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sadbox
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I grew up in a 500 person town in Arkansas, less city, more just prone to overthinking thingsCity folks sure are entertaining.
Buying Advice Tractor for a little slice of Vermont
- Thread starter sadbox
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hornett22
Platinum Member
It wasn't necessarily referring to you.
I think you should probably rent a few pieces of equipment to get a feel for there capabilities. Especially on your terrain. Also, seek out neighbors with property. I find people are generally pretty helpful. Especially when they know you're a neighbor.
My Mahindra 1626 is pretty impressive on hills. Rear tires are filled. R4 tires. I have 28 acres in East Tennessee. Pretty similar terrain.
hayden
Veteran Member
I have an L5740 doing very similar work, also in central Vermont. A few thoughts/comments....
I think the L6060 will do most of that you want. Maybe not the very best for every task, but capable of doing them. Over time you can decide whether to add other equipment to optimize certain operations.
I would NOT use a CTL for snow removal. Traction sucks on them on anythjing other than flat ground, and even then they are no match for a tractor with R1 tires and cleated chains. Get the chains, you will need them, especially when it gets icy. And not simple ladder chains, get the ones with cleats.
I recently switched to a front blower after 20 years with rear 3PH blowers. I love being able to operate facing forward. That said, I believe the Kubota front blower precludes use of the loader. For me that was a non-starter, so I got a hydraulic blower with a rear PTO power pack. It works well, but be careful about over sizing it. Mine pushes my 5740 to the limit power wise. A shaft driven front blower would be better in that respect, but to me not worth having to give up the loader for the winter. With a quick attach loader, I can switch between snow blower, bucket, forks, etc. in a minute or two.
Since original purchase in 2007 my rear tires have been loaded. Last summer I added a set of wheel weights. WOW what a difference. The tractor used to be a bit tippy with a heavy bucket load of crushed stone or other really heavy load. Not any more. Rock steady. It's also much more stable on steep hills, of which we have many.
Unless all your operation is all on packed, solid surface, get R1 tires. R4 tires pack with mud and snow too easily. Are you new to Vermont? If so welcome, but just wait for mud season. You will be stuck in about 2 seconds with R4 tires. R1 tires with chains and nothing will stop you.
Over time if you have a lot of daily loader work and have a solid packed road & yard surface, I could see adding a CTL for that work. But forget about taking it in the woods or doing snow removal on a steep driveway.
If you get an inclination to get a backhoe for the tractor, pause for a minute. If you can afford to get a mini excavator, do that instead. It won't tie up the back of your tractor, and a mini ex is MUCH more capable, much easier to maneuver, and much faster to work than a tractor BH. After three different tractor BH setups I finally learned that lesson.
I think the L6060 will do most of that you want. Maybe not the very best for every task, but capable of doing them. Over time you can decide whether to add other equipment to optimize certain operations.
I would NOT use a CTL for snow removal. Traction sucks on them on anythjing other than flat ground, and even then they are no match for a tractor with R1 tires and cleated chains. Get the chains, you will need them, especially when it gets icy. And not simple ladder chains, get the ones with cleats.
I recently switched to a front blower after 20 years with rear 3PH blowers. I love being able to operate facing forward. That said, I believe the Kubota front blower precludes use of the loader. For me that was a non-starter, so I got a hydraulic blower with a rear PTO power pack. It works well, but be careful about over sizing it. Mine pushes my 5740 to the limit power wise. A shaft driven front blower would be better in that respect, but to me not worth having to give up the loader for the winter. With a quick attach loader, I can switch between snow blower, bucket, forks, etc. in a minute or two.
Since original purchase in 2007 my rear tires have been loaded. Last summer I added a set of wheel weights. WOW what a difference. The tractor used to be a bit tippy with a heavy bucket load of crushed stone or other really heavy load. Not any more. Rock steady. It's also much more stable on steep hills, of which we have many.
Unless all your operation is all on packed, solid surface, get R1 tires. R4 tires pack with mud and snow too easily. Are you new to Vermont? If so welcome, but just wait for mud season. You will be stuck in about 2 seconds with R4 tires. R1 tires with chains and nothing will stop you.
Over time if you have a lot of daily loader work and have a solid packed road & yard surface, I could see adding a CTL for that work. But forget about taking it in the woods or doing snow removal on a steep driveway.
If you get an inclination to get a backhoe for the tractor, pause for a minute. If you can afford to get a mini excavator, do that instead. It won't tie up the back of your tractor, and a mini ex is MUCH more capable, much easier to maneuver, and much faster to work than a tractor BH. After three different tractor BH setups I finally learned that lesson.
Torvy
Super Member
First off, congrats! For most here, 113 acres is not little. I've been through VT and cannot imagine tractor work on those slopes. It is beautiful, though.
My first inclination is that this is a multiple machine task, but it's not my money. My tendency is toward reducing cost and risk. That being said, you indicated money was not as big of a concern, so I would go back to multiple machines.
I have forest, but mine is plantation pines with rows like a giant crop (which it essentially is). For me, I need to clear underbrush and volunteer trees that compete with my crop (rather like giant weeds). I also live where temps rarely get to 0 and seldom drop below 32. Snow is rare, so a cab is not that necessary or helpful for me. In your case, I would have one machine definitely cabbed for winter use. The other would really depend on what you plan to do with the forest.
Imho, I would lean toward Sea2Summit's idea of a skid steer, but i would also want a tractor. If you plan on a conventional lawn, a mid-sized tractor would be gentler on the grass.
My first inclination is that this is a multiple machine task, but it's not my money. My tendency is toward reducing cost and risk. That being said, you indicated money was not as big of a concern, so I would go back to multiple machines.
I have forest, but mine is plantation pines with rows like a giant crop (which it essentially is). For me, I need to clear underbrush and volunteer trees that compete with my crop (rather like giant weeds). I also live where temps rarely get to 0 and seldom drop below 32. Snow is rare, so a cab is not that necessary or helpful for me. In your case, I would have one machine definitely cabbed for winter use. The other would really depend on what you plan to do with the forest.
Imho, I would lean toward Sea2Summit's idea of a skid steer, but i would also want a tractor. If you plan on a conventional lawn, a mid-sized tractor would be gentler on the grass.
jeff9366
Super Star Member
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- Kubota Tractor Loader L3560 HST+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3,700 pounds bare tractor, 5,400 pounds operating weight, 37 horsepower
Most who own a compact track loader (CTL) would use the CTL for farm excavation work, in preference to a compact tractor equipped with an optional tractor backhoe.
CobyRupert
Super Member
As others have noted: More weight is your friend. Weight is the ability to pull a load, horsepower is speed.
A heavier tractor is better, else filled tires and ballast is mandatory. 5000-6000 on tractor handing a 1000 lb bale is probably okay… on flat ground.
Besides looking at loader capacity, I’d also look for rims that allows tractor width to be adjusted.
A heavier tractor is better, else filled tires and ballast is mandatory. 5000-6000 on tractor handing a 1000 lb bale is probably okay… on flat ground.
Besides looking at loader capacity, I’d also look for rims that allows tractor width to be adjusted.
Fuddyduddy1952
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- john deere
I think best advice before anything is talking to neighbors, similar property. Dealer(s) close by to me would be very important. Renting first if possible sure sounds like a great idea. I went with Deere and very happy.
Several pieces of equipment if affordable to me is the best choice also.
Several pieces of equipment if affordable to me is the best choice also.
rScotty
Super Member
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- Kubota M59, JD530, JD310SG. Restoring Yanmar YM165D
We have a small place now. But I've worked on some larger ones the past many years. And owned more than a few tractors.
I think one tractor is two much of a compromise for your plans.
You will probably end up with two - one needs to be handy for firewood, barn work, corrals, and general chores. It can be rather smallish, say a 25 to 35 hp HST with a littled loader and something on the 3pt for weight and balance. Hou are trying to keep this one small and easy to use. It will surprise you with what it can do in a 4 acre (4 acres!) garden. Just tilling will make it worth having. We call that the "chore tractor", and every place over 40 acres tends to have one. It should is new or fairly so and just as handy as a glove. Make it something that kids and wife can use. HST & 4wd of course.
In the winter the chore tractor can be found moving wood, wet straw, manure, snow, tools, and people.
If price is not an obstacle, some folks are moving to using the Bobcat "toolcat" side by sides with a loader on the front and either 3pt or dump box on the back. That sure does make a nice chore machine. Worth considering..... worth a look.
The other tractor is the heavier field tractor. Spend some time thinking on this one. Cab and 4wd of course. Might Check with your neighbors, because their are occasions when each uses the others' big machine.
This one can can lift a round bale or a downed draft horse... or steer or whatever. Plenty of power and weight for anything. Ours has a backhoe on the back, but can also mount a category 2 3pt if 3pt or PTO is needed.
This one needn't be new - the larger ones will outlast you and me - but it sure could be.
Of course when you are just getting started either one can do all the jobs, so it doesn't matter which comes first.
I'd avoid the CTL for now. You don't need it to start and will know when you do. And they do tear up the ground in a way that a lot of rural people find they don't car for.
Enjoy,
rScotty
I think one tractor is two much of a compromise for your plans.
You will probably end up with two - one needs to be handy for firewood, barn work, corrals, and general chores. It can be rather smallish, say a 25 to 35 hp HST with a littled loader and something on the 3pt for weight and balance. Hou are trying to keep this one small and easy to use. It will surprise you with what it can do in a 4 acre (4 acres!) garden. Just tilling will make it worth having. We call that the "chore tractor", and every place over 40 acres tends to have one. It should is new or fairly so and just as handy as a glove. Make it something that kids and wife can use. HST & 4wd of course.
In the winter the chore tractor can be found moving wood, wet straw, manure, snow, tools, and people.
If price is not an obstacle, some folks are moving to using the Bobcat "toolcat" side by sides with a loader on the front and either 3pt or dump box on the back. That sure does make a nice chore machine. Worth considering..... worth a look.
The other tractor is the heavier field tractor. Spend some time thinking on this one. Cab and 4wd of course. Might Check with your neighbors, because their are occasions when each uses the others' big machine.
This one can can lift a round bale or a downed draft horse... or steer or whatever. Plenty of power and weight for anything. Ours has a backhoe on the back, but can also mount a category 2 3pt if 3pt or PTO is needed.
This one needn't be new - the larger ones will outlast you and me - but it sure could be.
Of course when you are just getting started either one can do all the jobs, so it doesn't matter which comes first.
I'd avoid the CTL for now. You don't need it to start and will know when you do. And they do tear up the ground in a way that a lot of rural people find they don't car for.
Enjoy,
rScotty
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OP
sadbox
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This makes a lot of sense, outside of the driveway it's all pasture or trails in the woods. Any feelings on r14? I'm curious if they'd do well for the mix of ag and dirt work.
That makes sense to me, overall the CTL would mostly be working in/around the barn, so we're not tearing up too much. We're new to cattle at least in that part of the world, so the actual time on the pack, etc is something we'll have to figure out. The goal is obviously minimize time not in housing but VT winters disagree with that a little. The bonus is that if the tractor can work for the barn chores now, it'll give us a nice backup if the CTL ever has a sick day.
Absolutely, we're talking with some wonderfully friendly neighbors, and a few operations around the state who are already doing the type of setup we want. We've seen more and more folks swapping over from dairy to cattle operations up there, especially as climate change has been lengthening the pasture season.
Wolfy
Veteran Member
I would get a good size tractor. Like an older Ford with a category 2 , 3 point hitch. Very easy to get parts and good solid tractors.And then either a compact telehandler or compact articulated loader. Both take SSQA implements and much more enjoyable than a skid steer that will bounce you to death. Raising a skid steer loader all the way up is very dangerous due to their tippyness.