What tractor for 3.5 open hilly snowy acres....

DCJL · Jun 23, 2005

I live in Vermont and need a tractor for the following:

Snowblowing a 700 foot driveway. I've already decided on a front ($) mounted blower.

Grading driveway with a box blade once snow is gone. My driveway is VERY firm with a compressible product like staymat. A York rake doesn't have a chance on it.

Cutting 3.5 acres of open hilly grass. Some spots are VERY steep where the 2 wheel drive garden tractor I currently have can climb up, but would slide down forwards if I went down it. The garden tractor has a 38" deck that I would keep for trimming. For the new tractor I'm thinking 60" deck minimum. Should I go with a RFM or MMM?

I'm also considering (but not necessary) putting a cab on it for those cold Vermont winter snowstorms.

Finally I'll be moving quite a bit of dirt with it, but not really concerned with speed, so I would guess the tractor size may not make much difference.

I've decided on hydro as well as chains for winter. I'm considering anything from a BX2300 to the 33DA. So... thoughts? Thanks

DCJL · Jun 24, 2005

>I've decided on hydro as well as chains for winter. I'm considering anything from a BX2300 to the 33DA. So... thoughts? Thanks<

er... of course I meant the BX2230

So any ideas. I'm thinking of going with the 24DA with 48 months at 0%. Will this be large enough or is the 33DA overkill for 3 acres of lawn?

Bob_Skurka · Jun 24, 2005

I think a TC24 (if you can find one because they are being replaced by the more expensive TC26) is good for up to about 8 to 10 acres. I wouldn't consider a TC33 under 8 acres unless I was into some major landscape construction projects on the property. The TC24 is not too big for 3.5 acres but I would not want any bigger. Nice thing is it has enough PTO HP to run a fairly large snowblower, (I use a 60" and have never even slowed down my TC24). It runs a nice size mower deck, the FEL is very strong. It is heavy enough for anything but still not too heavy (although it will rut the yard if wet).

DCJL · Jun 24, 2005

Thanks Bob. I was really set on a TC33 but after reading what people had for sized properties, I began to think about it and thought it might be a bit too big for my small acreage. I think you may be right, lets see what others think. The only problem I see is my 13 year old son will probably want some seat time and I probably can't get away with "Its too big for you". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

hazmat · Jun 24, 2005

I run a TC18 on 4 acres, Dad has a TC40DA on 30 (10 cleared, rest woods). I'd say the 24 & 33 would both be good choices. for me, the $$$ made the decision easier. The 33 has 3 tranny ranges, and a suspension seat. Both of which are more usefull than you might initially think. You will probably have more room in a cab on the 33.

Kubota has some nice factory cabs, not sure if you can get them on the B series - B2410 or B2910 for example...

kozak · Jun 24, 2005

HELLO DCJL & Welcome Aboard !! You'll love this site.

Well now....TRACTOR size......I love this question. All I can speak of is the experience I have gained out here in the country now for 8 Summers. Hope this is not too long winded. I have 2.3 acres & when I first went looking I was primarily concerned with getting the grass cut. I made a fairly large purhase (for me) on the homestead so I was looking for something around $5K. I ended up getting a 14 HP ACCO Allis with MMM. Also ended up buying a frount mount snowblower early part of first Winter. The Tractor performed admirably for 6 years but at times would get stuck in 4" of snow. Not too often (had chains) but the tractor just wasn't heavy enough. Finally got tired of that & I always wanted to do some landscaping anyways (plus have 2 horses) so wanted something bigger & HEAVIER !! Came very close to buying a Case DX33 new (equivalent to NH TC33D) but was too much cash. Came across a 2001 TC35D with only 79 hours on it. Fell in love with it. The size of this thing just was so much more tractor. The last thing I wanted to do was buy too small & down the road have to go looking again. (Would have kicked myself in the head) As it stands the Class III Boomer was exactly what I needed. Came with a FEL & have used it extensively for moving dirt, clearing snow & of course the non-ending horse manure. With the bigger 6 ft. bucket this made things much easier. Plus, with the added weight (I also added 500 lbs counterweight just this last winter) snow clearing is a slice of cheese. Just to put this in perspective.....I only have turf tires on the tractor. With the added counterweight I did not slip, slide, spin, my tires all winter & we had alot of snow up here in Southern Ontario. For sure I thought when we got into the wet snow in late winter I thought for sure I was going to spin the tires....nothing....absolutely went through the snow like a piece of cake. All summer last year I was thinking of getting chains which I dreaded because they are a pain to put on. Bacame a non-issue. I can probably continue but have already said more than enough. From my experience.....go with the Bx2910 or TC33D. You will not be sorry. You will always get into tasks where a smaller tractor would have been a better fit but having 3.5 acres I feel you need something bigger than a TC24D. Especially with the long drive & the steep hills. The TC33D I feel will be a safer tractor all around.

Good Luck with whatever choice you make. It's an exciting time for you !! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

DCJL · Jun 24, 2005

To all, thanks for the replies, VERY interesting hearing different points of view. I will keep looking for more posts!!! Thanks.

tc33brad · Jun 25, 2005

I would think that a snowblower would need a good amount of pto power and if your lawn area that you are going to mow is fairly firm then using a 33 would be just the ticket. I also think that having 3 ranges instead of two and having a stronger loader are real pluses and the extra power to box blade your long driveway but if your lawn area is soft then going with a lighter weght tractor would be a better fit for you. When shopping for tractors what have the dealers in your area recommended ?? A good dealer can be very helpful when it comes to these considerations.

DCJL · Jun 26, 2005

Haven't asked any dealers yet. My property is pretty firm, so I think the weight would not be an issue. You are probably correct about the PTO horsepower for the snowblower, plus a wider blower would get the jpb done quicker. OK, so now I'm thinking back to the 33. It would really be a lot nicer for all that dirt I gotta relocate, plus sooner or later I'd like to get a pile of stones to build a stone retaining wall, so the bigger tractor would help.

henryjacobjosh · Jun 26, 2005

Hello,

We had a 1210 (16-18HP) previous to our TC30 on our small 3 acres and all I can say is that the 1210 worked great and was a little monster but I'am so glad we went bigger. The smaller machine will get the things done for you but with a driveway like that I would suggest a larger machine. It will only make things go quicker and you will feel more secure in the larger of the 2.
Just My 2 Cents