recommendations for a newbie

[enowdwd]

Hi. I have about 8 remote acres that I need to mow every couple of months. It's nothing that a regular riding mower could do and I will definitely need a bush hog. What do you think the least expensive option would be on a used tractor and bush hog? I typically pay someone about 1200 a year to mow the place but over the years its starting to add up.

Thanks
Dan

 

[jeff9366]

$1,200 for 6 X 8 = 48 acres is a bargain rate.

Consider having your land mowed four times per year, rather than six times per year.



A 1,700 pound subcompact tractor can manage a 48" Rotary Cutter. But subcompact tractors are too light for many other tractor tasks. Tiny front wheels make for a very uncomfortable ride over pasture.

A 2,700 pound compact tractor can manage a 60" Rotary Cutter.

As you allow a 6" overlap between swathes, a 60" mower requires considerably less time to mow eight acres.



Here are used tractors near Zip Code 75763:
Tractors | eBay

Be patient on Friday. Site will take time to load.

 

[Tractorable]

Do you need to trailer the potential new tractor and bush hog to the property? Do you have a suitable truck and trailer to do that? Or will the tractor stay at the remote property?

 

[mljenkins]

I used to mow 6 acres of grass pasture on a slope twice a year with my New Holland Workmaster 55 (55 HP) and Woods 5’ rotary cutter and it took me about 4 hours. I had a 39 HP tractor before that with the same cutter would take me 6-8 hours depending on the thickness and how hot it was out (the tractor would get hot if I pushed it too hard). I wish I had a larger mower when I had the NH tractor as I could have probably done it quicker.

I agree with the previous question do you need to trailer it, as that will have a big impact on the size you choose. Also consider how much time you want to spend mowing it. If you don’t need the tractor for anything else something simple and inexpensive will be fine. However if you have other potential uses you could start considering the benefit of paying more and getting features like a loader.

So, do you need to trailer it, how long do you want to spend cutting it, and is the property on the flat or hilly?

 

[enowdwd]

Do you need to trailer the potential new tractor and bush hog to the property? Do you have a suitable truck and trailer to do that? Or will the tractor stay at the remote property?

If I did it I would keep it at the remote property.

 

[Tractorable]

Something like a Ford 3000 (~48hp) with a 6ft bush hog would be cheap and effective at keeping eight acres knocked down every couple months. Plus, parts are cheap and plentiful at Tractor Supply.

 

[newbury]

Like jeff wrote - that price doesn't seem bad.
If all you are going to be doing is mowing and you have to factor 10 hours (SWAG) each trip that's 40 to 60 hours of YOUR time.
Then add in the likelihood of maintenance costs if it's a low-cost tractor and things get iffy.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I bought a Ford 4610 SU almost 3 years ago with 2900 hours for 5 grand. Later added a nice 6 foot Brown brush hog for an additional 1150. That is a little over 6 grand in a very capable brush hog unit.

 

[enowdwd]

The place is mostly flat but definitely not pasture. It is out in no man's land in east Texas, surrounded by woods on a hill. The open area that I need to mow gets overgrown very quickly, but I can't always afford to get it mowed. I've never owned a tractor before so I'm several steps below a novice, but I'm willing to give it a go.

Thank you!

 

[Tractorable]

Here, I went shopping for you. Here are two good old Ford tractors that are great for bush hogging:

Ford 3910 Diesel, $4800: 391 Ford !!! Diesel! Low hours - farm & garden - by owner - sale

1996 Ford 3930, $7400: 1996 Ford / New Holland 393 Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale