What tractor or piece of equipment for this hilly pasture?

[ShowroomShine]

Im already a tractor owner, have several. I’m not as familiar with slopes like is on this property.

I could be wrong or maybe have a overt sensitive fear of rollover…but I’m convinced there is no way possible to mow the broomsedge area with a normal 2wd tractor up and down. Ventrac sure…normal 2wd tractor no. 4WD and low to ground with wide wheels maybe.

I’m not even focused on those areas as much because I don’t think they are mowable…I’m just looking for a $5000 ish tractor to handle the rest of the property which will still have some slope to it.

The pictures are deceiving, I promise.

 

[ruffdog]

I disagree. At $55,000 the used AEBI is an absurd (rare and hard to deal with for repairs, dealers, etc.) tool for the OPs job. Not at all justified. Most normal 4WD tractors good for many other tasks and nowhere near as specialized as an AEBI will do his property nicely.

Yeah, but look at everything you can do with it while on very steep slopes:

 

[Hay Dude]

Im already a tractor owner, have several. I’m not as familiar with slopes like is on this property.

I could be wrong or maybe have a overt sensitive fear of rollover…but I’m convinced there is no way possible to mow the broomsedge area with a normal 2wd tractor up and down. Ventrac sure…normal 2wd tractor no. 4WD and low to ground with wide wheels maybe.

I’m not even focused on those areas as much because I don’t think they are mowable…I’m just looking for a $5000 ish tractor to handle the rest of the property which will still have some slope to it.

The pictures are deceiving, I promise.

You do have an over sensitive fear of rollover.
I know what you mean about the pictures. I take pictures of sloped ground, then I look at them and it doesnt tell the story.
I was comparing your slope to a few that I cut. I can see the pitch of the slope by looking at the shed and how the dirt line angle goes up against the siding.
I’d have no fear cutting that. I dont think anyone is suggesting a 2WD tractor. At ZT is nearly impossible to roll over and would run right across that hillside with bar tires.
A 4WD tractor going up/down would be fine.
A Kubota F would do either BUT tough to find for $5,000.
Itll be a challenge to find a 4WD tractor thats not ready retirement for $5000 in THIS economic climate.

 

[5030]

Itll be a challenge to find a 4WD tractor thats not ready retirement for $5000 in THIS economic climate.

Ain't that the truth...

 

[airbiscuit]

Craigslist

 

[MossRoad]

Absolutely! Besides, I get the impression the OP wants to be a tractor owner and have the machine around to do the many, many unpredicted things you use a tractor for !! Not just mowing a hillside.

He already IS a tractor owner. He said in the first post he has a BX and a larger IH.

 

[airbiscuit]

In the first post he said ...

"I want something I can leave here so I don’t have to trailer my BX or larger Case IH back and forth when I go up. Budget of $5-7k max. I don’t have any illusions that I will be mowing the very steep parts, but I’d like to feel somewhat safe mowing the other areas that are less hilly."

"

 

[MossRoad]

Im already a tractor owner, have several. I’m not as familiar with slopes like is on this property.

I could be wrong or maybe have a overt sensitive fear of rollover…but I’m convinced there is no way possible to mow the broomsedge area with a normal 2wd tractor up and down. Ventrac sure…normal 2wd tractor no. 4WD and low to ground with wide wheels maybe.

I’m not even focused on those areas as much because I don’t think they are mowable…I’m just looking for a $5000 ish tractor to handle the rest of the property which will still have some slope to it.

The pictures are deceiving, I promise.

The next time you're there, take an 4' 2x4 and lay it on one of your slopes. Then, if you have an iPhone, use the LEVEL function in your MEASURE app and lay the phone on the 2x4. It'll give you the angle in degrees. Don't know if there's a native app on an Android that does similar, but there are apps you can download for Android if there isn't one on there already.

Perform this task on a bunch of different places on you property and maybe make a mental map, or print off a google earth pic or a topo map of your property to easily make notes on.

That'll give you a realist measure of actual slope on your place VS a photo and guess. Also, be aware that if there's a dip or hole ahead, behind, or under the 2x4, it can drastically change an angle measurement, just as driving a tire into a groundhog hole on a relatively mild slope can quickly change things.

Hope that helps.

Never hurts to be cautious, but know the real numbers before taking someone else's word for it.

 

[Xfaxman]

The next time you're there, take an 4' 2x4 and lay it on one of your slopes. Then, if you have an iPhone, use the LEVEL function in your MEASURE app and lay the phone on the 2x4. It'll give you the angle in degrees.

I use a magnetic angle finder. It is showing 30° of body lean on a 27° slope:

 

[MossRoad]

Gives me the heebeejeebees!

 

[JWR]

He already IS a tractor owner. He said in the first post he has a BX and a larger IH.

Oh Dear. Wash my mouth out. I should have said He wants to own a tractor in the size range between a BX lawnmower and a IH behemoth. Probably 4WD and probably more useful than either of his other two tractors on this piece of property. I was contrasting that to the suggestion he not mow it and watch things grow....

 

[redman135]

Hello ShowroomShine, why do you want mow this area? It does not make economic sence. You would be better off to plant in a timber trees or otherwise retire that slope. To me mowing this slope is an unneccesary risk if you are unsure about your skill level.
The photo clearly shows the safe area to mow.
Alternative, Is your neighbour a stock farmer? If so ask them to graze the steep slopes for you. A trough for water and a single wire temporary hot wire (electric fence) and the slope is mowed by the stock.
If you do use a tractor, then use adjustable rear rims set to maximum width OR go DUAL wheels. HUGE difference in stability and traction.
MF 135, standard track is 6 ft wide(est), same rims set to maximum widthis approximatly 8 ft. I had an MF 135 with the rims set to 7'6" (so it could drive onto the tip truck with the sides on as it was carted between farms) .

 

[Xfaxman]

Gives me the heebeejeebees!

Does that mean you wouldn't ride in the passenger seat while I mowed it?

 

[5030]

Hope the oil pan on your motor is baffled so it don't get oil starved...

 

[ShowroomShine]

Hello ShowroomShine, why do you want mow this area? It does not make economic sence. You would be better off to plant in a timber trees or otherwise retire that slope. To me mowing this slope is an unneccesary risk if you are unsure about your skill level.
The photo clearly shows the safe area to mow.
Alternative, Is your neighbour a stock farmer? If so ask them to graze the steep slopes for you. A trough for water and a single wire temporary hot wire (electric fence) and the slope is mowed by the stock.
If you do use a tractor, then use adjustable rear rims set to maximum width OR go DUAL wheels. HUGE difference in stability and traction.
MF 135, standard track is 6 ft wide(est), same rims set to maximum widthis approximatly 8 ft. I had an MF 135 with the rims set to 7'6" (so it could drive onto the tip truck with the sides on as it was carted between farms) .

More trees block the Mountain View…the whole reason we are purchasing this property.

 

[5030]

Better close on it soon (if you haven't already) because the prime is climbing like inflation is.... Not a bad thing either. High interest rates will curb inflation.

 

[MossRoad]

Does that mean you wouldn't ride in the passenger seat while I mowed it?

No. I'd go. I'm always up for a thrill ride!

 

[MossRoad]

More trees block the Mountain View…the whole reason we are purchasing this property.

You could also put in wildflowers in the places you don't want to mow. Takes a lot less maintenance and maintains your view.