New Property

[airbiscuit]

Zero turn on the lawn.

Really.

Keep the Bobcat unless it is clapped out.

There is some logic to this unless the property is hilly.

 

[airbiscuit]

Are Christmas trees a business? How many acres?

If Christmas trees will be a business, a Backhoe is probably worthwhile. A tractor Backhoe should handle Christmas tree stump removal OK as Christmas trees are usually 3" at the base.

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Around here, they leave the bottom row of branches on the stump when they cut the Christmas tree. The next spring, they cut off all the branches but one. That grows up vertically and becomes a new Christmas tree. It grows fast because it has a very well established root system.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would consider a 700 series Deere mower with snow blower and 60" mowing deck. Buy what other attachments you need to fix up the lawn. Maybe a material collection cart for leaves, aerator and other site specific tools. Mowing should be the most common task followed by snow removal.

Your current skid steer with a hydraulic auger will be fine for loader work on the wall and planting trees. The hydraulic auger will be much better since you can reverse the bit if you get stuck. When you get ready to plant rent the auger for the time needed to plant the trees, then return it.

About the 770, I think I would keep it for a year or so to see if you need it for fixing up the new place. Once you have the work done you can sell it yourself and fare better on the money.

I would recommend you consider the stump removal separately. If it is a one time deal rent or hire what is needed but forget the backhoe attachment it is costly to own and small ones are not worth the investment for MOST people.

 

[MossRoad]

How many machines can you afford?? :laughing:

A zero turn is great, but its another machine to purchase, store and maintain.

 

[crashz]

How many machines can you afford?? :laughing:

A zero turn is great, but its another machine to purchase, store and maintain.

Though I love equipment and trucks, I have too many already!

The trees are more of a hobby/tax credit thing than real business. In NH you can put 10 acres or more in the Current Use program, which I don't have enough. But there is an exception to that with Christmas trees. So I was thinking about putting approximately 1 acre dedicated to the trees. Our property is actually two lots, one with the house, garage and sheds, and separate building lot of 1 acre. If we dedicate that lot to trees, I think we could save a little on property taxes. Selling or donating the trees then could be additional income or tax deduction. Love the idea if the re-growing off of single branches!

The Bobcat 753 is a great machine, lower hours and works perfectly. Its great when I need a grading/loading machine. But I just don't have the need for it all of the time. If the 770 was a hydro machine with a slightly stronger loader, I would not have bought the Bobcat. For a couple weeks this year I used it at work while we needed another machine and it has come in handy. Just the same, I bought it during the 2012 election and have put only 120 horns on it.

The lots are clear, flat, grass covered and bordered by woods. Almost all good lawn. So mowing is a primary task. Zero turn would be great for time, but how much do they cost? And if I'm buying something new, it really should be a multi-task machine.

The backhoe would get some exercise with the christmas tree stumps, similar small stumps on the property, pool plumbing, patio work, concrete side walk prep, etc. So its a strong want, but not necessary. But if I'm buying new, I might spring for it now.

I appreciate the suggestions, please keep them coming!

 

[MossRoad]

Here's another thought on mowing.... two acres isn't that large. One acre, if you put trees on the other. By the time you add up the footprint of the house, driveway, garage, shed, deck, pool, garden, etc... you won't be mowing half an acre total. A finish mower on the tractor would work well for that. But go price a finish mower. Then price a zero turn.... then price a cheap riding mower. For half an acre, an average riding mower will only take about an hour at most, probably less, and cost less than the finish mower and way less than a zero turn. But then again, you'll have a 2nd machine to maintain. Just some things to think about.

 

[airbiscuit]

Okay, You already own a CUT and a skidsteer, so you have a pretty good idea about their capabilities. Hearing the range of ideas from posters may help "hear your own voice" and make a decision. I tend to be on the side of bigger is better, so I'm not usually that excited about SCUTs, and too often a backhoe is more of a want than a need.. Given your uses and acreage, maybe smaller is better. Therefore, it pains me to include this video of what you seem to be thinking about.

 

[airbiscuit]

This shows the "leaving bottom row of branches" method of growing a new Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree Farming - Crest Ranch - Santa Cruz, CA

 

[edgarrian]

I was in your shoes a year ago and went with a 1705 with a mid mounted deck and loader. last summer i added QA for the loader for my forks and bucket. Anyway my thought process was the same. Why buy a lawn mowing tractor or zero turn if i can have it all in one machine. I at first wanted a small tractor with a cab with all the creature comforts but I came to my senses and knew what I was getting it for. I won't use mine for stop removal unless i could strap a chain around it and pull it out. We live on 8 acres all woods so the use of a trackhoe is the best option which i what i used to clear trees with when prepping the site for driveway and my house.

I have watched videos of guys using the backhoe attachment and I'm just not that impressed. They don't seem smooth as far as operating, seem very slow, and of course your not moving much dirt. My thought is if I need to trench or anything like that then I call the rental shop and get a track hoe coming.

Not sure what your gonna do but i would look for attachment for the loader.
some three point attachments

Will you have a garden if so a tiller would be a good addition.

 

[jenkinsph]

Though I love equipment and trucks, I have too many already!

The trees are more of a hobby/tax credit thing than real business. In NH you can put 10 acres or more in the Current Use program, which I don't have enough. But there is an exception to that with Christmas trees. So I was thinking about putting approximately 1 acre dedicated to the trees. Our property is actually two lots, one with the house, garage and sheds, and separate building lot of 1 acre. If we dedicate that lot to trees, I think we could save a little on property taxes. Selling or donating the trees then could be additional income or tax deduction. Love the idea if the re-growing off of single branches!

The Bobcat 753 is a great machine, lower hours and works perfectly. Its great when I need a grading/loading machine. But I just don't have the need for it all of the time. If the 770 was a hydro machine with a slightly stronger loader, I would not have bought the Bobcat. For a couple weeks this year I used it at work while we needed another machine and it has come in handy. Just the same, I bought it during the 2012 election and have put only 120 horns on it.

The lots are clear, flat, grass covered and bordered by woods. Almost all good lawn. So mowing is a primary task. Zero turn would be great for time, but how much do they cost? And if I'm buying something new, it really should be a multi-task machine.

The backhoe would get some exercise with the christmas tree stumps, similar small stumps on the property, pool plumbing, patio work, concrete side walk prep, etc. So its a strong want, but not necessary. But if I'm buying new, I might spring for it now.

I appreciate the suggestions, please keep them coming!

If I assume the two lots are both clear, flat with lawn grass presently then I would keep them as is. A nice new lawn mower with a selection of attachments should do ya. Sell off the 770 and 753 if you don't use them for your work. Even if you decide to grow the trees you don't need to tie up money in equipment sitting while the trees grow.

Now if you want a new tractor to play with then by all means buy what ever you desire. Nothing wrong with that either.