What should I do?

[JoelD]

The trees in the loader bucket in the picture above by chuckinNH are what I'm talking about. The other picture of the big tree behind that little Kubota is not something I want to do often. I know tractors are not designed for woods work but it can be done if you are careful. A 30 hp tractor might not weigh much or be able to lift a house.... BUT, it's better than what I have now,,,, which is NOTHING! I fully expect to be limited to what I can do with a tractor this size.

Understood, just my two cents.

I've had 1500 lb tractor loader, up to 12000 lb dozer.

Currently have 5500lb or so TLB.

One thing seems to be for sure, always wanting more weight and power, and that is all just around my house on 3.5 acres.

Took me three tries to get he right sized machine for what I do. I can load 3/4 ton dump, I can lift almost any log I run into, off course last month I felled two 60 footers that I can't budget, need to use hoe to wedge log up to cut to size, I can move most any rock I run into and I can pull my box blade through our horendous rock infested ground.

Where you look to be doing some industrial type work, would hate to see you buy too small and quickly regret is all.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Joel

 

[kozak]

Good Feller, Welcome to TBN.

Like others that have already replied I would normally also recommend a heavier tractor. However, in your case as you will primarily be in the woods, the TC30 is actually a nice compromise between weight & size of tractor. With it's smaller size, maneuverability will definitely be a big plus compared to a bigger heavier CUT. You also mentioned that the size of trees your are actually hauling out are kept to approx 2 ft. diameter so I would expect the TC30 to be able to handle those easily. Even if, on occasion, you do end up with one heavier or bigger than the TC30 can handle, just make another cut & make two trips.

If you do seriously consider the TC30, put a post in the New Holland forum & ask about reliability issues. I have read alot of posts in which owners love their TC30. On the flip side, I have also read some posts in which owners have had problems. I know there is an issue with the hydraulic cooling hoses bulging & bursting for MANY Class II NH Boomers. There is a fix & again you can ask on the NH forum.

That's a HUGE bonus having friends / family at the Dealership if you do run into any Maintenance issues.

Good Luck,


Vic

 

[radman1]

IMHO, using the capacity of your trailer as the deciding factor may not be the best choice. 1/2 ton p\u should be able to safely pull 7-10K total. Get a bigger trailer, if you need the capacity. The trailer is probably the cheaper part of this adventure. A TC 30 may weigh less than 3000 lbs but if add FEL then you will be over again. Sell the old trailer and buy another used/new trailer.

 

[wawajake]

Not that I am recommending a subcompact , but just so that you would see the other end of the spectrum. I am using my BX 2660 Kubota to haul logs for my firewood needs .
So this is a subcompact 26 hp that I find easily handles 12 inch logs 10 ft long .
I fell the trees in my woodlot with Husqvarna and cut to roughly 10 ft lengths , then get my tractor within 30 feet of the logs and attach sling and chain to log and my FEL. Then pull out of bush the log to my trail or to my clearing , then using my toothbar on FEL, I lift the log with bucket and drive it to my woodlot pile , I have a set of chains on the Rear wheels now and even with trails having a few inches of packed snow , I have no problems . (I have weight box with 300 lbs concrete on back. ) I have also dragged, using the threepoint hitch 14 inch logs 15 feet long for a bridge I built .
So I wanted to let you know that if a subcompact tractor can do it then a 30 hp size will have no problem .
I actually love the seat time when I am logging . Just on and off the seat to sling and chain and cut . Normally no lifting , the toothbar is a godsend , or any extension of bucket lip for that matter . Last year I used my ATV with winch , it is useless compared to the tractor now!

jake

 

[Soundguy]

Here's the issues I see.

1, a tractor that is small and nimble enough to get into the woods and get out is a small / light tractor and will only be good for smaller wood... same with the winch on the smaller tractor.

2, this same small tractor will take DAYS to brush cut that 40ac no forested area.

3, having a loader ont he machine would help load a trailer.. but make her VERY un-maneuverable in the woods.

4, 3500# LIMIT? Good luck.... better find a lawn mower... That weight limit sticks you with SCUT and smallish non loader equipped CUT's.

5, A larger tractor in the 50-70hp area on the other hand would be great to mow with.. have plenty of ponies to haul out big logs.. be SAFER hauling out big logs, and will make better use of the winch.

6, that big tractor will weight more like 2x your weight limit, and be a quite a bit non maneuverable in the woods.

Getting a small tractor now means you will have a good chance of needing a large tractor later.

In all reality.. I see a chinese scut/cut and a older domestic ag tractor in your future.

Leave the oldie there with a coffe can over the stack and take the battery with you.. when you need big work.. fire her up and work, then park again... when you need to put-put around the woods.. trailer the 20? hp chinese unit there.

money wise you will likely come out about the same as buying a name brand mid 30's hp unit that will be both too small and too big some of the time.

soundguy

I'm new to here....hi!
I need equipment but can't make up my mind what to get. I plan to inherit about 80 acres in the near future. 40 of it crop ground and the other 40 rough/timber. I do not want a tractor to farm with (not at this point anyways). I need something for brush cutting/snow removal/fencing/firewood/log skidding.

There will be a big emphasis on using it for loading firewood on my trailer and dragging/winching firewood quality logs out of the timber. I'm interested in a farmi winch for the 3 pt. I'm a forester and run business selling firewood, doing timber stand improvement, timber sales, and tree removal. The trees I cut down for timber stand improvement are all low quality poor formed trees 12"dbh and smaller that I would like to take advantage of for firewood. Right now I have a 500cc 4 wheeler that I thought I could use to skid these small logs out, but it's not hacking it. Get a little bit of snow and ice on ground that has an incline and the 4 wheeler is worthless. I don't have time for that. I also don't have time to load my trailer with wood by hand. I need a loader/forks. On occasion, I cut larger logs (walnut trees 18-22"dbh 8-10' logs) and would also like to be able to load them.

If I get something it has to weigh less than 3500lbs. for hauling purposes. If it weighs more than that I can't haul it to different job sites with my current truck/trailer set up. What do you think I need? I have family and friends that work at our New Holland dealership in my town... that might be good for a discount/help with parts and maintenance.

Whatever I get, it has to have a loader. I'm sick of doing things the hard way. I've thought about getting a conventional log skidder, a forcat 2000, a skid loader, and now a tractor. I think a tractor with a loader will be the most versatile and best bet. The way I see it:

Conventional skidder: 10K-20K for a 30 year old maintenance project. BUT safest most efficient way to skid logs from timber. Also, I have no way to haul it and it only does one thing.... skid logs. Also, when it's time to sell it, there are only so many loggers in my area.

Forcat 2000: Neat little thing. Has tracks and 8000lb winch. Easy on fuel. Low impact/can get in tight spots. Would be able to go in and get 90% of what I cut. New, shipped to my house $24,000.... ouch. Weighs less than 3000lbs. Can't put a brush cutter or post hole digger on it.

Skid steer: No good in the woods. Can't see behind you. Can't brush cut with it. Next.

I've been looking at the TC 30 New Holland. I can't decide on new or used. I could afford 15-20K. 4wd is a must, loader,,, What options should I get if I go with this particular model? I've also looked into the Kubota b7800. It has the same hp but weighs like 600lbs less than the NH!

Does the TC 30 fit my needs? Thanks!

 

[WarrenF]

After all the advice.....here is what I would do. I would go on the used market and buy the most horsepower tractor I could find for the dollars I have to spend. You will always cuss yourself for NOT having enough power, but you will never cuss yourself for having too much horsepower.

As far as getting in and around places....good grief man you are an AMERICAN.....you can figure ways to get in and around trees to do what you need to do. All in all....get yourself a good used model tractor. Heck I have two 60 horsepower tractors that work and work well. Will pull any implement I have, and I use them all the time. I have less than $3000 invested in them. I have never cussed them for not having enough power.

There is enough Kubota lovers on here that in my opinion pay EXORBITANT prices for nothing more than overgrown lawn mowers. They also pay ridiculous prices for the bigger Kubota's. Why not go have some fun and visit a few farm auctions and look around. You might come away with a tractor that will do some work....not simply make you think you have done some work. Sorry Kubota lovers....I will stand over here and let you throw eggs at me.....

Think of it this way. You buy a used tractor that has plenty of power. Lets say you buy it for four thousand dollars. Then you have to repair something, and it costs you about $1,000. Around here I can have my tractor broken in half and the PTO replace for $1000....and that seems pretty intense to me. Now you are in your tractor about $5000, and it works for you the next three or four years. Now you can go buy a new tractor that is under powered....and sure enough some slick talking salesperson will convince you that you really need to spend $15000. So the way I look at it....and I have "dumb kid of an Idaho dirt farmer" written on my forehead.....you could buy THREE TRACTORS for the same amount of money.....or save the additional 10 grand and take your wife on a nice vacation. Heck if you really wanted to impress the neighbors you could buy two tractors.....make one of them your WORK tractor and one of them your overgrown lawnmower tractor.

 

[KentT]

If you really want to think outide the box, perhaps consider one of these, a Power Trac PT-1430:

T12 Class

30HP diesel, full-time 4WD (not front-wheel assist), articulates and oscillates so all 4 wheels are always on the ground while maneuvering through the trees, 1200lb loader is standard (choose your bucket), standard ROPS/FOPS, handles 30 degree slopes (with optional R-1 tires), and operates a 6' rough-cut or 7' finish mower.

9" of ground clearance -- but it has a solid steel flat belly pan with no exposed parts or hoses underneath, so it won't easily high-center on stumps or rocks -- just scoot on off them, nor rip off exposed transmission hoses, filters, plastic cooling fans and wires (like you will with many SCUTS)...

Then add a $1000 hydraulic Mile-Marker or more-expensive Warn or other (likely $1500) hydraulic winch (the hydraulic PTO is standard also) for far less than than that Farmi, and two sets of off-road chains, and you have a quasi-skidder, with loader, that you can mow with -- or use any of about 40 other attachments.

The tractor alone is almost 2600lbs, so you'd be getting close to your 3500lb limit, fully equipped, though I'd recommend a 7,000 lb tandem-axle trailer for the extra room. If you wanted more loader capacity or bigger brush cutters, there's 45 and 60 versions (but considerably more $$, though still less than new skidsteers)...

I have a smaller model, that I bought just for working on hillsides in the woods... it'll go places and do things where I'd never dream of taking the little Kubota it replaced...

 

[KentT]

BTW, should you be interested, there's a used one with under 500 hrs for sale on PT's site (looks like it's coming out of a rental yard), complete with factory trailer to haul it, PHD, and two buckets, for $15K. I don't know anything about it...

Used Power Tracs

I bought mine used with 250 hours on it, from another TBN member.

There's a PT-425 package (25HP gas, 800 lb FEL) package in the the TBN classifieds now.

 

[pitt_md]

Here's the issues I see.

1, a tractor that is small and nimble enough to get into the woods and get out is a small / light tractor and will only be good for smaller wood... same with the winch on the smaller tractor.

2, this same small tractor will take DAYS to brush cut that 40ac no forested area.

3, having a loader ont he machine would help load a trailer.. but make her VERY un-maneuverable in the woods.

4, 3500# LIMIT? Good luck.... better find a lawn mower... That weight limit sticks you with SCUT and smallish non loader equipped CUT's.

5, A larger tractor in the 50-70hp area on the other hand would be great to mow with.. have plenty of ponies to haul out big logs.. be SAFER hauling out big logs, and will make better use of the winch.

6, that big tractor will weight more like 2x your weight limit, and be a quite a bit non maneuverable in the woods.

Getting a small tractor now means you will have a good chance of needing a large tractor later.

In all reality.. I see a chinese scut/cut and a older domestic ag tractor in your future.

Leave the oldie there with a coffe can over the stack and take the battery with you.. when you need big work.. fire her up and work, then park again... when you need to put-put around the woods.. trailer the 20? hp chinese unit there.

money wise you will likely come out about the same as buying a name brand mid 30's hp unit that will be both too small and too big some of the time.

soundguy

No to nit pick but you can get a really nice 52hp tractor that weighs 3560# without a loader. Kubota MX5000

 

[Soundguy]

I never said he couldn't find one.. but:

He said he wanted help loading the trees so that says loader to me.. besides the fact that new mx5000 will be a bajillion dollars.. plus he says 3500#.. that tells me that is probably his trailer gross.. meaning it really wants less.. like closer to 2800-3000 because you have to deduct trailer weight from axle capacity to get payload capacity.

On another note.. that very light weight high hp tractor won't make the best use of that hp if it looses traction due to it's 'feather' weight.. no good if your winch is dragging the tractor to the log!

soundguy