Tractor Sizing Reassesing the tractor size...

[MarkV]

Although it pains me, I would say think smaller, guess it’s the Tool Man in me. I often think new tractor buyers have unrealistic expectations of compact tractors when it comes to clearing land. My 21 hp tractor can push over fair size Poplars sometimes, shallow roots, and then there are some small Sweet Gums, big tap roots, that give the backhoe a workout. You are in Florida with some sandy soil so you may be able to push over 8” trees but I would not count on it. North Florida is mostly pine in my mind and some of them have a pretty good tap root. Without a backhoe you will still have to bring someone in if you can’t get the stumps. A dozer with a root rake could have all the nasty stuff out in less than a day and a smaller tractor can do the clean up and finish grading. If finish mowing is on the list, the 3130 can be pretty big unless you are talking open field. The larger hp B series tractors offer a lot of power in a more maneuverable size.

MarkV

 

[Henro]

I would just plan on buying two tractors before it was all over... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Use the bigger one in the beginning a lot and get the heavy work done...IF you like doing the work yourself.

Gradually transition into the mode where you get a second smaller tractor, and it starts to do the light duty jobs that the bigger one is really too big for.

There will always be times that the bigger one will help you out. Heck, my neighbor has a 38 PTO HP tractor on 4 acres. He also has a smaller tractor. I have a B2910 on 3.7, and also a BX2200. Lots of people here have more than one tractor...

That being said, if you can't afford or don't want to consider multiple tractors, then you probably would be better off with something smaller than the Kubota L3130 or B2910/7800.

I have often thought that if I were to have to have only one tractor, something like the Kubota B7500 might be the best compromise in the long run. I have been clearing a couple acres and doing a bunch of other things with my B2910, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and know it will in a year or two start racking up less hours, and the smaller tractor will start accumulating more per year.

Don't forget to let us know what you finally decide to do. What is best is what is best for you, and only you can decide that really...hope all the advice you receive makes it easier and not harder!

 

[Kelvin]

My thoughts are more in-line with Henro's, as I like having two tractors (for me it is a "his" and "hers" setup).

Like Henro, I have a B2910 and a BX tractor. Unlike Henro, my backhoe is on the BX23 and not the B2910. If I had only one of the tractors I would prefer the B2910 because of (1) the faster finish mowing capability with the 72" mid mower and (2) the greater FEL capacity. However, I could certainly live with the BX23 as my only tractor.

I have dug out stumps much larger than 8" using the BX23's backhoe, it just took about 30 minutes or so (probably could have done the same job in about 5 minutes with the excavator/trackhoe that I rented in the past for $200 a day). The problem with the excavator is that I was on a hillside where I felt comfortable with the BX23 and would not have felt comfortable with the excavator. The largest stump so far that I dug out with the BX23 backhoe was around 3 feet in diameter and had two tap roots that were around 8"-to-10" in diameter near the stump and went about 6' before I broke them off.

Keep in mind that you may end up with somewhat of a mess on your 5 acres after hiring someone to come in and clear out the trees. Beyond the initial tree clearing, if you don't hire this work out you'll have to clear out all of the debris and smooth out and prepare the remaining soil for what-ever purpose you have in mind (yard/lawn/garden/??). This yard preparation needs to be considered when deciding tractor size.

Good Luck,
Kelvin