Buying Advice Is it possible to go too big?

[PaultheMaleNurse]

Thank you very much to everyone for the replies and shared wisdom. Sounds like considering a smaller machine is something I need to do.

As a side note, while I am not interested in spending every waking moment maintaining and working on my land, I do have a significant interest in doing most of the work myself. Leasing out my land for a few pennies a year would be a mostly financial decision. The rest I want to do as purely a want. I likely could hire out for most of what I want to do, or rent machines for the few things I couldn't, but investing in taking care of this land and passing that on to my kids as they grow up (they are 1 and 2.5 years old) is something that is important to me.

On a bright note, step dad was a contractor and diesel mechanic so I grew up with a wrench in my hand and I've driven manual transmission cars and trucks since able. I'm hoping those things give me the tiniest of tiny legs up here.

 

[ericm979]

Don't forget to budget for implements to do the work. From the description in addition to a rotary cutter and box blade you may want a grapple or PTO chipper to deal with brush and tree parts. You can move dirt with a box blade and loader bucket, it's just slower than a more specialized dirt moving machine.

 

[dodge man]

Another thing to do is learn what you can from this forum. Learn the terms, for example you will want “loaded tires” and some additional ballast.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

The CTL with a rotary mower driven by the hydraulic system will be more durable than a pto tractor mower on rough terrain, too.

How do you figure?

 

[hosspuller]

25 years ago, I started out as a newbie on 30 acres. I WAS going to purchase a compact tractor. Luckily, more experienced people talked me out. I bought a full size tractor. The smallest ag tractor in the line. Called utility tractor. Discount horsepower rating. Hp merely determines the speed of your operation. It's frame size that determines the lifting, pulling, 3 point, etc. capacity. Example: A 6 foot rotary cutter weighs about 1200 pounds. That will be the upper limit for a CUT (note the length is a factor not only weight) A utility tractor will lift and handle it with ease. Of course, the PTO Hp will determine how fast you can operate in heavy growth... More Hp = faster.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

25 years ago, I started out as a newbie on 30 acres. I WAS going to purchase a compact tractor. Luckily, more experienced people talked me out. I bought a full size tractor. The smallest ag tractor in the line. Called utility tractor. Discount horsepower rating. Hp merely determines the speed of your operation. It's frame size that determines the lifting, pulling, 3 point, etc. capacity. Example: A 6 foot rotary cutter weighs about 1200 pounds. That will be the upper limit for a CUT (note the length is a factor not only weight) A utility tractor will lift and handle it with ease. Of course, the PTO Hp will determine how fast you can operate in heavy growth... More Hp = faster.

Great post. Clear, concise and to the point.

 

[kenmac]

JMO. With that many acres. I wouldn't buy less than a 60-70 hp tractor.
I have no idea of your age, but you just may decide to do other things on your land (later) that would be difficult with a smaller tractor.
I have 50 acres and have two tractors. One a Kubota MX5100 and a larger CX 105 tractor.
I don't use the larger tractor all that often, but when I need a larger tractor it comes in very handy.

It has been said, ''There's no replacement for displacement''

 

[bdhsfz6]

In addition to all the other good advice given so far, consider this: If you plan to do work on densely wooded acreage or along a heavily limbed tree line, a tractor with a cab is not ideal. They are easily damaged if great care isn't used. As a novice, you'll need to learn where not to use a cabbed machine.

 

[hosspuller]

Kenmac... Ordinarily, I would agree with you on displacement. The new emission controls put a limit to that factor. Between 25 to 75 Hp tractors have a DPF, above that limit they have a DPF AND DEF. Maybe in the future EPA controls will be simple but right now... operating a EPA tractor at low levels and or short run times will quickly clog the DPF and other systems. It's better to use a lower Hp machine at the upper limit of its power than a high Hp machine idling along. I have two machines, I relegate the newest, with a DPF to long jobs where the exhaust system will reach operating temp and stay there to keep the system clear. I use the non EPA tractor for the chores that require on and off operation.

 

[PaultheMaleNurse]

I "took the scenic route" to this point in my life of being in my early thirties with two young kids and fleeing to the country. Shithead until my early twenties, military, out and used my GI bill, found myself back in a CA that seemed greatly different than what I knew as a starry eyed kid, bought a CA home to do significant renovations on, had a couple kids, sold home and made a mint, moved 3000 miles to 58 acres in NC.