Newbie - need input & help please

[D&D]

I would likely be the primary, and my husband would be the secondary.

Then I would definitely consider a decent used tractor 4wd (mfwd, etc). Something like a JD 4300, 4310, 4400, 955, Kioti dk35, Kubota L3901, maybe even a NH boomer or work master (I’d stay away from anything super steer).
On budget, don’t forget to think about attachments you will want/need. They can add quite a bit to the bottom line. Again, shopping for good used stuff just takes time and a little patience.

 

[dougtrr2]

I apologize for the slight thread drift. Two things jumped out at me, newbie and swamp. You can very quickly get stuck in the swamp. Be very careful anytime you near the swampy areas. At the first sign of softness, back up. A big heavy tractor with 4wd can and will get stuck, and stuck bad. Be careful out there.

Even with my "glorified lawnmower" (BX24) I was amazed the first time I was in mud and had all four wheels spinning and no movement.

Doug in SW A

 

[zzvyb6]

Send a private message to me. I'll give you a phone number of a woman in Stockbridge who has been thru everything you described, solved all her needs with a used modern tractor and would give you the best advice. She deals with horses, sheep, hay, gardens, wood/logs, fences, and dogs.

 

[Tractorable]

A Kubota L2502 would work well for your needs and wouldn’t break the budget.

 

[etpm]

My 2 cents and I hope they help. I have 10 or 12 wooded acres with only about 1 1/2 acres cleared. I use a 1980 Yanmar YM2310 tractor that has an after market loader for all my tractor duties. It has, apparently, a 27 HP engine with 23 HP PTO. It has a 5 speed primary transmission that feeds a 3 speed with reverse secondary transmission. The secondary transmission has an automatic wet clutch so no stepping on the clutch is required to change speeds or to reverse. The main transmission can only be shifted when the tractor is stationary. But the secondary transmission can be shifted while in motion. This is a HUGE convenience. Yanmar calls this feature "Power Shift".
I also have a Case 580 CK Backhoe complete with a front end loader. It has a feature called "Shuttle Shift". Similar to the Yanmar it does not require using the clutch. But it is just for forward and reverse. When moving dirt this feature is super useful. SUPER USEFUL.This machine is much bigger and heavier than my Yanmar. I bought it to install a septic system when my house was built. When I bought it I had never even sat on a backhoe and knew nothing about septic systems. In the end the county used my septic system as an example for how a septic system should be done. So even a neophyte can learn and do a good job.
I used the backhoe to dig many ditches for power, phone and water. It doesn't have a thumb and I really wish it did. REALLY.
Because you have so many more acres to take care of I think you should go with a 40 HP machine that is 4wd. My 27 HP machine could do the work but it would take much longer. You also need a machine with a front end loader. They are super useful. I have a Ford 9N tractor and while it is a good machine that has served me well it does not have a front end loader and so I just don't use the thing anymore.
I put in a road through my woods with my backhoe even though it is not the best machine for the task. But it did the job. I used the backhoe digging out trees and getting unstuck.
If I was you and thought I might be needing to put in ditches for water and power, etc. I would get a 4wd tractor with a backhoe. With a thumb. And a Shuttle Shift. And 40 HP or above.
Anyway, my 2 cents from a former neophyte.
Cheers,
Eric

 

[pmsmechanic]

Buy a good tractor with a front end loader. The rest of the equipment you can pick up over time. Check out FB Marketplace or Craigslist for good deals. They are there you just need to be patient. Don't send anyone money until you have the implement on your trailer. If people don't like it just tell them that that is the way you do business. Don't be scared to walk away from idiots.

Several have mentioned a backhoe. If you sit down and do the math of buying vs renting a small mini hoe you'll probably find that renting is a lot cheaper. Also you can buy a new mini hoe for considerably cheaper than a new hoe attachment for the tractor. Then you don't have the issue of removing the hoe to do some rotto tilling etc. and then reattaching the hoe just for some little job you forgot to do.

 

[Williy]

If you don't want to wrap a chain around a log to pull it
you can get one of these:

Claw Hook,Log Lifting Tongs， Heavy Duty Grapple Timber Claw,Lumber Skidding,Log Lifting (21")$43.99​

willy

 

[Williy]

Your John Deere and Kubota cost more than the other brands so shop around and test as many tractors that
you can using all the controls to see if you can find a
tractor that has the controls were you are comforrtable
with.

willy

 

[fc1]

If you take the invites to go and visit the Brighton and Stockbridge peeps come to Howell as well and you can take my Kubota L3940 w grapple for a spin. 39hp, 4wd, ~4500#. Agree about the mud; I have lots sometimes and have learned to be careful...

 

[WM75Guy]

We have 14 acres of pasture with a few acres of woods and keep 3 horses. I would recommend a tractor with at least 40hp so you get enough power and weight to lift safely with the FEL. Plus, you have the power to use 6' implements like a cutter or tiller. We started with the NH TC40DA with 40hp for mowing, dirt work, and dragging the arena. It is my and my wife's go-to utility tractor. We are now up to 3 tractors, 2nd was a Workmaster 75 75hp with a cab for me to do mowing and grapple work.

I just bought a 3rd tractor, a NH 25S 25hp for mowing turnouts and under the trees, also small dirt work like filling in around the stable doors as the horses wear a path going in and out. It is handy but is too small to do the things the TC40DA does. While some say that a small tractor can do everything a big tractor can do, it just takes longer, I have found that is not true. I would have been out of luck if we had started with a small tractor.