Slope and Tractor Suggestions - Starting over thread

[woodlandfarms]

I'm neither for nor against power trac. Interesting little boogers, they are. But, a little research on what is used on steep slopes turns up many articulated solutions with independent suspensions. I suggest to the original poster to look at Antonio Carraro machines. They are articulated and made for steep slopes, and are often chosen by California grape growers that require traversing across slopes for cultivation, mowing, and spraying. Growers rave at how safe and efficient these machines are. They also allow you to face the working end of the tractor, with a rotating drivers platform.

I love them.. I looked at them before PT... Very Pricey... But no real FEL solution...

 

[woodlandfarms]

The pics look about like my place, but the map looks like you are way steeper. I have about 75 feet of rise over about 400 or 500 feet of distance, depending on where you go on my place. I run around on my DX29 over most of it pretty comfortably, but I'm sure there are places where it could tip, and I tread very carefully and selectively in those areas. Yeah, maybe I'm overly cautious, but I like to keep the dirty side down.

I have found that getting the underbrush under control makes things look a lot less intimidating. One place I was very hesitant to even drive into when it was brushy is now just a place where I need to be careful about the bucket gouging the ground when I drive through it. I haven't changed the contour, just the visibility.

some place on the property are indeed too crazy. The worst place I want to go to is 30 vertical feet to 100 horizontal...

This winter the leaves are off and I can see much better. Can't wait to have a Brushhog and get inot this stuff now...

 

[machmeter62]

some place on the property are indeed too crazy. The worst place I want to go to is 30 vertical feet to 100 horizontal...

This winter the leaves are off and I can see much better. Can't wait to have a Brushhog and get inot this stuff now...

Carl: Being a former native of the PNW I would initially opt for a small crawler 10,000 to 20,000#, and turn that 40 acres into a "playground" with it. You can purchase a good reliable Japanese one for the price of a new wheeled tractor, and have the added safety. If there is hidden low cut stumps; they will destroy your bushhog and stress your PTO! The terrain looks at one time it may have been razed by fire!? In the photo's, I didn't see any results of former logging? I am no salesman, but there is nothing like the right tool for the job! If you only plan on working on fairly safe areas; then a wheel tractor will work. In your case, it would be great to have one of each. Do a search in the construction site on TBN about crawlers/costs. You can also get a good 580 Case TLB for $25,000 that will dig stumps, plus you have the use of the outriggers on the slopes for safety!

 

[machmeter62]

Just some additional thoughts about the yellow Case Tractors. For that $25,000+- you maybe able to get the 4x4 with the extended-hoe also, which would get you out of sticky situations on slopes with the bucket/ outriggers. The downside, is finding on that isn't too beaten up? If snow and the brush is covering the stumps of "old growth," that was logged off, the Case has the strength to dig the stumps out. About a year ago, someone on this site purchased a Kubota L3130/BH-90 to perform similar tasks, without the slopes, but had a dozer also. I was amazed at the size of stumps he removed with the backhoe that he posted. He was located near your area I believe.

 

[pdsrms]

I would suggest spacers and loaded tires.

 

[JerryG]

Check out a Massey 500 series Low Profile. They sit much lower to the ground. When you combine that with the wheels set out, you have a very stable package. They start out at 60 PTO hp which maybe more than you want but they are very stable on slopes.
MF 500 Series Low-Profile

 

[woodlandfarms]

Check out a Massey 500 series Low Profile. They sit much lower to the ground. When you combine that with the wheels set out, you have a very stable package. They start out at 60 PTO hp which maybe more than you want but they are very stable on slopes.
MF 500 Series Low-Profile

Thats pretty cool! You have any idea what they quote out for? I will venture a lot at the 72 HP level...

 

[JerryG]

Thats pretty cool! You have any idea what they quote out for? I will venture a lot at the 72 HP level...

I don't know what they sell for now, but they have always sold for less than some of the other name brands.

 

[LoneCowboy]

I dont' know about the low profile, but a regular 500 series starts about 30 or so and goes up. (4wd, etc)
Really, low end utility tractors are a lot more tractor than a compact for about the same money.

 

[hz293]

Carl, go up and down only. There are alot of areas on my land that I wouldn't dream of going with my tractor but when I had a small Komatsu dozer, I didn't think twice about it. The tracks are heavy and it was so much safer. I had no problem going across the slopes. However, I did dump my tractor. Stop by anytime and I'll show you what kind of terrain I dumped it on.

Harris