It's time for a bigger tractor...or something

[sea2summit]

I move around quite a bit, taking a torn up piece of land and making it a nice yard/garden is how I blow off steam. I got a BX-25d their first year and at that time I had 1.5 acres and it did great. Now I've got 5 acres that are full of stumps (previously planted/logged pine). I want to put in a pond and the wife wants a big garden this year (1.5+acre with wheat/corn/other chicken feed). I'm also building a log cabin 'playhouse' for the children 8'x12'. The old BX is giving it its best but 45 minutes a stump, 300-500# logs, and rough land on small tires/frame I'm sooner or later going to break my "smile machine".

So I'm thinking either a used small/medium excavator or upgrade the BX to an L or MX with FEL/BH and rent an excavator for weekend to do the pond.

What do you guys think?

What would you get with what options?

 

[AStanton]

If I were you, I would go with an L. As you age, you will find that you will be relying on the tractor for more chores. And with 5 acres, you will be very busy. Here's a shot of my neighbor's L next to my B last winter. It's very doable around the yard.

 

[4570Man]

An excavator would be great for the pond, but very near worthless for general property management. I would get a larger L series tractor. For the pond you are going to need a track loader or dump truck because excavators suck for moving dirt farther than the reach of the machine.

 

[jeff9366]

You have owned two sub-compacts, BX1860 and BX25D.

I cannot discern if you feel you NEED a heavier tractor or just want one.

The simplest solution is to RENT an excavator(s) of some size for the stumps and the pond.

A BX is enough for a 1.5 acre garden on five acres, although a heavier tractor would be NICE.

After the stumps are gone, some way, how much use will you have for a $6,000 Backhoe on five acres, less the pond and less the 1.5 acre garden; maybe three acres net?

Personally, I would budget for a PTO powered roto-tiller first.

How much have you used the Three Point Hitch on your two BXs? What implements do you own now?

Do you store your BX25D indoors? If you buy a new, heavier tractor will you be able to store it indoors?

 

[sea2summit]

Why the L over the M? Selecting the same options on the Kubota build tool I come out within a few hundred dollars and the M5200 would put me well past 40hp on the PTO, granted it's turbo'd.

@jeff, can't say I "need" a tractor at all. It's pure fun/hobby for me and I just find excuses to use it

 

[jeff9366]

Why the L over the M? Selecting the same options on the Kubota build tool I come out within a few hundred dollars and the M5200 would put me well past 40hp on the PTO, granted it's turbo'd.

An 'M' for 5 acres?

 

[Citydude]

Why the L over the M? Selecting the same options on the Kubota build tool I come out within a few hundred dollars and the M5200 would put me well past 40hp on the PTO, granted it's turbo'd. @jeff, can't say I "need" a tractor at all. It's pure fun/hobby for me and I just find excuses to use it

I'm with Jeff, the "M" series is pretty much overkill for 5 acres however a visit to a dealer and looking at them would give you a better understanding of size.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

A BX for a 1+ acre garden? Not me anyways.

I'd think most any L would handle the garden duties. But if you really need the backhoe then a lager L or MX would be nice to run a Kabota BH92 or Woods BH90-X hoe.
Either way rent a 9000lb Excavator or larger to dig the stumps.

 

[4570Man]

A M is way overkill for 5 acres. I have 4 times that much land and help my Grandpa take care of his which is another 10 acres and my L3240 is plenty of tractor. If you are coming out with the same price more or less are probably comparing a Grand L to a value M. A have never used a M, but a value L3800 is way less tractor than my Grand L3240. You don't need 40 plus HP. I could bush hog 5 acres in a few hours with a 5 foot cutter. 25 PTO hp is plenty for a 5 foot tiller. My loader lifts 1800 pounds to full height which is plenty for your described tasks. My BH-90 is still lacking for digging out stumps, but a huge improvement from a BX.

 

[servmgr64]

I recently bought a L3010HST for my 40 acres as the BX while a great workhorse was working way too hard. Got the L with a loader & rear blade 288 hrs. For 13500. Haven't had it to the farm yet but I am confident it will prolong the life of my BX a lot.