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Looking for a used Tractor to move logs around and push some dirt. Anyone use a tractor to do this>??? What are some options that I should look for and about what size. I ahve been told a 30HP would be a good place to start. 4WD would be essential
4wd is not essential. nice, but not essential. Good tires on it and it will move. Ours are 2wd and we've not had problems in snow or deep mud. Ag tires help, of course.
Id say 30 hp will be enough 2wd with pto. ( chose a gear and stay in that gear when coming down the hill with a big load once you take it out its hard to find another gear)
I have a Ford 1910 4WD. I mounted an ATV winch on the front bucket and it does a pretty good job for the money. The tractor weighs about 2 tons and does a good job skidding and a great job clearing snow. Our 2wd tractor was not very useful at the camp in the Adirondacks.
I have a JD 2520 with a BH and FEL. A grapple for picking up and moving logs might be nice, but I cut into rounds and use the FEL. A friend uses forks where his FEL bucket would mount.
A trailer of some sort would make more sense sometimes, especially long trips into the woods. I've used the BH and chains to move some logs around.
I've dragged some logs, but that gets lame quick.
No way would I part with 4WD. Especially in the woods.
4WD also comes in handy real quick digging gravel with the FEL.
If what you're scooping is already loose (dropped loam and mulch, etc) then 4WD when digging with the FEL might not be all that necessary.
Purchased my rig for old barn foundation removal, backfill moving and a bunch of well water pipe replacement trenching projects.
Moving wood and snowplowing (plowing with a FEL is messy) is secondary.