1.5 acres. Am I nuts for thinking about a tractor?

[Kennebec_Guy]

Hey all! I've been lurking for a bit but I've yet to see a use case quite like mine.

We recently bought a large ~1.5 acre property and historic home in a small town center in Maine. Originally a small horse farm, it was at one point extensively landscaped like a park, with lots of garden plots and about 60 old growth maples and while it's not a big property, it's been a fairly high maintenance one for its small size. The whole property is on a gently sloping hillside with about an acre of lawn, which currently takes me about 90+ minutes to mow with a commercial walk behind (there's a ZTR in our near future). On top of that, it had been neglected for a couple of decades when we bought it, and we're in the process of digging it out from the overgrowth and restoring it to its former glory.

We've got a long list of major landscaping projects planned, including building stone stairs and doing a lot of terracing/retaining wall construction to build foundations for an outdoor dining pavilion as well as a workshop/sugar shack/garage for the ZTR. In addition, the 60 maples generate about 20 cubic yards of leaves every year, which has been "fun" to manage and sustains a leaf pile that's about 45'x25'x6' deep. We're also doing the millennial hobby farmer thing and expanding a large vegetable garden and I'm growing a large hobbyist/small commercial scale maple syrup operation.

With the cost of getting any work done these days, I figure I'm easily at $30-40k or more to get all of the outstanding landscaping projects done, and between moving sap barrels around the yard during syrup season, gardening/landscaping odds and ends, and turning over our large compost pile, a loader would be nice to have. Am I crazy for thinking that a tractor more than pays for itself with the landscaping/earthmoving projects and afterwards becomes a useful tool for managing a small but high maintenance property while raising a growing family and often being pressed for time? What size/hp range should I be considering?

The only rear implements I'd likely be running are a box blade, a small rotary cultivator, and probably a wood chipper. I'd like to be able to lift/move ~800lbs for the landscaping projects. I was thinking that a 25hp emissions-exempt compact with loaded tires would be a good place to start. My local dealerships sell Deere, Kubota, Kioti, Massey Ferguson, and Yanmar, and they all seem pretty decent. If I even need a tractor, what should I look for?

 

[tacticalturnip]

You're coming to a tractor for to ask if you should purchase a tractor? Do you think we're going to try to talk you out of this?!



We're nothing more than a collection of enablers.

 

[Peter 315]

25 hp should be fine for you. Go and test drive a few.

 

[paulsharvey]

Hey all! I've been lurking for a bit but I've yet to see a use case quite like mine.

We recently bought a large ~1.5 acre property and historic home in a small town center in Maine. Originally a small horse farm, it was at one point extensively landscaped like a park, with lots of garden plots and about 60 old growth maples and while it's not a big property, it's been a fairly high maintenance one for its small size. The whole property is on a gently sloping hillside with about an acre of lawn, which currently takes me about 90+ minutes to mow with a commercial walk behind (there's a ZTR in our near future). On top of that, it had been neglected for a couple of decades when we bought it, and we're in the process of digging it out from the overgrowth and restoring it to its former glory.

We've got a long list of major landscaping projects planned, including building stone stairs and doing a lot of terracing/retaining wall construction to build foundations for an outdoor dining pavilion as well as a workshop/sugar shack/garage for the ZTR. In addition, the 60 maples generate about 20 cubic yards of leaves every year, which has been "fun" to manage and sustains a leaf pile that's about 45'x25'x6' deep. We're also doing the millennial hobby farmer thing and expanding a large vegetable garden and I'm growing a large hobbyist/small commercial scale maple syrup operation.

With the cost of getting any work done these days, I figure I'm easily at $30-40k or more to get all of the outstanding landscaping projects done, and between moving sap barrels around the yard during syrup season, gardening/landscaping odds and ends, and turning over our large compost pile, a loader would be nice to have. Am I crazy for thinking that a tractor more than pays for itself with the landscaping/earthmoving projects and afterwards becomes a useful tool for managing a small but high maintenance property while raising a growing family and often being pressed for time? What size/hp range should I be considering?

The only rear implements I'd likely be running are a box blade, a small rotary cultivator, and probably a wood chipper. I'd like to be able to lift/move ~800lbs for the landscaping projects. I was thinking that a 25hp emissions-exempt compact with loaded tires would be a good place to start. My local dealerships sell Deere, Kubota, Kioti, Massey Ferguson, and Yanmar, and they all seem pretty decent. If I even need a tractor, what should I look for?

I use my Kioti Ck2610 on 2 acres. I wouldn't think it's a bad idea. I know conventional wisdom is too load the tires; but I don't know if I would do that immediately. Weight is great, but once it's in the tires, it pretty much there, and not easily removed, when a lighter machine would be good. I looked at the Kubota L2501, RK25, Tym 2515, Massey 1526. Tires, I got and like the R14s; but you might be better suited with turf or ag or R4s depending on what exactly you want to do. The Massey 1526 is dang nice, but its like half a size category smaller then the 2515/ck2610/L2501, which might suit you great.

 

[Carl_NH]

Of course you need a tractor and welcome to TBN! For your tasks I would look at a little TLB (tractor-loader backhoe) - Kubota BX23s, Deere 2032, Yanmar 324, Kioti makes one too.

What about snow and leaf removal too? The BH will enable you to lift rocks, build walls, dig small foundations, plant and remove shrubs etc.

Good luck in your search and try them all out and see which one fits you and your budget.

 

[2manyrocks]

Besides tractors, you might consider something like a Power Trac PT425 25hp articulating machine for a smaller size property. The advantage would be a tight turning radius, excellent front implement visibility and smaller size. The disadvantage is it has a gas engine and doesn't accept rear 3pt implements like a plow.

 

[sea2summit]

Be careful, it’s a slippery slope. First comes a tractor for 1.5 acres, then a 20 acre hunting lease and a larger tractor, and….

 

[Streetcar]

Besides tractors, you might consider something like a Power Trac PT425 25hp articulating machine for a smaller size property. The advantage would be a tight turning radius, excellent front implement visibility and smaller size. The disadvantage is it has a gas engine and doesn't accept rear 3pt implements like a plow.

Moss road has power trac and likes it
have Deere 1025r with backhoe. It is very useful on small property

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

If I was doing just a few projects, I would rent the specific tool for the job.

Mini ex for digging.

Bobcat for moving matieral.

Large tractor for trees.

My buddy has a sub compact and all he uses is his baby back hoe. He had a skid steer for when he did loader work and sold it when done

If you plan on doing any real lifting , I would look for a 5000lb plus machine. it may advertise 800lbs but by the time you stack bags of material, load up logs or what ever, you run out of tractor fast. I have a 50hp 7000lb machine and wish I had more most days

 

[Kennebec_Guy]

I use my Kioti Ck2610 on 2 acres. I wouldn't think it's a bad idea. I know conventional wisdom is too load the tires; but I don't know if I would do that immediately. Weight is great, but once it's in the tires, it pretty much there, and not easily removed, when a lighter machine would be good. I looked at the Kubota L2501, RK25, Tym 2515, Massey 1526. Tires, I got and like the R14s; but you might be better suited with turf or ag or R4s depending on what exactly you want to do. The Massey 1526 is dang nice, but its like half a size category smaller then the 2515/ck2610/L2501, which might suit you great.

Going off of what I've liked at ag fairs, it seems like it's going to be a grudge match between the CK2610, my current favorite for a lot of reasons, the L2501, and Massey 1825E, the Deere 3025E. The Kioti is definitely the one to beat though and from going over them it seems like a really well engineered and well built piece of hardware for the money.

Be careful, it’s a slippery slope. First comes a tractor for 1.5 acres, then a 20 acre hunting lease and a larger tractor, and….

Wife also has long term plans to possibly buy major acreage up north and build a summer property there, we're already halfway through there. Lots of local family who will need tractor work on their properties, too.

 

[GeneV]

If you're doing your own property maintenance, a loader is REALLY handy, so no I don't think you're nutz for wanting one for maintaining 1.5 acres. Plus, you could plow your driveway with it. I'd skip the backhoe though, instead would get a stump bucket for occasional digging.

Also, although I'm not a big fan of midmount mowers on a scut, in your case I'd get one instead of a z-turn. If it takes you 1.5 hrs to mow with a walk-behind, a mmm 60" deck will halve that time. If I was you, I'd have the loader off mostly, keep the tractor set up as a mower. And then would mount the loader when needed.

 

[Kennebec_Guy]

If I was doing just a few projects, I would rent the specific tool for the job.

Mini ex for digging.

Bobcat for moving matieral.

Large tractor for trees.

My buddy has a sub compact and all he uses is his baby back hoe. He had a skid steer for when he did loader work and sold it when done

If you plan on doing any real lifting , I would look for a 5000lb plus machine. it may advertise 800lbs but by the time you stack bags of material, load up logs or what ever, you run out of tractor fast. I have a 50hp 7000lb machine and wish I had more most days

I'd thought about that but with the number of weekends I'd need you get into 5 figures of rental fees pretty fast and if I'm spending that much cash I'd much rather just own a machine outright at the end of it. >95% of my to do list is moving/filling materials so a ~1500lb capacity compact tractor's loader seems to fit that bill, and I figure I'll just rent a mini excavator for the one or two times when I actually need to dig. I wasn't even considering a subcompact as they seem like expensive toys to me, unless you're primarily looking for a mower that can also help around the yard in a pinch. Otherwise, the price difference to jump up to say a 25hp Kioti CK or an economy Deere 3 series seems relatively minimal for a massive increase in stability and loader capability.

 

[jeff9366]

For 1.5 acres on a slope I recommend a tractor with a bare weight of 1,800 to 2,200 pounds, rather than a tractor nearer 3,000 pounds bare weight.

A Front End Loader is a necessity for the work you have described.

You are not contemplating any serious "ground contact" work where tractor weight is key. Rather, you will be operating over your one acre lawn most of the time. I would forego "loaded" rear tires for the same reason. Counterbalance weight on the Three Point Hitch, such a the Box Blade you are considering, is much more effective pound for pound than tire ballast because of leverage and can be readily removed.

Tractors - Compact - LX Series | Kubota

Browse through Kubota's LX Series Compact tractor inventory, filter search by features to find the best fit for you, or even build your own. Then find a dealer close by with your desired product!

www.kubotausa.com

Buckeye Tractor Co -- Online

Manufacturer of specialty equipment for production of vegetables, fruit and flowers. Some nursury and landscaping applications.

www.buctraco.com

https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/system/e/6/6/e/e66ed13be4f5a5216aa214276e14dacb/pub2917tractorimplements1.pdf

Good luck in your decision.

 

[jeff9366]

What size/hp range should I be considering?

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Tractor capability is more closely correlated to tractor weight than any other single (1) specification.

The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to first identify potential tractor applications, then, through consulataton, establish bare tractor weight necessary to safely accomplish your applications. Tractor dealers, experienced tractor owners and TractorByNet.com are sources for weight recommendations.

Sufficient tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.

Within subcompact and compact tractor categories, a significant tractor capability increase requires a bare tractor weight increase of 50%. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range. I spreadsheet tractor and implement specs, often a revealing exercise. I have a column for cost per pound.

Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling multiple light implements in order to buy heavier, wider implements for a new, heavier tractor requires a lot of time. Depreciation on implements is worse than depreciation on a tractor.

When considering a tractor purchase bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third, rear wheel/tire ballast fourth.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My Kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

 

[jeff9366]

I've yet to see a use case quite like mine.

We recently bought a 1.5 acre property and historic home in Maine.

T-B-N ARCHIVE:

tractor for 1.5 acres site:tractorbynet.com

 

[Carl_NH]

Hi Kennebec,

I don't know your soil/land but if it's anything like most of New England, every spade you turn up a rock. I started with a started with a 20HP Mitsubishi with a loader, then restored an L185 Kubota with a BH and finally got my B21 TLB in 2001.

Strongly suggest getting a BH now and look closely at the BH mounting - closest to the tractor is best with a 4 point mount that doesn't impact the ground clearance - and one with a tractor seat that rotates to run the BH - its also a counter weight. I know people here will say don't buy the BH - just rent etc. but are in sandy/loam soils and a tree spade works for them but not here.

Yes, you can rent a mini ex, but building walls takes time then planting, excavating for walkways, wires etc. you will not regret having a BH.

 

[jeff9366]

The property is on a gently sloping hillside with an acre of lawn.

I was thinking that a 25-hp emissions-exempt compact with loaded tires would be a good place to start.

For your tasks I would look at a little TLB (tractor-loader backhoe)

 

[timbatrader]

Of cause you need a tractor but I would go for a fifty year old 2wd Massey Ferguson 35 or similar cheaper to buy run and maintain and with the cash you have saved buy a mini excavator great for landscaping and so much fun

 

[chim]

Get the tractor you want and make certain it's large enough. I bought "larger" several times till I was satisfied.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

A 25hp SCUT (subcompact) will do everything you need to do, plus be very maneuverable on your property.

I built my whole property including the septic, utility trenching, and cut in a driveway. Took longer than a bigger tractor, but I enjoyed doing the work.... on my own time... not a rental places time.

As others have said, get the backhoe at the time you get the tractor. (If you are getting new, a lot cheaper then)
I wouldn't get another tractor without one! You will find many uses for it aside from digging a hole!

My one neighbor has 20 acres and a JD 1025 (SCUT). Uses it primarily for mowing and maintenance on a long driveway. They do a little garden, so tilling also.

My other neighbor has a 5 acre lot, house and 2 big out buildings. He has a cabbed JD 55 hp tractor. It's actually funny watching him try to maneuver around the buildings. He can't get close enough to do any landscape work near the house.
He was putting up a 6' stockade fence last week, digging the holes for the posts by hand. The post hole digger for the tractor sitting about 25ft away..... he couldn't fit the tractor in where the fence was to go.

Go sit on a bunch of tractors, see which one "fits" you. There ARE subtle differences in the different manufacturers.
SCUTS are real tractors... specifically designed for tasks like you are describing, on properties about your size they are great little workhorses.

Check the specs carefully. Some are much stronger. Specifically check the hydraulic pump flow... higher is better. Make a spread sheet, list all the specs you can find. Lastly, the price. Comparing side by side specs reveal quite a surprise!

I started out with a SCUT when we were building. I ended up selling my LS MT125 scut for almost what I paid 2 years earlier. I wanted to get a 'bigger' tractor, so got another 25hp unit, but now is a full sized frame CUT (compact utility tractor)(LS XG3025 TLB).
Yes, the loader bucket is twice the size, the mower is bigger, the box blade is much bigger. More hydraulic power? -- yes --- so it lifts another 60% more.
BUT --- now I can only get into about half the spots that I would like to get to....

Do I miss the little SCUT? Absolutely!
I'm considering getting another scut now that the landscaping and property is getting "tight". I miss the little scut being able to get in and turn around in tight spots.

Good luck with your search, ask a lot of questions.