Am I thinking to big?

[kthompson]

I have a Kubota with 27 hp and would not want something that size for stump work any way you are working the stumps. My brother in law has a JD in the size you are looking at and I have run it maybe two hours and to me a great all around tractor. It has FEL but no back hoe. Understand the rocky ground and without knowing it better some of this is guessing, depending on the size of the stumps and the type of tree and the age of the stumps you can pull smaller stumps with a rear box blade if it extends a few inches above ground. Of course a backhoe or excavator will remove bigger than you can ever pull with that size tractor. An 18 inch stump is a serious stump in the pulling and even the digging world for a small machine depending on all factors. However you stumps are say 10 to 12 inches and they have rotten a year or two you probably can pull and bump them with a rear box blade and pull them. The if you have one or five you can not, maybe you can burn them out or rent an excavator for a day or two. I would not want a back hoe handing on a tractor unless it is needed. Based upon what you have stated so far would think a 45 or so is very good size for you. Do not be afraid of used either. I suspect in this size you can find a few say five year old machines with few hours the owner realized he can not justify keeping it as he only uses it a couple of days a year.

 

[searcyfarms]

for what its worth, I have spent my life on tractors/implements and worked for many types of farmers as well as managing areas/food plots for wildlife from timber to pasture to cropland - my suggestion would that of oosik, leave the stumps and get a small tiller or skid steer to scratch up the ground around them and plant your forage of choice for deer/turkey or whatever critters you are trying to attract - I have killed more deere and animals in the timber than I ever have in open spots and opening up areas inside the timber is overkill and a waste of time/effort in my ever so humble opinion, I have age on my side. I have a 30hp for mowing my yard, 65 for 10 acre/food plots, 90 and 150 for large mowing jobs and tillage. Even with all of those you could NEVER get me to turn loose of my skid steer. you can get in places with it you cant with a tractor and disturb less and get way more work done.

I would take the money and get a small tractor and a skid steer - u can rent and not have to store as needed a backhoe device or better yet, dig up with the skid steer at your leisure - still have the tractor for other things - I do 90% of my work for food plots, firewood/trees, timber, etc.... with my skid steer, 30hp and 4 wheeler - I like renting stuff for a weekend then taking it back as needed.

and don't buy something new if you are going to be banging it around in the timber - you will regret it everytime you put a dent in it and rip off a light!!!

 

[Oldoak]

I do not want to buy two different machines.

I don't blame you. Additional storage space would be needed plus twice the maintenance and related expenses would be required with two machines.

 

[Omega Woods]

I have a Branson 45 HP with a BH. My land is similar to yours only somewhat smaller. I think you're thinking right with the 45 HP size.

 

[rngrrymd]

Randy, I think you are going the right direction. I looked at a NX5510 Cab model and it wasn't too shabby. The Kioti backhoe was pretty smooth and they aren't too bad to get on and off although not as slick as a Deere 3R series backhoe for removal/install. The price was good on the Kioti if you are paying cash. I went a different direction because of financing my purchase (Kioti didn't offer any low rates)
The statement that Oldoak made kept occurring to me. I ended up going with a 75hp which is probably more tractor than I need (seems nobody around here stocks the smaller t4.65 or Case Farmall 65C models just the 75's) but just because a smaller tractor can "do the job" doesn't mean you have to go get the smaller tractor when it means more time to do the job. For driveway work the bigger tractor means you can use larger implements and get done quicker. I don't want to be out clearing the driveway all morning with a small tractor. I have other things to do. Like write posts on tractor boards. ;-)

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

If you'd be happier spending less, as you stated, why not hire out the few one-time jobs that need more HP or major digging, so you get them done quick and with no risk of injury to you. Then just buy a tractor sized to the ongoing chores you will do.

Big stumps; take out one and get back to us. It is the worst job in the world IMO and I've done my share. Large ones can be dangerous too. Watch some YouTube videos.

If you plan to spend a lot of time in your woods on trails, smaller is better. My 26 HP, I will already have to spend time leveling and widening all my trails, which my garden tractor could squeeze through. I don't like that, but the rest of my chores required that size tractor.

I think there are maybe two schools of thought here. If your goal is to subdue, cut down, groom, and control every inch of your property, and be able to do every single task yourself, more size is better. Me, I do want some trails and such but really want to disturb the natural order as little as possible. And big dangerous jobs that I can have done for $500 in one afternoon, to me is money well spent. Neither viewpoint is wrong or right IMO.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I rented a toro stump grinder for getting rid of my stumps. Rented for 8 machine hours or two days, something like that, that machine traveled to 5 diff properties, ground up over 35 stumps and still only used 6h of machine time. Thing was sweet, little tracked unit, turned stumps to mulch.

I would let about 50 stumps pile up, rent a stump grinder and chew them all up and return the machine. Easier and cheaper than 8-10k backhoe.

My buddy has a mahindra 28 max XL TLB, he loves that little tractor. His bigger tractors don’t have loaders.

 

[widefat]

Hey Randy,
We have very similar size properties and uses. I have done/am doing every thing you list, plus mowing about 5 acres.
I have a 32HP Kubota, and I find it sufficient for everything except working with larger trees. ((Forget the stumps - I have tried and you will need a tracked dozer. or c4. :laughing: )) My problem is not necessarily power, but weight.
When I have an issue, it is most often related to the weight of the tractor (not heavy enough) and losing traction, even with filled loaded rear wheels. I see though that you also want a backhoe - that will somewhat mitigate the lack of weight on a smaller machine.

All things considered, and even though my 32 is doing just fine, I wish I had moved into the 40+HP range to get a heavier machine.

 

[crashz]

Almost monthly I kick myself for not getting the backhoe with my machine. Would I use it all the time, no. But its much handier for the small jobs than than that big dedicated TLB and much cheaper than a mini ex.

I'm in agreement, your 45HP selection would be a good balance. I'm sure at times it will be a little light and sometimes a little to big. Please don't fall into the money trap buy assuming you'll get the options added later. I did. And I regret it. I should have added the backhoe, front and rear remotes, grapple and cruise. But I was being cheap.

Good luck and happy tractor shopping. Go sit on seats, operate them a little and see if you can rent one for a weekend. Then do a few hours of each chore to see what you like and if the equipment fits the tasks. You may refine your selection on needed implements. One thing I can think of is the quick attach on the backhoe with a ripper shank. This will make rocks and roots a little easier to get through than the bucket alone.

 

[Piston]

...Might end up using the backhoe as much at the FEL. Plus I want to make a higher dam for our pond.

I do not want to buy two different machines.

This post, is just screaming “dedicated TLB”.

A dedicated TLB will be far more capable than a farm tractor with a subframe Mount backhoe, and still be able to remove the backhoe and use any of the same 3pt hitch/PTO implements.
The loaders are considerably stronger as well.
Look into A Kubota L48 used of a new L47.

They are more expensive than farm tractors, less expensive than two machines, and not available with factory cabs.