Tractor noob with questions

rbstern · Jun 2, 2011

Howdy, all.

The wife and I are buying 17 acres and a cabin in north Georgia. It will initially be weekend/vacation property, and become a retirement place in 5 to 10 years. The property is mostly wooded, with a few cleared acres around the cabin, and a 600+ foot dirt/gravel road.

Among the many things we hope to do there: Build a light-duty post/beam carport for our recreational toys (such as a tractor). Build a storage shed. Till some spots for gardening. Underbrush some of the woods. Keep the grass cut in the cleared spaces. Maybe push up a berm as a shooting backstop. Move some earth and dig some holes for decorative projects like walls, flower gardens, fences, etc. Clear some paths in the less dense woods for an ATV or dirtbike. Mostly hobby stuff, with the occassional real world tasks of maintaining the road and hauling firewood.

I'm going to have a lot of initial expenses with the property that will keep me from wanting to drop big bucks on brand new tractor, and I am predisposed to buying used goods anyway. Thought I would start with a gray market Yanmar or a well used compact tractor from craigslist. I'm comfortable turning wrenches (on machines that don't have computers running them). There are several Yanmar "dealers" within 100 miles of me, offering an assortment of reconditioned Yanmar compacts.

Questions:

Based on the above list, should I spend the extra coin on a loader (and 4wd)? I see many potential uses, but it's also the single spendiest upgrade.

For clearing underbrush, after clearing larger saplings with my chainsaw, can I use the loader to push down small saplings and chew them up with a bush hog? Is that too much to ask of a 20hp tractor? If it's doable, is the loader the only implement for the pushing? Are there other ways to do it?

Is a 3 point dirt scoop a poor man's loader?

Is a compact tractor with 18 to 24 HP enough machine for what I am describing?

Based on package pricing around these parts, the 1610D 4wd with an FEL, and the 2000 2wd without FEL seem like good values. Does the UTDA certification carry any value? One local dealer advertises UTDA participation, others don't mention it.

Thanks in advance for answers and insight.

kenmac · Jun 2, 2011

just my opinion , UTDA Tractors are the way to go. Others are likely to be V M referbs. which can mean different parts all over the tractor. There was no such thing as a UTDA Tractor when I bought. But, I bought from one of the dealers that started UTDA Certification of these Tractors

KennyG · Jun 2, 2011

There's lots of room for opinions here, but I would say buy a loader on whatever you buy. It's the single most useful attachment and there is no real substitute. As far as horsepower, 20 is OK, 24 or 26 is better. Most significant to me is to get a tractor with a full Cat 1 3 point, not limited and reasonable size rear tires. It will work a lot harder.

You can push a lot down with the loader, but unless you really want the roots out, chainsawing is faster.

4WD is really valuable on small tractors. I would hesitate to get a 2WD unless it's a tremendous bargain.

When you build your shelter, consider designing it so sides and doors can be added later if you decide you'd like enclosed space. And, as always, build everything bigger than you think you'll need.

Sounds like a great future.

284 International · Jun 2, 2011

I love my assortment of compact tractors, but here's my opinion: Skip the compact market. Spend 4/5 of what you would on a nice compact on an older industrial tractor in the 55 to 100 hp range. Get your paths cut in, build a road with a deep, firm base. Do all the tree removal, rock moving and all the rest with a machine that can do the job well. Then, later, once you've got a lawn or field, a garden, and the rest in place, sell it for what you have in it, or supplement it with a smaller and more handy machine. While it's a vacation property, somebody is a lot less likely to cart off a 17,000 pound machine than a 2000 pound one on their light trailer. Just some thoughts. The big one will be much faster and easier to do the clearing with, and can load up into a large dumpster, if needed, while you're clearing land.