Tractor Shopping

[LS Tractor Owner]

With the tractors that you mentioned you looked at, the Branson out specs all of them. It's the heaviest tractor, has the most lift capacity, and is reasonably priced.

If you are considering Kioti, Look at the CK2610. Another very capable tractor that would suit your needs. It is in the same size class as the Branson. It still falls under the no emissions HP.

TYM and RK are basically the same, just rebranded.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Here is a link to a really good comparison chart to save you some researching:

https://www.kenotractors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2515R-2515H-Comparison-Chart.pdf

 

[Bullwinkle123]

You didn't mention whether you'd be cutting fields.

Rolling hills could be dangerous, tractors can be unstable on hills, consider the kind of terrain you'll be driving on and buy a tractor to suit.

If you're going to be hauling whole trees, you'll need a heavier tractor, so that the tractor is pulling the tree and not the other way around.

Grapples are great for clearing downed trees. A few minimal cuts and off it goes. Remember to get the third function for the grapple.

Finally, just toss any expectations you have for removing stumps > 3" from the ground with a small tractor. A backhoe for the tractor will work, to a point. If you have large stumps, either plan to leave them alone, or rent some heavy equipment.

I had plans to maintain the trails in my woods, which were seriously messed up by the last round of logging. Unfortunately the loggers left gigantic stumps from large trees all over the place, too big to drive over with a tractor, and too big to remove with my tractor. So fixing up those trails is not going to happen any time soon unless I rent equipment or get my saw into some dirty difficult stumps (which I have done a bit of, it was not a fulfilling way to spend time in the forest )

 

[Kevin1967]

You didn't mention whether you'd be cutting fields.

Rolling hills could be dangerous, tractors can be unstable on hills, consider the kind of terrain you'll be driving on and buy a tractor to suit.

If you're going to be hauling whole trees, you'll need a heavier tractor, so that the tractor is pulling the tree and not the other way around.

Grapples are great for clearing downed trees. A few minimal cuts and off it goes. Remember to get the third function for the grapple.

Finally, just toss any expectations you have for removing stumps > 3" from the ground with a small tractor. A backhoe for the tractor will work, to a point. If you have large stumps, either plan to leave them alone, or rent some heavy equipment.

I had plans to maintain the trails in my woods, which were seriously messed up by the last round of logging. Unfortunately the loggers left gigantic stumps from large trees all over the place, too big to drive over with a tractor, and too big to remove with my tractor. So fixing up those trails is not going to happen any time soon unless I rent equipment or get my saw into some dirty difficult stumps (which I have done a bit of, it was not a fulfilling way to spend time in the forest )

No, I wont be cutting fields. If anything just small gardens. I am leaning to building boxes and putting up chicken wire to keep the deer out.

I dont think I will be hauling whole trees. More likely just picking them up cutting them with a chainsaw and loading them into my ranger to be taken and split.

The trees I have down are probably in the 4"-8" range, I have two really big ones down, roots and all from tornado. I have a guy coming over with heavy equipment to take care of that.

There is a very large pile of trash left by timber company where my property was logged several years before I bought the place. I would like the grapple to get into those and clean them up and burn them. also had some trees blow across a public road that have been cut and just pushed back into my property out of the road.

The steepest of my property is behind my house and I am getting quotes to have that cleared by a professional to open up my mountain views. Even at this location it is mostly seedlings, with a few small trees broken from ice storm or down.

I have a 90acre farm in KY, where I have a bigger tractor. I plant and bush hog move trees and stuff there, and its rolling. I don't think I can maneuver that tractor in these woods.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Kevin1967]

Here is a link to a really good comparison chart to save you some researching:

https://www.kenotractors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2515R-2515H-Comparison-Chart.pdf

Thank you!

 

[Bullwinkle123]

No, I wont be cutting fields. If anything just small gardens. I am leaning to building boxes and putting up chicken wire to keep the deer out.

I dont think I will be hauling whole trees. More likely just picking them up cutting them with a chainsaw and loading them into my ranger to be taken and split.

The trees I have down are probably in the 4"-8" range, I have two really big ones down, roots and all from tornado. I have a guy coming over with heavy equipment to take care of that.

There is a very large pile of trash left by timber company where my property was logged several years before I bought the place. I would like the grapple to get into those and clean them up and burn them. also had some trees blow across a public road that have been cut and just pushed back into my property out of the road.

The steepest of my property is behind my house and I am getting quotes to have that cleared by a professional to open up my mountain views. Even at this location it is mostly seedlings, with a few small trees broken from ice storm or down.

I have a 90acre farm in KY, where I have a bigger tractor. I plant and bush hog move trees and stuff there, and its rolling. I don't think I can maneuver that tractor in these woods.

Thanks for the advice.

Sounds like you're used to the issues with hills and stability then. My grapple is definitely my most used thing for tree cleanup. I both like that it's a pretty stout grapple (so I don't accidentally bend it when I'm doing foolish things with large pieces of wood), but it's also harder to maneuver in my woods at 6' width. Though the fact that I go in there with a 7' rear blade for ballast doesn't help. I really need to make a combo rear ballast / chain saw carrying setup. As is I bungee my chainsaw to my grapple sometimes to get it where I want it.

So it mostly sounds like you need a grapple and whatever you want for whatever the tractor can do for stump pulling. These "tree pullers" are kind of interesting too and getting a lot of internet attention these days. Maybe not for you, just sharing: Heavy-Duty Post And Tree Puller For Skid Steers, Universal Landscape Tool

 

[Kevin1967]

I looked at it. Interesting. Looks like you lose about half the usefulness of a grapple with it. Your money, your call. Looks like a lot of people who bought the Deere 'E' series tractors like them. There's a reason.

Usually, on a new Tractor purchase, you can get the Dealer to put a 3rd function valve on your tractor pretty reasonable, near cost.

Good luck

I spoke to a dealer yesterday, and they run hoses from existing remote under chassis to FEL and place a connection there for a fully functional grapple (hydraulic) that you can operate with lever for just $375, grapple is $1200. Thank you.

 

[metalbender]

I just have to chuckle to myself when I read about guys who don't do a little research on little tractors and dozers. The design of the spindly arms on a small tractor are meant for moving loose material. The arms on a skid steer rest against the frame when pushing or digging. I've seen the videos of guys digging ponds with tractors, beating the equipment to crap. Hire out the heavy work and use the tractor for maintaining. Post a pic of the intended operation to give a perspective.

 

[Kevin1967]

Sounds like you're used to the issues with hills and stability then. My grapple is definitely my most used thing for tree cleanup. I both like that it's a pretty stout grapple (so I don't accidentally bend it when I'm doing foolish things with large pieces of wood), but it's also harder to maneuver in my woods at 6' width. Though the fact that I go in there with a 7' rear blade for ballast doesn't help. I really need to make a combo rear ballast / chain saw carrying setup. As is I bungee my chainsaw to my grapple sometimes to get it where I want it.

So it mostly sounds like you need a grapple and whatever you want for whatever the tractor can do for stump pulling. These "tree pullers" are kind of interesting too and getting a lot of internet attention these days. Maybe not for you, just sharing: Heavy-Duty Post And Tree Puller For Skid Steers, Universal Landscape Tool

Was looking at this for stumps if I need it. Extreme HD Stump Bucket Tree Scoop | V2

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I just have to chuckle to myself when I read about guys who don't do a little research on little tractors and dozers. The design of the spindly arms on a small tractor are meant for moving loose material. The arms on a skid steer rest against the frame when pushing or digging. I've seen the videos of guys digging ponds with tractors, beating the equipment to crap. Hire out the heavy work and use the tractor for maintaining. Post a pic of the intended operation to give a perspective.

In my dreams I'm operating an excavator that I own, with a thumb, heavy enough that I'm pulling and tossing trees with impunity. Suppose I'd have to adopt a new line of business to realize that particular dream.