First tractor - ~20 acres, Debating Yanmar YT235 vs Kubota L3902
- Thread starter Cbcowan
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For the prices im being quoted I may have your local guys drive out2-6" tree growth is essentially chainsaw work, then moving the debris somewhere else either by dragging it or moving it with a grapple. If there are thorn trees, odds are you'll have flat tires. If the tires are loaded with liquid ballast for stability, then that is an additional problem. Plus, how the heck are you going to handle the thorn trees if you have to use a chain saw on them without getting impaled yourself?
Tractors are also not the easiest machines to work with in forest environments.
Instead of undertaking this laborious and time consuming task that can turn into a never ending weekends eater, I'd strongly recommend that you keep looking to hire a forestry mulching service. Call the local Fecon, Caterpillar and Kubota dealers-ask them if they have customers who do forestry mulching. Keep looking and get multiple quotes.
In my area of middle Tennessee, there was a mulching service that advertised on the internet. Guy shows up in a brand new shiny truck. Quoted me two machines for two days at a fixed price. Then I happened to see a local outfit who came out and said $185 hr and then they gave me an estimate of the hours needed which was about half of what the first dude quoted using only one machine.
The local guys came out in a not so shiny truck and mulched up years of overgrowth in a few hours. They could clear overgrowth in a matter of minutes that it would take me a week to clear with a chainsaw and tractor plus they were able to mulch it up and there was no debris to be moved somewhere else to pile up that would take years to rot.
When I saw how productive they were with their machine, I added to their job.
After you get it mulched, you will then be in a much better position to assess what kind of machine you need to maintain it.
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JurassicJet
Member
I have owned two Kubotas. Just traded my small-ish B2601 in on a Kioti CX2510 cab. Could not be happier. The tractor seems to be significantly better than my Kubota in so many regards. If you have a Kioti dealer within a couple of hours, I would seriously look at the CK or DK line.
I, too, own just a touch over 20 acres. I find that too many folks base the tractor size on acreage rather than tasks. Quite honestly, 20 acres isn't very much.
I, too, own just a touch over 20 acres. I find that too many folks base the tractor size on acreage rather than tasks. Quite honestly, 20 acres isn't very much.
2manyrocks
Super Member
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- Jul 28, 2007
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Some rambling and general thoughts.
I also see a lot of guys advertising forestry mulching on FB marketplace which might also be a source for you to look into. The guys I used don't put much into advertising on the internet. It turned out that I personally know all of the owners which was another reason I went with them instead of the other guy.
If you are thinking about taking over the mowing, I suggest you calculate your anticipated mowing time and then assess your equipment needs based on acres to be mowed versus your available time to mow.
Most fields are rough enough that you may not want to travel more than 4-5 mph which means your mowing time is set by your cutter's width. Your cutter's width depends on having a tractor with enough HP to run that wide of a cutter in your vegetation. Thicker vegetation requires more HP than thinner vegetation.
You can mow much faster in an open field than you can mow in confined trail situations. A wide cutter may not be easy to get through the trees, but obviously would be faster to mow with in an open field.
Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour
For some reason, it felt like one of the local dealers was pushing me towards a L3902 to handle a 6' cutter. I don't know if the dealer makes more on a L3902 or figured they had a better chance of selling me the L3902 than an MX. A used 2015 MX came up for sale at a much more attractive price, and I bought it for less money instead of paying for a new L3902.
Kubota probably makes a lot of new tractor sales because they offer 0 percent financing. I'm not sure if they price their machines to build in the cost of 0 percent financing. From an owner's point of view, Kubota financing may arguably hurt your chances of resale later because Kubota offers 0 percent financing on new machines that may appeal more to your potential buyers than buying a used machine with no warranty from an individual.
You're much better off if you can identify your needs and buy appropriately the first time. A larger tractor is capable of lifting more and doing more than a smaller tractor, but if over 25hp and a recent model, will have a DPF emissions system.
Even if you pay a forestry mulcher to do the heavy clearing work, a grapple is convenient for getting up those pesky limbs that blow off trees every so often. A rotary brush cutter is less expensive to buy and maintain than a flail mower provided you let a forestry mulcher knock down the brush to a more manageable level.
Dealer service becomes extremely important if your tractor has an issue that is supposed to be covered by warranty or if your tractor develops a problem that needs repair at the dealership. DPF systems and electronic fuel systems may require dealer service over time. Independent tractor repair shops may or may not exist in your area.
I also see a lot of guys advertising forestry mulching on FB marketplace which might also be a source for you to look into. The guys I used don't put much into advertising on the internet. It turned out that I personally know all of the owners which was another reason I went with them instead of the other guy.
If you are thinking about taking over the mowing, I suggest you calculate your anticipated mowing time and then assess your equipment needs based on acres to be mowed versus your available time to mow.
Most fields are rough enough that you may not want to travel more than 4-5 mph which means your mowing time is set by your cutter's width. Your cutter's width depends on having a tractor with enough HP to run that wide of a cutter in your vegetation. Thicker vegetation requires more HP than thinner vegetation.
You can mow much faster in an open field than you can mow in confined trail situations. A wide cutter may not be easy to get through the trees, but obviously would be faster to mow with in an open field.
Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour
For some reason, it felt like one of the local dealers was pushing me towards a L3902 to handle a 6' cutter. I don't know if the dealer makes more on a L3902 or figured they had a better chance of selling me the L3902 than an MX. A used 2015 MX came up for sale at a much more attractive price, and I bought it for less money instead of paying for a new L3902.
Kubota probably makes a lot of new tractor sales because they offer 0 percent financing. I'm not sure if they price their machines to build in the cost of 0 percent financing. From an owner's point of view, Kubota financing may arguably hurt your chances of resale later because Kubota offers 0 percent financing on new machines that may appeal more to your potential buyers than buying a used machine with no warranty from an individual.
You're much better off if you can identify your needs and buy appropriately the first time. A larger tractor is capable of lifting more and doing more than a smaller tractor, but if over 25hp and a recent model, will have a DPF emissions system.
Even if you pay a forestry mulcher to do the heavy clearing work, a grapple is convenient for getting up those pesky limbs that blow off trees every so often. A rotary brush cutter is less expensive to buy and maintain than a flail mower provided you let a forestry mulcher knock down the brush to a more manageable level.
Dealer service becomes extremely important if your tractor has an issue that is supposed to be covered by warranty or if your tractor develops a problem that needs repair at the dealership. DPF systems and electronic fuel systems may require dealer service over time. Independent tractor repair shops may or may not exist in your area.
jyoutz
Super Member
To find reputable contractors to treat your forest land, contact your local state forestry office for a list of proven contractors.
Not making a recommendation here, but throwing out an idea to consider in the context of other recommendations in this thread:
If looking at larger machines for greater stability, consider the LE version of Kubota's Grand L as well -- specifically the 3560LE and 4060LE. Frame, weight, and lift capacity wise they fall somewhere between the 3902 and the MX. Price-wise the 3560 may be in the same ballpark as the 3902. (I guess consider the 4702 also if you're looking at an MX).
Regarding forestry mulching, we had 3-4 acres cleared with two large machines. Given the size of some of the trees they had to clear it was probably the right thing for us for a first pass, but going forward I'll look for a skid steer with a mulching head -- more precise work.
If looking at larger machines for greater stability, consider the LE version of Kubota's Grand L as well -- specifically the 3560LE and 4060LE. Frame, weight, and lift capacity wise they fall somewhere between the 3902 and the MX. Price-wise the 3560 may be in the same ballpark as the 3902. (I guess consider the 4702 also if you're looking at an MX).
Regarding forestry mulching, we had 3-4 acres cleared with two large machines. Given the size of some of the trees they had to clear it was probably the right thing for us for a first pass, but going forward I'll look for a skid steer with a mulching head -- more precise work.
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2manyrocks
Super Member
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- Jul 28, 2007
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You might look through this thread to see what other people are actually using in their woods. Tractors and wood! Show your pics
I've been brush-hogging for fifty-odd years, with a 1950s Allis Chalmers, a 1975 International Harvester (actually a Japanese Bison with an American overcoat), and a more recent Mahindra 26xxx. The Mahindra has a Yanmar engine that has never given trouble, and my next-generation has an expedition sailboat with a Yanmar-powered genset that likewise has never given trouble for 21 years (the main engine is a cummins). So I'd have no hestitation buying a Yanmar tractor, and I've heard nothing bad about Kubota except the price. I'd never buy another Mahindra -- the design is awful.
I have a four-foot Land Pride brush hog, which works fine with the Mahindra, horsepower I think is 26. The size is more for manueverability in the woods. I'd be very cautious with anything thicker than an inch diameter. I know nothing about thorn trees!
The Mahindra is very poor at snowplowing, and I have this year outsourced my driveway to a commercial plowman. (I am 92.) I was skeptical of the fluid transmission -- I forget what it's called -- but it has worked out very well. I rarely used the front-wheel drive; it seems to make snowplowing harder rather than easier but is useful in wet ground, which we've had a lot of this year. I have industrial tires, not aggie, and anyhow 4wd is probably standard on all tractors now, like diesel. Personally, I'd prefer a gasoline tractor, but I don't think they exist any longer. I just don't burn enough diesel to keep it fresh, and it's a PITA to have both yellow and red jerrycans.
If I had it to do over again, I would never have gotten rid of that Bison/International tractor, sigh.
I have a four-foot Land Pride brush hog, which works fine with the Mahindra, horsepower I think is 26. The size is more for manueverability in the woods. I'd be very cautious with anything thicker than an inch diameter. I know nothing about thorn trees!
The Mahindra is very poor at snowplowing, and I have this year outsourced my driveway to a commercial plowman. (I am 92.) I was skeptical of the fluid transmission -- I forget what it's called -- but it has worked out very well. I rarely used the front-wheel drive; it seems to make snowplowing harder rather than easier but is useful in wet ground, which we've had a lot of this year. I have industrial tires, not aggie, and anyhow 4wd is probably standard on all tractors now, like diesel. Personally, I'd prefer a gasoline tractor, but I don't think they exist any longer. I just don't burn enough diesel to keep it fresh, and it's a PITA to have both yellow and red jerrycans.
If I had it to do over again, I would never have gotten rid of that Bison/International tractor, sigh.
LiveDog
Silver Member
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- Nov 19, 2017
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- Tractor
- KUBOTA MX5400DT w/ 3rd function forward and 2 extra rear hydraulics, ballasted industrial tires...
I am on my 3rd tractor... Nothing less than a KUBOTA MX5400!!!!Hello all -
New here, and thank you all for contributions to forums - have learned a lot by reading. Apologies if I missed a comparison like this somewhere, but wanted to toss out a decision I'm considering to others who know more for reaction / thoughts. I am in CT and have ~20 acres of land - mostly maintained pasture (mowed by neighbors semi-annually as part of agreement to be able to use land), and then trails / woods / stone walls that have gotten pretty overgrown over the last 10 years.
Tasks: I've been considering getting a tractor to help clear brush from edges & trails (thorn bushes etc), but also with heavier wooded overgrown areas that have become impassable due to 2-6" tree growth, and downed trees / branches from storms over the years. Additionally I could imagine making excuses to spread gravel, improve the drainage in my pasture / road thru the field (several spots that stay very muddy / wet). I'm unlikely to do lawn mowing or snow plowing consistently beyond spot needs. Mostly weekend duty - very classic sundown situation.
My ideal end state is to have somewhere between natural fields, woods, with a few park-like areas with easy passing thru trees.
Outsource vs Buy: The rational part of me realizes probably makes sense to pay someone with a skid steer or a excavator w/ mulcher head to come thru first pass, and then get something small to keep it back. However I've had trouble finding someone local, and when I do get quotes they feel very high ($10k+ - and maybe I'm off) . So... that got me down the I should probably get a tractor rabbit hole that many here have gone down
Dealers: I unfortunately dont have any dealers <10 miles away, but do have a Kubota dealer and Yanmar dealer ~40 mins away. I have really enjoyed my interactions with Yanmar dealer / been super helpful, and the Kubota dealer a bit less so (always busy, clearly I'm not top of mind for them and probably as a newbie have dumb questions etc, they're the largest dealer around etc). So have been leaning Yanmar.
Tractors: The Yanmar dealer has a pile of SA325's on the lot, and that seems like a good option due to simplicity, cost, and will likely handle most stuff pretty handily. His recommendation started there (and he is probably right) - outsource the big stuff, DIY / maintain the small stuff. But I do worry I'm going to regret not having something bigger / more flexible if I'm having to push bigger things around. So have been considering YT235 as well. The Kubota dealer steered me to heavier tractor (45+hp, $45k+) immediately - but maybe due to me framing the question around need for a heavy flail mower etc. So they netted out at L3902 reco. But admit that it left a bit of a bad taste in mouth to push me to such a costly direction out of the chute.
However, as I compare the prices on the L3902 and Yanmar YT235 - they seem very close in price / specs. I've never sat on an YT235, but as I compare specs Kubota does feel like a really good option (more weight, seems more maneuverable, more ground clearance, more HP, etc etc) but maybe makes creature comfort tradeoffs?
I'm likely to have the tractor 10+ years between the models fortunately seem small over that time period, but do enjoy a value / bang for buck etc. (which took me down Yanmar trail initially). I'm sure would be a better value to buy used, but also the financing flexibility + known commodity of new maintenance etc feels like a wash to me.
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I think i'm likely to need a grapple (+3rd function) & a heavy-ish flail mower. Admittedly the PTO mulchers (Baumalight?) are very cool... but even though I've (I think) talked myself into a tractor... those things are so expensive I cant get my head around them.
Reactions / Recommendations?
Unexpectedly wrote a novel there, apologies and thanks if you've made it this far.
