Tractor for the 100-acre woods (and more)

JayC · Aug 9, 2004

I thought about suggesting the 110, too. I really like the features and ruggedness of the 110 over a traditional CUT. Being the budget was $30k, you would be real hard pressed to find one for under $30k. Another thing, the FEL on the 110 is not removable so if you ever thought of using a machine without the FEL attached that would eliminate that idea. One thing I am still confused on is when I was reading the online manual for the 110 at Deere's site, it said you could not have any liquid ballast in the tires when the backhoe was attached. If you see my I'm confused... thread in the Deere Buying/Pricing forum, you will see what I am talking about. I would highly recommend the 110. It is a very capable and rugged machine. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Egon · Aug 9, 2004

Everything seems easy till the future of the farmed area comes into question. Here the local conditions and options are ones that you must look at and start planning for.

The "woods tractor" and "farming" tractor may be two different items with the farming tractor able to function in both catagories while the woods tractor just does not have the mass and horsepower to farm.

My only recomendation is four wheel drive and loader with a transmission system you feel comfortable with.

Egon

Glenn9643 · Aug 9, 2004

Generally it won't cost much more if any for a utility tractor over a CUT. My suggestion is a NH TN series or similar tractor. If you can go a little over-budget a nice cab is available too that would be super nice in the winter. If you're not concerned with trailering from one location to another the additional weight of the utility series will be great for you.

Woodbeef · Aug 9, 2004

I'd suggest looking an Ag-Utility tractor in the 60 hp range. Something like the A series from Valtra www.valtra.com The Super series from Zetor www.zetor.com The 400 series from Massey Ferguson www.masseyferguson.com The "00" from Mahindra www.mahindra.com I think you'll be happier with one of these in the long run

SteveH_CT · Aug 9, 2004

Welcome - What part of CT are you from? I'm down in Salem... If your soil isn't that rocky then I'm thinking you must be from another part of the state.

If you're around me, there are a couple good dealers in my area, Deere and Kubota/New Holland. Middletown has a very good Deere/Kubota shop. The one in Middletown has a very limited yard size, so test driving is quite likely limited. Lastly I vistited and priced out a Deere dealer in Farmington. They were really nice folks, and consistent price wise with the rest of the shops I went to.

So far you're getting good advice - go with a Hydro tranny, they are a breeze to use. And without a doubt get a good heavy duty front end loader with a heavy duty bucket. I've got both a regular and heavy duty bucket, trust me, there is a big difference in the weight and construction. If you'll be doing "wood work" like I have, the heavier bucket will take much more pounding without a bend or dent to show for it.

Good Luck searching.

AndyMA · Aug 9, 2004

I live on a Conn rock farm also. I have 2 tractors and an excavator. Unless you just want to play around with the rocks and have infinite time, a backhoe is reqired to pull them out of piles and the ground. A 45 hp cut would be minimal, but something in the TN class with backhoe and loader would be much more useful. Just my experiences. Where in Conn are you?

Andy

SteveH_CT · Aug 9, 2004

I think I was up in your neck of the woods today - I was out at Brooklyn prison - on Rt. 6. I'm not sure if you were asking me or the other Steve (Mason) where I'm located... If it was me, I'm right next to Norwich, off of Rt. 82.

I'll bet that excavator comes in handy. That must be some toy to have around. Speaking of rocks, I pulled and moved the largest one yet for my 4310 on Sunday. It was much too big for the bucket, but by a stroke of luck, while I was rolling it, it came to rest just right, on the top and front edge of the bucket, so I was able to lift it. I learned a new trick for moving stuff thats too big for the bucket. Next time I get a rock that big I'll try it again. The one I pulled has already gone to it's place of honor in my rock pile. I save the good ones for a fire pit/ picnic area I'm going to make in my backyard.

frank_f15 · Aug 9, 2004

STEVE: welcome to the forum. AND TO ADD MY 0.02 WORTH. i think u would be well advise to stay at least in the 40 hp range. I would suggest the fel be purchased at time of tractor purchace as it is the most useful implement to have. these would be my SUGGESTIONS

1) HST 2) 4WD 3) FEL 4)BRUSH HOG YOU REALLY NEED TO CHECK OUT ALL THE BRANDS AND DRIVE THE the units in your size and price range.

mason156 · Aug 9, 2004

I'm in Killingly - right off 395. It's still rocky here, but I think at one time most of this hill was open and so a lot of the rocks are gone. We had an excavator come recently and I was suprised at how LITTLE rock he turned up.

I'm looking forward to getting started in actual looking. We had the use of a skid steer with a FEL for a few days and I got very attached to having a bucket around the house.

Steve

JayC · Aug 9, 2004

I don't know what pricing is out in CT, but the dealer here has the 110's for $32,990.

You should go to Deere's site and then build and price a 110 with the options you want. Keep in mind these are MSRPs and a dealer should be lower. I'll post a link to Deere's 110 page.

John Deere 110TLB