Tractor Sizing Need help selecting equipment

[Hlccjs]

Been reading you guys as an unregistered voyeur, I guess. I registered because I m at a loss with all these variations, accessories, prices, and on and on.
I am in the final stages of buying 15 acres of wooded property in upstate NY. The area to mow is probably only 2-3 acres but there is a single lane driveway that is 1/8 of a mile long with a large parking area near the house. The snow in this area can be smothering so I am looking for something that I can use to do my routine mowing, hauling firewood, and brush but really I am worried about that driveway and clearing the snow. I have a line on a Deere X485 and X700, basically the same tractor with 62" decks and 47" blowers. These are 2WD but come with weights and chains and the property is sloped but not hilly. The 485 has 800 hours on it and they want $7500 and the 720 has 260 hours and they want $9500. Both sound a little steep but do come with the blowers and pictures look brand new.
What am I missing here? I really wnated to say out of the compact tractor arena because of the big jump in price and having to mow around trees and obstacles. I have also looked into the 4WD models, rare as hens teeth, and really expensive. Big price jump and not sure I need it - that is why I am turning to you guys. What should I be looking at to meet my needs? I am not tied to JD but it just seems that is where the selection is.

 

[jeff9366]

If you do not need a tractor Three Point Hitch and an ever-so-handy Front End Loader, perhaps a riding mower will meet your needs for now.

I cannot help but think once you get on your land you will need the Three Point Hitch, implements and a Front End Loader for road maintenance and other general uses.

Riding mowers have very low ground clearance. You will not be able to accomplish much in the woods.

However, you certainly know your current needs better than the community here.

 

[Hlccjs]

Thanks. Your logic was why I was drawn to this series of garden tractors and nothing smaller. They can take front loaders, albeit small ones, and a 3 pt hitch on the back and have the hydraulic hook-ups. The flexibility seems to be there without buying a tractor and a lawn mower.

 

[Ed of all trades]

The rule of thumb is when you build a shop to fit your needs it will be to small, when you buy a tractor that is big enough to do all you "need" to do it will also be to small. With that much land get a compact or sub compact, 4x4 with a loader, if you don't you will wish you had.:2cents:

 

[GreenWannabe]

When I first started looking seriously in 2005, I thought I wanted an X700 with loader, pto, and three point hitch. The Deere dealer I was talking to told me that he could sell me a then-current 2210 equipped similarly for less than he could sell me an X700. The 2210 has been long superseded, but the current version is the 1 series. You might find that you could buy a subcompact tractor for less, and have a more capable machine in the bargain - greater loader lift and bucket capacity, greater three-point hitch lift capacity, better hydraulics, etc. Good luck in your shopping.

 

[jeff9366]

Your logic was why I was drawn to this series of garden tractors and nothing smaller. They can take front loaders, albeit small ones, and a 3 pt hitch on the back and have the hydraulic hook-ups. The flexibility seems to be there without buying a tractor and a lawn mower.

You will not be able to accomplish tractor tasks with a 900 pound, 2-WD riding mower. You do not have the weight, traction or ground clearance.

I started with a used John Deere/Yanmar 750 diesel tractor, then bought a Kubota B3300SU tractor/loader package (3,000 pounds). But before too long I was working the Kubota B3300SU too hard, too near the edge, so I bought my Kubota L3560 tractor/loader (5,400 pounds) in order to work safely. Finally got what I needed to accomplish my tasks from the beginning. I learned along the way. (Your needs will be different from mine.)

Go ahead with one of the riding mowers. You should be able to sell it next year for what you pay for it. You will not be out any $$ and you will be tractor-wiser.

If you decide to buy a tractor, consider only those with a Category '1' Three Point Hitch, for which competitively priced implements are widely available new and used.

 

[Hlccjs]

OK - You guys have convinced me - I guess my brother-in-law is right, I need a tractor. So I have a old Cub hydro that I have decided to move and cut the grass with this summer while I scour the area for a good sub-compact with a blower and a loader and a 3pt hitch.
Thanks for the advice and keeping me from pending 10 grand on something I will be sorry for.

 

[jeff9366]

Please……with a Category '1' Three Point Hitch. Category '1' is mainstream.

A Category '0' Three Point Hitch is worth about what the Three Point Hitch on Deere X720 riding mower is worth. They are called Category Zero for good reason.

 

[RPW]

15 acres of woods? And in NY. Don't sell yourself to short. Trees aren't light. I also don't see why you should limit yourself to cat 1. Nothing wrong with getting a cat 2. If your implements are cat 1 you can use bushings. Plus if you do have a need for the extra power or weight you got it.