Which tractor is best for me?????

shadoe · May 13, 2005

Thanks for any help you can give me. Money is a big factor as well.
I own 22 acres. Approx. 18 is wooded, 2 is bare (I want to convert to field) and 2 is lawn and house. I had a selective cut done a few years ago, so I have trails throughout the land. Mosty covered with small dead trees and all size branches. (I can get a 4 wheeler through, but nothing else) I want to clear them of the debris for walking. The two acre area is cut and stumped, I need to york rake it an til it to make a field. I move a lot of rocks ( Biggest is 100 lbs), move approx. 15 yards of bark Mulch and move a bit of loam every year as well. I love to do projects and need a tractor to help. (ie digging up ground to put in a walk way)
What is the smallest tractor you would suggest? I would like one that I can eventually put a plow or snowblower on. Maybe a BH. THANKS!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif (I intended to keep that short /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

Bob_Skurka · May 13, 2005

What is the smallest tractor you would suggest? 

The smallest I would suggest is the Kubota B3030 (deluxe full featured version) or the more basic but mechanically very similar Kubota B7800. For 22 acres you need some size and power, but it doesn't sound like you are planning to do major work. The B3030/B7800 is a small, light 30hp tractor, it has more power per pound than anthing I can think of. It has all sorts of power for things like snowblowers, is light enough to be used as a lawnmower, but still sturdy enough to do real work.

There are plenty of other 30hp tractors on the market, it is a very popular size, none are as small as these. As you want to fit into the wooded paths, it really seems like size is a critical issue. None of what you are talking about doing really indicates that you need a brute of a tractor, the mulch is easily handled by a smaller tractor, ditto the loam. Moving the rocks if properly loaded could be done with a smaller tractor too. But overall, I'd stick with the B3030, it is actually smaller than some tractors with less HP, and that will become an advantage when powering implements like a rotary cutter, tiller, snowblower, etc. It will be a disadantage when pulling a plow, but most of us use tillers instead of plows.

The B2910 was just replaced by the brand new B3030, so if you can find a B2910, that would be a good tractor too, just not quite as modern looking as the B3030. The B3030, B2910, and B7800 share the same frame size, engine, etc. The B7800 has the fewest features, the B3030 has the most. You get what you pay for but you might not want or need all the comfort of the B3030.

shadoe · May 14, 2005

Thanks for the info!! Sounds like a great place for me to start!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

To20Chris · May 14, 2005

Your property description is a pretty good match for mine. Since you don't mention lawn mowing as a main task, I would recomend you get a tractor that has some weight, and therefore some traction. The Kubota B series tractors are very light. You will obviously need a FEL. When you ask for the "smallest" tractor, are you asking for small because you are concerned about size, or to keep the price down? I would look at Kioti or Mahindra for a more beefy tractor, and skip the HST to keep the price down. I can vouch that the LK3054 will do all that you mention.

You'll have to decide on the tires too - the industrial R4 tires will load up more in snow and mud and spin easier than the agricultural R1's, but for use in the woods they'll be tougher and not puncture as easily. Get them filled for balast when moving heavy things like big rocks.

Don't get a too small light tractor, you will regret it.

KiotiJohn · May 15, 2005

Since what I see is 4 acres of cleared land, I don't see that you need a huge HP tractor. Of the 18 wooded acres, all you say you'll be doing is making paths right? That doesn't take a huge tractor. I suggest you could use a Kioti CK20 such as I have without any problem whatsoever. If you were really going to work the whole 22 acres, I'd say you need 30 HP, but you don't.
I maintain not less than 2,4, and 5 acre properties, some with woods and some just pastures. The CK20 is a small frame CUT that would probably go through your existing paths as it is about the same width as an ATV. It comes standard with a mid PTO and a rear PTO so you can hook up a variety of PTO implements as well. I have a loader and backhoe on mine also, and they do quite a bit of work. The loader valve and joystick are included in the CK20 package, so that's something a little extra thrown in with Kioti as opposed to many others who charge extra for them.
John

Egon · May 15, 2005

If cost is a factor have you thought of used?

My 16 HP tractor is being used on 68 acres for all the types of work you have mentioned plus draging logs. It's moved many rocks well over 100 pounds. Slow going at times.

I'd suggest you should be looking in the mid 20's for HP and consider an HST. The two acres of stumps may present problems depending on their size. For those it may be more economical to rent a larger unit for removal it that is what you intend to do.

Happy searching /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

KiotiJohn · May 15, 2005

( The two acres of stumps may present problems depending on their size. )
He says that has been cut and stumped, a good thing. Cuts down on the major work necessary.
John

JimDixon · May 17, 2005

I don't see that you need a lot of hp for your needs, either. I have a Kubota 3830 and a Hinomoto E1804. The Kubota has 38 hp and the Hino has 22 at the engine.

My Hino will cut anything that a 4' brush cutter will cut and will drag a rock full of 4' box blade. In addition, it can actually be steered around stumps, rocks trees, etc which seems to be important for your use. My 3830 will, of course, outwork my Hino hands down. What it won't do is fit though a bunch of tightly packed trees while it's doing any work.

Physical size of your tractor seems like it will be very important to you so plan accordingly. Of course only you will be able to determine your max physical size.