Tractor for the 100-acre woods (and more)

Evasive1 · Aug 10, 2004

LOL,

I am with you Soundguy. I too prefer the geared tractors with shuttle shift.

If you can drive a manual transmission car, you can hop right on a geared tractor and drive it. My wife has never driven a tractor but has always had manual transmission sports cars. She jumped right on my tractor and was driving it like a pro right away.

May I never get so lazy that the idea of pushing in a clutch makes me cringe. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MicroPilot · Aug 10, 2004

And gear tractors have always had "cruise control" which is an option for a lot of Hydro machines!!

mason156 · Aug 10, 2004

RE: Gears versus HST, it seems there is an advantage to simplicity in a tractor. I like it when people use the expression "bullet-proof" to describe them, but the vast majority of people I have spoken to have said "HST is the way to go." How do HST and gears compare in reliability? Cost of repair? I am reasonably mechanically inclined, but wouldn't attempt a transmission repair on anything bigger than a lawnmower.

Another item in the "keep it simple" dept.; is the turbo engine in the new JD 4x20 series a proven engine? Or do we need to give them a few years to work the bugs out? Does the fact that it is a turbo add any problems?

Steve

SteveH_CT · Aug 10, 2004

Gotcha - I didn't get that from the post. I"ve used that a few times, but generally I haven't had to do brake turns.

SteveH_CT · Aug 10, 2004

Here's the best advice I can give you... run a search. The "discussions" of HST vs. gear are legendary /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif - Regardless of whether you like stirring the gears yourself or letting the machine do it, you will find that HST is generally accepted to be as dependable as a gear tractor. Phew... OK guys... don't do it... I can hear the clickety click of keyboards the world over just dying to jump on this one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

JayC · Aug 10, 2004

Basically, what I gather from the "TBN Great Debate" threads is that if treated properly HSTs will last a long time. I also gather that if treated properly gears will last a long time. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

If I recall correctly, the new engines in the Deere 4000 Twenties, are the same ones Deere has been using for a long time in their skidsteer loaders. So, the "new" engines have some experience under their belt. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Varmintmist · Aug 10, 2004

I'm going to dive in here also. My situation is similar to yours, just a bit smaller. I have a 52 acre wood lot, drive way is about 200-250 feet, I heat with a outdoor wood burner with oil backup. I am also looking for a machine to plow snow and skid a few logs, and haul firewood.

I currently have a JD 850 (22 hp, 2wd, gear, no FEL) I can ALMOST do everything I need to do with it. Size does matter /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I am currently trying to make up my mind between the JD 790, and the 990, both with FEL's. The 790 in 30hp (16K after taxes) and the 990 is 40 (22K after taxes). One reason I am going gear, is there is less stuff to break /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif less buttons to push, and I dont need the bells and whistles. I am tending toward the 790 simply because of total machine size. Would the extra 10 hp be nice? Maybe, maybe not.

Your, and my biggest problem is getting around in the woods. If you go into a tree farm, you really have to watch what you are tearing up, that is income and as a tree farm there is a 5 year inspection so you can keep your farm status.

I have run a (fathers) 27 hp JD 950 with a hoe, 5' brush hog, FEL, 6 ft sicyle bar mower, 2 place tedder, and hay rake. I have put a carryall, a single bottom plow, and a 6' back blade behind my 850. I put up 29 cord last year with the 850 and a carry all, and moved it from pile to furnace all winter. Admittedly I had it loaded to where the front tire to ground contact was pretty questionable at times, but that was me, not the tractor. With a FEL the weight will be more distributed. A friend at work has a 790 and pulls a 5' tiller without a problem.

I have skidded logs with both, no you cant take 5, 24 inch trees behind you and walk out through the woods, but you aren't a logging operation either. You are going to pull tops if you get it logged, or a dead, blow down, or cull tree when you get firewood. You can drag them out and cut them near the pile, or cut them in place and put them on the carry all. Cutting in place seems to work better for me.

3 more reccomendations. Get 2 saws a big one and a little one. I have a Husqvarna 359 and 136. The big saw is great for tree reduction, the little one is for limbing and for when I get the big one stuck /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif . I made 2 holders for my carryall to hold the saws when I head for the woods. Also a cant hook, or a peavy is a MUST when cutting a lot of wood. Buy the saw chaps also, 54 bucks vs a leg is a good investment.

SPIKER · Aug 10, 2004

varmist:

yes need several good saws for the 100 acre woods, he stated he already is cuttin so I didn't go there but nice to hear others catching the little things.

like myself I like the gear tractors, though my limited use of hydrostats which were/are very nice just not for the long term mowing I do with mine, mowing between the trees and such that are planted now. running in the woods the HST would be OK and maybe better than the gear drive, but I also have a few GOOD SIZED hills. and the cub I used to drive would litterly pick up a bit of speed going down hill on hst trans, and the greene one I have driven I have not had it on any hills...

anyhow the trailer idea is a good one too, a nice DUMP trailer to hall rocks & wood is indespensable... that does not have to be NEW though. look used and well cared for, also the DUMP is really nice so you don't have to multi handel the wood/rocks. I keep forgetting to get some photos of the big rocks I've been removing lately.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

mason156 · Aug 10, 2004

Right now I have just one saw (a Stihl 026) and I know I will need another for the bigger stuff. I'm thinking Stihl 036 or Husky 357or 359. I think I'm a little on the light-weight side for the really big saws. I've got the chaps and they already have a nick or two that says they're worth it.

The dump cart sounds very intriguing. Definitely something useful in moving the wood. I was also thinking that a non-3pt-hitch wood splitter was the way to go.

Steve