Tracked Skid Steer or Tractor?

[aarolar]

I have MX and I agree it would be many times better suited to the task than any B series and most all Ls except the grands I would think. That said if I was in your situation I would be looking at a nice mini x with a thumb for sure.

 

[AKRazn]

I don't under stand, you have 2 landing craft, a summer island home and rental properties on the mainland. You want to clear several acres of mature forest (does this mean stumps?) and are thinking about purchasing a little "b" sized glorified wheel barrow? (in relation to the scope of work)
Is this just a "pick at it for years" hobby project that you intend to mostly be working the tree's & resulting logs, brush manually into little pieces to use your orange wheel barrow to move about? I'm not trying to insult you at all and I look forward to you hopefully posting pics of this beautiful spot you have and your progress, but unless this is a very long term project with a huge amount of manual labor (all good), I really think you are way off track with this discussion of a tractor that small. It's still going to be a fairly monumental task even with several different 7000# machines like a CTL and a mini ex within those weight restrictions.

This is the exact reply I was looking for! Am I pissing in the wind here? Seems like i'm getting more on track with the MX4800 size tractor so I am not fiddle farting around for ever. I have some time on my hands as my kids are only 2 and 4 right now but I would like to have the place cleared and a house built on it before they leave for college. So I do have some time but don't want to spend all of it clearing land.

 

[Rustyiron]

I am glad you took it as intended!!!:thumbsup:
Get as big a tractor as you can, then a pto logging winch.

 

[AKRazn]

I have MX and I agree it would be many times better suited to the task than any B series and most all Ls except the grands I would think. That said if I was in your situation I would be looking at a nice mini x with a thumb for sure.

The problem I see with a mini X is one the cost for such a specific machine. Once the land is cleared I would like to build gravel paths, move rocks on the beach for a better landing move firewood from winter kill deadfall, get pallets forks to help unload the boat for when we start the construction on the house.

The other part of this equation is that when we do get ready to build the house I plan to hire one of the larger landing crafts and bring over the cabin package and a smaller excavator. My step father has a 14K # New Holland that I plan to bring over. I guess another option would be to take the trees down, save the stumps, brush hog everything out as best I can and then once we bring over the big landing craft and house materials we can use the Excavator to remove stumps, and dig footings, water lines etc.

 

[Rustyiron]

save the stumps, brush hog everything out as best I can and then once we bring over the big landing craft and house materials we can use the Excavator to remove stumps, and dig footings, water lines etc.

Good plan! Several years of the stump's smaller root's rotting off make a huge difference digging them out.

 

[jeff9366]

Considering the pictures you posted, heavier would be better, but MX series is rugged and within your weight range ~~~ and not too big to learn on, although it will feel huge the first 20 engine hours, then shrink.

An HST transmission has max torque at the low end, and your tasks are almost all max torque, pulling tasks. I believe HST transmissions are less prone to repairs than clutch and gear tractors. I recommend HST over clutch and gear.
Clutch and gear tractors are for long implement pulls in cultivated fields. Read what others recommend:
gear Vs HST tractor - Google Search

PTO powered Logging Winch is an inspired suggestion. You can definitely winch yourself out of any bog, until the winch is submerged.

 

[aarolar]

The problem I see with a mini X is one the cost for such a specific machine. Once the land is cleared I would like to build gravel paths, move rocks on the beach for a better landing move firewood from winter kill deadfall, get pallets forks to help unload the boat for when we start the construction on the house.

The other part of this equation is that when we do get ready to build the house I plan to hire one of the larger landing crafts and bring over the cabin package and a smaller excavator. My step father has a 14K # New Holland that I plan to bring over. I guess another option would be to take the trees down, save the stumps, brush hog everything out as best I can and then once we bring over the big landing craft and house materials we can use the Excavator to remove stumps, and dig footings, water lines etc.

I agree it would definitely be a temporary use piece if equipment, bring it in push over and dig up stumps get the rough work done then sell it off and get the tractor for the finish work.

 

[Musdalen]

I sure admire your ambition and willing to invest one heck of a lot of sweat equity and hard cold cash. Sounds like a **** of a project.

 

[AKRazn]

So definitely sold on going with a larger 40-50+ hp tractor now simply because the tractor can get it's self unstuck if it happens, and the versatility seems worth it. have read into MX style Kubota's and they seem like a great tractor. I am not opposed to making a few runs to get the tractor and the implements out to the site.

I was also directed to look into LS tractors as they are an up and coming company and are where Kubota was years ago as far as price / value. Just talked to the dealer in Anchorage and got a good vibe from him. Was told $45K for a XR 4150 with loader and backhoe deliver to Kodiak. Going to also check out Kioti and New Holland Boomer's as there is a good dealer for both also in Anchorage.

 

[IndyIan]

I think a 4-5k lb tractor is the right size especially with a back hoe which gets you to 7k. I assume you could probably burn stumps out as well, during some part of the year? Not too dry but not raining all the time.
I'd look into wider front tires right from the start, my R1's are a bit narrow and can cause rutting when using the loader.