Tractor Sizing Now I stepped in it, I need everything

[Jchonline]

Cant wait to hear about mowing, what do you have planned?

 

[rbstern]

So my wife and I are moving to Tennessee. As many have done lately it seems. Problem is we went from .7 acre to 80 acres if the deal works out

Congrats on your new way of life! I made a similar transition nearly three years ago, from the Atlanta suburbs to a piece of land in rural north Georgia. The only way I'd go back is kicking and screaming.

I'm going to suggest a slightly different approach to the tractor question: Two.

1) An older, heavy, 2wd, plain old gear tractor mostly dedicated to bush hogging and anything that needs to be pulled and/or run via PTO (plow, tiller, etc). Something like a Ford 2810 or 2910. Heavy, with 35 to 40hp. Capable of handling a 6' bushhog.

2) A new compact or subcompact TLB (tractor/loader backhoe). Maybe with a mower deck.

Those two machines will cost about what a single, larger, new tractor will cost, and you'll gain a lot of versatility.

Also, based on the pictures, a lot of the property looks well tended. You might need a zero turn mower as the second machine.

Whatever you do, good luck with your new adventure!

 

[Wakey]

Congrats on your new way of life! I made a similar transition nearly three years ago, from the Atlanta suburbs to a piece of land in rural north Georgia. The only way I'd go back is kicking and screaming

Same here, Forsyth County to Madison, GA. Coming up on year 5 and loving it.

 

[rbstern]

Same here, Forsyth County to Madison, GA. Coming up on year 5 and loving it.

Haven't been to Madison in about 30 years. Betting it's probably still just as beautiful as it was then.

 

[Williy]

So my wife and I are moving to Tennessee. As many have done lately it seems. Problem is we went from .7 acre to 80 acres if the deal works out

There is absolutely no equipment at the property now so I have a large portion of my move budget earmarked for a tractor and related items. Problem is I am pretty much a beginner as far as these things go. I have no brand or color preferences and I realize that all the companies make decent stuff.

My problem is sizing, I have no idea what is going to be adequate. I need to cut grass but also plan on planting some trees, not an orchard but some fruit/decorative and maybe more. I also in the future may try my hand at a .5 acre garden (or more who knows). I also have plans to do a meadow and wildflowers if possible, also in the future after I get more experience.

Most of the land is cleared but there are some wooded areas, also some of the acreage has the possibility of getting wet.

It is outside of Chattanooga for reference.


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So my wife and I are moving to Tennessee. As many have done lately it seems. Problem is we went from .7 acre to 80 acres if the deal works out

There is absolutely no equipment at the property now so I have a large portion of my move budget earmarked for a tractor and related items. Problem is I am pretty much a beginner as far as these things go. I have no brand or color preferences and I realize that all the companies make decent stuff.

My problem is sizing, I have no idea what is going to be adequate. I need to cut grass but also plan on planting some trees, not an orchard but some fruit/decorative and maybe more. I also in the future may try my hand at a .5 acre garden (or more who knows). I also have plans to do a meadow and wildflowers if possible, also in the future after I get more experience.

Most of the land is cleared but there are some wooded areas, also some of the acreage has the possibility of getting wet.

It is outside of Chattanooga for reference.


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Have you looked at:

I just ordered a Yanmar YT 235C only have 8 acres

willy

 

[Williy]

Have you checked out a Yanmar tractor?

I just ordered a Yanmar YT 235C with backhoe, brush hog and a 7 ft rotary tiller between $43k and $44k have to wait 6 weeks to get it I like their 10 year warranty and all the controls are at your finger tips and the arm rest for the joy stick for bucket is adjustable!

willy

 

[Number15]

Have to update this thread.

So shortly after posting this my deal for this land went south, way south no saving it. I was pretty stressed out about it I really liked the place but it was not in the cards I guess.

Went back on the search, lost the bid on 2 places things were looking grim. Eventually I found something I could live with the house needs some work but we are going to take care of that. Land is as nice or nicer. View is awesome but land is a bit steeper and a bit more wooded.

I closed on it yesterday so I actually own this one

 

[JethroB]

What a view! Congrats.

 

[Xfaxman]

Consider a Compact Telehandler: Compact Telehandler - Image Search

Be sure it has a SSQA and aux hydraulics.

 

[Rustyiron]

As far as any future similar situations (with land), I was going to reply to your original post to just relax. Get a lawn mower and take care of the yard, the rest of the property will be fine on its own. Get settled in and enjoy your new lifestyle then figure out how you'd like to use the land.
In the meantime if you must, let someone make the hay or graze the pastures. Enjoy!