Buying Advice Bought 100 Acres. Upgrade my tractor or hire some work done?

[dragoneggs]

And you learn more about your property.
If the OP NEEDS the trails NOW hiring is the only way to go.

Boiling it down... newbury, you pretty much nailed it. There is a gratification factor that cannot be measured.

 

[abrahamd]

I am perhaps in a similar situation but im 35 with only 20 acres. Moved from the city about one year ago and didn't know anything about chainsaws and tractors etc. The old owner left behind a bunch of old saws and welders/tools so we figured what the heck let's jump in with both feet and go all in on rural life. Rather than hiring out we opted to buy an old 1976 track loader with backhoe and even though I am slow and inefficient, and I spend way too much time researching how to fix things , and then working my way through it, I'd have to say it was the correct path for us, and would recommend something similar as I've learned a ton and gained a lot of confidence. The best part is that all of the depreciation has pretty much taken place, so when all the heavy stuff is done, selling it for what we paid is a very likely outcome. Only cost would be gas and parts. It definitely tears up the soil, but that heals quick.

All my older friends tell me it's about the journey, so I'm trying to keep that perspective.

Cheers, 100 acres would be awesome!

 

[Sodo]

Do it yourself and as you walk your land you appreciate it more. Its worthwhile. You go close by a cool old tree. Wind uphill a little for a view. Zigzag a little so there's something interesting around each turn.

If you hire out you will get straight trails, boring. You get it done quicker but you will get tired of the trail quicker, like a boring section of highway that just goes A-to-B. Then you won't be inspired to use it, ansd with non-use, it willgrow back in. This is NOT what you want for your land. You want something that adds to the land, and even better when it has sweat equity, and design by someone who cares for the result.

For anything smaller than 3" I use a brushcutter "string trimmer style" but tougher (ECHO PAS-266), with a 7 1/4" carbide skilsaw blade. It cuts about the same speed as a chainsaw but no bending over. You're upright all day so you cut maybe 5x or 10x the number of "trees". Also you can cut flush to the ground so the stumps don't rise (as much). And if you touch dirt with the blade its not a big deal, a fresh blade is $7. Or you can burn thru all your "old" skilsaw blades. Also disposal of spoils is so much easier. Some of it you just chop it up and leave it there.

It cuts as fast and effortless as you might imagine a "stand-up skilsaw" would do (without the bending over part) . Of course you bring a chainsaw but you won't use it much (in comparison) after you learn how to skillsaw. Also your chain stays sharp!

 

[ovrszd]

Do it yourself and as you walk your land you appreciate it more. Its worthwhile. You go close by a cool old tree. Wind uphill a little for a view. Zigzag a little so there's something interesting around each turn.

40 acres of my timber is scattered with very old, very large Oak trees. I know them all personally. My trails give a view of them without interfering with their existence. I've ate many, many sack lunches sitting on the ground leaning against them enjoying my timber solitude.

 

[Sodo]

Yes Richard I understand that well. If you just bought your land you don't know yet where the trail should go. You certainly can't flag it for a contractor (who can't possibly know or care either). When you do it yourself, incrementally you will know as you go.

 

[Citydude]

I am perhaps in a similar situation but im 35 with only 20 acres. Moved from the city about one year ago and didn't know anything about chainsaws and tractors etc. The old owner left behind a bunch of old saws and welders/tools so we figured what the heck let's jump in with both feet and go all in on rural life. Rather than hiring out we opted to buy an old 1976 track loader with backhoe and even though I am slow and inefficient, and I spend way too much time researching how to fix things , and then working my way through it, I'd have to say it was the correct path for us, and would recommend something similar as I've learned a ton and gained a lot of confidence. The best part is that all of the depreciation has pretty much taken place, so when all the heavy stuff is done, selling it for what we paid is a very likely outcome. Only cost would be gas and parts. It definitely tears up the soil, but that heals quick. All my older friends tell me it's about the journey, so I'm trying to keep that perspective. Cheers, 100 acres would be awesome!

It is about the journey. When we bought our property, it seemed overwhelming at first because I was looking at 23 forested acres as a whole. After a year of working on it, mostly cutting down dead pine trees and having a pole barn built, I have come to realize that I can only work on the property where I'm standing and not the whole 23 acres. One step at a time and I'm pleased with what I've accomplished. Coming from deadlines and production goals in my former career, it's taught me to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Enjoy your new adventure!

 

[mike69440]

I say do it yourself.
However for every job, figure a cost per hour to operate the machine, considering investment depreciation, & operating costs, your labor, and the time it will take you to do the job.
If your can hire out for less or equal, pay to have it done as you actually save.

 

[TripleR]

I say do it yourself.
However for every job, figure a cost per hour to operate the machine, considering investment depreciation, & operating costs, your labor, and the time it will take you to do the job.
If your can hire out for less or equal, pay to have it done as you actually save.

Good point no matter whether you own a tractor yet or not. Our sons decided to save money by using our Case CX80 then M8540 and L5740 to build a commercial spec firing range. They worked every spare minute and at night after work. The cost of diesel exceeded rental and fuel cost of a dozer.

 

[MikeA57]

I was quite surprised that so many said hire it done. Although I kind of agreed with them at first, I kept thinking, "No, just do it yourself!" We have 100 acres behind the levee of the MS River in MS and after we first got the lease we got all geared up to go down and cut some roads with a small Ford 1510 with a bush hog (mine) and a larger 4520 Mahindra 4WD. Got down to the property and found out the Levee Board had come through with a 10' dozer and done the deed for us. After seeing what they pushed down and out of the way, we realized we wouldn't have been able to do it with what we had and without a WHOLE lot of effort. Now we just have to keep it up. Since it's behind the levee, they have to keep a road clear right along the river to keep an eye on things there anyway. I would definitely do it yourself though, especially if you plan on hunting it. You find out where the bedding areas are, where you want to put food plots and where you might decide to tear out some bedding areas and build shelters in other areas to give you the opportunity to separate bedding and feeding areas. Then you can put stands between those two areas...

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!!

Mike

 

[Snowback]

In my opinion DIY is more satisfying, but a WHOLE lot of work- obviously. I guess I would consider a mixture of resources having done this similar thing a time or two.

Perhaps consider initially bringing in a Forestry mulcher to knock out an inner area access trail for you that allows you to reach the back areas, yet still leaves natural barriers to keep out trespassers. Then you can work on finer details with your time and equipment. If you find the task remains daunting, you can always bring equipment back in... The nice thing about a mulcher is that the end result is just mulch as opposed to piles of knocked down trees that might get in your way. (Dozer on a tear would be cheaper though to be sure.)

This big guy here could make short work of a basic access trail. There are also skid steer mounted units that have done great work on our place a couple of times.

Enjoy your new place! Stay safe and have fun.