Buying Advice New Land Owner; should I buy a tractor, something else?

[FlowRoll]

Welcome to TBN. Patiently watch this thread. You'll get some great ideas. Understand that 4 acres is just a big yard to most posters here.

Haha, I assumed that when I bought the place. I bought a zero turn and it cuts great for most of the area and I have a walk behind for the really steep areas. I just started getting into some of the earthwork and was hating renting something when I know there are more economical ways to get what I want done. I have been looking into tractors and implements and also looking at used backhoes / skidsteers. It may be best for me to buy something used and sell it on the back end for the leveling work... and get a smaller tractor for everything else.

 

[jeff9366]

Subsoilers are also adept for tree planting. Cut an 'X' in two directions, then shovel out the loose spoil. Ripping the area where fruit tree roots will spread is a good idea too.

Or buy a Bucket Spade bucket attachment, suitable if you buy an 2,000 pound or heavier bare tractor. Loosen planting area with the Subsoiler, scoop out spoil with the Bucket Spade.

Tractor and Skidsteer bucket spade shovel

 

[ovrszd]

Haha, I assumed that when I bought the place. I bought a zero turn and it cuts great for most of the area and I have a walk behind for the really steep areas. I just started getting into some of the earthwork and was hating renting something when I know there are more economical ways to get what I want done. I have been looking into tractors and implements and also looking at used backhoes / skidsteers. It may be best for me to buy something used and sell it on the back end for the leveling work... and get a smaller tractor for everything else.

Yep, probably right.

Understand, the steep areas that you can use a walk behind can be mowed from the seat of the proper Sub Compact Utility tractor.

 

[2ndhalf]

Yes, buy a tractor and hope your neighbor is like Jeff9366 so you can borrow implements :laughing:

 

[jeff9366]

1) I bought a zero turn and it cuts great for most of the area and I have a walk behind for the really steep areas.

2) I have been looking into skidsteers.

1) You may wish to consider changing tire treads on your Zero Turn for improved grip on hills.
((Note: I have no direct experience on Zero Turn mowers.))

VIDEO: Zero Turn tires - YouTube


2) T-B-N Archive ~ Tractors Vs. Skid Steers: Google

Front engine tractors are designed to PULL. The primary tasks for tractors are performed from the (rear) Three Point Hitch and its associated Power Take Off (PTO).

Tractor Three Point Hitch: Since 1955 when Harry Ferguson's patents on the Three Point Hitch expired, no one has invented anything superior to the Three Point Hitch and Ferguson's design has become standard world wide.

Rear engine Skid Steers are designed to PUSH. Skid Steer implements are hydraulically, not mechanically, powered. Hydraulically powered Skid Steer implements are multiples more expensive than PTO/mechanically powered tractor implements of equivalent capability.



If you kind of want to split the difference, consider a POWER TRAC tractor. POWER TRAC has its own Forum here.
See ROADHUNTER, Post #10.

 

[FlowRoll]

Thanks for all the very helpful advice. I have decided on a tractor and am looking at a used Kubota B21 with FEL and backhoe. It has a little over 1000 hrs and the guy wants $14,000. Is this a good option for me? I will try to buy a box blade and a few other implements as well

 

[FlowRoll]

I am also looking at an L2500 which doesn't have a backhoe but has only around 500 hrs and is $10,000

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I recently bought around 4 acres that is on rolling hills (may buy another 20 behind my property soon). I am trying to determine if I should buy a tractor based on some of the projects that I want to complete on the property. I am currently in the middle of leveling a big piece of property on the side of the house for a shed and a large patio. All of this work is being done using a mini excavator that I rented. I still have some grading / compacting and some drainage work to do and am not liking how much I have to pay for renting. I have additional places that I want to level out as well close to our pond and we will be putting in some more sand there on the mini beach. I also have some trench work that needs to be done for drainage on the back of the property as well as for running electric down to the front of the property. I have a 400' driveway that is gravel. It is pretty compacted so I have only had to do a little bit of fill in certain areas with gravel but box blade would make maintenance of it easier. I have been using a zero turn for all of the lawn maintenance but a bush hog would be nice for the back field. We eventually plan on doing fruit trees and a garden on the back side of our property so a tiller would be nice for the garden. We have a lot of trees we want to plant / several that need to come down.

It seems like a tractor is one of those things that can do a little of everything with the right implements but is not great at anything. Would you all recommend a tractor and if so how do you determine the size to get. I know this isn't an easy question to answer but I thought I would start scanning the forum for advice.

Thanks,
FlowRoll

You are exactly right: a tractor can sort of do everything but is a master at nothing except dragging ground engagement tools behind it. Unless you have a pile of transporting to do that would eventually wear out an undercarriage, consider a skid or track loader. A track loader will be much better on hills.

If your hills are not that bad, think 12% grade or less, four loaded tires in a tractor will make your machine pretty stable. Keep the loader as low as you can on any machine you us on hills.

 

[dickfoster]

You are exactly right: a tractor can sort of do everything but is a master at nothing except dragging ground engagement tools behind it. Unless you have a pile of transporting to do that would eventually wear out an undercarriage, consider a skid or track loader. A track loader will be much better on hills.

If your hills are not that bad, think 12% grade or less, four loaded tires in a tractor will make your machine pretty stable. Keep the loader as low as you can on any machine you us on hills.

Yeah it would but they ain't exactly cheap. Still, I'd love to have one on my place because I've seen them go everywhere on my place.

 

[jeff9366]

I am looking at a used Kubota B21 with FEL and backhoe. It has a little over 1000 hrs and the guy wants $14,000. Is this a good option for me?

Nothing you have written demonstrates a need for a Backhoe.

Are you aware a Backhoe covers the Three Point Hitch and has to be removed before you can mount implements?

I would prioritize the L2500 @ $10,000. L2500 will be very close in capability to the L2501/HST I recommended in Post #4.