Need advice on purchasing my first tractor

[jeff9366]

Digging a pond in Louisiana gumbo is one thing.

Digging a pond in California's Central Valley is entirely different.

WHAT IS YOUR LOCATION?

 

[Torvy]

Digging a pond in Louisiana gumbo is one thing.

Digging a pond in California's Central Valley is entirely different.

WHAT IS YOUR LOCATION?

Jeff, his location is in his profile. Zapata. SW Texas.

 

[jeff9366]

Add Texas to Zapata.

The pond is small and think the box blade could handle it or I can rent a backhoe for the day.

Ponds are normally sited in wet areas. Tractors are heavy, very heavy when an implement is attached. They can sink to the axles in wet conditions. Backhoes have the same disadvantage.

The correct tool is an excavator on tracks, which spread the excavator's weight. Excavators can swing a bucket load of spoil through 360 degrees.


If your pond will be sited where the ground is firm a tractor with a box blade and a digging toothbar on the tractor bucket could conceivably do the job.

 

[K5lwq]

Add Texas to Zapata.

Why? It only exists in TX. Maybe if you phrase your demand into a request it would be received better. Merry Christmas.

 

[shooterdon]

Be careful of lift specs. Most quote that at "at the pins". With the load on pallet forks the load is lower. I move totes of firewood that weigh 2000 lbs or so and use a tractor with a lift capacity of 2700 lbs, loaded tires and a 900 blower on the 3PH for ballast. And I NEVER lift higher than about 2'.

When I did my research, lift capacity was a prime factor and LS was the best bang for the buck in my area.

 

[JorgeSerna]

I would hire someone with a Dozer to do the pond work, I'd hate to tear up my new tractor doing things that it was not designed to do. What size hp tractor are you thinking about?

I was looking into a 40hp similar to my old tractor but not sure what I need. I did use a small L2501 and got stuff done and not sure if to get something small and just rent out bigger equipment when needed. I want to run a Auger when needed, brush hog, box blade and be able to move trees I cut done, my trees are under 20ft. The pond is out of the question for now as I can get a small dozer to go and lend a hand.

Right now my main need is to scrap up dirt to patch the road where the road got washed out and to cut an acre of grass. I am not even sure how much use I have for the tractor afterwards but I want to spend my bonus money on a tractor and trailer.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I was looking into a 40hp similar to my old tractor but not sure what I need. I did use a small L2501 and got stuff done and not sure if to get something small and just rent out bigger equipment when needed. I want to run a Auger when needed, brush hog, box blade and be able to move trees I cut done, my trees are under 20ft. The pond is out of the question for now as I can get a small dozer to go and lend a hand.

Right now my main need is to scrap up dirt to patch the road where the road got washed out and to cut an acre of grass. I am not even sure how much use I have for the tractor afterwards but I want to spend my bonus money on a tractor and trailer.

Just curious, when you say "auger", are you referring to a post hole digger? Or a tractor powered grain auger?

 

[Cranblue]

I would not recommend a tractor for mowing or digging a pond.

What is 1,500lbs that you need to lift often and do you just lift it or do you need to move it? If move it, how far and over what terrain?

Wider tractors are always better, unless their not. We need more info.

L3901 is not capable of lifting 1,500 lbs.

I am looking for my first new tractor and have no idea what brands to avoid or look into. I have 8 acres and will be maintaining the road, shooting range, mowing 1 or 2 acres, digging a small pond and lifting over 1500lbs often.

I have Kioti, Kubota and LS dealers 90 miles away and Mahindra, Branson and JD are further away but still within 3 hours drive.

Should I look into a 5ft or 6ft wide tractor for my applications above?

My old tractor was an International 444 which seemed bigger than the L3901 or CK3510 that I saw this week.

If you have some experience operating a tractor check out YOU TUBE L2501 digging a pond !!! Some on here advise on tractor specs and capabilities as if they knew what they where actually talking about do your research you’ll see threw the BS !!! Bama Outdoor country uses L2501 and has You Tube videos that are impressive tractor work and operator skills !!! I would love to get this guys opinion of paper specs and owner theories vs real world job performance and experience ???

 

[Cranblue]

Be careful of lift specs. Most quote that at "at the pins". With the load on pallet forks the load is lower. I move totes of firewood that weigh 2000 lbs or so and use a tractor with a lift capacity of 2700 lbs, loaded tires and a 900 blower on the 3PH for ballast. And I NEVER lift higher than about 2'.

When I did my research, lift capacity was a prime factor and LS was the best bang for the buck in my area.

Just out of curiosity what size tote frames ?? I have 330 gal size filled with dried red oak I stack them 2 high could maybe do three with L4701 either BH92 on back or ballast box which is like 1700 lbs.Tractor lift is rated like 1670 lbs lifts tote to full height at 1500 rpm’s fells like it’s under 1k of course this is dry wet obliviously be more can only stack two high 330 gal tote lift height is at max height.

 

[sea2summit]

If you have some experience operating a tractor check out YOU TUBE L2501 digging a pond !!! Some on here advise on tractor specs and capabilities as if they knew what they where actually talking about do your research you’ll see threw the BS !!!

Maybe you should be more careful with your oversized opinions. No one said it couldn’t be done, just that it’s not the best tool for the job. Not even close.

Beyond that, don’t get me started with some of the “how to” videos YouTube provides…although there are some on there for spelling and grammar.