HELP Need LOTS of ADVICE

[groundcover]

I agree the subcompact with a loader would be a great start. You might want to conceder a 3pt finish mower if the mowing is not too rough, I have had good luck with these in fields with tall grass, easier to hookup than a mid mount and leaves a nicer job than a bush hog. If you have a lot of obstacles, trees, rocks etc. You can稚 beet a zero turn SCAG POWER EQUIPMENT - Zero-Turn Riding Mowers but they are pretty much just for mowing; now you can go shopping for two machines!

Two sayings seem to recur after firing up the Kubota: 1 God bless Mr. Kubota , and 2 there are a lot of things you can do without in life, but the Kubota is not one of them!

 

[BotaBigot]

OK...been there, done that...twice. Each time with about the same acreage as you. It can be done with as little or much equipment as you want to own...the tradeoff is time. I've done it with everything from power mowers, to garden tractors, to sub-compact tractors. In addition to maintenance, the work included clearing, fencing, and stable building.

Having said that, at my age, I wouldn't do it now with anything less than my Kubota BX24...there isn't enough time left.

For the size lawn, etc. you have, I would use a sub-compact tractor with a front-end loader (for bedding, hay, feed, mucking, paddock cleaning...and that's just the horse-related stuff, the list goes on). Kubota tractors are usually smaller and lighter, but there are certainly other brands that can do the job. My Kubota with a 60" belly mower is as good at mowing as any, and better than most lawn/garden tractors I've owned. Depending on the quality of the pasture, you may be able to keep it down with the belly mower, but long-term I'd recommend a rear rotary cutter for the pasture. Add other implements as needed.

I was a suburbanite before...wife got us into horses. So, yes...you can learn all this tractor stuff. And, the members of TBN will be here 24/7 to help.

 

[Willis Fecon Bushhogging]

My biggest fear is the DEALER. I have trust issues because a. I am a woman and feel like they want to take advantage and b. I am a woman and don't know anything about the product. But I will learn before I go and maybe I can drag a neighbor with me that knows about things. I do have trees to go around also. I am skiddish about getting anything too big so that I don't flip it or turn the thing over. I am a retired mail woman of 21 years, let's hope there is still some gumption in me.

a friend of mine bought a JD 790, 4wd, FEL, under deck mower and bushhog. His wife uses it more than he does, it has the manual tranny, but doesnt take that much to get used to it, but not as good as the so called automatic
Good Luck

 

[Bob_Young]

I see many are recommending a Sub-Cut with a 4' cutter; and that would certainly do the job. However, bush-hogging a few acres with a 4' cutter on a SCUT will take awhile and can be quite uncomfortable. One reason is that the 4-footer really isn't cutting a full 4 feet when you take some overlap into consideration. A second reason is that the SCUTs with their lawn tractor sized tires & wheels force you to run slower to keep from being bounced all over the place....unless your land is a smooth as a lawn. If you're happy just building seat time, it's not a problem, but it sort of gets to me after awhile.

A third reason is that you'll be right down there amongst the weeds and the seeds and the dust. If you've got any allergies to that stuff, it can be a little overwhelming. Of course, if you don't let the grass grow more than a foot or so before knocking it down, this won't be an issue.

I'd recommend something on the order of the old 8N. Big enough to handle a 5 ft. Brush cutter with tires large enough to roll over a clump of grass or a mole hill without making a jolt out of it. If you've got a bad back or the beginnings of arthritis, this will make a huge difference in how fast you can mow.

Some models I know a little about are the Kubota L2800 and L3400 and the New Holland TC30 and T1520. These range from 28 to 34HP, are available with HST. They're simple, basic tractors without a lot to go wrong. They sit up a little higher than the SCUTs, but I don't feel they're any more dangerous. With the wheels set out and proper ballasting they should be fine. In fact, if the mowing gets ahead of you and the weeds have grown tall, you will appreciate the better visibility and cleaner air on a taller machine.

Like the others have said, buying new with a warranty from a supportive dealer would be the best in your situation.
Bob

 

[greggh]

Well, since the 8N is gone and you have gotten rid of the implements as well. You have made it more fun for us. We love to help spend others money. Seriously though, there is a lot of good advice on TBN. Tractors are not that difficult to learn and very handy to use.

Welcome to TBN and don't purchase the first tractor you see. Sit in a few seats and see how they feel to you. You will be the one driving and using the tractor.

I see from some of your posts that you are getting the fever that all of us have. Congratulations, and welcome to the crowd. Enjoy your search, that's the most fun of the whole trip.

 

[lambs]

I think all the advice given here has been good. I'd emphasize one point that I think is important in your situation. Make the dealer demonstrate how to attach and detach the front end loader. You'll never regret buying one, but you might find some are easier to work with than others. And there may well be times that you'd want to remove it. I would not want to mow that much with one attached unless the ground is really smooth and there are few obstacles to mow around. You'd have to watch carefully to make sure the bucket doesn't hit anything (i.e.; tree trunks, shed corners, etc.). You'd also have a bucket that might bounce around a bit as you mow.

So I'd make sure you could handle the front end loader removal and reattaching easily.

 

[toddler]

I agree with Bob Young. Avoid a Sub compact and the BX24 because why spend any money on the back hoe.

We don't know what your finances are, but I'd start looking for a gently used hydrostatic tractor with a MMM and a FEL. Buying a B7800 equipt like that is still a 15k proposition if you go through a dealer (there's one on Carver's website now) but there are less expensive options. Look at this one for example:

NEW HOLLAND 1925 4X4 DIESEL TRACTOR #4813 - eBay (item 170201178610 end time Mar-18-08 16:08:17 PDT)

or this: JOHN DEERE 1650 LOADER TRACTOR #6328 - eBay (item 150227962568 end time Mar-27-08 15:45:00 PDT)

Bigger wheels will = a more comfortable ride and get the job done faster. I'd say a Kubota B series, or a Kioti CX would be perfect, but again. Very pricey options.

Todd

 

[Surewhynot]

I was in almost the same boat as you, bought a new place with an 8n and implements, the tractor doesn't run, but the implements are fine. I was managing with my Kubota BX1500 SCUT with a 54" belly deck for mowing, but soon realized (with the help of the folks here) how much a front end loader was needed. I added a new Kubota L3240 CUT to my toy collection. Although you might not have to go that big, a tractor with HST and a front end loader and deck are indeed very useful, and for a lot more than mowing grass. As far as taking longer to mow the grass, it is more time the better half has to do your other chores . Any name brand with a HST and front loader would be a joy to have, and once you are comfortable with it the jobs you do will grow exponentially Good luck with the purchase and welcome to a great place to get any information you may need in a tractor purchase and operation.

 

[john_bud]

Ok, you (the Original Poster) seem to be honestly inexperienced with farm equipment. That's ok, gotta learn some time, right?

Things you should have in the tractor, regardless of brand.

1) HST also called hydrostatic transmission. No manual changing gears, just a forward / backward peddle and steering. Settle for nothing else. If you have to wait to buy one, wait. It's that important for a new person.

2) 25-35 hp. More power means you can get done quicker, but much larger and you may find it too pyhsically large.

3) FEL - Front End Loader (with QA - quick attach)

4) 5' mower deck. Underdeck or rear mount. The rear is cheaper.


Brands, I would go Kubota or Deere as a first choice. I also wouldn't suggest that you go with any other choices. Others may be nearly as good and may be cheaper, but K and JD have a pretty good feedback system for dealers and they are pretty much uniformly good.

jb

 

[VAChesterfield]

Hi CluelessinAlabama. First of all, congratulations on your decision to seek out help and advice on TBN. Good decision.

Next, I suggest you avoid the subcompacts and go with something a bit larger and heavier. Like you, we are horse people. We have 10 ac. in central VA and four horses. Also, I am very familiar with your neck of the woods. My wife and I met while attending USA (back in the dark ages), and, through her family, we own a bunch of acres in No. Baldwin Cty just north of Stockton.

One of the challenges I expect you'll run into on 5 ac., even with the lots of rain you enjoy, is the need to feed round bales in a dry lot so your pastures can rest and grow new grass. Horses are incredible eating machines and can eat down a few acres to dirt remarkedly fast.

You'll need a good sized machine (I have a New Holland TC 30) and a 3pt bale spear to handle the bales. BTW, get a bale feeder too. My wife resisted that purchase for two years, but once the price of diesel drove the price of hay skyward she relented and now the bales last an extra week to 10 days.

Also, it's amazing how much "stuff" you'll pull out the stalls everyday ... manure & soiled bedding. That will pile up quickly and you'll need to turn it every few months to allow it to compost decently. Again, while a subcompact with a FEL can do the job, stepping up to a compact makes a world of difference.

If you'll have a riding ring, a landscape rake can do double duty as a groomer, and no one should ever have a tractor w/o a box blade. If you go with a FEL, I strongly suggest a toothbar. A speader is a nice to have item, and for fences, buy or borrow a post hole digger. You can mow the pasture with a bush hog (rough cut mower) so unless you have lots of lawn, I'd suggest you avoid a finish mower.

Find yourself a nice compact 4WD tractor with FEL (most makes will suit you, so find a comfortable machine and a comfortable dealer), buy the attachments you'll need, and have fun.