One Tractor To Do It All?

[Dr_Zinj]

I would like some input on whether I am making a smart choice or not. I think one tractor to do my chores would be better than my current set up of mowing with a zero turn and snowplowing with an ATV. Basically, downsize from 2 machines to 1.

I mow 6 acres with a 61" zero turn mower (Ferris IS2100z with suspension and suspension seat).

I plow with an ATV with 54" snowplow (Suzuki King Quad 500).

Both do the job, but would a tractor be better suited?

I would get a compact tractor with a cab (heat and air conditioning) and a 72" belly mower. Being exposed to the elements is not exactly fun. My allergies are bad during mowing season and getting cold and wet during the plowing season is getting old quick.

The mowing area is not smooth, so mowing wide open throttle on the zero turn is not an option. So, the benefit of the zero turn being faster is not really a reality.

My acreage is wide open. No trees to maneuver. I even am considering a large 3 point attachment mower 10 ft wide or so, but I know that requires a larger tractor. I do not have the space to store (indoors) a large utility style, high HP farm tractor. Plus, I do not want such a heavy tractor to tear up the yard.

My driveway is 450 ft of gravel, so maintenance is periodically required. I have no way to perform the maintenance now and either have to borrow or rent equipment to do it. Or pay a contractor. It seems like a front end loader and box blade combination would be great to have.

I think the Kubota LX line of tractors might be a good fit for my needs. I am open to other brands/models. I do not believe in paying the John Deere green premium, so John Deere is not an option.

Has anyone went from multiple, job specific machines to a tractor that can do it all? Any regrets?

Thanks!

My Bobcat CT230 (Kioti DK25) would mow 6 acres with a hog just fine, and it does a decent job of plowing my 1400 foot dirt driveway with the FEL and a backblade. (Also did a nice job moving 13 truck loads of crushed stone base when I upgraded the drive.) The problem is, you want filled tires and/or wheel weights and even chains for plowing, but you don't want all that much weight on your field killing the grass from soil compaction, or massive ruts/stuck tractor if the field is too wet and soft.

 

[JorgePR]

Hello, reading some of the replies, I believe that if you could have it your budget - keep the Ferris and for the tractor perhaps a CK3520 HST w/ the implements you need to replace your quad, also if within budget get the 3rd function to the front for grapple, and other front implements. Hope it helps.

 

[mikester]

Mowing 6 acres? This is all you need

 

[pmsmechanic]

I did what you propose for about 5 years. It was always a pain to switch out the fel and/or rototiller for the rfm. Mowing time was usually on a Saturday after doing numerous other chores with the tractor. I got tired of it so I bought a used F935. Mowing time on approx 3 acres went from 2 hours to about 1.25. If we mow with both machines we are done in about 3/4 of an hour if all goes good. If I was to sell one of my mowers the first one to go would be the rfm.

The ride was rough on the F935 with the original 8'5" wide tires. I installed duals for a while and that really helped but I eventually widened a set of rims and installed 12" wide tires. Big improvement in the ride.

And now I can just go out one evening and mow my lawn.....

 

[generic farmer]

You might be surprised to find out that the orange premium you will pay is as big or bigger than the green one. Its been about 20 years since I needed a new compact tractor (something to be said for the dependability of the green ones), but back then a John Deere, with an American-made engine, was a little less than a comparable Kubota.

I think John Deere is offshoring all of the engines on their compacts now though. My 20 year old JD will likely last longer that I will, without any serious trouble. If I had to buy today, I’d take a good look at TYM or Kioti. Those might actually save you some money for comparable performance. I’m glad I bought mine back when the getting was good before the Tier IV days.

I found this true recently before purchasing. 2038r out the door with loader was 30, lx 3520 was 30. Deere gave me more for my trade in......it was hard to turn down.

 

[marinohh5]

Its been about 20 years since I needed a new compact tractor (something to be said for the dependability of the green ones), but back then a John Deere, with an American-made engine, was a little less than a comparable Kubota.

Speed Test​

 

[MossRoad]

I would like some input on whether I am making a smart choice or not. I think one tractor to do my chores would be better than my current set up of mowing with a zero turn and snowplowing with an ATV. Basically, downsize from 2 machines to 1.

I mow 6 acres with a 61" zero turn mower (Ferris IS2100z with suspension and suspension seat).

I plow with an ATV with 54" snowplow (Suzuki King Quad 500).

Both do the job, but would a tractor be better suited?

I would get a compact tractor with a cab (heat and air conditioning) and a 72" belly mower. Being exposed to the elements is not exactly fun. My allergies are bad during mowing season and getting cold and wet during the plowing season is getting old quick.

The mowing area is not smooth, so mowing wide open throttle on the zero turn is not an option. So, the benefit of the zero turn being faster is not really a reality.

My acreage is wide open. No trees to maneuver. I even am considering a large 3 point attachment mower 10 ft wide or so, but I know that requires a larger tractor. I do not have the space to store (indoors) a large utility style, high HP farm tractor. Plus, I do not want such a heavy tractor to tear up the yard.

My driveway is 450 ft of gravel, so maintenance is periodically required. I have no way to perform the maintenance now and either have to borrow or rent equipment to do it. Or pay a contractor. It seems like a front end loader and box blade combination would be great to have.

I think the Kubota LX line of tractors might be a good fit for my needs. I am open to other brands/models. I do not believe in paying the John Deere green premium, so John Deere is not an option.

Has anyone went from multiple, job specific machines to a tractor that can do it all? Any regrets?

Thanks!

So I went the "one machine to do it all" route about 2001 when I bought our PowerTrac PT425. In a nutshell, it's a little articulated loader where all of the attachments mount to a quick attach on the end of the FEL.
Buckets
Mowers
Brush cutter
Power angle snow blade (curls,too)
Forks.
They make about 40 different attachments.

For our uses, it's perfect.


There are drawbacks with these types of tool carrier type machines when comparing them to an AG style tractor. For example, it will not pull like a tractor, say plowing a field or pulling a stump. But it WILL run circles around an AG style tractor doing FEL work, hauling material from point A to point B. It's great at mucking horse stalls as well. It can get into tighter spaces with a mower. But a farm tractor just has better gearing and traction.

It has a nice cut and all, but it's not a zero turn.
It'll stack snow over 6' high, but it's not a snow blower.
Stuff like that.

A purpose-built machine will almost always be better at a task than a do-it-all machine. But a do-it-all machine means one less machine to maintain.

If I hadn't bought this machine, my next choice back then would have been a New Holland TC21D. It had a great ergonomic feel and I'm sure it would have suited us as well.

So poke around, look at different machine types and try and get some seat time on everything you possibly can. Good luck in your search.

 

[MossRoad]

I want your planter!

Planter envy?

 

[Runner]

So I went the "one machine to do it all" route about 2001 when I bought our PowerTrac PT425. In a nutshell, it's a little articulated loader where all of the attachments mount to a quick attach on the end of the FEL.
Buckets
Mowers
Brush cutter
Power angle snow blade (curls,too)
Forks.
They make about 40 different attachments.

For our uses, it's perfect.


There are drawbacks with these types of tool carrier type machines when comparing them to an AG style tractor. For example, it will not pull like a tractor, say plowing a field or pulling a stump. But it WILL run circles around an AG style tractor doing FEL work, hauling material from point A to point B. It's great at mucking horse stalls as well. It can get into tighter spaces with a mower. But a farm tractor just has better gearing and traction.

It has a nice cut and all, but it's not a zero turn.
It'll stack snow over 6' high, but it's not a snow blower.
Stuff like that.

A purpose-built machine will almost always be better at a task than a do-it-all machine. But a do-it-all machine means one less machine to maintain.

If I hadn't bought this machine, my next choice back then would have been a New Holland TC21D. It had a great ergonomic feel and I'm sure it would have suited us as well.

So poke around, look at different machine types and try and get some seat time on everything you possibly can. Good luck in your search.

View attachment 3331654

Moss, just curious, do you ever hit your head on the little roof mounted to the roll bar when mounting/dismounting? It seems like you would, but maybe it's higher than it looks.

 

[MossRoad]

Moss, just curious, do you ever hit your head on the little roof mounted to the roll bar when mounting/dismounting? It seems like you would, but maybe it's higher than it looks.

Absolutely!

 

[MossRoad]

It came with a lightly padded strip around it when new. That got ripped off at some point. But really, I'm 6' tall, and I have a good 6" of head clearance when under it. But a couple times a year I'll be looking at something under the hood, or reaching for something and bonk my head on the edge. It's pretty solid. I stand on top of it on occasion.

I'm thinking of taking a 1/2" or 3/4" steel pipe and using a cutting wheel to slot it, then slip it over the edges and weld it on. That wouldn't prevent me from hitting it of course, but it would lesson the pain of the thin metal edge. Plus, I could use it for a wire chase to a rear-facing LED floodlight I have mounted under the canopy behind my head.

 

[Runner]

It came with a lightly padded strip around it when new. That got ripped off at some point. But really, I'm 6' tall, and I have a good 6" of head clearance when under it. But a couple times a year I'll be looking at something under the hood, or reaching for something and bonk my head on the edge. It's pretty solid. I stand on top of it on occasion.

I'm thinking of taking a 1/2" or 3/4" steel pipe and using a cutting wheel to slot it, then slip it over the edges and weld it on. That wouldn't prevent me from hitting it of course, but it would lesson the pain of the thin metal edge. Plus, I could use it for a wire chase to a rear-facing LED floodlight I have mounted under the canopy behind my head.

I notice that Modrob's new machine does have the rubber strip that may help some. Either that or a helmet.

 

[big bubba]

OP: decide on the largest & most demanding task you have. choose a suitable tractor model, then go one model up in size.

 

[gwstang]

I would like some input on whether I am making a smart choice or not. I think one tractor to do my chores would be better than my current set up of mowing with a zero turn and snowplowing with an ATV. Basically, downsize from 2 machines to 1.

I mow 6 acres with a 61" zero turn mower (Ferris IS2100z with suspension and suspension seat).

I plow with an ATV with 54" snowplow (Suzuki King Quad 500).

Both do the job, but would a tractor be better suited?

I would get a compact tractor with a cab (heat and air conditioning) and a 72" belly mower. Being exposed to the elements is not exactly fun. My allergies are bad during mowing season and getting cold and wet during the plowing season is getting old quick.

The mowing area is not smooth, so mowing wide open throttle on the zero turn is not an option. So, the benefit of the zero turn being faster is not really a reality.

My acreage is wide open. No trees to maneuver. I even am considering a large 3 point attachment mower 10 ft wide or so, but I know that requires a larger tractor. I do not have the space to store (indoors) a large utility style, high HP farm tractor. Plus, I do not want such a heavy tractor to tear up the yard.

My driveway is 450 ft of gravel, so maintenance is periodically required. I have no way to perform the maintenance now and either have to borrow or rent equipment to do it. Or pay a contractor. It seems like a front end loader and box blade combination would be great to have.

I think the Kubota LX line of tractors might be a good fit for my needs. I am open to other brands/models. I do not believe in paying the John Deere green premium, so John Deere is not an option.

Has anyone went from multiple, job specific machines to a tractor that can do it all? Any regrets?

Thanks!

Don't discount using a finishing mower, behind the tractor. I have a 5' finishing mower that I cut about 8 acres, with the Kubota L2501. It does a nice job. I have 68 acres overall and cut around 15 acres.

 

[MossRoad]

If I had an AG style machine, I'd opt for the rear finish mower as well. Easier to get into corners, back it under overhanging trees, etc...

 

[bsekf]

Keep in mind that with one tractor and a bunch of equipment for it, you will be changing equipment often and it not easy unless you have a helper.

 

[WinterDeere]

Keep in mind that with one tractor and a bunch of equipment for it, you will be changing equipment often and it not easy unless you have a helper.

With JDQA on the front and an iMatch quick hitch on the rear, I'd argue it's not so difficult anymore. Sure, you have the occasional driveshaft to connect, and hydraulic couplers get a little oil on your hands, but neither are a very big deal. At least I'm not manually nudging implements fore and aft to get them to line up with old 3-point lower link pins.

 

[Torvy]

Curious...any special reason the whole thing needs to be mowed?

Keeping it low an acre or so around the buildings makes sense.

Maybe plant something else, or just let it grow wild. It could save you a lot of diesel.

 

[EddieWalker]

Today I plan on using three different tractors, and then later on, the zero turn. I need all three. If I swapped implement around differently, I could by with two tractors and the zero turn, but having all three means that I can get more done, faster.

Backhoe with a grapple to clean out a bunch of debris in front of a culvert. Then clean up around the hay bale with the grapple. I'll leave the grapple on because I have several trees and branches that are down from storms.

Then the Deere with the hay spear and auger on the rear. I'll put out a bale of hay for my goats and horses. I need to do that every other week, so that's a dedicated tractor for that job. I also need to install a fence post, and that's also something I do a lot of, so I leave it on the Deere all the time.

The Massey has the dirt bucket on it right now and I need to clean up a drainage ditch with it and fill up a mud hole that's gotten out of control just inside the gate to the hay bale. Once I'm done with that, I'll remove the bucket, and the counter weight on the rear and connect the batwing. My open areas are over 2 feet tall and growing. If I get them now, the trees will just be saplings and mow easy. My goal is to mow the area around my pond and all around my property line. Then when I have time after work, I'll get the other areas and my trails.

Zero turn for our dog runs, back yard, the yards for both houses, driveway, around the hay bales and my entrance. That's every week, but usually I split it in half and get to each half each week.

I'm also clearing the land for my next section of fencing, and I need the backhoe for that. An excavator would be better, but they are terrible at hauling trees to the burn pile. The backhoe with a grapple allows me to remove the brush and trees, and haul it to the burn pile. I can put the bucket back on and haul dirt to the holes in the ground from the stumps, spread it out, pack it with my tires, and make it look like there was never a tree there.

 

[Torvy]

Better get it done today. Looks like more rain starting tomorrow, at least up here.