My terrain: suggestions on a make/model for under 15K?

[MountainMomma]

MOSTLY want to mow. Also LIGHT landscaping (got friends nearby with HEAVY earth moving machines), transporting stones for landscaping, and LIGHT pushing of earth around. Planning to farm Angus and fruit trees, in a homesteading, part time, kind of way.

OK: here are shots of my terrain, in different seasons...

winter shot of one slope

Summer shot is the same view in green in April. This grass is now WAIST high! We need a mower for sure!

Other side of our property just this month: valley with significant slope and, oh yeah, multiflora rose bushes galore to pull up. Fun!

These slopes (especially in the last shot) are really pretty steep. We are therefore thinking of a Vantrec. Dealer is bringing out machines on Monday to demo, and we thought that was pretty much our path. Open to last minute suggestions.

Kioto dealer took a look at my representation of our slopes and refused to sell me a CUT. So, we went to Vantrec happily...

We've not yet put up any money... it is HARD to make this decision... any advice?

 

[56FordGuy]

It can be very difficult to accurately gauge a slope from a photo. If you like the Ventrac, and feel good about the dealer, then I'd recommend you go that route. Whether you're mechanically inclined or not, good dealer support is worthwhile.

With that said, the photos you posted really don't strike me as all that steep. As I said before, pictures can be deceiving, but my lawn actually looks like it has more slope to it. I'd think most tractors would be able to handle that terrain, especially if you only mow up and down the hills.

 

[MountainMomma]

I agree that photos are deceiving. They look steeper to me when I'm on them than they do in these pictures, for sure.

Thanks for responding!

 

[KiotiBob]

I think that just about any CUT or SCUT would be fine on those slopes. Work them up and down, avoid cross slope travel when possible. Go out and actually measure those slopes and report those measurements to the dealers, I'll bet the Kioti dealer would reconsider. Remember that percent of slope is not the same as degrees. A 100% slope is a 45 degree angles. A 30 degree hillside has a rise of 58 feet for every 100 horizontal feet, and is a very steep hill. I wouldn't be surprised if you had some 30% slopes (30 feet of rise in 100 feet), but that is a 16.7 degree hillside. And a 15 degree hillside can be some tough walking, so just ensure that you are reporting factual information to the dealers.

The Ventrac looks okay, but I bet you would be pretty happy with a Kioti CK20S or equivalent, and probably save some money for implements that you would want.

 

[JiminGa]

a kubota bx25 or the new JD 1 series would work great for you, ventracs are cool, but pricey. the subcuts have a pretty low center of gravity compared to a kioti ck20.

 

[56FordGuy]

Have y'all decided on a machine yet? How did the demo go?

I'm interested in knowing what you chose and why. :thumbsup:

 

[ernemats]

Have you ever considered a power-trac. They are very sturdy and have a low center of gravity for hill sides, and a lot of different attachments available. They are sold only direct from the factory in Tazwell, Va.

 

[flusher]

MOSTLY want to mow. Also LIGHT landscaping (got friends nearby with HEAVY earth moving machines), transporting stones for landscaping, and LIGHT pushing of earth around. Planning to farm Angus and fruit trees, in a homesteading, part time, kind of way.

OK: here are shots of my terrain, in different seasons...

winter shot of one slope

Summer shot is the same view in green in April. This grass is now WAIST high! We need a mower for sure!

Other side of our property just this month: valley with significant slope and, oh yeah, multiflora rose bushes galore to pull up. Fun!

These slopes (especially in the last shot) are really pretty steep. We are therefore thinking of a Vantrec. Dealer is bringing out machines on Monday to demo, and we thought that was pretty much our path. Open to last minute suggestions.

Kioto dealer took a look at my representation of our slopes and refused to sell me a CUT. So, we went to Vantrec happily...

We've not yet put up any money... it is HARD to make this decision... any advice?

Don't know what your tractor budget is, but almost any CUT can be rigged to safely mow on slopes like yours. For example, here's my 1964 Massey Ferguson 135 diesel that I bought in 2006 for $3600. It's a field tractor that's been modified by the previous owner for work in his olive orchard. He replaced the 28" dia rear rims that you usually find on a field tractor with 16" dia rims carrying B.F. Goodrich 18.4-16A tires and used shorter spindles on the front axles to keep the tractor level. You can get these rims and tires from Les Schwab Tires here on the West Coast.



Something like this would handle your mowing chores safely and without putting a big dent in your wallet.

 

[cowski]

i would look for a jd 5105 4x4 with the round fenders.the wheels can be set out wider than the cuts much safer.it will handle a 6 ft cutter good.a good low hr used one should be found for under 15000.i would also look at a kubota m series.