Small Farm Equipment Recommendations

[SpaceBus]

I'm in a strange place in my life right now, and I think it's time for some better equipment. I have a significant amount of money saved up, and I think now is the time to use it. I'm medically retired from the Army and my health is not getting any better, despite only being 27. We recently bought a house on 25 acres, with at least 22 of the acres being wooded. We plan on having a few Alpaca and not much else in the way of livestock. We aren't trying to run a for profit farm, this is just for us. I'm thinking it's time for a subcompact or compact tractor with several attachments and a UTV.

There's a Kioti dealer within minutes of my place that has logging supplies as well, so I'm inclined to go with a Kioti tractor. My only experience is using an old Ford tractor with a front end loader, it was a manual transmission, and I prefer that. The only way I'd do an automatic is on a lawn tractor, and it would have to be an HST. Anyway, the CS sub compact series are all HST, which I don't like, but they are less expensive and light. My wife is paranoid a tractor will destroy our grass and top soil, because the big Ford I used several times a year absolutely did. This tractor was also usually used on waterlogged sandy clay soil, so it was no surprise to me, plus that tractor would be way too much for what we are managing now. Whatever we get must be capable of digging post holes, grinding stumps, moving snow, digging holes, and moving logs with the proper implements and attachments.

I don't know much on what to shop for in a side by side UTV. I love riding quads, especially sport quads like Banshees, but that won't be useful for my situation. The Kioti UTVs have diesel engines, which I do really like. I'm just not sure if diesel is that important in a UTV. The UTV's listed by places like Tractor Supply have good specs, but I'd like to buy once and cry once. It would also be nice to have something with a decent top speed if the roads are too crappy for regular cars and trucks.

I'm pretty handy around cars and stuff like that. Rebuilding an engine is within my capabilities as a person, but I haven't built a workshop yet, so I can't be cheap and buy stuff that needs to be fixed. Maybe once the shop is built I can buy a snowmobile and rebuild that.

Hopefully I included all relevant data, but I know that's unlikely. Thank you for the advice!

 

[johneh]

I have and use a Kabota . I know costs more but so well built
and you get what you pay for .
Here is what I have sorry Canadian site US pricing will
be different
https://kubota.ca/en/products/power-equipment/tractors/bx80

 

[SpaceBus]

I have and use a Kabota . I know costs more but so well built
and you get what you pay for .
Here is what I have sorry Canadian site US pricing will
be different
https://kubota.ca/en/products/power-equipment/tractors/bx80

I like the Kubota tractors, but they don't have any dealers within an hour, so I don't think that would work for me.

 

[TreePointer]

Check out what equipment hobby farms are using in your area. You might find that many prefer skid loaders for the livestock end of things.

When selecting equipment, start with the task you wish to accomplish, and work backwards. Select the implement that's powerful/big enough to accomplish that task (especially in the time you have to do it). Make sure the tractor has enough rear PTO hp (not engine hp) to run the equipment properly. The same goes for front and rear hydraulic flow rates to operate your hydraulic equipment.

Front end loaders on tractors can safely lift much less weight than people think, so make sure to look at FEL weight limits. The same goes for pulling ability. In general, bigger/heavier is better. Larger compact utility tractors (CUT) allow you to do much more than a subcompact (SCUT).

The first utility tractor I ran was also an old manual shift Ford. I prefer modern HST for loader work and many other tasks, and it's not eve close. Gear shifting is a PITA in small spaces and when precise handling is needed.

 

[firefighterjake]

I can't speak much to the tractor situation only to say having seen sub-compact tractors in use they seem OK for very light use, but I know if I needed an actual tractor I would want to step up to something bigger (but that's just me).

As for the side-by-side . . . those diesel powered side by sides are OK for work use, but honestly if you were looking for a side by side that you could use for chores around the house and then afterwards your wife could hop in and you could hit the trails . . . a Polaris Ranger or similar side by side with a small body on back would be a nicer trail riding machine.

P.S. Side by sides and ATVs are not allowed for road use in Maine unless it is a posted ATV Access Road. That said, depending on where you are and just how rural it is, law enforcement may turn a blind eye if you are traveling at a prudent speed.

 

[blades]

May I suggest an mini articulated loader, more lifting power than a tractor in the same hp class, some can be had with rear pto almost as manuverable as a skid steer with out the problem of extremly limited clearance underneath and limited veiw. by and large a tractor with a FEL takes a country mile to turn around. The mini AL's are starting to catch on here . They are the favorite universal piece across the pond. They do cost more up front than a tractor, more like a skid steer but are capable of more than the standard CUT.

 

[Bad LP]

I'm pretty happy with my 2013 John Deere 4720. Cab w/ heat and AC, air ride seat, self leveling loader, 72" brush cutter and a 84" Inverted snowblower.
I dumped all fluids and filters when I got it used (800ish hrs.) so I had a good base line. Machine was filthy in and out but I could see it wasn't beat up. After a good cleaning in and out there was only one little scratch on a fender and not a single scratch on the belly. Being a tier 3 diesel it doesn't need DEF like a tier 4 requires. I added a thru the hood stack to keep the carbon off the bottom.
Land Pride brush cutter was also bought used. Whoever owned it prior had it beefed up and they did an outstanding job on it including repainting.
The Normand inverted snowblower was also bought used. Guy bought a fleet of Kabotas and blowers and it only snowed a couple of times and he quickly went belly up. Needless to say it was in near new condition for a decent price.
The forks are the only thing I bought new because used forks were close to the price of new and there were not many nearby.

I still want a Tajfun 45 logging winch but something else is always in the way, mainly I really need a large shed for storage with an open area to keep my attachments and another wood shed.

Happy with all the purchases knowing it's all good quality equipment that should last me a very long time and I saved a bunch of money buying it used.

 

[SpaceBus]

Check out what equipment hobby farms are using in your area. You might find that many prefer skid loaders for the livestock end of things.

When selecting equipment, start with the task you wish to accomplish, and work backwards. Select the implement that's powerful/big enough to accomplish that task. Make sure the tractor has enough rear PTO hp (not engine hp) to run the equipment properly. The same goes for front and rear hydraulic flow rates to operate your hydraulic equipment.

Front end loaders on tractors can safely lift much less weight than people think, so make sure to look at FEL weight limits. The same goes for pulling ability. In general, bigger/heavier is better. Larger compact utility tractors (CUT) allow you to do much more than a subcompact (SCUT).

The first utility tractor I ran was also an old Ford. I prefer modern HST for loader work and many other tasks, and it's not eve close. Gear shifting is a PITA in small spaces and when precise handling is needed.

For me personally I find a tractor is easier to operate with a clutch pedal rather than the accelerator. I have also almost exclusively used manual transmissions in the majority of on the road and utility vehicles for most of my life. Still, I will consider to the HST for ease of use for my wife, she might prefer it.

I feel like if I got a little SCUT, I will wish I had more tractor. The Kioti CK4010 seems like a good buy and combined with a good UTV I shouldn't have to worry about not being able to fit places.

As far as implements I'm really focused on being able to dig nice post holes, dig into the side of a hill, split wood, move heavy things, clear snow, and spread sand/salt. I'll definitely need a good sized shed to hold the tractor and implements. I figure a post hole digger, backhoe, FEL, 3 pt splitter, spreader, and snowblower should be everything I would need for this property.

I have also considered Skid Steer tractors, but they are very expensive. I'll research them further.

Thanks for the advice

 

[SpaceBus]

May I suggest an mini articulated loader, more lifting power than a tractor in the same hp class, some can be had with rear pto almost as manuverable as a skid steer with out the problem of extremly limited clearance underneath and limited veiw. by and large a tractor with a FEL takes a country mile to turn around. The mini AL's are starting to catch on here . They are the favorite universal piece across the pond. They do cost more up front than a tractor, more like a skid steer but are capable of more than the standard CUT.

I will look into this as well. I had never considered something like that. Are they top heavy? I live on top of a hill, so part of the property is sloped, and I don't particularly want a rollover

 

[SpaceBus]

I also meant to add that I will need a chipper shredder as well.

 

[TreePointer]

If you have only one tractor, I highly recommend a towable splitter with it's own engine and hydraulics instead of a 3-point model.

1. Constantly swapping rear implements gets to be a real drag.

2. Without the additional cost of a PTO pump (and possibly a supplemental hydraulic fluid reservoir), the typically low hydraulic flow rate on SCUTs and many larger tractors makes for slow splitter cycle times.

3. 3-point splitters limit you to splitting only in places you can transport your tractor. Towables go wherever a vehicle with a tow ball can get you (that wood score down the road or at a friend's place).

4. Available models/options and resell market for towables is much larger.

 

[SpaceBus]

I can't speak much to the tractor situation only to say having seen sub-compact tractors in use they seem OK for very light use, but I know if I needed an actual tractor I would want to step up to something bigger (but that's just me).

As for the side-by-side . . . those diesel powered side by sides are OK for work use, but honestly if you were looking for a side by side that you could use for chores around the house and then afterwards your wife could hop in and you could hit the trails . . . a Polaris Ranger or similar side by side with a small body on back would be a nicer trail riding machine.

P.S. Side by sides and ATVs are not allowed for road use in Maine unless it is a posted ATV Access Road. That said, depending on where you are and just how rural it is, law enforcement may turn a blind eye if you are traveling at a prudent speed.

I've not seen anyone in downeast get in trouble for running any type of ATV on the hard ball roads, but they usually just cut across to someone else's property or a trail head. We have seen people getting around town in them when the weather is crap, which is another reason we are considering it. I figure the diesel SxS (Side by Side) wouldn't be as fun ripping around the trails, but the payload is nice if I have to go deep into my own woods and move firewood. We rented the top of the line Polaris RZR two seater when we passed through Gorham on the way to Machias over the summer. That thing was absolutely a blast, but it doesn't have much work use, and I don't think I want to spend that much on a toy right now. I used to have a Polaris Outlaw 500 IRS that was even more fun than a SxS, but not usable at all for work. In general, I find Polaris to cost more in initial cost and in maintenance/parts over Japanese brands, In Afghanistan we had Suzuki SxS's that were a riot, but they were modified with adjustable Fox Racing remote reservoir shocks, so that was awesome.

I think you're right on the larger tractor, I feel like even the 26 HP Sub Compact would get annoying at some point. The 40 HP version of the next size chassis up should be able to run any equipment I would need. Plus it still weighs 2800 lbs so it shouldn't tear up the yard too bad.

 

[SpaceBus]

If you have only one tractor, I highly recommend a towable splitter with it's own engine and hydraulics instead of a 3-point model.

1. Constantly swapping rear implements gets to be a real drag

2. Without the additional cost of a PTO pump (and possibly a supplemental hydraulic fluid reservoir), the typically low hydraulic flow rate on SCUTs and many larger tractors makes for slow splitter cycle times.

3. 3-point splitters limit you to splitting only in places you can transport your tractor. Towables go wherever a vehicle with a tow ball can get you (that wood score down the road or across town).

4. Available models/options and resell market for towables is much larger.

Thank you, I didn't consider those drawbacks, but that all makes a lot of sense and I think you are right. I would think a SxS would be able to pull a splitter. This sounds like a much better plan all the way around. I have zero hydro splitter experience, so I really appreciate your insight.

 

[festerw]

Bobcat dealer nearby? Maybe see if you can rent a Toolcat or 3650, not a tractor or utv but a cross between the two.

 

[Bad LP]

Once you go hydro transmission you won't go back. I can move my JD in fractions of an inch a lot easier than the NH I have at work. That clutch pedal gets old fast. Real fast when working in snow removal and tight work.Can't wait to get out of the cab sometimes.

Both machines are the same HP but different frame sizes. Tires tear up turf, not the machine. I run the 4835 NH with turfs all the time over highly manicured lawn. I would not do the same with the JD.

A work SXS is not the same as a fun SXS. All the roads in my town up north are ATV approved including snowmobiles. My wife wants a SXS but I'm sticking with a sled. If she wants a SXS she can buy it.

 

[SpaceBus]

Once you go hydro transmission you won't go back. I can move my JD in fractions of an inch a lot easier than the NH I have at work. That clutch pedal gets old fast. Real fast when working in snow removal and tight work.Can't wait to get out of the cab sometimes.

Both machines are the same HP but different frame sizes. Tires tear up turf, not the machine. I run the 4835 NH with turfs all the time over highly manicured lawn. I would not do the same with the JD.

A work SXS is not the same as a fun SXS. All the roads in my town up north are ATV approved including snowmobiles. My wife wants a SXS but I'm sticking with a sled. If she wants a SXS she can buy it.

Yeah a Mule and a RZR are totally different. I'm actually looking at the Can Am Defender HD5 and surprising to me, the Coleman 550 UTV. As amazingly fun as the RZR's can be, I'm not going to buy one. Both have about the same payload and towing and similar price. I'm sure the Can Am is better built, but everyone I've seen on the reviews for the Coleman loves it and says the customer service is amazing, plus it comes with turn signals, windshield, tail lights, and a 3,500 lb winch. So far I can't beat that package, and I don't plan on abusing it like I would with a rented RZR 900.

Are "industrial" tread tires more gentle on grass than Ag tires? We don't have manicured turf, so It's not that serious. I'm thinking pretty seriously about the Kioti CK4010 with or without HST. The dealer is less than ten minutes away so service and parts should be easy.

It will probably be a month or so before I pull the trigger, but I like to know exactly what I want before I go to the dealers.

 

[VirginiaIron]

I have not heard anything bad about Kioti. Imo, their bull gear assemblies are kind of light, so is JD, and Kubota, this is why I purchased a Branson. But, I think service help for Branson is much fewer than it used to be. I have a 3520 and have not regretted it. Saved a bunch over the green and the more popular orange. Kubota does have a very nice loader/backhoe unit that in theory, I should have purchased.
Hydro transmission robs Hp from the engine. I tested a Mahindra, which I liked, but the loader would not lift the front end off the ground. It seems the hydro trans was competing or fighting the loader. If you get a loader, make sure the manufacturer doesn't use nylon/etc bushings at the pins. Dealers around here will generally let you test the tractor on the pavement. I tested a generous private owners tractor at his house, through the dealer, and decided on a larger model.
Diesel is the way to go; the fuel lasts longer, but they have their drawbacks. Gassers are good if you have an EPA unit and/or you don't use bad gas.
THANKS FOR SERVING- I stand 100% in support of our military 100%. Oorah...!, Hooah...!, & Hooyah...!

 

[SpaceBus]

I have not heard anything bad about Kioti. Imo, their bull gear assemblies are kind of light, so is JD, and Kubota, this is why I purchased a Branson. But, I think service help for Branson is much fewer than it used to be. I have a 3520 and have not regretted it. Saved a bunch over the green and the more popular orange. Kubota does have a very nice loader/backhoe unit that in theory, I should have purchased.
Hydro transmission robs Hp from the engine. I tested a Mahindra, which I liked, but the loader would not lift the front end off the ground. It seems the hydro trans was competing or delighting the loader. If you get a loader, make sure the manufacturer doesn't use nylon/etc bushings at the pins. Dealers around here will generally let you test the tractor on the pavement. I tested a generous private owners tractor at his house, through the dealer, and decided on a larger model.
Diesel is the way to go; the fuel lasts longer, but they have their drawbacks. Gassers are good if you have an EPA unit and/or you don't use bad gas.
THANKS FOR SERVING- I stand 100% in support of our military 100%. Oorah...!, Hooah...!, & Hooyah...!

I don't know that I want to shell out for a diesel SxS. I've only seen two so far, a Mahindra that weighs more than the tractor I'm looking at because it's actually just a CJ-5 with a five slot grille. Kioti also sells two different Diesel UTV models, but they are quite spendy. I don't need anything that robust for ferrying around firewood, dragging a splitter, and other odds and ends. I've been to the local Kioti dealer for a pair of chains for my Husky, but I haven't driven any tractors yet. To be honest I was hoping to keep this pile of money I'm going to use on this equipment for a while longer, but sitting in the hospital after almost dying from my disability has changed my focus. I need to stop doing physical labor like I don't have any health issues and be honest with myself.

I appreciate your thanks!

 

[SpaceBus]

I've noticed the Dirty Hand Tools splitters seem popular here. The price is fair and the stats look good on the 30 and 35 ton models. Both seem like a good ATV or UTV could easily pull one around my property. Any reason not to get one?

 

[VirginiaIron]

I've noticed the Dirty Hand Tools splitters seem popular here. The price is fair and the stats look good on the 30 and 35 ton models. Both seem like a good ATV or UTV could easily pull one around my property. Any reason not to get one?

I liked them, and they were my manufacturer of choice due to price and design quality, but when I saw the Champion 27T for 999, with a 10 % off, 1 year $0 finance and 1year return, AT HOME DEPOT......? I couldn't resist... I do think the Champion 27T is more refined and better built than the comparable DH unit.

 

[AlbergSteve]

We have two acres that we're turning in to a small hobby farm and we're using a subcompact tractor that suits almost perfectly. We needed something small because it's going to be planted pretty intesively. However, there have been a couple of times when I could have used a slightly larger tractor. I would say on 25 acres with a wood lot, a subcompact (under 30HP) would probably be too small.

Do your research. When you decide on the size of tractor, research each brand offering online for problems and reviews. Having the dealer a few minutes away might be convenient if you're there every week, but an hour away isn't that far if you're only there every couple of years. Like @johneh said above, you get what you pay for.

 

[SpaceBus]

We have two acres that we're turning in to a small hobby farm and we're using a subcompact tractor that suits almost perfectly. We needed something small because it's going to be planted pretty intesively. However, there have been a couple of times when I could have used a slightly larger tractor. I would say on 25 acres with a wood lot, a subcompact (under 30HP) would probably be too small.

Do your research. When you decide on the size of tractor, research each brand offering online for problems and reviews. Having the dealer a few minutes away might be convenient if you're there every week, but an hour away isn't that far if you're only there every couple of years. Like @johneh said above, you get what you pay for.

I'll see what dealers are in Ellsworth and Calais, the next closest towns with infrastructure. I'm pretty sure I saw Kubota and Mahindra last time I was in either town. I'm really not interested in big green due to the maintenance lock outs.

 

[SpaceBus]

Well, I guess it's a used tractor if I can find one or a Kioti for my area. Both options are ok with me, the Kioti tractors seem well liked. The next closest tractor dealers I can find are two hours away or more, and I'm just not trying to deal with that if something happens. Especially being disabled with dogs I don't want to have to be gone a lot.

 

[maple1]

Just from what I have seen or heard from relatives who have had them - I would likely drive past Kioti & go the hour to Kubota.

A Ranger or Defender is likely a safe bet for a SxS - anyone I knew or heard about who had a diesel SxS wasn't exactly in love with them.

 

[SpaceBus]

Just from what I have seen or heard from relatives who have had them - I would likely drive past Kioti & go the hour to Kubota.

A Ranger or Defender is likely a safe bet for a SxS - anyone I knew or heard about who had a diesel SxS wasn't exactly in love with them.

I feel you, and I do like Kubota and Mahindra, but it's just too far. If it ever broke down in the winter and repairs outside of my capability, I would have to drag it two hours to Bangor through most likely treacherous road conditions. I had to ride to the Emergency room here in Bangor the other night and it took 2.5 hours because of road conditions.