help deciding on tractor

[aneuploidy]

Hi. I am new to this whole tractor thing. I bought 6 acre of mostly wooded land with a 2 acre pasture. I am going to clear the brush and small saplings from the wooded area, so am going to need a brush hog. After clearing the area, I will use the tractor to mow the whole lot. May also want to use it for other things too, but just don't know what those things would be yet. The land is mildly sloped in most areas with a few steeper areas too. Would appreciate any advice on the type and size of tractor look for. I figured I would need a pretty strong brush hog to chew up the sapplings. Want to stay as low in cost as possible ($2000-4000 range), so something used and old sounds good to me.
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[orlo]

Aneuploidy:

I'm no expert on the used market, but that's a pretty low budget for a tractor and a brush hog. If you don't mind walking I would recommend a DR field a brush mower. I have a 17hp 30" (I also have a 3720 cab, 2305, and a 5' LX5 Brush hog).

The DR will 'out cut' my 5' brush hog as it's rated for 2.5" (And I've exceeded that) and the brush hog is rated for 1" (You can go more if you want). The DR is blades first and makes cutting the rough stuff easy and you cut first rather than run the stuff over. It's got only a 30" cut compared to a brush hog so it'll take you longer. Also, I'm assuming that most of the 'woody' stuff is a one time cut and you won't be repeat cutting it. If that is the case you might also consider renting a tractor/hog for the big first cut, then using something else for maintenance. For reference my lot is a little over 6 acres and I have another 2.6 acre lot. About 1.5 acres, maybe 2 of the 6 acre lot was all woody saplings and brushy crap that I've cleared. I did ALL the initial clearing with DR (Before I bought my tractor). FYI, when I got my first tractor (the 2305) I didn't even get a brush hog as I had the DR.

I rarely use my 5' brush hog unless I"m out hogging a lot of brush the snowmobile trails or occassionally if I let the areas I've cleared get way too long for my finish mower on my lot. For my lot I mostly use the DR unless I have a huge 'brushy' area. For woody areas I usually use the DR over the Hog. (And, yes, you can back up with the brush hog and cut first but it's not as easy as just driving forward).

You could buy one new for less than 3K and I'm sure you could get a used one cheap.

Maybe I'm wrong but I can't imagine you finding a tractor/brushhog combo for that price range. Maybe if it's very, very old.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are 1000's of other reasons to buy a tractor.. but I'm just thinking what fits in your budget.

 

[aneuploidy]

Thank you for this reply. This is very helpful information and gives me an initial direction to consider. I am going to see if I can find one of these DRs on craigslist. Will repost again once I come up with more ?s.
Thanks again, I appreciate help.

 

[ScottK]

I looked for a used tractor for a couple years - mostly via Craigslist. I never saw anything in your price range other than really old (like 1940's-1950's) farm tractors. JD has low financing rates though, so if you can handle a monthly payment, you can get a new one. That's what I finally did.

 

[unreconstructed]

When I first started tractor shopping I wanted something for 4 or 5 grand. All I found was wore out junk. That does not mean you won't find what you are looking for. I looked at pull behind self powereed mowers for my LT 133 and also the machine the your first responder described and just decided I did not want that and ended up with a JD 5203 with FEL. Am happy I went that direction. Of course, that does not fit your budget. Wish I could help.

 

[aneuploidy]

appreciate the comments guys. All this is helping me, so again thanks. I definitely have some leads and ideas I would not have thought about.

Thanks again

 

[FortClatsop]

Ditto what everyone else said. Look at what you have invested in your property and how long you intend to be there. If you look at this as an investment (as in the time you spend doing things) you will see that this isn't really a huge expense. It's not a boat. It's more like a kitchen for your outdoors. This isn't something that is all that prone to depreciation and so long as you don't trash the thing it will last a long time. How do you want your property to look and what kind of tools is it going to take to make that happen?

All some people need is a microwave in the kitchen, but if you know how to cook, and enjoy doing it then you will need more and want something more.

If you really enjoy fixing things then keep looking at really used stuff. If you enjoy trouble free operation than you at something new. How do you want to spend your time?

You can't beat 48 month interest free financing.

 

[craigNC]

For the initial clearing of your brush, I think a DR field and brush mower might be just what you need if you have the time and your budget is limited. I have been using a similar piece of equipment (Simplicity, with a Kawasaki 17hp) for about 5 years now and it does a fantastic job. Especially in tight quarters around trees, along the top edge of ditches, and things-that-you-don't-want-to-hit. The Simplicity actually has hydrostatic drive, so going back-and-forward in tight areas is a breeze (all the DRs are gear, I think). I haven't used it for anything bigger than 1 inch or so, but I've heard many people describe cutting bigger stuff. Anything under an inch it pulverizes. But it is slooooooooow in terms of forward travel speed (cutting stuff as it travels doesn't slow it down, though ). I'm now in the maintenance phase of the kind of clearing you'll be doing, which is why I'm looking to get a tractor ...