100 acres ,,need advice

[Pfm1011]

Thanks Alot for all the very very helpful advice.. I originally thought I could cut the 100 acres with a 8 foot in a weekend....not bloody likely ...

Decided to lease 65 out to a Soy/corn farmer, and plant pine trees on 20 and grass and "hobby farm" ( wifes garden) on 15.

Picked up a 2004 400 hr JD 5105 with MFWD and a FEL for the lawn and small brush cutting. I think its big enough for the little jobs, I get to play farmer and leave the real work to the real farmers. Will get something in the 100 to 125hp (with a cab) later for any real work.

In regards to the 5105 , Im thinking a 8 ft flail for the lawns and property perimeter and rough fields. 7 ft tiller and when we get a house on the property and want nice lawns , get a 10 to 12 ft finish.

Will a little tractor like this handle a 8 ft Box blade or is that too big ??

Are my sizes right or should I go bigger or smaller on the implements??

The ponds....hire a contractor....

Again I really appreciate the good advice

 

[JiminGa]

I think the soil type/condition will determine your box blade size, for soft dirt with few rocks/roots I think the 5105 will be ok for an 8 ft, rough dirt you may drop to a 6 or 7 ft.
flail mowers are nice, especially for road sides, but they are expensive and you won't get a manicured look like the finish mower.
that's a large tractor to do lawn mowing, you may consider a second smaller unit instead of a big finish mower...a 10 or 12 ft finish mower will surely set you back several thousand dollars.

 

[JiminGa]

on a side note, I grew up on a Christmas tree farm, about 200 acres. I cut the fields 3 times a year, in two directions each time with a Ford 3000 and a 6 ft bush hog. It took about 2 weeks each time all day 6 days a week.

 

[chh]

A local dealer(McCormick, Montana tractors and also has Chevy and Dodge) uses a 8' finish mower on his yard and it looked great. The day I was in looking he had the mower on a 75 hp or so McCormick, because it was just in and he wanted to try it. Sometimes uses a Montana, sometimes his JD. Doesn't matter to him as long as it has air and a good radio. His only complaint was turning to tight with new ag tires. Industrials and turfs are better for the yard. I was looking at the McCormicks and a used MF he had. He offered to let me mow his yard with the McCormick since it was hooked up. I passed.
Letting someone rent/use the rest of your place sounds like a good plan. That will give you time to figuire out what you want to do with it long term without too much hassle.

 

[ddivinia]

Thanks Alot for all the very very helpful advice.. I originally thought I could cut the 100 acres with a 8 foot in a weekend....not bloody likely ...
---

Takes me longer than that with a 15' mower.


Picked up a 2004 400 hr JD 5105 with MFWD and a FEL for the lawn and small brush cutting. I think its big enough for the little jobs, I get to play farmer and leave the real work to the real farmers. Will get something in the 100 to 125hp (with a cab) later for any real work.
----
GOod call.


In regards to the 5105 , Im thinking a 8 ft flail for the lawns and property perimeter and rough fields. 7 ft tiller and when we get a house on the property and want nice lawns , get a 10 to 12 ft finish.
----
Flail mowers are far and few between here in Texas. I have no real experience with them.


Will a little tractor like this handle a 8 ft Box blade or is that too big ??
-----

What kind of tires do you have on your 5105?

I bet you have more headaches with such a wide boxblade. Get a blade that will for sure cover you tire tracks.

D.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm going to go with either a 10' or maybe a batwing. Lots of hillside and loader work. I definetly want MFWD. I also plan on doing some haying.

Bake

i never thought I needed a batwing untill after i tried one.. then my 10' mower seemed.. uh.. less than significant!

Soundguy

 

[ddivinia]

i never thought I needed a batwing untill after i tried one.. then my 10' mower seemed.. uh.. less than significant!

Soundguy

You got that right. Great for mowing ditches, and other uneven ground.

D.

 

[Soundguy]

Hmm.. you should be able to cut 100 ac in 2 days.. just make them long 10hr days or so..

I cut 10ac ( open) in a little less than 2hrs with a 15' mower.

Soundguy

Takes me longer than that with a 15' mower.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Hmm.. you should be able to cut 100 ac in 2 days.. just make them long 10hr days or so..

I cut 10ac ( open) in a little less than 2hrs with a 15' mower.

Soundguy

Well, that depends on terrain, thickness of the grass, how many pastures.

What kind of ground speed do you run?

D.

 

[Soundguy]

I specified open terain... but you do bring up a good point.. as it will influence time, as will obstacles, and paddocks, travel time.. and gate sizes to go thru.. etc.

I'm making about 5 to 5.5 mph. ( 5th gear on my 8spd at pto rpm. )

Soundguy