Best 8 acre tractor for Big Island Hawaii

[sodamo]

Aloha K2Man

Gee, thanks guys for the kind words.

Welcome to TBN and the Big Island. There are several TBNers on the forum, at least 3 of us on the Hilo side. So are you actually on island yet? Could you be more specific as to area, it can make quite a difference. Not sure I’ve heard of vanilla being grown other than Paaulio area, but things change. As you likely know, our climate is quite ranging and will be a major factor. We too are at 1100 ft and usual rain around 140 inches but this year we are 216 ytd and lately wet enough to hamper my tractor related projects.

As for tractors. really going to be dependent on where you are, what you do, but likely the 30hp range will be quite adequate. I have a Case DX35 and Kioti CK30HST. Case I bought used with about 300hrs for $14k locally. The Kioti I bought new on mainland and shipped. At the time, looking at similiar Kubota i could have bought and shipped my CK30 and it’s little brother for about same money. IF you are still on the mainland, seriously look at buying there and shipping. This was advise given me by my rep at Hawaii Farm Credit Services. Of course time have changed at that was 15 years ago. Here on Hilo side, we have Kubota, Case, Deere, New Holland and some other Blue brand dealers. kioti dealer is Maui and Oahu. My friends have all brands and mostly due are own maintenence unless something serious (a Deere neighbor). Only parts issue I’ve had is my Rhino rotary cutter. My backhoe valve leaks and needs attention and i just learned those parts are no longer available but i should be able to find a hydro shop that can do the job.

As to your wishes vs price. Best i can say is good luck. Unusual to see a used tractor here is pristine condition that also doesn’t have price to match, very close to new. That said, a quite seviceable machine at reasonable price can show up.
So my limited knowledge advice:
1. If still on mainland and can guess as to your needs, buy best deal there and ship. Try and determine what attachments/implements and get also. That could be another discussion.

2. If possible, buy new locally with a zero financing plan if within budget.

3. If unsure as to your needs/budget. Buy used locally in basic good shape at reasonable price. Use it, learn from it a couple years and if bought right you can likely resale with little loss and buy what you want/need.

I realize this is just scratching the surface. You should find your new BI friends eager to help.

Just ask if i can help more.

David

 

[k2man]

Thanks everyone, especially sodamo - (Hey David, it's Keith! Saw Kekoa's picture there, knew it was you then). So sodamo knows me well, but for the rest of you...

I have been living on the BI for a year now. The property I'm buying is above Lapahoehoe, on the Hamakua Coast. Great soil there - found about 12 rocks on the whole place so far.

I owned and extensively used a Ford 8N tractor for 18 years, doing all the maintenance myself. I used a lot of implements with it - single bottom plow, disc, a blade I made, a box blade (purchased), brush hog, sickle bar mower, planter, rakes, maybe a few other things. I am using a mid size Kubota here with a front end loader, and have used bobcats a bit - have one here with forks and a 4 way bucket that I'm using.

Maintenance - I'll do anything I can myself. I've rebuilt a few car and boat engines and transmissions, so I'll tackle anything, especially if I have a manual. I'll be doing everything I can on my tractor. I have tools - including a Bridgeport J2 mill, Atlas lathe, TIG welder, various sanders, and many air and hand tools, along with stuff for electronics (including the oscillicope that's over at sodamo's place now).

So I definitely want a tractor with a front end loader. I'll need a mower - like to have an estate mower, but could use a brush hog to get the place knocked down - lots of guava trees, most could be ground up with a brush hog, lots of guinea grass. Cattle are grazing it a bit (neighbor's cows - the fence is bad) and the feral pigs are running rampant on the place for now (they'll be in the freezer soon).

Also will definitely want a box blade for grading. I'll need to have a dozer come in first to put in a driveway and level the house and shop pad. I want to do all the finish dirt work - that's where a box blade is so useful. I build a house years ago on 35 acres and couldn't have done the finish work there without it.

As far as agriculture, I definitely don't want to plow up the place (no ginger or sweet potatoes! - two crops here that destroy a lot of soil). May plant hemp. Or in a year or so, when it becomes legal, cannabis.
We are looking into growing vanilla orchids - they grow in shade houses (greenhouses). Maybe fruit trees, or maybe just plant a Koa and native tree forest.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Aloha K2Man

Gee, thanks guys for the kind words.

Welcome to TBN and the Big Island. There are several TBNers on the forum, at least 3 of us on the Hilo side. So are you actually on island yet? Could you be more specific as to area, it can make quite a difference. Not sure I’ve heard of vanilla being grown other than Paaulio area, but things change. As you likely know, our climate is quite ranging and will be a major factor. We too are at 1100 ft and usual rain around 140 inches but this year we are 216 ytd and lately wet enough to hamper my tractor related projects.

As for tractors. really going to be dependent on where you are, what you do, but likely the 30hp range will be quite adequate. I have a Case DX35 and Kioti CK30HST. Case I bought used with about 300hrs for $14k locally. The Kioti I bought new on mainland and shipped. At the time, looking at similiar Kubota i could have bought and shipped my CK30 and it’s little brother for about same money. IF you are still on the mainland, seriously look at buying there and shipping. This was advise given me by my rep at Hawaii Farm Credit Services. Of course time have changed at that was 15 years ago. Here on Hilo side, we have Kubota, Case, Deere, New Holland and some other Blue brand dealers. kioti dealer is Maui and Oahu. My friends have all brands and mostly due are own maintenence unless something serious (a Deere neighbor). Only parts issue I’ve had is my Rhino rotary cutter. My backhoe valve leaks and needs attention and i just learned those parts are no longer available but i should be able to find a hydro shop that can do the job.

As to your wishes vs price. Best i can say is good luck. Unusual to see a used tractor here is pristine condition that also doesn’t have price to match, very close to new. That said, a quite seviceable machine at reasonable price can show up.
So my limited knowledge advice:
1. If still on mainland and can guess as to your needs, buy best deal there and ship. Try and determine what attachments/implements and get also. That could be another discussion.

2. If possible, buy new locally with a zero financing plan if within budget.

3. If unsure as to your needs/budget. Buy used locally in basic good shape at reasonable price. Use it, learn from it a couple years and if bought right you can likely resale with little loss and buy what you want/need.

I realize this is just scratching the surface. You should find your new BI friends eager to help.

Just ask if i can help more.

David

Thanks everyone, especially sodamo - (Hey David, it's Keith! Saw Kekoa's picture there, knew it was you then). So sodamo knows me well, but for the rest of you...

I have been living on the BI for a year now. The property I'm buying is above Lapahoehoe, on the Hamakua Coast. Great soil there - found about 12 rocks on the whole place so far.

I owned and extensively used a Ford 8N tractor for 18 years, doing all the maintenance myself. I used a lot of implements with it - single bottom plow, disc, a blade I made, a box blade (purchased), brush hog, sickle bar mower, planter, rakes, maybe a few other things. I am using a mid size Kubota here with a front end loader, and have used bobcats a bit - have one here with forks and a 4 way bucket that I'm using.

Maintenance - I'll do anything I can myself. I've rebuilt a few car and boat engines and transmissions, so I'll tackle anything, especially if I have a manual. I'll be doing everything I can on my tractor. I have tools - including a Bridgeport J2 mill, Atlas lathe, TIG welder, various sanders, and many air and hand tools, along with stuff for electronics (including the oscillicope that's over at sodamo's place now).

So I definitely want a tractor with a front end loader. I'll need a mower - like to have an estate mower, but could use a brush hog to get the place knocked down - lots of guava trees, most could be ground up with a brush hog, lots of guinea grass. Cattle are grazing it a bit (neighbor's cows - the fence is bad) and the feral pigs are running rampant on the place for now (they'll be in the freezer soon).

Also will definitely want a box blade for grading. I'll need to have a dozer come in first to put in a driveway and level the house and shop pad. I want to do all the finish dirt work - that's where a box blade is so useful. I build a house years ago on 35 acres and couldn't have done the finish work there without it.

As far as agriculture, I definitely don't want to plow up the place (no ginger or sweet potatoes! - two crops here that destroy a lot of soil). May plant hemp. Or in a year or so, when it becomes legal, cannabis.
We are looking into growing vanilla orchids - they grow in shade houses (greenhouses). Maybe fruit trees, or maybe just plant a Koa and native tree forest.

It's a small world.....but I wouldn't want to have to paint it.

Dude, I could see having a small machine shop on the BI would make you the best friend of many.

 

[sodamo]

Ok, done laughing now. I’ve met several TBNers in person over the years, never met in person the guys here that said nice things about me, but you are the first I’ve met in person 1st, then TBN

My 1st thought was maybe you, but checked your none informative profile and decided maybe not. Should have thought more about your TBN name. If you take a minute with mine it will make sense too.

Yes, tomorrow is anniversary of when we met and I guess we’ll talk more at brunch tomorrow.

Kyle, I was really hoping he’d have to leave some of that stuff here when his container was parked here.



Keith, you might want to take a look what I have you can use, Box Blade, PHD, etc. maybe even let you know when I am ready put the DX on Craigslist.

I think your property is a few mowings away from a finish mower, definitely a bush hog, maybe a flail. You see results from our fields. Mike M uses a finish mower behind his Kubota, but not as a first time mower. I tried to talk John into borrowing Sophie’s old Craftsman after another go with the bushhog before buying a new machine. I think your’s maybe be a tad rougher, but that’s just my memory and honestly haven’t looked from a mowing standpoint.

Talk with ya tomorrow.

 

[swnoel]

It's a small world.....

Especially on an island! ;-)

 

[k2man]

Don't know if this thread is too old to be posting to it, but I had a good laugh reading thru it again, especially Sodamo's posts. I've been busy with the tractor, too busy to spend much time checking out TBN except to get advice on a few repairs. I did forget to say "thank you" to everyone who gave me good advice on looking for a tractor to buy. Well, except Sodamo, who I thanked after buying his Case DX35 with a 6' bucket FEL and good 7' flail mower. I love the tractor, especially the hydrostatic transmission. I'll never buy another tractor without it - until electrics are practical. Thank you daugen, good advice. I did also get a WoodMax backhoe attachment for it - found used on the island. It is a great attachment to have. I've dug hundreds of feet of trenches (for water and electric lines) and planted hundreds of trees and bamboo plants with it. The FEL is a must - I've leveled a few thousand square feet of land to build a temporary home (will be our ohana = guest house) and cleared and mowed a good part of our 8 acres. I really appreciate everyone's replies, and hope I can help someone here too. Aloha, Keith

 

[sodamo]

Amazing what we do when rained in

This is road to Keith’s

Our low water crossing last night about dusk. Not crossable unless you have a big raised truck. 3 lines there, maintained by our neighbor Buly. If 2 lines showing, ok for a Tacoma, 3 lines showing, any car is ok

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

turn around, don't drown.

 

[Buppies]

Really neat story thanks for sharing

 

[sodamo]

So let me add to it...
A few years back, before Keith was on his property, a lady friend who lives further up the road had a mishap. This is a lady around my age, maybe even a bit older. Lives alone. Anyway for some reason she backed her Tacoma in area about bottom right corner of picture. Went too far. Tacoma went over the bank, into the pool below. She managed to get out, walked home. Miraculously she was unhurt, truck totaled.