Embarrassing, frustrating, and perhaps comical as well.
I have 20 acres I purchased and built a home with a half mile driveway. I initially wanted a tractor and was confused. Posted here and read tons. I finally decided I wanted the biggest and baddest machine, so I got a new Kubota L6060 with a cab, loaded with every accessory. Loved it, I called it my Caddilac. It was overkill. I mainly used it for grappling. I cleaned up the property well. Then there was a period after I moved in where I did not use it for like a month. Thought that it was I crazy that I had a 50K machine rotting in my garage. At this time I could not justify the machine. I have a great neighbor who plows my half mile driveway for only 75 dollars. Meanwhile I'm looking at getting a V plow for L6060 and a monster front snowblower, which was like 10K for both. There was no grass yet at this time, but the lawn area is 1.5 acres. I briefly tinkered with the idea of putting a finish mower on the back and making quick work of things, but thought the weight was too much and would rut and makes things unattractive. The house and lot are gorgeous. Im an inexperienced homeowner who just wanted the best machine. For some crazy reason I decided to sell it. Posted it and sold it in a week. Only surprisingly lost $1,500 after using it for 6 months.
Here I am today, desperately wanting another tractor. The driveway is getting paved next week. I called a local rental place to rent a skid steer with a grapple for a week and they wanted 2k. I am looking at this second tractor purchase differently. I am going to do what wise tractor people do, list needs and then find a suitable machine.
Needs are...
1) Keeping the sides of the new driveway beautiful and manicured. There are 20" shoulders on both side going down that need to be bush hogged through the summer.
2) Snow removal. Even though my neighbor does it cheap. I would rather do it, and just love anything to do with snow. Im thinking a front blower would be good. The driveway pavement will be 12' wide. Maybe also get a blade for lighter amounts.
3) Grappling. Seems like even though I did most of the grappling to get the place looking good, there always seems like more to do, especially since Im really obsessed with as my brother calls, manicuring the forest. I am plucking out out dead branches on the ground whenever they are within sight. I bought a 13 horse billy goat blower and have blown away so many leaves the woods look beautiful.
4) Mowing. I have not purchased a mower yet because the first lawn that was attempted in the fall did not take. So I just hydro seeded everything last week and will hopefully have a lawn to mow in a month or so. I am torn between somehow finding the right tractor that can mow properly. Unlikely though since I read time and time again that zero turns are far superior in terms of price, cut quality, and cutting time. I am mildly concerned with some sloped areas I have. Though maybe the tractor would be better in the stability department.
5) Probably bucket work. I never used the bucket much when I had the L6060. It really is just a luxury wheel barrel I suppose.
6) Fun. I need to enjoy the machine. I could easily sub all my chores out, but would do it myself. I need the cab to be able to comfortably enjoy all the seasons here in the Northeast. Also, with the cabbed L6060 I had, not only was it great with the AC and not getting dirty, but several times I disturbed huge bee and hornets nests grappling and thought how awful it would be in an open cab.
I want the best machine for my needs. I am a Kubota fan. I'd like to make purchase this week. One mistake I believe I made was abruptly selling the first machine because of how infrequently I would use it. Maybe it is normal to have tractor and not use it for several weeks at a time. I mistakenly thought since sometimes several weeks go by and it doesn't get started that it was unnecessary to have one. What a fool I was. I will be smarter the second time around, I hope!
Thank you
