N80
Super Member
I don't recall what your budget was but I've had similar needs and uses for my property. I was pretty constrained by budget so anything real big or fancy was out of the question. I ended up with a Kubota L4400 (45hp, about 38 at the pto). Very basic but fairly powerful. It is about as large a tractor as you can still call 'compact'. I got it for about $18,500 with 4wd and FEL. The JD 990 is very comparable. A Kubota M5000 is also basic but even heavier and with beefier hydraulics, nice if you can afford it. The Kubota 5030 or 5040 would be really nice.
Do not skip on the FEL. Period. Even if you can't think of things you need it for its only because you just can't imagine how much you can do with one. For the tasks you have described, particularly reclaiming land, you almost can't do without when it comes to small tractors. And if you don't get one when you have the wallet out and open, you probably never will.
Do not skip on the FEL. Period. Even if you can't think of things you need it for its only because you just can't imagine how much you can do with one. For the tasks you have described, particularly reclaiming land, you almost can't do without when it comes to small tractors. And if you don't get one when you have the wallet out and open, you probably never will.