Another, what size question. 14 Acres in hilly western PA.

[MESSMAKER]

Mike on Outdoors with the Morgan’s is in Western PA and really likes his RK37. Strong loader with a very dependable Japanese Yanmar diesel.

That is a good choice if you are OK with dealer support and service.

 

[Egon]

The OP has stated what specifications he needs. All he has to do is go shopping for what is available and fits the budget.

 

[msmith]

Primarily used for brushhogging around the perimeter of hayfields, and knocking down the weeds in a couple of horse pastures. Our driveway is probably 1/3 of a mile. We'd use it for light driveway maintenance (pulling a drag, moving a bucket or two of gravel). I get started looking at 25 hp tractors and within half an hour I'm looking at 50 hp machines with 2 remotes and a aux for the loader as well. It's easy to get carried away. I really just need enough machine to do the brush hogging. The loader should be able to lift at least 1,000 lbs. Snow removal is handled by an RTV with a plow.

I have nearly unlimited access to Case and Takeuchi excavating equipment, so I won't be doing any heavy digging or lifting.

I really like Kioti. Don't know if a CK2610 is enough machine and if I should jump up to a CK3510. Then there's the new DKse series, maybe an NX, ohhh a cab! There I go again. Realistically, it would get maybe 50-65 hours of use a year in the summer and fall. It would sit all winter and spring.

Hmmm? decisions. If you are in SW PA, then you aren't too far from me. With 14 acres you don't really need much of a tractor at all but...if you have any hills like I do then I would go for the DK45HS. I would not feel comfortable (maybe it's just me) with a compact or sub compact tractor on a hillside. I go from my 75hp to my MIL's 35hp Kubota utility and it is fine for most things like light brush hogging, tilling up a quarter acre garden, spreading gravel with the bucket, etc.. You mentioned a hay field. If you are doing hay or plan to in the future, you will want the utility size tractor for sure. Even if you are helping such as tedding or raking, get a utility size tractor, especially if you have hillside.

You mentioned horses. If you ever plan on handling round bales, get the larger framed tractor.

 

[Jchonline]

Lift 1000 lbs of what? This matters. 1000lbs of dirt 2 ft off the ground isnt the same as 1000lb round bale to 7 ft. RK37 seems like the correct size range. Grand L in Kubota, Deere 4 series, etc.