Tractor Sizing Which Tractor to buy?

[TripleR]

For hilly property, it is really hard to beat a BX, we have been very happy with both of ours. In spite of their low ground clearance, about 8", you can use them for the tasks mentioned if you hire someone to take care of the stumps which is what we did.

If we need a back hoe/mini excavator/skid loader, we rent them.

A B can also fill your needs as well as other makes/models from different manufacturers. When shopping new or use, but especially used, you need to remain open to all makes.

I would definitely get a loader and 4WD though.

 

[rlyddane]

Thanks TripleR,
I am definitely going with a Loader, MMM, and 4WD. If a BH, or Tiller, or Box scrapper is available cheap individually, I will deal with that, then. I really like the BX series, but cost may force me to go with an older B7100 series. Still a good tractor. I also definitely want Power steering. I read from other advisors, that if you are getting a loader, you must have power steering, so you don't strain yourself trying to handle the loader with manual steering. Any thoughts on that?

 

[TripleR]

Thanks TripleR,
I am definitely going with a Loader, MMM, and 4WD. If a BH, or Tiller, or Box scrapper is available cheap individually, I will deal with that, then. I really like the BX series, but cost may force me to go with an older B7100 series. Still a good tractor. I also definitely want Power steering. I read from other advisers, that if you are getting a loader, you must have power steering, so you don't strain yourself trying to handle the loader with manual steering. Any thoughts on that?

Having grown up driving tractors without power steering, I will never get another tractor without it. I learned to drive with my thumbs outside the steering wheel, but still managed to jam a thumb, ginger or wrist from time to time. The last time, the tip of the hub caught a tree and dislocated my thumb so bad I couldn't get my glove off. I finally managed to pull it back in place, but it was not something I want to repeat.

I agree, operating a loader without ps, is a real bear.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Thanks David,
I'll look forward to what happened ................Rich

Rich,

Me too! 10/25 is the first day they are coming out.

I have a bunch of prep work I can to to make their day more efficient by removing the stumps the loggers popped, breaking downthe few large piles of debris, and moving the falen trees and decent logs out of their way.

I've got a good excuse to get me some hours of seat time!

Best of luck with your project as well sir.
David

 

[dodge man]

I've seen used BX's for the $7000 range with a loader and MMM. They usually have quite a few hours though. Used B's are also pretty common. I would say power steering is a must.

As far as a mower goes, a rear finish mower is usually cheaper, and easier to hook up. A MMM is a easier for most people to use if you are mowing near stuff or have a lot of things to mow around.

I'm not sure what your budget is, but knowing what I know since buying a tracator, I would want to budget at least $10,000 for used and all the atachements you would need. It would be easy to spend more, and you can spend less, but the less you spend, the older it will be and the more hours it will have.

 

[caloway]

It takes bigger equipment to push over a tree than it does to dig up a stump.

 

[rlyddane]

Thanks, but are you referring to a tree thats been cut down with only 4 feet high left? Or the entire tree? All of these trees are about 12-24 inches in diameter. Many years ago (1974), I had a yard wooded with at least 20 pine trees at least 50-75 ft tall. In a few months, I had cut them all down to as close to ground as I could, maybe 1 foot off ground. I had a friend, who had a full size bulldozer, if he could bulldoze the stumps. He said, "I wish you had left them all cut about 4 feet high" , "then I could just push them over and clear them".

I'm not contradicting you, just curious about the different schools of thought. Thanks for your reply.............Rich

 

[crazyal]

I would look into either renting a stump grinder or finding someone who will grind them for you. Stumps suck. I cleared close to an acre for my homestead and had another 40 to put the stumps on. But I had a full size backhoe and a 2 1/2 ton dump truck to move them. Unless you're talking 5 or so trees then grind them and get it done with. The plus is you're not going to need as much tractor if you are not trying to remove or move stumps around.

 

[rlyddane]

Your stump grinding idea sounds like the most practical for my situation. I never gave it a thought about where to put the stumps, once I had them out. I only have 1 acre, so I probably would not have room to bury them. I live on VERY rocky terrain, so trying to dig holes to bury them would be a disaster.

Thanks for the suggestion..................Rich