LawyerInTheDell
New member
Hi all - Long-time lurker, first-time poster.
We recently built a house in the woods of northwest Oregon. We have about 16 acres, most of it mature doug fir. I've been researching tractors since we first bought the land in 2016 - TBN and its members have been a true wealth of information on the journey to finding what I believe to be the perfect tractor for the few projects and uses already on the list (and all the others that I'm sure will reveal themselves once I have a tractor).
In a nutshell, the main uses for the tractor will be:
* converting about an acre of uneven stumpfield and brush into somewhat level back and side yards
* maintaining said yards
* making a second driveway and an outdoor shooting range
* managing the 15 acres of trees, including reclaiming some overgrown logging trails
* skidding logs and moving firewood
I know I could do all of these things with a CUT or maybe a SCUT with proper tools and techniques, but I really like the weight and capabilities of a utility tractor, even if a utility tractor is way more than I need. I've taken a close look at pretty much every 50-70 hp utility tractor offering in my area (Case, NH, LS, Kioti, Massey, Yanmar, Mahindra) other than JD and Kubota, which I wasn't interested in. The NH Workmaster 50/60 and MF 2706E and MF 2600H were on the shortlist, until I discovered the Deutz-Fahr 4E series. Now, nothing else seems to compare!
For folks unfamiliar with this tractor, here''s a link to the online brochure: deutz-fahramerica.com/4e-series-home/ (Apparently I can't post links until I have 3 posts, so you need to add the https in front of it.)
It weighs 6,600 lbs without the loader, comes with a super smooth CRX 3030 loader, class 2 5,500 lb 3PH, R1 radials, 2 rear remotes, a simple 8x8 gear trans with mechanical (as opposed to electric) everything (PTO, different lock, etc.). The FARMOTION 3 cylinder engine does not have a DPF or use DEF. But the real clincher for me is the ergonomics - everything is laid out so logically, uncramped, and within easy reach, and my 6'1" 285 lb frame and size 13 boots fit in the open station with lots of room to spare. Quite simply, it's the most comfortable open station utility tractor in this size that I've sat in and operated.
But before I write the check, I'd love to hear folks' thoughts on this machine. The only negative is the factory warranty is one of the weakest I've seen (2 years /2,000 hours), but the thing appears so darn overbuilt that I can't imagine my uses would stress the tractor one bit. The dealer is solid with a very good reputation, and the owner and my sales guy are good guys to boot.
Well, thanks for reading, look forward to any thoughts, and I appreciate all the electronic nuggets of wisdom I've gleaned from all of you to date.
We recently built a house in the woods of northwest Oregon. We have about 16 acres, most of it mature doug fir. I've been researching tractors since we first bought the land in 2016 - TBN and its members have been a true wealth of information on the journey to finding what I believe to be the perfect tractor for the few projects and uses already on the list (and all the others that I'm sure will reveal themselves once I have a tractor).
In a nutshell, the main uses for the tractor will be:
* converting about an acre of uneven stumpfield and brush into somewhat level back and side yards
* maintaining said yards
* making a second driveway and an outdoor shooting range
* managing the 15 acres of trees, including reclaiming some overgrown logging trails
* skidding logs and moving firewood
I know I could do all of these things with a CUT or maybe a SCUT with proper tools and techniques, but I really like the weight and capabilities of a utility tractor, even if a utility tractor is way more than I need. I've taken a close look at pretty much every 50-70 hp utility tractor offering in my area (Case, NH, LS, Kioti, Massey, Yanmar, Mahindra) other than JD and Kubota, which I wasn't interested in. The NH Workmaster 50/60 and MF 2706E and MF 2600H were on the shortlist, until I discovered the Deutz-Fahr 4E series. Now, nothing else seems to compare!
For folks unfamiliar with this tractor, here''s a link to the online brochure: deutz-fahramerica.com/4e-series-home/ (Apparently I can't post links until I have 3 posts, so you need to add the https in front of it.)
It weighs 6,600 lbs without the loader, comes with a super smooth CRX 3030 loader, class 2 5,500 lb 3PH, R1 radials, 2 rear remotes, a simple 8x8 gear trans with mechanical (as opposed to electric) everything (PTO, different lock, etc.). The FARMOTION 3 cylinder engine does not have a DPF or use DEF. But the real clincher for me is the ergonomics - everything is laid out so logically, uncramped, and within easy reach, and my 6'1" 285 lb frame and size 13 boots fit in the open station with lots of room to spare. Quite simply, it's the most comfortable open station utility tractor in this size that I've sat in and operated.
But before I write the check, I'd love to hear folks' thoughts on this machine. The only negative is the factory warranty is one of the weakest I've seen (2 years /2,000 hours), but the thing appears so darn overbuilt that I can't imagine my uses would stress the tractor one bit. The dealer is solid with a very good reputation, and the owner and my sales guy are good guys to boot.
Well, thanks for reading, look forward to any thoughts, and I appreciate all the electronic nuggets of wisdom I've gleaned from all of you to date.
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