Tractor purchase advice - please help

[Cliff_Johns]

Hi,
I'm planning to buy 12 acres and wonder what tractor I should get.

The land is on the bottom of a lake, so I think I need one of those exausts that pokes out the top of the tractor, and I definately need low flotation tires. Since this is a poluted lake, I'm thinking I can just run it with the fuel cap off and run on the water -- free fuel, one of the many benifits of living at the bottom of a lake -- but that limits me to Diesel only. I'm guessing 4WD with PTO-Propeller assist for hills.

I am a bit worried about the slopes at the sides, so I was thinking about an articulated tractor, but I want to pull mud enguaging equipment so I need some serious HP (or maybe FP). I want to plant lake trout. I haven't found a planter yet, but I think they look sort of like a spatula on a frying pan.

So what brands should I be looking at? Seems like blue would be appripriate, but it can get a bit murky, so orange might be better.

Cliff

Ah, a life with no skeeters.

 

[Keith_B]

You may wanna consider a model that comes with a cab.

 

[DHennet]

I would make sure the color is chartreuse or pumpkin seed with plenty of shiny parts.

 

[shoppintractors]

Cliff,

My first choice would be the sub-compact with wide turf tires. With the light weight you'll be able to walk on water. Low COG will keep you stable. Don't forget the retractable anchor option. Oh, with the high PTO horsepower you'll be able to power the super duty weed wacker and be able to cross the 12 acres in no time flat.

Just to show my total objectivity I'm also recommending a high water viking model. Transmission issues are possible and resale on the viking model is almost non-existent. When the polluted waters rise high top boots are available. This model also holds the best in class ground clearance and has an easy-tach MMM with infinite height adjusters. (Picture attached)

Good luck in you search...

With tongue firmly planted in cheek /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif,

Don

 

[Mavrik02]

ummm....I hate to mention this but you might want to reconsider your land purchase. Sure the realtor probably had lots of good things to say about the land but you should step back and make an independant assessment of this purchase.

Ask yourelf questions like "what do I plan to do with my land?", "will I want to build a house?", "do I hope to have my friends over for barbecue?", "will I graze cattle in the summer?" (remember draining the lake to build a house may require lengthy DEP approval). Now maybe you are saying "no, I just wanna raise my lake trout and maybe fish a little" but I gotta ask, does the land include any of the actual shore line? Without proper access to the land you may be land locked (or would that be water locked?).

Anyway, if you really think this is the land for you Voith makes a nice water tractor that should satisfy most of your needs (although turning it around on 12 acres migh take some work). And yes, it is Orange and comes in a turbo model!!!

Good luck!

http://www.voithturbo.de/vt_en_pua_marine_vspropeller_watertractor.htm

 

[dknarnd]

You want to definitely look for a model with the exhaust coming up because this will be much easier to snorkel. You will have to attach something to the frame that extends up high enough for you to attach your intake snorkel to, as well as run any vent lines up from the crankcase or elsewhere that you may find. Pool hose and regular pvc pipe works well for the snorkel with lots of plumbers goop. On the tires I would run a dual wheel set-up with rice tires, this will give you the best traction IMHO.

Oh, and don't forget it has to have HST transmission and a FEL to be of any use at all. I know you don't think you need the FEL but believe me you will find uses for it. Some day you may need to move some water from one side of the pond to the other or what if some kids start throwing stones in your pond, with the FEL you can at least drive around and pick them up!

 

[Bob_Young]

Hey! The water tractor comes with a steering wheel spinner. Finally a manufacturer that knows what's important! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Can you get 1 more acre on the side of this lake to park your machine?

Better look at an older model that has a 1000 RPM PTO for more prop thrust.

 

[shoppintractors]

You might want to look at <font color="orange">Orange</font> for underwater visibility. (Picture attached)

Don

 

[shoppintractors]

Here is the weed clearing model (picture attached).

Don