Need some input on a new tractor...

[serfas]

Hi everyone, I've lurked here for a few weeks but am now looking for some advice from all you knowledgeable folks.

We purchased 7.5 acres of land and plan to build a house. The area where the house and garage will go has tall softwood and hardwood trees that are over 12 in diameter, so I plan to cut out the trees I want and then bring in some heavy equipment to knock the remaining trees down and remove the stumps. I have access to a logging winch, so I was planning to use a tractor to skid out the trees I want before the heavy equipment comes in.

I plan to clear out a section of our back 5 acres to build a large vegetable garden, greenhouse, a chicken coup and some space for the dog once the house is finished. The back area I plan to clear is about 1.5 acres and is all softwood trees (less than 6 diameter).

In the winter, I want a tractor for keeping the driveway clear using a plow and then eventually a snow blower. The rest of the year, I want the tractor for developing the land and then maintaining the vegetable garden, field and the driveway. I'd like to use the tractor during construction of the house to do some of the landscaping.

I'd appreciate some opinions on the following:
-How much tractor do I need? Kubota, Kioti, John Deere and Mahindra are all sold close to me. There is also an LS dealer about an hour away. Could I get by with something like a Kubota B series, or can I justify going up to the L Series? Would 25 HP be enough, or should I go up in HP? I plan to buy a hydrostatic transmission.
- I'd considering getting a tractor backhoe when I buy the tractor. Would a tractor backhoe be enough to remove the stumps on the back area I wish to clear (6-8" diameter)? Would it be worth the additional cost?

Thanks.

 

[jeff9366]

I assume a Front End Loader (FEL) is being considered.

You cannot get enough backhoe power on a Kubota "B' size tractor to accomplish the stump work you have enumerated in a reasonable amount of time. Rent a mini-excavator for the stumps or hire stump removal out.

Once the stumps are gone, what are the proposed tasks you wish to accomplish with your $6,000 small backhoe?

Unless you have a goodly list of tasks, take the $6,000 and put it toward a heavier tractor with a wider, more stable stance. Beside cost, consider the additional complexity a Backhoe adds to your tractor-loader. Many more zirks to grease.

Have you owned, maintained or operated a tractor in the past? Will other family members operate your tractor?

If adolescents will operate spend more to get a heavier, more stable platform.

How much snow will you need to deal with? How long is your driveway? I cannot address snow from my experience in Florida, but I believe 25-hp is marginal for medium to heavy snow moving. Others will comment more knowledgeably on snow.

A large vegetable garden is 1/2 acre. Very time consuming. A 25-hp tractor is ample for a 1/2 acre or 1 acre garden. You will want a Three Point Hitch mounted, PTO powered, roto-tiller.

Plan your garage with a tall door, so you can move your tractor in and out without having to lower the ROPS. Heat is not important but plan for humidity control. A cheap wall-plug, stand-alone de-humidifier, plumbed to exhaust water outside, works fine.

 

[serfas]

You cannot get enough backhoe power on a Kubota "B' size tractor to accomplish the stump work you have enumerated in a reasonable amount of time. Rent a mini-excavator for the stumps or hire stump removal out.

Once the stumps are gone, what are the proposed tasks you wish to accomplish with your $6,000 small backhoe?

Unless you have a goodly list of tasks, take the $6,000 and put it toward a heavier tractor with a wider, more stable stance. Beside cost, consider the additional complexity a Backhoe adds to your tractor-loader.

Have you owned or operated a tractor in the past? Will other family members operate your tractor? If adolescents will operate spend more to get a heavier, more stable platform.

How much snow will you need to deal with? How long is your driveway? I cannot address snow from my experience in Florida, but I believe 25-hp is marginal for medium to heavy snow moving. Others will comment more knowledgeably on snow.

A large vegetable garden is 1/2 acre. Very time consuming. A 25-hp tractor is ample for a 1/2 acre or 1 acre garden. You will want a Three Point Hitch mounted, PTO powered, roto-tiller.

Plan your garage with a tall door, so you can move your tractor in and out without having to lower the ROPS. Heat is not important but plan for humidity control.

Thanks Jeff - all good points to consider. This will be my first tractor...

Sorry, the driveway will be about 100m (300'). I have a friend nearby who clears snow and maintains his lane with a Kubota 30 HP L series, but then again I know people who clear snow with a B series and smaller. I'd originally started looking at a L3301 or CK3510 with a backhoe, but thought that might be overkill for my needs. I figured I could always sell a backhoe or trade it in on a new implement if I ran out of uses for it.

I wasn't planning to turn the full 1.5 acres into a garden, but just wanted a cleared area for a garden, a greenhouse and some open space for the dog. I won't be planting a 1/2 acre garden starting out, but I would rather clear the space to expand in the future if I want to.

 

[jeff9366]

Backhoes are fairly specific to tractor brands, then tractor models, so you have a small potential customer base for a used Backhoe.

Category 1 implements fit all Category 1 tractors, so implements are simple to buy/sell/trade.

Once the stumps are gone, what are the proposed tasks you wish to accomplish with your $6,000 small backhoe?

Will other family members operate your tractor?

I originally started looking at a L3301 or CK3510 with a backhoe, but thought that might be overkill for my needs.

I started with a well seasoned JD750 subcompact as a learning tractor. Then I bought a new Kubota B3300 SU (33-hp/25-hp PTO). Lots of power, not enough weight. I had it up on two wheels often, one wheel sometimes, and staying alive mandated moving up to a heavy-frame L3560. TRY TO BE SMARTER THAN I WAS.

Most of your tractor selection comes down to Backhoe or NO Backhoe and how much power to remove snow from a 300' driveway in 'X' amount of time.

All the tractor brands your are considering are good.

 

[jibe717]

serfas, if money isn't an issue then get a little bigger tractor. I would jump up into the L series. I had an L3800 and I could do tons with it. When I had it I had 12 acres to maintain and I never wanted for more tractor. I can see however had I went with something like say a b2650 that I would have needed something bigger. I have since gotten another 60 acres of land and have had to move up from the L3800. But I don't see you ever regretting getting something a little bit bigger. Too small and you could have regrets.






In my most recent MF purchase I too went back and forth with what to get. I checked out the GC series. Though I liked the machines and the prices I just felt that I wanted a heavier machine. So I chose a 1726E. Since this isn't a primary machine for me and it will only see mowing use I didn't need more HP than the one I chose. But because of some of my terrain I did want the extra weight of this one and the extra width for stability's sake.

As far as what you choose take a couple of day trips and check out everything within a reasonable drive. Sit on these machines and drive them and see which one feels best for you. Then make sure you are comfortable with the dealer. Good shopping!

 

[serfas]

Backhoes are fairly specific to tractor brands, then tractor models, so you have a small potential customer base for a used Backhoe. Category 1 implements fit all Category 1 tractors, so implements are simple to buy/sell/trade.

Once the stumps are gone, what are the proposed tasks you wish to accomplish with your $6,000 small backhoe?

Will other family members operate your tractor?



I started with a well seasoned JD750 subcompact as a learning tractor. Then I bought a new Kubota B3300 SU (33-hp/25-hp PTO). Lots of power, not enough weight. I had it up on two wheels often, one wheel sometimes, and staying alive mandated moving up to my heavy-frame L3560. TRY TO BE SMARTER THAN I WAS.

Most of your tractor selection comes down to Backhoe or NO Backhoe and how much power to remove snow from a 300' driveway.

Would a backhoe on an L series be more capable of digging out those smaller stumps? The other use that comes to mind is the landscaping work around the house and on the front part of my property.

I would like my wife to be able to use the tractor to clear snow when I'm away.

 

[sea2summit]

That's a lot of work up front, maybe not so much later. I'd go L for sure, for not a lot more money there is the MX. I like my MX a lot, it is a hoss and with just over six acres of mixed stumps and planted forrest I've been keeping it busy doing work similar to what you're thinking. I fear I'll run out of work to justify the size but keep finding more work and I'm only 1/3 the way done with the yard

 

[jeff9366]

Would a backhoe on an L series be more capable of digging out those smaller stumps?

Yes, but digging the number of stumps you have specified will be very time consuming.

The Three Point Hitch is the hard working part of a tractor. To mount implements on the Three Point Hitch you have to remove the Backhoe and store it.

The other use that comes to mind is the landscaping work around the house and on the front part of my property.

Backhoe will be good for landscaping but you will use the FEL much more than the Backhoe.

I would like my wife to be able to use the tractor to clear snow when I'm away.

Great idea!!!!!!!! You may have to remove the Backhoe.

 

[sea2summit]

Would a backhoe on an L series be more capable of digging out those smaller stumps? The other use that comes to mind is the landscaping work around the house and on the front part of my property.

I would like my wife to be able to use the tractor to clear snow when I'm away.

I guess I gotta read to the bottom

My BH92, which I believe is the same one for the L pulls 8-16" pine stumps out averaging 6 minutes a piece including driving forward to the next one. Granted my stumps are in a straight line and I don't have other trees to maneuver around to dig.

 

[Morning Wood]

I would think about a cabbed tractor. Digging stumps out with a tractor is a waste of time, and it is very tough on the equipment. Excavator is what you want for stumps. If you really want a backhoe on a tractor look at the dedicated tlb's. I would also go bigger than what you think you'll need. I have a ford 1720 (28hp). I use my has a bx-80 backhoe. Very handy, but slow. When I get another tractor I'm going 45 hp +. I use it for building and the bigger tractor would be much more useful.

 

[serfas]

Thanks for all the advise folks.
I think I'll just rent or hire an excavator for the stumping and forgo the backhoe. Hoping to get out to some dealers again this weekend and I'll focus on something larger than a B series...

 

[Creamer]

I rented a nice tracked mini-excavator for $350 for a weekend including fuel, delivery, and pickup. That would easily clear the stumps out of the garden area you are talking about - probably 10x as fast as a tractor backhoe.

For me the big question is are you going to run this on your lawn. if so you want to stay away from the weight of a bigger tractor. My 1710 is plenty of weight on a soft lawn and it doesn't have AG tires. 25 hp is very marginal is you are going hydro - I would look more in the 35 range.

As far a s weight and stability - that is all how you use them. My little 1710 isn't that heavy (2450 lbs + loader) but it does very well at a lot of things; just don't expect to do a lot of heavy pushing or pulling or twisting lifting - it won't. Still i have no problem handling a couple of 15' sections of an oak tree that are 18-20" diameter using the 3 pt or dragging the 30' section with solid ground to pull on. If it was hydro though it wouldn't have enough lugging power. I can run a 5' bush hog just fine but it works it. a 5' tiller in deep is a good load. Those two sections of oak on the back was a good load and even with the loader the front end was light but I could have put some weight in the scoop if I had needed it.

For going in the woods the 5' width is very handy. I can drive mine through most of the woods around me when I cut firewood so I can get close and not have to carry it. Very handy. This is the right size of tractor for me for my 6 acres plus access to about 40 acres of woods. It will push snow and handle a snowblower. Pushing snow requires technique though because it doesn't have the power or traction if the snow is deep. If i was going to change though I would add some more hp and keep the same size frame.

Good luck!

 

[Creamer]

I rented a nice tracked mini-excavator for $350 for a weekend including fuel, delivery, and pickup. That would easily clear the stumps out of the garden area you are talking about - probably 10x as fast as a tractor backhoe.

For me the big question is are you going to run this on your lawn. if so you want to stay away from the weight of a bigger tractor. My 1710 is plenty of weight on a soft lawn and it doesn't have AG tires. 25 hp is very marginal is you are going hydro - I would look more in the 35 range.

As far a s weight and stability - that is all how you use them. My little 1710 isn't that heavy (2450 lbs + loader) but it does very well at a lot of things; just don't expect to do a lot of heavy pushing or pulling or twisting lifting - it won't. Still i have no problem handling a couple of 15' sections of an oak tree that are 18-20" diameter using the 3 pt or dragging the 30' section with solid ground to pull on. If it was hydro though it wouldn't have enough lugging power. I can run a 5' bush hog just fine but it works it. a 5' tiller in deep is a good load. Those two sections of oak on the back was a good load and even with the loader the front end was light but I could have put some weight in the scoop if I had needed it.

For going in the woods the 5' width is very handy. I can drive mine through most of the woods around me when I cut firewood so I can get close and not have to carry it. Very handy. This is the right size of tractor for me for my 6 acres plus access to about 40 acres of woods. It will push snow and handle a snowblower. Pushing snow requires technique though because it doesn't have the power or traction if the snow is deep. If i was going to change though I would add some more hp and keep the same size frame.

Good luck!

 

[oosik]

I think you have made a WISE decision on the backhoe. There are a lot of folks that spent big $$$ on a backhoe, had one or two jobs and now the implement sits quietly off to the side. Its an awfully expensive counter weight for use with the FEL. Use the $$$ to purchase a larger tractor, FEL & rear blade for winter time snow removal. Look for a land plane grading scraper for summer maintenance of the driveway. You live in the land where used rear blades & used land plane grading scrapers might be available.

 

[jdorn]

I would like my wife to be able to use the tractor to clear snow when I'm away.

No wisdom here as mine hasn't even arrived yet. Just a caution..

This well meaning, even innocent, intention walked me from an L3901 to a Grand L4760. A lot cheaper (if you care and it's possible) to hire someone as needed.

Good luck!

 

[gladehound]

I also agree that you are better off renting or hiring out for your sump removal and going without the backhoe on the tractor and using those funds to go bigger or get implements that you will use to maintain the property.

I moved onto 2 acres with ~1.5 that needed clearing / landscaping. I chipped away at it for years with a 20 hp tractor that weighed ~4000 pounds with loader, brush cage filled tires and me. It was marginally heavy enough for landscaping with the bucket but did not have enough hydraulic power.

I later went to a 45 hp tractor that is ~6500 pounds but with ~3x the loader lift capacity and ~5x the curl force on the loader. This second tractor seems very appropriate for the landscaping and occasional tree removal / stump removal / rock removal that I do with it.

If you do have an occasional stump to remove, a 40-60 hp tractor with a set of heavy duty forks is actually a decent tool for ripping out trees and forks are useful for lots of other things and are not expensive. A stump bucket is also inexpensive and can dig footers, trenches, and also remove trees / stumps. I wouldn't remove an acre of woods this way but for the occasional stump after the main area is cleared these methods work fine. Below are some pictures of what you can do with forks and a stump bucket. I'm always using them and they aren't a lot of money.



I also appreciate the larger tractor in big snow storms. You can clear just about any snow with a 20 hp tractor with loader, but it may take a while. With the much better loader capacity on the larger tractor, I was able to put a huge bucket on the loader and it's night and day in deep snows. We recently had a 30+ inch storm and I did 9 driveways in the time my neighbors smaller tractor with loader did 1.

Check out all the brands near you in different size frames. Using JD for size reference only - you could get a lot done with anything form the 2000 series size to the 5000 series size. But the different size machines will do things at different rates and there will always be things that no matter what tractor you get, it just wont be big enough to handle it. That will happen a lot more with the 2000 series size than the 5000 series size. I'm not recommending a specific size. Just go out and test drive them. You'll get a feel for what is comfortable to operate - but don't buy that one. But the next bigger one (or even 2 sizes up). They shrink when you take them home and shrink again once they get a few hundred hours on them.

 

[LD1]

I'd go to the L-series tractor or equivalent in another brand. And get the most HP you can in whatever size you choose. IE: get the L3901 over the L3301. Same physical size, but you are really gonna appreciate that extra HP when it comes to tilling that 1/2 acre garden.

As for land clearing, the 12"+ stuff you plan on clearing for the homesite, you would be best NOT to cut them down. An excavator can clear land/stumps MUCH faster with the tree still standing. More leverage to push on, and once it starts to break free it has gravity to help.The worst stumps/land to clear is land where everything is flush cut.


The 6-8" softwood stuff in the back around the garden site, same thing. But for 6-8" softwood I'd use the tractor and FEL and push them over. (or a long chain/rope hooked as high as you can get and pull them over). 6-8" softwood trees are easy with a tractor even as small as a L3901

 

[Creamer]

No wisdom here as mine hasn't even arrived yet.

Wife or tractor?

 

[Creamer]

No wisdom here as mine hasn't even arrived yet.

Duplicate

 

[jdorn]

Wife or tractor?

lol..