Tractor for mountain property

[Thomas]

If I,I would lean towards HST,all four tires loaded and not R4 tires...good set tire chains just in case.

 

[fishheadbob]

I have a gear drive and a hydrostat, both work fine and have been trouble free. The 23 hp hydrostat is on a smaller tractor used mostly for mowing, the gear drive is on a 50 hp utility for heavier work.
You would get better answers if readers had an idea what size properties you are on and what your plans are for the properties.

 

[houstonscott]

Here you go...

 

[JamesF]

I have manual shuttle shift on my CUT I use on sloped property and have no issues. The more important thing is water in the tires and 4wd. The hydrostatic transmission would have cost me $2000 more and I'd rather have the money saved for more attachments.

 

[Teachu2]

I'm near JamesF, and went with a manual shift. My right knee was having issues at the time, and holding a HST pedal steady was painful. Got a partial knee replacement, but still prefer the manual for my rather rugged property. It just works for me. The split brakes get some use.

I got the last of the manual shift pre-Tier IV units. It's a no-frills model, but it gets the jobs done. The wife can't drive it comfortably - is that a bad thing?

 

[arrow]

Here you go...

Tank you. I want one and I have little hills.

 

[LouNY]

everyone has missed one big advantage of a gear tractor, if you are in a steep slippery rough spot and need to get off your tractor
to do anything, on a hydro you are relying on your brake lock to hold your tractor a gear tractor can be placed in its lowest gear
shut off and it will not move, no brake is going to jump loose or slip off.

 

[Snobdds]

everyone has missed one big advantage of a gear tractor, if you are in a steep slippery rough spot and need to get off your tractor
to do anything, on a hydro you are relying on your brake lock to hold your tractor a gear tractor can be placed in its lowest gear
shut off and it will not move, no brake is going to jump loose or slip off.

That is a valid point. I know I rely on my brake more than I should.

 

[MossRoad]

Tractors with four equal size wheels are more stable on slopes but lack the pulling power for ground contact work of traditional tractors with large rear wheels providing mechanical advantage and greater traction on level ground.

If that were true, you'd never see tractors like this in farm fields...

 

[MossRoad]

To the OP.... how steep of slopes are you talking about and what tasks do you want to accomplish on those slopes?

Power Tracs aren't ideal for tasks such as plowing fields and stump pulling. They are ideal for tasks like mowing, snow plowing, front end loader, post hole digging, post pounding, material handling, etc... but not pulling like traditional tractors. They make slope machines that will handle 45 degree slopes.... that's 10' up in 10' forward!

Anyhow, you need to decide your tasks before deciding on a machine or two.