Small acreage vehicle

[MontanaSam]

Hello all;

Need some advice/information on a vehicle for my land. I have 5 acres, 1/2 forest, 1/2 meadow, and need a small vehicle/tractor that can do a variety of jobs...from plowing a 1/4 mile of driveway in a Montana winter, roto-tilling and harrowing 1/2 acre vegetable plots, towing a trailer for wood harvesting and shuffling around splits and rounds, and mowing a few acres of meadow.

The choice seems to be between a small Kubota-like tractor, and a JD-style riding lawn tractor w/ the necessary attachments. With all the agriculture around the valley I live in, there is a plethora of used equipment, just don't know what is the wisest choice.

Any advice?

 

[TreePointer]

Make a list that prioritizes the most important task or tasks that the vehicle needs to perform, and have it do the most important tasks well.

Although it's not exactly the same situation, a discussion from earlier this year may help:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/help-me-zero-in-on-some-tractor-options.144316/

 

[Creekside]

Sounds like you need a SCUT (sub compact utility tractor) with a loader and the different implements for everything. I recently bought a Deere 1023e for my 4.5 acres. It is just the right size for everything I need to do. You can either get a drive over auto connect belly mower or a bush hog 3 point mower depending on what kind of mowing it is. You can also get a snow plow, tiller, and harrow. I would also recommend quick attach pallet forks for the loader. It all depends on how much $$$ you want to spend. The Kubota BX series is comparable to the Deere 1 Series if you're looking new. I was planning on buying used, but everything around here that was a few years old with low hours was still pretty expensive, especially when you can get 0% financing for a new tractor. I decided I may as well use JD's money for free instead of putting out all that cash. My recommendation is to start looking at Craigslist to get an idea for used pricing, and visit any tractor dealers nearby and test drive and look at what they have.

(broken link removed to http://www.kubota.com/product/BXSeries.aspx)
(broken link removed to http://www.deere.com/en_US/products/equipment/tractors/sub_compact_utility_tractors/1_series/1_series.page?)

 

[Montanalocal]

All of the above suggestions are good, I am partial to the older Ford 8N or NAA tractors just because I had one on my farm for many years. They have a 3 point hitch and PTO, which I think are very useful. They do not have 4WD however. I would stay away from the smaller riding mower types because of their smaller tires and limited ground clearance when going out into the woods.

They are usually pretty cheap. Look up some of your local auction houses and get on their mailing list for farms auctions.

 

[TreePointer]

Are you thinking about plowing the snow off the driveway or using a snowblower? Driving 1/4 mile backwards with a rear mount blower may not be something you want to do, so the expense of a front mount blower may need to be calculated. Also, long snow blowing sessions without an enclosed cab can be miserable.

 

[DougA]

I would search out a 4x4 SCUT (sub compact utility tractor) or larger. Make sure it has hydra drive, PTO and power steering. Most Kubota & JD will have all that. If your driveway is gravel, you probably will want to plow not blow. I have that problem and blowers get chewed up with stones. Either way, you'll probably need chains on at least the back wheels. I use a large pull behind blade and it very easy to hit the max that my 22 HP Kubota can push or pull, especially when there's ice on the ground or very wet snow. If you can find something in the 35 HP range, you can add a lot of attachments that I can't use successfully such as a PTO chipper. Remote hydraulics are a must.

 

[sublime68charger]

what is your budget and list the task in order of importance,

and how often for each task being done?

can you get say a Polaris ranger put cab and plow on for snow removal and wood cutting duty.
also will pull a harrow around your food plots

can get pull behind rough cut mower for pasture mowing

and then have a garden tractor for mowing grass and tilling garden?

also have front mount snow blower for garden tractor for the deep snow falls?

due you have enough shed space or garage space for both of these?

just my thoughts having 2 different aspects of things

 

[TreePointer]

I would search out a 4x4 SCUT (sub compact utility tractor) or larger....

+1

OP should have the minimum of a large 4X4 SCUT, but I'd lean more towards a CUT. The weight will help a lot with ground engaging equipment, towing, pushing snow, and counterbalancing firewood in the FEL.

Having a CAT1 3-point with a rear PTO at least 30-35 hp opens the door to a wide variety of equipment--brush cutters, finish mowers, snowblowers, diggers, tillers, plows, etc. Checking rear PTO hp ratings for the implements you need to use helps a lot in determining the specifications of the tractor you need to buy.

Third function hydraulics (a luxury option for many) on the front will allow for front attachments like a grapple or front blower.

 

[dougstove]

Horse?

 

[Montanalocal]

If money were no object I would get a Bi-Directional tractor, originally made by Versatile as the Model 150, and now made by New Holland. It is a 4WD with 2 complete set-ups of PTO and three point hitch at both ends. The really neat thing is that the cab assembly rotates so that you can always be facing forward with the controls in front of you toward either end. It is the ultimate in versatility.

http://titanoutletstore.com/5-times-you-really-need-a-bidirectional-tractor/

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/001/3/3/1332-versatile-150.html

 

[MontanaSam]

Thank you all for the input. As with all things, I am on a tight budget...if the right vehicle came up I would spend 10k for a used piece of equipment. I am thinking of getting something in the meantime that will get me through for now, like an older riding mower-type tractor for $800-1000....and then hammer the used market with more specific desires/requirements in mind with a wad of cash at hand.

Biggest concern is snow. Montana gets quite a bit. Gravel driveway, so plow is preferred. Next comes the agricultural care taking...harrowing and tilling. Then mowing, and finally firewood and trailer hauling around the property.

My Dad's advice is always to get more power than you need to help with equipment life, and to also have the extra power on hand. After some preliminary research I feel like I'd constantly be using a SCUT to its maximum ability with snow and field work.

Of course, I want one vehicle to do all these tasks. I would be building a shed to store this vehicle.

Seems like 30-35 HP and rear PTO is a good starting point. Like this one:

(broken link removed to https://kalispell.craigslist.org/grd/5175247578.html)

 

[sublime68charger]

How many times a year are you gonna have to plow snow and how long is it gonna take you?

And how cold is it gonna be outside to due this?
Or how well due you work in the cold?

Good luck in your search,
That kubota you posted would due just fine I think

 

[Lake Girl]

We have a Kubota BX25D with snowblower, bellly mower, bucket, hoe. The cab really doesn't protect you from the cold ... more the wind and the snow. We have a gravel drive about the same length. Break at least one shear pin a year usually my own fault. Prefer the blower to a plow since you don't have to over-plow to avoid narrowing of the drive as winter wears on.

What kind of terrain are you working on? Gentle slopes or steep inclines?

 

[DougA]

I have a Kubota for the 800' driveway but the last 2 winters have been a PITA. I'm looking at a few 4x4 pick-ups with a plow attached for $1,000. range. They are not roadworthy due to rust but will work fine on the driveway and great for hauling a large trailer around the property when full of wood.

Just sayin - on a budget you should explore all possibilities.

 

[Creekside]

Thank you all for the input. As with all things, I am on a tight budget...if the right vehicle came up I would spend 10k for a used piece of equipment. I am thinking of getting something in the meantime that will get me through for now, like an older riding mower-type tractor for $800-1000....and then hammer the used market with more specific desires/requirements in mind with a wad of cash at hand.

Biggest concern is snow. Montana gets quite a bit. Gravel driveway, so plow is preferred. Next comes the agricultural care taking...harrowing and tilling. Then mowing, and finally firewood and trailer hauling around the property.

My Dad's advice is always to get more power than you need to help with equipment life, and to also have the extra power on hand. After some preliminary research I feel like I'd constantly be using a SCUT to its maximum ability with snow and field work.

Of course, I want one vehicle to do all these tasks. I would be building a shed to store this vehicle.

Seems like 30-35 HP and rear PTO is a good starting point. Like this one:

(broken link removed to https://kalispell.craigslist.org/grd/5175247578.html)

Thats a nice size Kubota and 966 hours is really nothing if regular maintenance has been done. For my property I actually started with a riding mower and JD 10 garden trailer that I got for $400 off Craigslist. Allowed me to mow the grass and move stuff around the property towing the little trailer behind the mower. Thats a good way to start and will let you assess how much tractor you really need before spending the big money. And bigger is always better if it fits.

 

[Lake Girl]

Forgot to mention that we have a unique trailer that was made by a friend's brother... made from 1/2 of an old oil tank. Will try to remember to snap a pick.

 

[Vikestand]

I would look for a Ford 9n/900. They are great tractors for the price. And spend some of that money on a nice pair of bibs.

 

[bwise.157]

I have a John Deere 790 with front wheel assist. It is a 1999 model year. 30 hp, Yanmar diesel engine. Bought it used, with only 225 hrs on it, with a front end loader and 6' rear blade. I got a great deal, only paying $5,000 for it. The seller said make an offer, so I did. Most this size/age go for around $10k. I use it for the exact same purposes that the OP wants one for.

 

[Buzz Saw]

If you have storage space consider buying multiple older used pieces of equipment.

Old truck to plow $1000
40 hp tractor like an Allis Chalmers WD45. $1500
Good used Mower $2000.

Could also be nice to have multiple tractors so you can leave mowers, tillers, plows mounted on the tractor and do other jobs.

 

[MontanaSam]

Anyone have experience with older ('83) Cub Cadet 782 tractors? One going for sale around here, looks well used:

(broken link removed to https://kalispell.craigslist.org/grd/5170195895.html)

Anybody got an opinion on the worth that sucker? Seems like it'd get us through a few seasons of snow and light tilling/trailer work until a nice Kubota comes up for sale.
Appreciate all the feedback so far.

 

[riverat]

My TYM 293 compact tractor is what I use on my property,it sure makes life easy for me and the family

Jeff

 

[CombatChris]

I'm looking for something similar and I'm looking for used tractors.

Something in this range.

(broken link removed to http://www.tractorhouse.com/drilldown/manufacturers.aspx?catid=1100&etid=1)

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=8537809 - all the power I would need, front end loader and bush hog included. Enough power to run a 7' rototiller, a 3 bottom plow (depth and soil type depending), and pretty much anything else I could think of asking it to do.

TractorHouse has a lot of listings in all shapes and sizes across the country and will give you a feel for pricing of used gear.

 

[rkusek]

Anyone have experience with older ('83) Cub Cadet 782 tractors? One going for sale around here, looks well used:

(broken link removed to https://kalispell.craigslist.org/grd/5170195895.html)

Anybody got an opinion on the worth that sucker? Seems like it'd get us through a few seasons of snow and light tilling/trailer work until a nice Kubota comes up for sale.
Appreciate all the feedback so far.

That old cadet probably a good deal if it runs and those attachments all work. I started with JD318 mower and wagon when we built our acreage. Paid 1600 in '08 and sold for 1200 last year with just the mower and it was ready for engine work. I originally planned to re-power with a honda, kohler, or vanguard but never did since it got the job done but just used a little oil. The atachments like loaders, snow plows, rear pto are just too rare and expensive if you find them for the old 318s. After the house was built and I had more to spend I since bought a JD332 (diesel 318), kawasaki mule diesel, and a JD 1026R with loader. The 1026 was a new but leftover model that had the 0% 60 months. I really got tired of trying to find a loader for the old tractor. The deck and loader are quick connect so the hardest part is coupling the 4 hoses. The mule was also a leftover new model and converts from 2 seater to 4 seater in minutes. Wife was all for this purchase (unlike the tractors). Our nearby town also allows you to license it so we get more use out of it.

 

[gerry100]

Ive got a similar land profile as you do ( more woods I think), and I handle moving my wood and clearing my 200 ft gravel drive way with an old 16hp Massey Ferguson 1010( awd).

problem with a tractor is no suspension or articulation on uneven terrain which I find annoying in the woods,running over bumps/stumps etc.

If I were starting with new equipment, I might look into a quad, I've seen some pretty strong looking units.

Might not work on your long driveway though