Small tractor or ATV and mower?

[Hotwheels]

There are a number of large rock out croppings. Some of those are essentially not moveable. There are some smaller 2-3 foot boulder size outcroppings that will probably take a backhoe to get them out and moved. Longer term, the issue will be the 3-8 inchers that continue to emerge from the ground. I thought a rake might take care of that.

I am investigating the Power Trac now. It may be the vehicle for the rougher terrain that I can use for moving some of the smaller boulders once a back hoe digs them out. Maybe only limited mowing is the future, so something with good lifting and towing capability on rough terrain is what is now on the list.

I am not sure about the difference in functionality between something like a Power Trac and a small tracgtor such as a Kiot Ck20, Kubota BX, or similar small tactor.

Thanks

 

[Hotwheels]

There are a number of large rock out croppings. Some of those are essentially not moveable. There are some smaller 2-3 foot boulder size outcroppings that will probably take a backhoe to get them out and moved. Longer term, the issue will be the 3-8 inchers that continue to emerge from the ground. I thought a rake might take care of that.

I am investigating the Power Trac now. It may be the vehicle for the rougher terrain that I can use for moving some of the smaller boulders once a back hoe digs them out. Maybe only limited mowing is the future, so something with good lifting and towing capability on rough terrain is what is now on the list.

I am not sure about the difference in functionality between something like a Power Trac and a small tracgtor such as a Kiot Ck20, Kubota BX, or similar small tactor.

Thanks

 

[anojones]

I went through the same decision process your going through now about a year ago. I also didn't have much use for an ATV other than mowing and perhaps using it with other implements. After researching this forum and a number of searches, it seemed that the ATV/mower combination would be a comprimise and most comments suggested the combo just didn't work that well. The ATV combo did not seem all that inexpensive either. If your main goal is to actually do work with machine, then a tractor is probably a better bet.
I then, as you are now, looked at the PowerTracs. I have a lot of hills and these machines looked very interesting to me (and still do), in the end, I wasn't willing to purchase something that expensive without using/seeing it first (they are factory shipped, and don't have a dealer network). I was also concerned about repair/service- the factory is supposedly very helpful, but without a dealer network, you have to be handy if something goes wrong. There might be someone on the PowerTrac forum near you who can show you their machine.
I ended up with a JD 3320 from a local dealer, FEL, rotary mower, boxblade. I use it more than I thought I would, you will find a tractor is quite handy for a number of things that an ATV might not be- digging post holes, using a carry-all, FEL work, site prep (even dragging a shed to another part of my property). It was more $ than I initially wanted to spend, but in the end I use it more than the ATV.
The other vehicle I wished I looked at (which may be out of your price range) is the Toolcat. This vehicle looks like it would do everything my 3320 would do- and more. I think there may be forum on this vehicle now. Toolcat

 

[anojones]

I went through the same decision process your going through now about a year ago. I also didn't have much use for an ATV other than mowing and perhaps using it with other implements. After researching this forum and a number of searches, it seemed that the ATV/mower combination would be a comprimise and most comments suggested the combo just didn't work that well. The ATV combo did not seem all that inexpensive either. If your main goal is to actually do work with machine, then a tractor is probably a better bet.
I then, as you are now, looked at the PowerTracs. I have a lot of hills and these machines looked very interesting to me (and still do), in the end, I wasn't willing to purchase something that expensive without using/seeing it first (they are factory shipped, and don't have a dealer network). I was also concerned about repair/service- the factory is supposedly very helpful, but without a dealer network, you have to be handy if something goes wrong. There might be someone on the PowerTrac forum near you who can show you their machine.
I ended up with a JD 3320 from a local dealer, FEL, rotary mower, boxblade. I use it more than I thought I would, you will find a tractor is quite handy for a number of things that an ATV might not be- digging post holes, using a carry-all, FEL work, site prep (even dragging a shed to another part of my property). It was more $ than I initially wanted to spend, but in the end I use it more than the ATV.
The other vehicle I wished I looked at (which may be out of your price range) is the Toolcat. This vehicle looks like it would do everything my 3320 would do- and more. I think there may be forum on this vehicle now. Toolcat

 

[mike223]

Hotwheels,
If you have that many rocky obstacles, you will not be happy with the ATV/mower option. As I stated earlier, maneuvering and backing up with the mower attached is a MAJOR PITA. Turn radius is not small either. Also, there is no way to raise the mower deck height without dismounting from the ATV and manually doing so. You can stop the blade rotation from the ATV, as it has an engagement lever/key start (on the electric start version) which mounts on the rear rack of the machine, but it takes a moment for it to wind down. Another thing to keep in mind is when going downhill with the mower/ATV, there is a chance of the mower deck over running the ATV, as there is no brake on the mower, and the connection is a pin hitch, or a trailer ball, if you want to weld one on the mower tongue. The cost of the ATV/mower is not negligible either. $5000-8000 for the ATV with enough HP to pull the mower, and $1200-1600 for the mower. All in all, I would strongly suggest a good small tractor. I'd be looking for a good used Yanmar or Shibaura tractor with a 5' bush hog. Just my $.02.

 

[mike223]

Hotwheels,
If you have that many rocky obstacles, you will not be happy with the ATV/mower option. As I stated earlier, maneuvering and backing up with the mower attached is a MAJOR PITA. Turn radius is not small either. Also, there is no way to raise the mower deck height without dismounting from the ATV and manually doing so. You can stop the blade rotation from the ATV, as it has an engagement lever/key start (on the electric start version) which mounts on the rear rack of the machine, but it takes a moment for it to wind down. Another thing to keep in mind is when going downhill with the mower/ATV, there is a chance of the mower deck over running the ATV, as there is no brake on the mower, and the connection is a pin hitch, or a trailer ball, if you want to weld one on the mower tongue. The cost of the ATV/mower is not negligible either. $5000-8000 for the ATV with enough HP to pull the mower, and $1200-1600 for the mower. All in all, I would strongly suggest a good small tractor. I'd be looking for a good used Yanmar or Shibaura tractor with a 5' bush hog. Just my $.02.

 

[Hotwheels]

I have ruled out the ATV option. I have the same reservations about the Power Trac: I don't have the time to fix it myself if it breaks and I am not interested in learning. Too many other things to do in life. So, the tractor is looking like the default option. The Tool Cat also looks interesting... we have a friend who sells Bobcats, so maybe they can offer us a deal!

If not, then I will find a small tractor that can haul and do the bucket and loading tasks that will make life easier long term.

Thanks

 

[Hotwheels]

I have ruled out the ATV option. I have the same reservations about the Power Trac: I don't have the time to fix it myself if it breaks and I am not interested in learning. Too many other things to do in life. So, the tractor is looking like the default option. The Tool Cat also looks interesting... we have a friend who sells Bobcats, so maybe they can offer us a deal!

If not, then I will find a small tractor that can haul and do the bucket and loading tasks that will make life easier long term.

Thanks

 

[bbse]

On this rock issue, if you know someone in that business would it be possible to add dirt over the rocks? Some companies need a place to dump dirt.

 

[bbse]

On this rock issue, if you know someone in that business would it be possible to add dirt over the rocks? Some companies need a place to dump dirt.