Mowing Mowing the hills.

[pal21]

Hello everyone. First time poster.

I need suggestions on the most practical machine for bush hog work on steep ground.

Here is my background. I'm on my 3rd tractor right now. 1st was a massy ferg. TO30 which I had for 20 years and served me quite well. Than I decided I needed a loader, so I picked up a Kubota L2550 which I had for about 8 years and came to like quite a bit. Then I went to a Ford 1715 because I needed a backhoe. The Ford is OK put I still miss the Kubota.

Now my needs have changed again. I have 90 acres in Western N.Carolina. About 50% wooded, the rest has been in pasture for the last who knows how long.

Keeping cattle is no longer practical. I want to convert to just having the place put in hay, which will be cut by others with the right equipment. To make that happen I have a fellow coming in with with a dozer to make to place mower friendly. Once that is finished I will need a tractor to maintain about a mile of dirt and gravel roads, do clean up work, and bush hog areas that are not suitable for hay. I'll most likely put in a couple of food plots for the critters, maybe 5 acres total.

I've been looking at used tractors that have a wide stance, like Ford models 3910 and 3930, or the Deer 5000 series. I figure I need at least 40 hp. 4wd, a loader, ag tires loaded, and as wide a track as possable ( I have a low pucker factor ).

My budget is $15k. Any other tractors you folks think I should look at?

Thanks.

 

[ToadHill]

My place is very hilly with about 60 acres of woods and the rest in old hay fields. I learned a long time ago to "hog" up and down the hills and not sideways. It makes life a lot easier.
The attached is one of the hills I mow, you can get an idea of the pucker factor if I didn't mow up and down

 

[Renob]

Toad,

Beautiful property, and I agree, if at all possible mow up and down any hill.

 

[SpringHollow]

Depending upon your needs, you might look at Power Trak (they have a forum on this site). Can slope mow or bush hog crosswise on a 45ｰ slope if you get the PT 1850 like i have. Not the best tractor for the food plots though if you are plowing them a lot. Fine for maintaining the road. Can use the bucket on side slopes too.

Nice tractor for some people (great for my needs), bad for others.

Ken

 

[JerryG]

If you can find one in your area look for a Massey Ferguson 400 or 500 series Low profile. The low profile model is great on the hills for mowing.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I have a fairly hilly property as well. I came up with 3 choices. Massey 300 or 400, Power-Trac, or buy a TYM and put dualies on it.

I could not find a Massey. No local dealers and if there were any no wide stance tractors. Also the price was a bit steep. The Dualies and the TYM was a decision based on that I felt it was a really good tractor a great price, and if I messed it up by putting dualies on it I would not cry nearly as hard as if I had broken a Deer.

I was about 10 seconds away from buying the TYM when I was given the chance to buy a used Power-Trac 1850. It came it at round the same price as the new TYM.

The PT line is a great, simple tractor. Used or new, they have the same level of reliability. Depending on your slopes I would put this on your consider list.