New to this

[jimfuel100]

Gentlemen,
I've been reading for a while, have not posted because I have nothing to offer (yet).
I'm in need of real world advice for my first tractor purchase. I've sat on a few...never driven one. Expect to purchase later this year.
I recently purchased 6 acres of land:
1.5 acres are level, dry, but located in a flood plane (a previous owner began building a pond here).
1.5 on a very steep hill.
3 are on a flat to small slope.

The land has not been touched in several years...there is a rutted, up-hill gravel driveway to be fixed, the pond should be filled in (preferred) or finished and the rest needs bush hogged and shaped / fixed / turned into grass.

My timeline is 5-6 years before we build...My wife and 2 kids (7 and 12) live comfortably (on 1/3 acre) in a neighborhood about 1.5 miles from the 6 acre lot, no hurry to move.

I plan to purchase a large, older, affordable to me ($10 - 13K*), tractor to perform the "heavy work" then downsize to a Kubota BX25 or MF GC 2410 as a mower / Swiss Army knife after we build. *Could afford more with zero percent financing.

Your opinions:
YES - I agree and recommend a______ . This machine will perform all your tasks then you can sell it for near what you paid.
NO - Purchase the BX25 now and take your time fixing / clearing your lot.
Option#3 - Purchase a B2320 Kubota with a BH and have the best of both worlds...this could do your heavy work much better than the BX or GC and mow your grass after you build.

I'm located near Frederick, Maryland...close to Pennsylvania if that matters. All major brands are close by.

Sorry for the long post and thanks for your advice.

 

[TripleR]

Lots of ways you could go on that, but buying the B2320 (I would opt for a 2620) would be better than going with any BX.

I run tractors from 23 HP to 85 HP and sometimes you just need to go bigger and get it over with, so we now rent a mini excavator or backhoe and if we didn't have a big tractor would rent one to do some of your one time stuff.

We have even brought in a dozer when time was short.

 

[Zebrafive]

I like your idea to buy older then when the heavy stuff is done downsize. By then you will know more what you need to maintain the acreage.

 

[RoyJackson]

First, Welcome to TBN!!!!

In your situation, I'd suggest a Deere 790 or 4300/4310 as a permanent solution. Either machine can fulfill the criteria you've established with the price range you've noted.
I recommend Deere since I'm most familar with them. An equivalent Kobuta would be just as satisfactory, IMHO.

have not posted because I have nothing to offer

That's never stopped anyone from posting on TBN yet!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

That's never stopped anyone from posting on TBN yet!

I wish I'da said that!

 

[kiotiken]

Welcome! Nothing wrong with the BX line, but they're small and you've got enough land that I'm sure you'll find all sorts of stuff to do that you can't even imagine yet. If you go with something bigger to start, you might not want to downsize that far afterward. I'd forget about downsizing afterward and I'd be buying a lower priced tractor new or next to new in the L3200 range for Bota, 3032e for JD, CK30/CT230 for Kioti/Bobcat or the compatible LS model. These will all be a little more than you price range new, or bang on the money for 200-500 hr machine. Rent a mini ex for digging unless you think a backhoe will be something you need for the long haul (which would rule out the 3032/3038 JD), it's not the right tool to be digging ponds anyway.

 

[Martian]

So in option one are you consider buying two machines now and selling one later or buying one machine now and selling that one when you get the next one?

Either way, my long term situation in your shoes would be to get a 3x20 series JD and a zero turn mower. Yes, more money, but you have a big enough tractor to do all the work now, and when you have the tractor paid off in a couple of years and the house up, then you'll have the money for the zero turn. I think that a 2x20 could work, but you'd be pushing it to the limits a lot of the time and you would be more comfortable in the 3x20. Of course I have to put the disclaimer out there that any tractor will do the job perfectly fine and I put the model out for Deere simply because that is what I run and know best, it works best for me, but different tractors suit different peoples needs better, so find what brand works for you.

EDIT: And too add, I don't believe a BX25 would be sufficient to clear, level and work the land as you intend. Great tractors, just a little small for the proposed purposes.

 

[RoyJackson]

Either way, my long term situation in your shoes would be to get a 3x20 series JD and a zero turn mower. Yes, more money, but you have a big enough tractor to do all the work now

If he keeps about an acre or two lawn, he wouldn't need the ZTR...just a finishing mower.

jimfuel100, the 3320 Deere is about the same size and power rating as that 4300/4310 series machine. Good tractor, and if you can swing the payments, they're definitely worth a look.

 

[MarkV]

Gentlemen,
I've been reading for a while, have not posted because I have nothing to offer (yet).
I'm in need of real world advice for my first tractor purchase. I've sat on a few...never driven one. Expect to purchase later this year.
I recently purchased 6 acres of land:
1.5 acres are level, dry, but located in a flood plane (a previous owner began building a pond here).
1.5 on a very steep hill.
3 are on a flat to small slope.

The land has not been touched in several years...there is a rutted, up-hill gravel driveway to be fixed, the pond should be filled in (preferred) or finished and the rest needs bush hogged and shaped / fixed / turned into grass.

My timeline is 5-6 years before we build...My wife and 2 kids (7 and 12) live comfortably (on 1/3 acre) in a neighborhood about 1.5 miles from the 6 acre lot, no hurry to move.

I plan to purchase a large, older, affordable to me ($10 - 13K*), tractor to perform the "heavy work" then downsize to a Kubota BX25 or MF GC 2410 as a mower / Swiss Army knife after we build. *Could afford more with zero percent financing.

Your opinions:
YES - I agree and recommend a______ . This machine will perform all your tasks then you can sell it for near what you paid.
NO - Purchase the BX25 now and take your time fixing / clearing your lot.
Option#3 - Purchase a B2320 Kubota with a BH and have the best of both worlds...this could do your heavy work much better than the BX or GC and mow your grass after you build.

I'm located near Frederick, Maryland...close to Pennsylvania if that matters. All major brands are close by.

Sorry for the long post and thanks for your advice.

I've got to go against the general response. I hear of a pond being filled, size does matter. About 3 acres cut back, prepped and planted. About 11/2 acres of steep land cleaned up. Plus an uphill drive rebuilt. That is a lot to ask of a BX or B size tractor. Even a larger used tractor, plus the needed implements, is going to be real stretch in the $10-13k range.

A BX or B size tractor should take care of your needs once your set up. Maybe you should look for some out side help with the pond and road rebuild. If the pond is of any size, moving dirt is better done by bigger equipment.

MarkV

 

[jimfuel100]

Thank you for the suggestions! I really do not need to rush in to this...I can plan/save for a properly sized tractor.

The pond / swamp is currently 10' x 20' and 3' deep, you can see where some type of loader went into both sides. I may reach out to local excavation companies and let them know they have a place to get rid of clean unwanted dirt.

I will end up with about 4.5 acres of mowable grass...2 friends have ZTR's and are not enthusiastic about the possibility of mowing the steep hill; one said "I'd let that area go, you don't need to mow it".

The general consensus seems to be "go big or go home" so to speak. I cannot disagree.

I do not have a lot of patience but my wife (voice of reason) is keeping my big tractor dreams...dreams.

I change my mind daily on what will be the perfect tractor, probably because I have zero reference point / experience.

On Tractorhouse I see very good "package deals" for Mahindra: Tractor, trailer, FEL, box blade and brush hog. Are these decent deals? Is there negotiation below the package price? Also, I'm leary of purchasing from a far away dealer and expecting the local (30 miles for Mahindra) dealer to repair warranty items.
Jim