Initial look, picking a size

[MtnMess12]

If you are not going to pasture animals, I would invest in a HEAVY Landscape Rake, rather than a drag/chain harrow. Everythingattachments (ETA), a sponsor here, makes one of the best.

I am looking into trying to lease out one, maybe two of the pastures to get some return from this place over the next 5-7 years. One pasture is ideal for running hay and the lower pasture is close to the creek and would be good for cattle. I have had people ask if they can run cattle and hay in the past so two of the pastures may end up caring for themselves. But that is only ~20 acres and leaves me about 20 acres of pastures, and ~40 acres of woods, that needs maintained. I'll look into the heavy rake.

If you have a FEL on the BX I would purchase a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment from the T-B-N store.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ratchet+Rake

OK, I WANT this thing! That is awesome!

I do not know why you want to finish mow ten acres, but a BX can pull a 3-Pt mounted 72" finish mower.

Well out top ten has an awesome view of the mountains to the south and the sunset over the rolling hills to the west. To the east we have an ok sunrise, nowhere near as good as the west/south views. But we want to keep things looking nice because the drive will be coming up behind the house on the south side and the long-term pole barn will be north east of the house. So we want to keep that entire area clean. Maybe 'finish' is the wrong term. We want to keep the top ten mowed short with around the house/barn/drive looking finished. So maybe 5 acres == finished and 5 == frequent rough cut? And I guess once the buildings are all built and the drive is in the total grass area will be well under 10 acres. So until then we just need it to not get out of control and have a small 2ish acre area for picnics and kids playing on the top.

 

[varmint]

Consider that if you buy a good, clean used Kubota, take care of it, and don't beat it or leave it baking in the sun, in several years you will be able to sell if for essentially what you paid for it- if you buy it at a fair price. At least that's been my experience with the two used Kubotas I have purchased, used, cared for, made small improvements to, like LED lighting, etc., and then re-sold. It takes thousands of hours of use to "wear out" an otherwise cared for tractor. In the meantime, you will have a useful tool at your disposal, and gain experience that comes only with use. I don't know if you stated if you had a covered storage area, but you need that. Even a run-in shed would work, if neighbors can provide security for the times you aren't around.

 

[jeff9366]

Here is a semi-complete list of 3-Pt. implements you may be interesting in, developed by LSU:

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonl...45263BDD8/11557/pub2917tractorimplements1.pdf

 

[jenkinsph]

I have never been a fan of leasing out pasture to others for growing hay. Repeated removal of the hay over the years depletes the soil and results in poor ground. Much better for the land to keep it clipped a few times each year and run a landscape rake over it each year to smooth it out over time. I would also recommend you call your county agent to get some help with things you can plant that would improve the soil over the next 10 years. Take some soil samples to find which amendments you need, these are cheap and performed by most big ag schools.

For a tractor I would get an older model about 60 to 90 hp and a used pull type mower. If taken care of it will cost you very little to own for the next ten years. When you plan to be there full time you could consider a new tractor if you still have the interest in this.