Tractor Sizing First tractor recommendations...

[searcyfarms]

here is a couple out in your area and this one with the belly mower you could maybe sell or trade it out for some of the implements you are wanting or just get the price down a bit.

New Holland 4x4 Tractor w/ Ldr. & Mower - farm & garden - by owner - sale


then you have this deere, a little comparison to the next physical size down for you than the N/H

John Deere Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale

something for you think about

 

[searcyfarms]

ooooh shooot, pulled the trigger there too quick, not sure if you are familiar with the N/H and the supersteer, that is a NICE feature and especially if you are meandering around in your trees you can turn really short with that in a larger tractor vs getting a smaller tractor to help with turning radius.

just thot i would mention it, i have been around both of these units, you will want to check out the difference by sitting on/driving/lifting/turning/ergonomics/things that that so you have an idea what you like/dont like in levers/running the machine, everyone has their preferences ;-)

not sure how much snow you get in your area but 9 times out of 10 when we get one around here its a wet one, heavy, harder to push and get out of the bucket not to mention it packs quickly and is like a block of ice so tire chains are likely required.

 

[MossRoad]

Greetings!
A year ago my wife & I bought 30 acres w/ house in VA and absolutely LOVE living here.
The house sits in a "bowl" (taller terrain to east/north/west and has 3 spring fed ponds. Aside from about 10% field grass around the ponds, the balance is moderately wooded and VERY hilly... very little "flat"/level ground. There are old logging roads around the north/west perimeters that access the woods.

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A good friend was going to loan me his "spare" L2900 (no FEL) for general use, which I've run for years bush hogging/wood harvesting his 50 acres.
However, once it turned spring, I bought a zero-turn for mowing and discounted the need for a tractor (I also have a 1-ton 4x4 dually flatbed and an old Jeep)...

That was until the recent snow of 14" w/ temps that hovered at/below freezing for a week and other proposed uses/conditions (which I'll attempt to list)

- Our shared private road is exactly 1/2 mile from the asphalt to the house. It's currently maintained by a non-resident "neighbor" every 2-3 weeks w\ L2501 & a "ground plane", which works very well, but... he's only available on the weekends and has his property on the market. I'd thought about purchasing his L2501 w/ FEL, but suspect being 2-3 years old will be way over my budget & he'll want to package deal with all attachments (I don't foresee needing or want to deal with selling off).
- Reached out to my friend to see if he would still loan me his L2900 but haven't heard back yet. He knows I'll care for it just like my own, maintain it better than he does, and would purchase/install a FEL (which I need) to repay his generosity.

Again, it's hilly country where 4x4 (MFWD), a wide(r) stance, & ballast appears to be a necessity(?)... so that's where I'm focusing right now, a CUT in the 25-30HP range. I've spent a few 100 hours on an L4850, don't like the bulk and appears would be a detriment in the woods?

Uses:
- Snow removal from 1/2 mile of gravel road... most recommend a simple angled scrape blade, but an FEL may come in handy for some of it?
- Potentially sharing maintenance, should current neighbor sell
- Gardening... due to stupid amounts of rock/packed red clay, we're going No-Till (back to Eden) so need a means to prep (tons of compost & wood chips to spread) and maintain (more wood chips)
- We plan to make this a "gentleman farm" (farm that doesn't doesn't require 2-5 more full-time commitments) and since this will be our retirement location... also planning for chickens, a few goats, and possibly sheep.
- Other general uses would be gathering wood for outdoor fire ring (enough downed timber to last my lifetime w/o cutting anything down)

I'm not brand loyal (literally grew up in an IH tractor dealership and have enjoyed the Kubota's), but like everyone else, want the best bang for the buck. Would like to stay under $10k for tractor/FEL and will add scrape blade, & possible auger.
Everything I read says "factory"/branded FEL is preferred, but it also appears the price of tractors w/o FELs ($6-7k) can be had for nearly 1/2 of those with FELs ($12-14k).
So, is adding one (used/aftermarket) to a base CUT really going to cost the $5-6k difference?

What a nice looking piece of property! Welcome to TBN. :thumbsup:

Someone asked me to pop in here and mention PowerTrac, so here goes.

PowerTrac is a factory direct only machine. It's not a tractor, so to speak, but more of a tool carrier. It's hydraulically articulated like a front end loader. All attachments are out front on the FEL arms. They are American made just up the road from you in Tazewell. They make several sizes and models of machines. Great machines for the tasks you mention. And very good on hills from mild to 45 degree slopes (depending on model and your budget, of course). They are not pulling machines, meaning they won't plow dirt or pull stumps. But they will run a tiller, power angle snow blade, snow blower, mowers, brush cutters, trenchers, mini-hoes, post hole augers/tree planters, fence post pounders, stump grinders, etc.... and, of course, FEL buckets, grapples and such. Over 40 attachments available.

All of their models come standard with the FEL arms included. That includes a quick attach adapter. You can change non-powered implements in less than 15 seconds without getting off the machine. Powered implements require you to get off the seat and connect hydraulic hoses. There are no drive shafts. They are full time all wheel drive. All models come with a solid steel canopy mounted on the ROPS, which offers great protection from falling object in the woods, too. The three small models are gas engines. All the rest are diesel. It's hard to find them used, but they do pop up from time-to-time. Especially in and around VA where they are manufactured. Super simple machines and very easy to work on yourself. Factory phone support is excellent. Parts usually arrive at your doorstep in 2 business days.

I could go on and on, and I usually do, so here's a link to their website and if you have any questions, hop on over to the PowerTrac forum here on TBN. Lots of members over there have both conventional tractors and PowerTracs and will be happy to offer comparisons, comments and recommendations regarding the differences and pros and cons of each. Good luck with your machine search. :thumbsup:

Power Trac

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/

 

[MossRoad]

Here's a picture of mine from 2001 when I bought it. Still works great after 17 years and I'd buy another if needed. Mine is the PT425 model. Weighs about 1500# with me on it. 60" finish mower. 60" power angle snow blade. 10 cubic foot light material bucket. 5 cubic foot rock bucket with teeth. 48" brush cutter. Pallet forks.

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[CaverDave]

Though I'd update everyone of what's transpired over the past year+...

We still have the original 30 acres, but have also picked up the "non-resident neighbors" 58 acres (similar hills/woods as the 30) in the process.
Shuffled a few things and am ready to move on a tractor soon. Aside from another 1/4 of gravel road, the planned tasks/objectives remain the same.

Have found an L2900 GST w/ FEL (2400 hours) locally that appears to be reasonably priced & hit several of the marks:
- I've logged 250+ hours on an L2900FST... bush hogging, dragging trees, etc. (= VERY familiar)
- If the old neighbors L2501 did fine, can't see the L2900 not doing the same with a couple more HP?
- It also should less (likely NO) emissions crap given the age
- I like that it's smaller/more maneuverable in tighter spaces
- And I believe my wife would feel comfortable operating it

The big question it leaves:
- Is that going to big enough? (like any of us can foresee the future)

 

[MossRoad]

Congrats on the nearly 200% increase in property! :thumbsup:

 

[3gunr]

Really depends on what your needs are now and in the future. That is a pretty big piece of ground for a small tractor. but if you are not mowing large chuncks of it or doing major logging projects the l 2900 should be fine. if it were me i would look at 40 to 50 hp tractors.

 

[CaverDave]

Congrats on the nearly 200% increase in property!

Thank you! One of the few times I feel into something that didn't smell badly! :laughing:

Really depends on what your needs are now and in the future. That is a pretty big piece of ground for a small tractor. but if you are not mowing large chuncks of it or doing major logging projects the l 2900 should be fine. if it were me i would look at 40 to 50 hp tractors.

That's exactly my hold up!

I'm mowing an extra acre(maybe?) and the BobCat eats it up quickly.
No plans to log anything. We'd harvest some of the numerous downed trees for firewood (enough for personal firepit and gift the rest) and chip up the small stuff.
Aside from pulling some old Jeeps around and maybe a few engine swaps (which I believe the L2900 should do just fine?), no real need for large duty lifting or pulling...

 

[airbiscuit]

Last year, I bought a Kubota L3010 GST which is a newer version of th eL2900. I really like it. The GST is a nice feature, and the tractor has larger rear wheels that other tractors of that frame size, I think you will be happy with the L2900.

 

[thompsonmax]

I probably wrote in all related threads to this one because I would like to buy a tractor and it is really hard to do when you dont have an experience. I will look at Kubota L3010 GST after your good review. Thanks