & proven traditional US manufacturer who is always going to be with us. A name we know and trust, oneone who might well still carry common parts for most everything they ever sold.

But that's not the way the world works anymore. It's not so simple now, and particularly not with tractors. Now it is Kioti that is the respected manufacturer who designs and makes a whole range of models under their own name. And in addition, they also make models with different standards and features to be sold under other names. Who stocks the parts? And who handles service?

Thanks to Mat4644 for bringing up the question.
rScotty

 

[dadiehl]

Just to add another company in an already crowded field of compact tractor manufacturers Bad Boy mowers is coming out with a compact and sub compact machine made by kukje in 2021.

 

[JoeBabbs]

I have hilly terrain as well, and unless my FEL bucket is full, I back up the steepest parts. With loaded tires and a backhoe often attached, I keep the weight uphill, and go slowly.

 

[gunnyosu]

Some great points, thank you everyone.

In terms of Kioti vs Bobcat, as far as I can tell from my research the Bobcat is a re-branded Kioti but a touch less pricey. I plan to reach out to my area dealer to see what they may have in-stock. Really pushing for the CT4045.

 

[MountainBuck]

From what you describe, you may want to look at a Ventrac. Ventrac Compact Tractors & Attachments

Its a different kind of tractor but VERY capable on slopes. Previous owner of my land flipped 3 different pieces of equipment - two tractors and a walk behind. I get nervous on that same hill but have never come close to flipping a Ventrac. I have slid on dewy grass though even with 8 tires.

I mow and use the bucket with a grapple to pick up and move wood. Also use rake on driveway and to push wood. Blower to clean very long driveway of leaves.