Help me pick a tractor (25-45 HP)

[aesanders]

What is unspoken here, is that we are advising him on buying his first tractor.

No he had the 860.

I think the general consensus from those that see the big picture is that with his amount of ground, he will quickly outgrow any model he is currently looking at, and wish he had a larger machine.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'm not sure he owned the Ford 860. In any case, my comment implied that he'll end up either buying a bigger tractor, or a second one for the stable.

 

[Get-in-muh-bellymower]

I think you are all giving good advice based on your own experiences. I will certainly wish for a bigger machine at times and perhaps often.

However for the last 7 years all of my land improvement (aside from mowing) has been done with a chainsaw, wheelbarrow, shovel, and splitting maul. Even the smaller less capable tractors I am considering would greatly expand my capacity to get things done and save wear and tear on my body. In addition they would be easier to fuel, store, maintain, and transport than a larger machine.

I am going to buy an l2501. It's simple, should last a long time and have good parts availability down the road. It won't be able to run my flail mower, but I'll pick up a RC for it to use until I get the Ford fixed. When I have really heavy work to be done I'll rent a dozer/skid steer/excavator.

I'll be sure to report back to tell you all you were right if/when I decide to trade up to a bigger tractor. I think to a certain extent the only way to figure out what I really need is trial and error. Thank you for all of your comments. They helped me understand and resolve my uncertainty.

 

[Get-in-muh-bellymower]

I'm not sure he owned the Ford 860. In any case, my comment implied that he'll end up either buying a bigger tractor, or a second one for the stable.

I do still own the Ford. It needs a new hydraulic pump, I think. Unfortunately it's currently 500 miles north of me and I don't have a shop up there to work on it. I will probably bring it back south this fall to work on over the winter.

 

[Torvy]

I just did an online comparison. My MX6000 open station with loader is $42.5k and your T574H open station is $33k. If my math is correct, that is a difference of 22%. If you compare the T574H to a grand L6060, then yeah the spread is considerably more.

The grand is the one closest in features and capabilities to the T574. Even it falls short in some regards. It's OK. You have the money and are happy.

 

[Robin Veerman]

I am going to buy an l2501. It's simple, should last a long time and have good parts availability down the road.

That's a sweet rig and it'll likely be easy to sell/trade if/when you decide to go bigger down the road. You might try to get ALL filters thrown in at purchase for the first service (Worry about oils later). A spare fuel filter is always great to have.
You don't say...but be sure to acquire the 4x4 version ;>)

 

[jyoutz]

The grand is the one closest in features and capabilities to the T574. Even it falls short in some regards. It's OK. You have the money and are happy.

Yep. I have dependable local parts and service.

 

[sd455dan]

No he had the 860.

I think the general consensus from those that see the big picture is that with his amount of ground, he will quickly outgrow any model he is currently looking at, and wish he had a larger machine.

Yep and a ballasted 860 without an FEL can weigh 6700lb.
I would be looking in the 50+ HP Large CUT/ small utility tractor with MFWD and FEL with AG tires, but jmo.


This won't fit the OP's truck and trailer constraints though.

 

[Rdrcr]

I am going to buy an l2501. It's simple, should last a long time and have good parts availability down the road. It won't be able to run my flail mower, but I'll pick up a RC for it to use until I get the Ford fixed. When I have really heavy work to be done I'll rent a dozer/skid steer/excavator.

Great choice! I’m very happy with my L2501.

Mike

 

[PEJ5]

Weight, clearance, stance, and lift. You need all of these two work with such wooded property. Consider a grapple or a set of forks with a grapple arm. I know Kioti so I'll speak to them. The Ck3520SE has reasonable weight, clearance, and lift capacity. You can do lots of work with it.

Price out a DK model to compare. It has wheels with adjustable centres so you can widen the stance and that improves stability in the woods on uneven ground. It also has more weight, clearance and lift capacity.