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Post by richm on Aug 13, 2024 9:09:31 GMT -5
We're still looking for retirement property. Gonna look at 11 acres with 2.25 acres of pond and 5 acres in pasture this weekend.
How small tractor can we get away with? - want tiller, brush hog, and bucket capacity. Primarily for mowing pasture and tilling food plot/garden.
Also - is it better to buy used?
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Post by billybob on Aug 13, 2024 9:26:22 GMT -5
I would get a used one. Diesel is the way to go. They sip fuel 2014 or older To get away from def fluid and other emissions add on. I like Kubotas But sure you would want a 4x4 with a loader and at least mid 30 horsepower Shuttle type shift is also nice. My buddy has a John Deere he like’s except for plastic fenders and hood that is cracking up
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Post by drivinmike on Aug 13, 2024 10:01:46 GMT -5
I'd say be careful about how small a tractor you get with what you want to do with it. The really small one's won't pull a big enough mower or disc. I'm a big fan of the compact Kubota's. I've got a L3800. 38 horsepower. Diesel. Big enough to pull a 6' mower and a 5' rototiller. 4 wheel drive for sure. You also want a bucket, and quick connect compatible implements. Mine fits on an 18' trailer with the bush hog attached
Used is the way to go, for sure. Good luck.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2024 10:04:09 GMT -5
There are always nice municipal used tractors for sale on Public Surplus Auctions. Take a look
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Post by slough on Aug 13, 2024 10:36:24 GMT -5
Got a 50 horse Kubota with front end lift. Hydrostat transmission, foot pedal makes using the lift a lot easier.
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Post by gogittum on Aug 13, 2024 10:51:47 GMT -5
Watch a few episodes of Country View Acres on YouTube. Very well done and very watch-able. He has 2 small/mid-size tractors that he alternates between depending on the job at hand.
From watching him, if I were stuck with a choice of one or the other, I'd definitely opt for the larger one - think it's around 50 hp. Diesel, of course.
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Post by bswiv on Aug 13, 2024 17:20:32 GMT -5
Used..... Buy more than you think you need......trust me. Grapple........the darn bucket will sit most of the time if you have one of these.......... We've got 3.....and a dozer.....the M8540 Kubota gets used the most. It'll run a Brown Tree Cutter of 5 feet or a cutter of 7 feet......the Brown is a beast. If you can run over it with the tractor the cutter will churn it up. And if you get a BTC with the lift where you can back into a big tree.....you can do a ton. What Billybob said about the older so you can avoid the nonsense of DEF. Cab is nice.....but....in the woods it's something else to have to PROTECT....... Rig up expanded metal grate on the right side for personal protection, maybe a little in the back.....and move on. As to the larger question......property.......longer separate topic......but do be careful and selective and willing to walk.....things are teetering.....at least that is our judgment. In fact....had this discussion with at a Prescribed Burn Association Board Meeting today with a member, a woman smarter than I am, who just closed on a conservation easement for a property she owns. The question that got discussed was whether she and her husband were going to do a 1031 Exchange ( Look that up. ). Short of it is that they may just be going to pay the taxes rather than shove the taxes forward by reinvesting in a "like property" because the downside risk on the land looked to her to be too high. Though......I'm wrong a lot.....ask Louann...........  |
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tater
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Post by tater on Aug 13, 2024 17:33:57 GMT -5
I have a John Deere 3025. It's considered a compact tractor. 4wd with a bucket. I only have 4 acres to maintain but it does everything I need. I take it to Alabama for food plots and mowing. I certainly don't disagree with bigger is better but it will surprise you what that tractor will do. Whatever you get make sure you get 4wd. Just my opinion
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2024 17:40:23 GMT -5
John Deere parts are insanely high priced
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Post by anumber1 on Aug 14, 2024 5:11:40 GMT -5
John Deere parts are insanely high priced not compared to kubota. I have a JD 2025 with a loader, bush hog, forks and 54" belly mower. Belly mower is for the yard (aprox 1 acre) I have spread at least 30 truckloads of rock/roadbase/ and fill dirt with it plus keep up another 15 acres (bush hog), plus mow my trails and around my stands at the club. I also use the forks to unload boxes of crabs off my boat and into my truck plus load bait and ice onto boat. Owned it six years now, one of my smarter purchases for my business. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2024 5:16:16 GMT -5
JD parts are pricey compared to Cat and Case for sure. We had a 1991 loader backhoe that we used for years but the cost of parts was too much for us
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Post by luapnor on Aug 14, 2024 5:53:38 GMT -5
There is a horsepower limit on def requirement. I think it's over 29hp. That is why you see the detuned 2501 from Kubota, down powered 30hp
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Post by richm on Aug 14, 2024 7:05:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the input! It's nice kinda knowing where everyone is coming at it from.
John Deere is the closest dealership - no Kubota around. So, it would have to be a John Deere.
I like the idea of a compact tractor - bucket, digger, tiller, hiller, brush hog, underbelly mower, and a rake would probably be great to have.
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Post by wildman on Aug 14, 2024 7:48:10 GMT -5
I have a 1998 Kubota B2710HSD compact and it has done everything I need on 10 ac. of mostly woods (medium bush hog work, finish mowing, small food plots, lifting logs, pulling trees, splitting wood, box blade work, etc.). It all depends on what size implements you plan to use. The 2710 will run a 5' mid-weight bush hog no problem for medium duty work, but if I was wanting to run more heavy duty or larger implements I would bump to a larger size. If you plan to mow a lawn with it you might want to consider weight of higher HP to reduce soil compaction. The loader lift power is pretty impressive on the smaller tractors as you better have some weight on the back or your going to lift the back end up. While I wish I had a grapple, I have clamp on pallet forks on the loader that will get the job done moving logs, brush, etc.
As others mentioned you definitely want diesel and 4x4. If you are going to do much loader work, I would want a hydrostatic transmission.
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Post by old member on Aug 14, 2024 8:03:18 GMT -5
Buying a tractor and a year later wishing you bought a bigger one is a common mistake.
The tractor's size should be limited by the structure you keep it in or under. If you have room for a big tractor, buy a big tractor.
Avoid the catalytic converter, and a turbo.
You need an FEL, you just don't know it yet. If you find a tractor that you like, but it doesn't have an FEL, make sure it is equipped to handle one or otherwise has one available.
Since you need the FEL, you probably need 4wd depending on how the machine is set up.
I would buy a used tractor, but I know what to look for. It takes a while to find a used one that is suitable, so don't get in a hurry.
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Post by ferris1248 on Aug 14, 2024 8:11:22 GMT -5
Used..... Buy more than you think you need......trust me. Grapple........the darn bucket will sit most of the time if you have one of these.......... We've got 3.....and a dozer.....the M8540 Kubota gets used the most. It'll run a Brown Tree Cutter of 5 feet or a cutter of 7 feet......the Brown is a beast. If you can run over it with the tractor the cutter will churn it up. And if you get a BTC with the lift where you can back into a big tree.....you can do a ton. What Billybob said about the older so you can avoid the nonsense of DEF. Cab is nice.....but....in the woods it's something else to have to PROTECT....... Rig up expanded metal grate on the right side for personal protection, maybe a little in the back.....and move on. As to the larger question......property.......longer separate topic......but do be careful and selective and willing to walk..... things are teetering.....at least that is our judgment. In fact....had this discussion with at a Prescribed Burn Association Board Meeting today with a member, a woman smarter than I am, who just closed on a conservation easement for a property she owns. The question that got discussed was whether she and her husband were going to do a 1031 Exchange ( Look that up. ). Short of it is that they may just be going to pay the taxes rather than shove the taxes forward by reinvesting in a "like property" because the downside risk on the land looked to her to be too high. Though......I'm wrong a lot.....ask Louann........... I'm inclined to agree with Louann. Smart idea on the 1031 in that instance. |
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Post by anumber1 on Aug 14, 2024 14:32:40 GMT -5
Also, buy a quik connect for the three pt hitch, you'll thank me later
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Post by ferris1248 on Aug 14, 2024 14:45:23 GMT -5
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Post by garycoleco on Aug 14, 2024 20:53:05 GMT -5
Buy a skidsteer instead. It's a much more versatile machine.
That said I have a new Kubota 3902 and an old B7500. Killer machines. The 7500 will run a 48in bush hog and the 3902 will run a 60. Both are wimpy compared to my Kubota svl95. It's an animal.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2024 0:19:33 GMT -5
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Post by richm on Aug 15, 2024 6:46:24 GMT -5
That's one pretty tractor. |
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Post by ferris1248 on Aug 15, 2024 7:06:15 GMT -5
It is a good looking tractor but the engine is questionable.
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Post by anumber1 on Aug 15, 2024 7:14:58 GMT -5
Buy a skidsteer instead. It's a much more versatile machine. That said I have a new Kubota 3902 and an old B7500. Killer machines. The 7500 will run a 48in bush hog and the 3902 will run a 60. Both are wimpy compared to my Kubota svl95. It's an animal. that will tear up his lawn. |
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Post by richm on Aug 15, 2024 7:48:07 GMT -5
Used..... Buy more than you think you need......trust me. Grapple........the darn bucket will sit most of the time if you have one of these.......... We've got 3.....and a dozer.....the M8540 Kubota gets used the most. It'll run a Brown Tree Cutter of 5 feet or a cutter of 7 feet......the Brown is a beast. If you can run over it with the tractor the cutter will churn it up. And if you get a BTC with the lift where you can back into a big tree.....you can do a ton. What Billybob said about the older so you can avoid the nonsense of DEF. Cab is nice.....but....in the woods it's something else to have to PROTECT....... Rig up expanded metal grate on the right side for personal protection, maybe a little in the back.....and move on. As to the larger question......property.......longer separate topic......but do be careful and selective and willing to walk.....things are teetering.....at least that is our judgment. In fact....had this discussion with at a Prescribed Burn Association Board Meeting today with a member, a woman smarter than I am, who just closed on a conservation easement for a property she owns. The question that got discussed was whether she and her husband were going to do a 1031 Exchange ( Look that up. ). Short of it is that they may just be going to pay the taxes rather than shove the taxes forward by reinvesting in a "like property" because the downside risk on the land looked to her to be too high. Though......I'm wrong a lot.....ask Louann........... Thanks for the reference - looked it up. We don't have any other properties to trade out with other than house and i think in selling a primary residence there is no capital gains tax. BUT but but we were talking last night about the possibility of doing some AG-type stuff on the property - say a 2.5 or 3-acre pecan or almond grove. There are only 5 acres of pasture, so maybe 1/2 in the nut trees and let the meat cow graze underneath the trees too. Not sure how that will affect costs or the ability to "write off" the tractor cost, planting, irrigation system, and trees. Then we wait 5-10 years for the trees to start producing. Need to talk to someone about this and if it is a feasible idea. The difference in the number of trees will be contingent on mature tree size and production. Google says between 20x20 apart and 60x60 cause big pecan trees can fill the gap. So between 12 and 100 trees per acre (needs to be 50% light under the trees). In 10-15 yrs it will be closer to 12 trees per acre and the 88 trees that produced a little when they were small have all been thinned away. Plus the estimate on production is only 650 pounds of nuts per acre, say $1.50/pound but i think it is a bit less than that but let's run with it. 650x1.50 = $975 per acre. So maybe $2,500/yr in nuts. Minus fertilizer, fuel, overall maintenance costs. So, maybe it produces $250-$500/yr in profit after 10 years but may allow us to "purchase and depreciate" the equipment, irrigation system, portion of a barn, etc. And maybe it'll be enough of the property for an AG exemption for tax purposes. Spent a bit of last night looking at $$$ stuff - be nice if we could do this slowly but some stuff falls in the "just do it" category. Amazing how much energy goes into trying to figure if you want a piece of property. Leave no stone uncovered. There might be a well, that would be nice. |
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Post by johngalt on Aug 15, 2024 8:35:59 GMT -5
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Post by garycoleco on Aug 15, 2024 10:28:09 GMT -5
Used..... Buy more than you think you need......trust me. Grapple........the darn bucket will sit most of the time if you have one of these.......... We've got 3.....and a dozer.....the M8540 Kubota gets used the most. It'll run a Brown Tree Cutter of 5 feet or a cutter of 7 feet......the Brown is a beast. If you can run over it with the tractor the cutter will churn it up. And if you get a BTC with the lift where you can back into a big tree.....you can do a ton. What Billybob said about the older so you can avoid the nonsense of DEF. Cab is nice.....but....in the woods it's something else to have to PROTECT....... Rig up expanded metal grate on the right side for personal protection, maybe a little in the back.....and move on. As to the larger question......property.......longer separate topic......but do be careful and selective and willing to walk.....things are teetering.....at least that is our judgment. In fact....had this discussion with at a Prescribed Burn Association Board Meeting today with a member, a woman smarter than I am, who just closed on a conservation easement for a property she owns. The question that got discussed was whether she and her husband were going to do a 1031 Exchange ( Look that up. ). Short of it is that they may just be going to pay the taxes rather than shove the taxes forward by reinvesting in a "like property" because the downside risk on the land looked to her to be too high. Though......I'm wrong a lot.....ask Louann........... Thanks for the reference - looked it up. We don't have any other properties to trade out with other than house and i think in selling a primary residence there is no capital gains tax. BUT but but we were talking last night about the possibility of doing some AG-type stuff on the property - say a 2.5 or 3-acre pecan or almond grove. There are only 5 acres of pasture, so maybe 1/2 in the nut trees and let the meat cow graze underneath the trees too. Not sure how that will affect costs or the ability to "write off" the tractor cost, planting, irrigation system, and trees. Then we wait 5-10 years for the trees to start producing. Need to talk to someone about this and if it is a feasible idea. The difference in the number of trees will be contingent on mature tree size and production. Google says between 20x20 apart and 60x60 cause big pecan trees can fill the gap. So between 12 and 100 trees per acre (needs to be 50% light under the trees). In 10-15 yrs it will be closer to 12 trees per acre and the 88 trees that produced a little when they were small have all been thinned away. Plus the estimate on production is only 650 pounds of nuts per acre, say $1.50/pound but i think it is a bit less than that but let's run with it. 650x1.50 = $975 per acre. So maybe $2,500/yr in nuts. Minus fertilizer, fuel, overall maintenance costs. So, maybe it produces $250-$500/yr in profit after 10 years but may allow us to "purchase and depreciate" the equipment, irrigation system, portion of a barn, etc. And maybe it'll be enough of the property for an AG exemption for tax purposes. Spent a bit of last night looking at $$$ stuff - be nice if we could do this slowly but some stuff falls in the "just do it" category. Amazing how much energy goes into trying to figure if you want a piece of property. Leave no stone uncovered. There might be a well, that would be nice. Scratch trees. You'll never see a penny unless you're under 30. Take a really hard look at hazelnuts. You can plant them much more dense and they'll yield in 5 to 7 years. They're also very low maintenance |
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Post by bswiv on Aug 15, 2024 13:09:30 GMT -5
Used..... Buy more than you think you need......trust me. Grapple........the darn bucket will sit most of the time if you have one of these.......... We've got 3.....and a dozer.....the M8540 Kubota gets used the most. It'll run a Brown Tree Cutter of 5 feet or a cutter of 7 feet......the Brown is a beast. If you can run over it with the tractor the cutter will churn it up. And if you get a BTC with the lift where you can back into a big tree.....you can do a ton. What Billybob said about the older so you can avoid the nonsense of DEF. Cab is nice.....but....in the woods it's something else to have to PROTECT....... Rig up expanded metal grate on the right side for personal protection, maybe a little in the back.....and move on. As to the larger question......property.......longer separate topic......but do be careful and selective and willing to walk.....things are teetering.....at least that is our judgment. In fact....had this discussion with at a Prescribed Burn Association Board Meeting today with a member, a woman smarter than I am, who just closed on a conservation easement for a property she owns. The question that got discussed was whether she and her husband were going to do a 1031 Exchange ( Look that up. ). Short of it is that they may just be going to pay the taxes rather than shove the taxes forward by reinvesting in a "like property" because the downside risk on the land looked to her to be too high. Though......I'm wrong a lot.....ask Louann........... Thanks for the reference - looked it up. We don't have any other properties to trade out with other than house and i think in selling a primary residence there is no capital gains tax. BUT but but we were talking last night about the possibility of doing some AG-type stuff on the property - say a 2.5 or 3-acre pecan or almond grove. There are only 5 acres of pasture, so maybe 1/2 in the nut trees and let the meat cow graze underneath the trees too. Not sure how that will affect costs or the ability to "write off" the tractor cost, planting, irrigation system, and trees. Then we wait 5-10 years for the trees to start producing. Need to talk to someone about this and if it is a feasible idea. The difference in the number of trees will be contingent on mature tree size and production. Google says between 20x20 apart and 60x60 cause big pecan trees can fill the gap. So between 12 and 100 trees per acre (needs to be 50% light under the trees). In 10-15 yrs it will be closer to 12 trees per acre and the 88 trees that produced a little when they were small have all been thinned away. Plus the estimate on production is only 650 pounds of nuts per acre, say $1.50/pound but i think it is a bit less than that but let's run with it. 650x1.50 = $975 per acre. So maybe $2,500/yr in nuts. Minus fertilizer, fuel, overall maintenance costs. So, maybe it produces $250-$500/yr in profit after 10 years but may allow us to "purchase and depreciate" the equipment, irrigation system, portion of a barn, etc. And maybe it'll be enough of the property for an AG exemption for tax purposes. Spent a bit of last night looking at $$$ stuff - be nice if we could do this slowly but some stuff falls in the "just do it" category. Amazing how much energy goes into trying to figure if you want a piece of property. Leave no stone uncovered. There might be a well, that would be nice. You mentioned "cow"..... look up silvopasture. We've a man running his on a piece we own over west of Stake....does wonders for the trees and plenty of room for the cows.....and...AG.... No fertilizer or irrigation to install....just plant trees.... |
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Post by richm on Aug 15, 2024 14:28:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the reference - looked it up. We don't have any other properties to trade out with other than house and i think in selling a primary residence there is no capital gains tax. BUT but but we were talking last night about the possibility of doing some AG-type stuff on the property - say a 2.5 or 3-acre pecan or almond grove. There are only 5 acres of pasture, so maybe 1/2 in the nut trees and let the meat cow graze underneath the trees too. Not sure how that will affect costs or the ability to "write off" the tractor cost, planting, irrigation system, and trees. Then we wait 5-10 years for the trees to start producing. Need to talk to someone about this and if it is a feasible idea. The difference in the number of trees will be contingent on mature tree size and production. Google says between 20x20 apart and 60x60 cause big pecan trees can fill the gap. So between 12 and 100 trees per acre (needs to be 50% light under the trees). In 10-15 yrs it will be closer to 12 trees per acre and the 88 trees that produced a little when they were small have all been thinned away. Plus the estimate on production is only 650 pounds of nuts per acre, say $1.50/pound but i think it is a bit less than that but let's run with it. 650x1.50 = $975 per acre. So maybe $2,500/yr in nuts. Minus fertilizer, fuel, overall maintenance costs. So, maybe it produces $250-$500/yr in profit after 10 years but may allow us to "purchase and depreciate" the equipment, irrigation system, portion of a barn, etc. And maybe it'll be enough of the property for an AG exemption for tax purposes. Spent a bit of last night looking at $$$ stuff - be nice if we could do this slowly but some stuff falls in the "just do it" category. Amazing how much energy goes into trying to figure if you want a piece of property. Leave no stone uncovered. There might be a well, that would be nice. Scratch trees. You'll never see a penny unless you're under 30. Take a really hard look at hazelnuts. You can plant them much more dense and they'll yield in 5 to 7 years. They're also very low maintenance. Will check those out too. The Pecan trees are very popular in that area. I'm not planning to try and support myself on them. More or less something to do in retirement. Not like this piece is on a lake where could fish my life away like i'd like. |
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Post by richm on Aug 15, 2024 14:31:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the reference - looked it up. We don't have any other properties to trade out with other than house and i think in selling a primary residence there is no capital gains tax. BUT but but we were talking last night about the possibility of doing some AG-type stuff on the property - say a 2.5 or 3-acre pecan or almond grove. There are only 5 acres of pasture, so maybe 1/2 in the nut trees and let the meat cow graze underneath the trees too. Not sure how that will affect costs or the ability to "write off" the tractor cost, planting, irrigation system, and trees. Then we wait 5-10 years for the trees to start producing. Need to talk to someone about this and if it is a feasible idea. The difference in the number of trees will be contingent on mature tree size and production. Google says between 20x20 apart and 60x60 cause big pecan trees can fill the gap. So between 12 and 100 trees per acre (needs to be 50% light under the trees). In 10-15 yrs it will be closer to 12 trees per acre and the 88 trees that produced a little when they were small have all been thinned away. Plus the estimate on production is only 650 pounds of nuts per acre, say $1.50/pound but i think it is a bit less than that but let's run with it. 650x1.50 = $975 per acre. So maybe $2,500/yr in nuts. Minus fertilizer, fuel, overall maintenance costs. So, maybe it produces $250-$500/yr in profit after 10 years but may allow us to "purchase and depreciate" the equipment, irrigation system, portion of a barn, etc. And maybe it'll be enough of the property for an AG exemption for tax purposes. Spent a bit of last night looking at $$$ stuff - be nice if we could do this slowly but some stuff falls in the "just do it" category. Amazing how much energy goes into trying to figure if you want a piece of property. Leave no stone uncovered. There might be a well, that would be nice. You mentioned "cow"..... look up silvopasture. We've a man running his on a piece we own over west of Stake....does wonders for the trees and plenty of room for the cows.....and...AG.... No fertilizer or irrigation to install....just plant trees.... Looked that up too. It's only 5 acres of pasture and 1, maybe 2 cows at a time - for the freezer. |
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Post by richm on Aug 15, 2024 14:32:03 GMT -5
Getting some excellent feedback here - many thanks!
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