Which model best suits my needs?

[drtydeed]

I'd have to agree with those suggesting B/BX class. I can't imagine owning anything larger for the tasks you have in mind. My BX handles my property, and sometimes mows several neighbors with no problems. Swapping from FEL and BH mode to mower takes no more than 15 mins.

It's also used for my landscaping business. Yes, there a "few" times I wished for a larger machine, but, there are many more times I'm glad I went smaller. I move a lot of mulch/deco stone/ tree installations in my business, and these smaller tractors will get into places that would otherwise require wheelbarrows and shovels .

Best of luck in your decision.

 

[wushaw]

I agree with the B/BX series tractor suggestions also.

You may want to contract out the pond building, It takes forever to dig a pond with a tractor...I know, I've done it.

Now if your gonna use the pond material for your house, shed, barn, shop...whatever, then you hire an excavator and dig your pond then use the tractor to move the material.
You will get lots of seat time moving that material.

 

[art]

BX is right for three acres! With the money you save you can buy more attachments!

 

[ED3303]

Thanks for all the input. I should've mentioned that the grunt work will be contracted out with the new tractor reserved for the smaller scale stuff like moving the excavated material from pond to shop site. If I am really honest with myself, I would admit that during the initial construction, I will just be "playing" contractor while the pro's do all the real work. My job will really start when the landscaping is going in and when the grass needs mowing. I do tend to agree that something like the BX24 or maybe even a B2630 with all the goodies would be quite practical while still allowing me to get my chores done.

 

[easygo]

Ed3303,
I think you will be surprised how much you can get done with a small tractor. I was thinking about getting a BX to use on my 10 acres because I saw here what kind of stuff people get done with it. I went with the B7510 just to gain some ground clearance, because I do use it in the woods as well. I'm not in the least dissapointed. It has been much more capable than I thought and I was pushed by a good friend to get a heavier, more powerful tractor. I don't plan on digging foundations, leveling acres of land or dragging a plow through the ground. After dealing with a few major snow storms I see what the advantage of a bigger machine would be handy, but I CAN DO IT, move it and plow it just a bit slower. No matter what, you will have fun.
I got to go play in yesterday's 11" of snow to make room for the storm coming through tonight.

 

[Unregistered2013]

i was in almost the same spot as you 2 years ago -- 3 acres, to be built, wanted a pond, needed a lot of land moved for grade.

i started with a JD450 dozer, cleared the back two acres, sculpted the pond. this was rented, at $500 for 50 hours. i never once imagined doing this work with a bucket or blade.

next, i rented a JCB heavy excavator to dig the pond deep. the bucket was 4' wide. again, laghable tractor work.

next, i rented a skid-steer to move some of the land 500' -- for 35 hours -- not perfect, but nice and light, so no sinking. 3/4 yard bucket.

then, this spring, i rented a terex land mover with a 3 yard bucket and moved around 800 yards of the pond clay to mid-lot to make berms. again, laughable work with a tractor.

finally, i rented a kubota L series tractor with a harley-rake and raked and seeded the whole lot. by the end of the raking, i honestly felt the tractor was too big for the lot, and was happy to see it go.

now, i have a B2400 and am very happy with its size -- a lot can be said to be able to look over the hood and trim up close.

just my opinion -- though i'd rent the big stuff (you can never rent too big), and buy the smaller stuff.