New Property Machinery Needs

[spqr476]

Greetings, all.

I Purchased a mini-farm last fall with a house/garden/orchard that sits on .8 acres of grass, with about an acre of hilly, overgrown pasture with small (20x25') barn, and about a third of an acre or so of wooded area. I'm in Iowa, and have about 400' of semicircular gravel driveway.

I plan on expanding the vegtetable garden to 40x40, need to move some stumps and tear down some old fencing, have lots of brush, etc, that needs cleaning up, would like to till or disc up all the fox grass and weeds in the pasture and get down some hay and maybe put a quarter acre in some corn. I will need to add gravel to the drive, and will need to take care of snow in the winter. I also need to mow the upper three quarters of an acre, and keep the pasture in check occasionally. I may eventually have some animals.

My neighbor has a skid steer, and has been gracious enough to take care of my drive this winter. He also doesn't mind if I borrow his machine for an occasional task, but he has it at his commercial farming acreage all summer, so it's an early spring/late fall/winter proposition.

I'm evaluating my options for machinery, and I'm a bit torn...I've looked at the kubota BX 1860/2360 and comparable machines of other colors (kubota dealer is 1/2 mile down the road, though) with MMM, FEL, tiller, and back blade. I've also considered a decent lawn/garden tractor and a rear tine walk-behind tiller, with lots of borrowing of the skid steer (and return favors to keep a balance) and some occasional hiring out. The apple orchard, and some hickory, spruce, and locust trees, along with a hilly, rolling, yard have me torn on the mowing duties...a zero turn will no doubt have stability issues on all the hills and bumps, but a ROPS may get in the way getting under the trees, leaving more push mower and trimmer work. A lawn/garden tractor will probably fit the bill for mowing, but I'll be mooching off the neighbor or hiring out for all the other chores I will need to do.

Any advice from those who have been there/done that?

 

[Qapla]

... would like to till or disc up all the fox grass and weeds in the pasture...I've looked at the Kubota BX 1860/2360 and comparable machines of other colors (Kubota dealer is 1/2 mile down the road, though) ...

If it is allowed in your area I would burn the fox grass and weeds before I turned any ground.

Also, you can't go wrong with Kubota if the close-by dealer is a good one. As for what model you need, I'll let others chime in on that because I would not know where to start on a farm that small.

 

[TripleR]

Of course a lot depends on how much you are willing to pay, but I would give serious consideration to a SCUT/CUT. I really like my BX2660, but would really be looking at one of these seriously.

New John Deere Utility Tractors

 

[spqr476]

I've heard similar advice on burning the grass. I'm pretty sure that's what I'll do...will have to till a firebreak before doing it, but it's legal around here.

On the price, I've saved enough that I can comfortably pay cash for a Bx2360. I figure I could buy a CUT/SCUT once and be good for the next 30 years, or buy a series of lawn/garden machines over the same time period, plus the hired out work, so I figure I'd be close to cost neutral over the long haul, with a big plus in the convenience of having a machine at hand whenever I needed it.

I just fear getting a machine that's too big for cutting around/under the trees, and too small for dealing with chores, though I have little fear on the "too little" side with only 2 acres or so, total.

I hate to drop that much money, then regret it.

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree with TripleR, Kubota or one of the new Deere models should be a good fit. With the attachments needed for your jobs you should be able to handle everything on two acres.

I would be wary of borrowing equipment from neighbors, I don't mind helping them and using my own equipment in the process but borrowing and loaning equipment can lead to trouble.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Just my 2 cents, but I think for very little more you could have a small cut in the 1800 to 2000 pound range. It would do everything the subcut would do with less limitations. Ground clearance would be a big one and with a foldable rops, height wouldn't be a problem.

 

[spqr476]

Just my 2 cents, but I think for very little more you could have a small cut in the 1800 to 2000 pound range. It would do everything the subcut would do with less limitations. Ground clearance would be a big one and with a foldable rops, height wouldn't be a problem.

I worry about ruts with the heavier weight, but with bigger tires, maybe it wouldn't be an issue. Maneuverability might be another issue...back to poring over spec sheets.

 

[TripleR]

Jenkisph and lawsalltractor make good points. There is a thread on here about loaning implements and it makes for some good reading. As a general rule, I don't borrow or loan equipment. We have "bartered" for it in the past, but now I just rent if I need something we don't own. There are just too many pitfalls in that for me. We do help our neighbors any time they need it and they would help us too, but borrowing/loaning is something we don't do.

As to the CUT v SCUT, you do get more ground clearance with the CUT which can really be nice, but generally this comes with the price of a higher COG. I looked at a CUT for our property and went with a SCUT due to the added stability. On some of the CUTs, you can get wheel spacers, but I don't know if you can approach the stability of a lower COG tractor. You also run into the added height interfering with overhangs, trees, etc.

Either might be a good bet for you, but after looking at all of the brochures, go try some out and ride them around the lot as much as they will let you.

The advantages of the new JD SCUTs are the lack of a vulnerable HST fan such as is on the BX, position control and foldable ROPS. Somewhere on here there is a post with a video of the new JD 1023 and 1026R. I don't know about the availability, but I am sure you can find it on the JD forum.

I am not recommending one over the other SCUT/CUT, BX/JD, just throwing stuff out for consideration. I don't know that much about the other brands, but all make good machines and would warrant consideration.

Good luck.

 

[jenkinsph]

I worry about ruts with the heavier weight, but with bigger tires, maybe it wouldn't be an issue. Maneuverability might be another issue...back to poring over spec sheets.

I would atleast look at the offerings in person and try them out to see what feels right. I look at specs too and have been around this stuff for most of my life, just give them all a hard look before you make a decision. I personally prefer Deere but with a Kubota dealer down the street that would make a big difference. Good dealers are important as has been mentioned, make sure you feel comfortable with whoever you choose. In the small machines made for your jobs I like both Deere and Kubota and will wan't to see the new Deere 1026R up close.

 

[beeforty]

If you have a dealer down the road will he rent to purchase and let you try out different models. Or just rent different makes for a weekend and run around on your property see how each feels. Don't necessarily try to complete any one task with one tractor so you could compare one to another. It will cost you a little now but may cure any doubts as to which is the right one for your needs.

 

[SixHoeBob]

If you want to stay friends with your neighbors, do not make a habit of borrowing from them. If they have a tool/implement/machine that you need, go buy one of your own. It is much,much cheaper:thumbsup:

 

[spqr476]

Yes, the borrowing thing seems equally unappealing to me. I don't mind trading work...with a guy running his own machine and me returning with sweat labor, or with my eventual purchase, but the "borrowing" thing didn't seem like a great idea.

I sat on some machines this afternoon. Even more of a quandry now. I like the ground clearance and construction of a Kubota "B" sized machine for anything serious, but the size of the "Bx" machines for the mowing. If the Bx had the folding ROPS of the BX25, it would be about right for the mowing, but I fear I'd not get as much use in the pasture and around the woodlot...I've got some wet ground down there, and I think I might sink a BX to the axles.

this is getting harder, not easier.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Sounds like a B2320 with turf tires would suit you well. About the same price as the largest BX series but more ground clearance and better implement selection/compatibility. My mother has a B7610 on turf tires (older but similar size to the B2320) with a 60" mower deck and it's a really nimble mowing tractor. Take the deck off and it pulls a 50bu. manure spreader, uses a scrape blade, post hole digger, etc.

 

[spqr476]

A B2320 seems to be perfect for the larger chores, but the ROPS folds at about the same height that the bx non-folding ROPS reaches at it's top. I may need to re-evaluate...maybe a mower and a tractor?

A B series is nimble? I've only seen them with the "industrial" tires...are they a bit shorter/lower CG with turfs?

I have to watch...I like the ground clearance, but I've got a lot of hills, so CG will be an issue.

I'd like to have just one machine to deal with, so maybe I'll see if I can get a BX series and a B series out to the property to try. There's a JD dealer 18 miles away, and another place 12 miles away.

 

[Verticaltrx]

A B2320 seems to be perfect for the larger chores, but the ROPS folds at about the same height that the bx non-folding ROPS reaches at it's top. I may need to re-evaluate...maybe a mower and a tractor?

A B series is nimble? I've only seen them with the "industrial" tires...are they a bit shorter/lower CG with turfs?

I have to watch...I like the ground clearance, but I've got a lot of hills, so CG will be an issue.

I'd like to have just one machine to deal with, so maybe I'll see if I can get a BX series and a B series out to the property to try. There's a JD dealer 18 miles away, and another place 12 miles away.

The turf tires are a bit wider than the industrial tires, about the same height. Turning radius is really tight on these little tractors and without a loader on them they really are nimble. Despite the look of the B-series the center of gravity is actually pretty low, I use my B3200 on some really steep terrain, and it is even taller than the small B-series.

 

[Gary Fowler]

It takes some serious slopes to actually turn one of these tractors over if you keep it slow. THe pucker factor will kick in way before the COG tips the tractor. Also if you go straight up and down hills, you wont have to worry much about tip over. Back up a steep hill and you will run out of traction before you get into any tipping. Also a front end loader is handy as a shirt pocket on any tractor. With a QA type they are easy to detach also for when you get into those really tight spots. Even on the small SCUT types they can lift and haul an impressive amount of material. Sure beats a shovel and wheelbarrow. If you have really wet areas to cross, you may want to equip the tractor with either R1 or R 4 tires rather than turf tires. Turfs are just about useless in an muddy situation. R4's will give you the best combination of traction with the least amount of grass disturbance on your lawn. R4 are also wider than R1 so you get more flotation from them.

 

[TripleR]

I think the bottom line is going to be anything you pick is going to be a compromise in one area or another, you just have to pick which ones. The BX v B is an ongoing one on which you can spend days reading.

bp fick has written some really good stuff on this as has JOHNTHOMAS. Here is just one to get you started:http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../185147-bx1860-vx-b2320-contrast-compare.html

 

[Verticaltrx]

If you have really wet areas to cross, you may want to equip the tractor with either R1 or R 4 tires rather than turf tires. Turfs are just about useless in an muddy situation. R4's will give you the best combination of traction with the least amount of grass disturbance on your lawn. R4 are also wider than R1 so you get more flotation from them.

I don't want to get this thread too of track, but I have to disagree. I've run Ag, Turf and Industrial tires on B-series Kubotas, and the Industrials are as bad in the mud as turf tires, without the flotation nonetheless. Turf tires are MUCH better in the snow than Ind. also.

 

[spqr476]

Dealership is going to bring by a Bx2360 with Industrial Tires when the weather cooperates. I'll see how that goes and maybe try out a B2320, also. The dealer talked me into trying the R4 style tires since he said they will give me a tiny bit more ground clearance ( True or no???) which was/is a concern with the Bx, and would serve me better in my rutted up pasture that tends towards the wet side. About 75% of my plot has some degree of slope as well, and the dealer said the R4s would be better.

I've read a lot of conflicting advice about the R4 vs Turf debate, but since I'm just trying it, I guess it can't hurt. I'm not concerned about yard of the month club, just being able to do what I need with this machine, whichever it ends up being. Our snow is usually pretty dry, and the R4 is fairly popular for snow removal here, or so I'm told.

The only B he had on the lot right now is a B3300, which is, I guess, a decent bit bigger than a B2320, so I don't have a good comparison right now. Will be interesting to see. I do know that I'll be trimming some low hanging branches to make either machine work for mowing.

 

[TripleR]

Dealership is going to bring by a Bx2360 with Industrial Tires when the weather cooperates. I'll see how that goes and maybe try out a B2320, also. The dealer talked me into trying the R4 style tires since he said they will give me a tiny bit more ground clearance ( True or no???) which was/is a concern with the Bx, and would serve me better in my rutted up pasture that tends towards the wet side. About 75% of my plot has some degree of slope as well, and the dealer said the R4s would be better.

I've read a lot of conflicting advice about the R4 vs Turf debate, but since I'm just trying it, I guess it can't hurt. I'm not concerned about yard of the month club, just being able to do what I need with this machine, whichever it ends up being. Our snow is usually pretty dry, and the R4 is fairly popular for snow removal here, or so I'm told.

The only B he had on the lot right now is a B3300, which is, I guess, a decent bit bigger than a B2320, so I don't have a good comparison right now. Will be interesting to see. I do know that I'll be trimming some low hanging branches to make either machine work for mowing.

Being able to try them both is the ideal situation and will help in the decision process more than anything.

Yes there will always be a debate on tires. My BX2200 had bar tires which worked very well for me. The BX2660 came with Industrial tires which I didn't want, but the salesman asked me to try them out and if I didn't like them, he would replace them with my chice. Three years later and they are still on there.

We use Turfs, Industrial and Ag/Bar on different tractors.