Help the Helpless

[Mr. 5000]

Hello Tractor Community

I am currently in the market for a work horse tractor. I have a tree service and up until I bought my home with 20 acres, I was in the market for a skid loader. Primarily I need a tractor to move large amounts of brush and heavy logs. I will be purchasing a grapple bucket and need it to have an open set of hydraulics for the grapple. I will also be using it to clear land both on the job and at my property. We will be pushing over small trees and scraping the top layer of soil, so 4wd is a must. I will also be maintaining a large garden, brushhogging, road grading, and building a road across a creek (a 30 horse Kubota did it on the same creek). Realizing that Japanese tractors and US tractors are basically the same, I not concerned with make. My budget is 10,000 - 15,000 and I have 10,000 cash so that would be better. Please give me advise on horsepower and make.

 

[flyingcow]

My first thought was for $10/15,000 it's going to have to be an older tractor. but doing what you're planning on, how about a small dozer?

One important question, are you planning on hauling this from site to site? If so how?

 

[Mr. 5000]

A dozer will not meet my needs, my primary need is to load brush with a FEL onto a dump trailer. I also need to maintain my property, mowing, road grading, and pull implemnts to work the ground. I really dont need to push dirt at all, just clear underbrush without having to physically cut the briars and such.

To move the machine I have a heavy duty flatbed with a 11,000 pound load rating. To pull the trailer I have a 5 speed F250 with a 7.3 turbo diesel.

 

[Just Bill]

Hello
Depending on where you live, you should be able to find what you need.
Deals are available if you are patient and have cash.

 

[TripleR]

My preference for what you describe would be at the minimum a 30 HP no smaller than the L Series Kubota with 4WD. I personally prefer an HST, but some like a geared tractor. As to make, I guess it depends on the features you find on any one of them and what year you are going to get. You will not be able to get a new tractor for the amount mentioned.

It seems as though different areas have different ideas as to what the top tractors are and this will affect what you will pay for a particular model. In my area, a Massey Ferguson is looked down on and the prices are lower and if you run across a Yanmar, people will just scratch their head and pay more for a JD sitting next to it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Kubota, JD, NH, Yanmar, or any number of other tractors if parts and service were available and if you do your own work that may not even be a serious consideration. Since you have a good transportation rig, I would cast a pretty wide net. One advantage to buying a used tractor is that if it doesn't suit your needs, you won't lose much upgrading like you might with a new one. I know people who have bought used equipment to do a job and then sold it to get something different for long term use.

You are probably right in staying away from a skid steer. We are using a Bobcat 864 on a long term barter and while it is great for clearing our woods and digging dirt, it isn't much good for anything else and is no where near as versatile as a tractor, but of course some will disagree.

Good luck with your search; wish I could have been more help; lots of people on here with a much broader knowledge base than I.

 

[Mr. 5000]

I have removed the ceiling from my budget but still want a good deal. I am currently looking at a John Deere 3520 with a loader and a mahindra 5530 with a loader. Both tractors cost the same out the door. I know nothing about either tractor but people seem to swear by both. The john deere has half the lifting and pulling capability of the mahindra, but which is the smarter buy.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

The one that fits your needs the best. If you are doing heavy duty jobs, the Mahindra and if you are doing light duty work arround your yard, the Deere may fit your needs better. I see from your initial post that you will need the Mahindra.

 

[Diamondpilot]

For you needs get the biggest strongest tractor you budget will allow. Look at 3 point and loader capacity plus overall weight of the tractor. Also consider the type of tires will put the power to the ground. I like R1's but R4's may suit your needs better. That will depend on soil type. If you have sticky muddy soil R4's seem to load up and turn to slicks.

Chris

 

[forester2]

What do you have to haul fom job to job? Is it going to be the dump trailer? That capacity whould be a starting point. If you have the hauling capacity, a used 40hp tractor w/ loader should be in your budget.

 

[Samandothers]

I have a 40 hp HST with grapple and backhoe I use as ballast most of the time. It is great for moving around in tight areas. I have Ag tires which would not be good if you are in yards. Not sure how much pushing over of trees you can do unless you dig some of the roots first, that is where the backhoe is handy.
I would suggest a grapple vs a grapple bucket. If you get a quick attachment on the front of the tractor it makes for fast changing from bucket to grapple. Look at some of the postings of bucket grapples and postings of regular grapples and imagine attempting to pick up a log or trying to get under a brush pile. While a grapple will run you a little over 1000 it may be worth it in the long run.
Hopefully you can capitalize on some 0 financing for new or find a good used tractor. Best of luck.

 

[RobertN]

I am really of two minds on this...

3/4 of what you describe would be perfect of a track loader; skidsteer with rubber tracks. Something like and ASV with about 50hp. Especially for loading and grapple work. Even a mower. It would be hands down the choice. If you have to pull something though...

Otherwise, a 40-45hp tractor. It will not be as fast to load, but that is skidsteers high point. I'd look at a NH TC40-45 with supersteer for manuevering in the woods. I know there are folks here with grapples on thiers.

 

[Mr. 5000]

I have considered a skid steer but buying one will still leave me in need of a tractor. Here are the major things I need to do in addition to working the machine on the job. Grade my 5 acre yard to maximize drainage, grade my driveway, grade the private 1/4 mile road to my house, build a pond, build a low water crossing across a 12 foot deep creek, cut 15 acres, and plow 5 acres for planting.

I showed up to the JD dealer with a root grapple and they nearly laughed me off of the property. The 3520 barely lifts it own bucket, the beast I bought weighs in at 900 pounds. the JD dealer pointed me in the direction of a 5055E with a sticker 35,000.00 in order to handle the grapple. So now I ask the question which tractor is the better buy, the Mahindra 5030 or the JD 5055E? Also can I build a pond with a dozer blade on the front of one of these tractors?

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

I have considered a skid steer but buying one will still leave me in need of a tractor. Here are the major things I need to do in addition to working the machine on the job. Grade my 5 acre yard to maximize drainage, grade my driveway, grade the private 1/4 mile road to my house, build a pond, build a low water crossing across a 12 foot deep creek, cut 15 acres, and plow 5 acres for planting.

I showed up to the JD dealer with a root grapple and they nearly laughed me off of the property. The 3520 barely lifts it own bucket, the beast I bought weighs in at 900 pounds. the JD dealer pointed me in the direction of a 5055E with a sticker 35,000.00 in order to handle the grapple. So now I ask the question which tractor is the better buy, the Mahindra 5030 or the JD 5055E? Also can I build a pond with a dozer blade on the front of one of these tractors?

The Mahindra 5530 is a heavier duty tractor than the JD5055E. The Mahindra 5530 is almost 1000 lbs heavier than the Deere, and you will need every bit of that to handle that grapple. As for digging your pond I would get a tooth bar for your loader bucket and a heavy duty box blade for the rear of the tractor. Digging a pond with a tractor is slow going but it can be done. Ask Brandi, in the Mahindra forum, about digging a pond with a tractor, as she has done a few. She will also tell you about the Mahindra's.

 

[manganos]

Personally I would rent an track hoe to dog a pond

 

[RoyJackson]

The Mahindra 5530 is a heavier duty tractor than the JD5055E. The Mahindra 5530 is almost 1000 lbs heavier than the Deere, and you will need every bit of that to handle that grapple. As for digging your pond I would get a tooth bar for your loader bucket and a heavy duty box blade for the rear of the tractor. Digging a pond with a tractor is slow going but it can be done. Ask Brandi, in the Mahindra forum, about digging a pond with a tractor, as she has done a few. She will also tell you about the Mahindra's.

I didn't know you could spam in the general forums...must be a change during my year long vacation from TBN

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

I didn't know you could spam in the general forums...must be a change during my year long vacation from TBN

I am just stating facts.

 

[jenkinsph]

If you are shopping for a good used tractor I would ignore the brand wars and look for the best deal that fits your needs. Look for the best deal on a used tractor with fel in the 50 to 75 hp range.

 

[RobertN]

Everything but the cutting and plowing has skidsteer/compact loader written all over it. Buy one, work it for a year, and sell for a regular wheeled tractor?

Or, buy a wheeled tractor, and hire/rent a dozer to do the big work, then finish with the wheeled tractor?

I have considered a skid steer but buying one will still leave me in need of a tractor. Here are the major things I need to do in addition to working the machine on the job. Grade my 5 acre yard to maximize drainage, grade my driveway, grade the private 1/4 mile road to my house, build a pond, build a low water crossing across a 12 foot deep creek, cut 15 acres, and plow 5 acres for planting.

 

[jda1961]

I have considered a skid steer but buying one will still leave me in need of a tractor. Here are the major things I need to do in addition to working the machine on the job. Grade my 5 acre yard to maximize drainage, grade my driveway, grade the private 1/4 mile road to my house, build a pond, build a low water crossing across a 12 foot deep creek, cut 15 acres, and plow 5 acres for planting.

I showed up to the JD dealer with a root grapple and they nearly laughed me off of the property. The 3520 barely lifts it own bucket, the beast I bought weighs in at 900 pounds. the JD dealer pointed me in the direction of a 5055E with a sticker 35,000.00 in order to handle the grapple. So now I ask the question which tractor is the better buy, the Mahindra 5030 or the JD 5055E? Also can I build a pond with a dozer blade on the front of one of these tractors?

heres a pic of a dk40 with a similar bucket, yours seems a lil bit bigger than this one but a kioti DK 55 would handle it nicely in my oppinion, i own one.

 

[jdbnh]

check out the New Holland T1530, it is an all meatal body, 45hp 4x4, comes with a 3 range 12x12 synchronized shuttle shift trans, or a 3 range Hydro trans. 4 cylinder engine, very stout and heavy made tractor and the lift capacity for the 3 point and loader are great. i can give you more info if you like