Looking @1 tractor.. advise.

[Reddawg17]

Looking @1st tractor.. advise.

Hello everyone, I am a brand new member here, i just found the site tonight, I have been toying with the idea of a bobcat for last yr or so but for past 6 months been thinking about a tractor would be better cause there is more you can do with one.. I started looking at the Kubota ones and wanted to know what all those numbers on them ment. so i watched some youtube videos and now i kinda understand and i think a BX would be best. But i'm open to listening to what others who has had and used them would say..

I would love the new BX23S but seems it is a brand new tractor and kinda pricey... I haven't been to a dealership for them to see them in person but i seen some numbers online of around $24000. a little higher then I would like to put into one.. I guess one question is what tractor out there equals the BX23s?

I would want at least a front end loader and backhoe with possibility of a mid mower deck.. here is what i need a tractor for.

We have 5 acre's here at my parents house and most are woods, a year ago i started cutting down trees trying to clear about a 60ft by 75 opening. So far i have cut down with a chain saw, dragged with my truck and trailer about 40 trees. with about 50 more to go... It be nice to be able to push the trees over with the bucket of a tractor and or maybe use it to pull the tree the direction i want it to go. most trees are smaller then 16 inches ( i know cause my chain saw is 16 inch) but a few are closer to 24 inches around.. mostly pine trees around 50-75 foot tall.

once i have all that out of the way i would like to dig up the stumps ( reason for wanting backhoe)

then i like to level the ground. for one we like to put in a 20x20 ft carport and the ground needs to be leveled for that. Along with other small projects around the house.
moving logs from trees i have cut already and more to be cut.
digging a trench for a watering system we have from a creek.

later on we like to dig out the small creek ( only 5 ft wide at biggest part) and building a better dam for it.

I take care of a 400ft x 80 ft wide field its flat and level the mower deck would take care of cutting that in no time. as of now i cut it on a 28inch cut snapper it takes about a hr.

Anyways.. I don't want a HUGE machine that will eat up the grass. my parents have put hours and hours into getting the yard and grass looking nice. so something lighter i could drive across the yard with is one reason looking at the BX.
I'm not sure we have anything that will tow even a BX on a sizable trailer, im sure if got new they would delivery and if needed service i would guess they would pick up? i can do most things myself as i do all my own auto mechanic work. I'm willing to watch videos and learn to do most anything besides tranny work.

I hope i have put enough info here. for you guys to be able to send some advice my way.
I found a I found a 2002 Yanmar 4x4 with 25HP engine with a loader with tiller (don't think i need a tiller but maybe) he is asking $9500 with 16ft trailer says new clutch and all fluids recently changed sounds good to me but i don't know about the brand.

there is a L3830 with front end loader and a pull behind bush hog for $16,500 but has 528 hours, no clue on what kinda hours are good or bad for a tractor.
i think this one would be to big for what i need to do..
As with most, i guess cheaper is best but don't want to buy someones junk... under $10,000 be sweet. if not then under $15,000 maybe im not being realistic. something newer 2012 or newer be nice. i found plenty of 2,000-4000 but most are plan looking tractors with bush hog no center POV or no bucket on front bucket is what i think i would use 95% of the time..
Thanks sorry for the long post.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I guess one question is what tractor out there equals the BX23s?

BX25D, BX24D are the older versions of that tractor.

It be nice to be able to push the trees over with the bucket of a tractor and or maybe use it to pull the tree the direction i want it to go. most trees are smaller then 16 inches ( i know cause my chain saw is 16 inch) but a few are closer to 24 inches around.. mostly pine trees around 50-75 foot tall.

That's not going to happen with a BX, maybe a bigger L, but no way with a BX, way too small and light.
It's not a safe to push or pull trees with a tractor FEL, way too easy for the tree / branch to end up on top of you.

once i have all that out of the way i would like to dig up the stumps ( reason for wanting backhoe)

Pines have heavy roots, you're going to be digging a long time with that little backhoe.

I'm not sure we have anything that will tow even a BX on a sizable trailer, im sure if got new they would delivery and if needed service i would guess they would pick up?

Most dealers will deliver, but you are responsible for getting it back to the dealer, even for warranty work, or you'll have to pay someone to do it.

I found a 2002 Yanmar 4x4 with 25HP engine with a loader with tiller (don't think i need a tiller but maybe) he is asking $9500 with 16ft trailer says new clutch and all fluids recently changed sounds good to me but i don't know about the brand.

They are OK, I'm not a fan.

there is a L3830 with front end loader and a pull behind bush hog for $16,500 but has 528 hours, no clue on what kinda hours are good or bad for a tractor.
i think this one would be to big for what i need to do..

That's not too bad in the way of hours, way better of a machine for the tree work, but not much for lawn work.
Get a mower for the lawn!

As with most, i guess cheaper is best but don't want to buy someones junk... under $10,000 be sweet. if not then under $15,000 maybe im not being realistic. something newer 2012 or newer be nice.

Your going to be hard pressed to find what your looking for, for under 10K.
Year is not the critical factor in tractors it's the amount of hours on a unit.
You can get an older low hour unit for a little cheaper than a new one, but your going to really need someone with knowledge to check it over for you.
You sound like you would be far better off biting the bullet and getting a new unit with a warranty.

 

[100 td]

We don't have craiglist in Australia (well I don't think!) and I've always been going to have a look at it, so I just did, now here's a machine (B26) better than a BX for you!
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/hvo/d/2012-kubota-b26/6350250505.html
https://www.machinerytrader.com/listings/construction-equipment/for-sale/18459357/2011-kubota-b26

 

[crmorse]

I have the L47 which is the bigger brother to the B26 that 100 td linked too which is bigger than the BX. It can't even begin to think about pushing over trees >4". For anything bigger than you generally need a tracked machine. Definitely so for 16".

I also have a JD 455G which is a 20,000 lb track loader. I've been able to push over some 12-14" pines with it and I could probably push over a pine around 24" too but it would probably take a good bit of work and tear up the ground around it.

I think you'd also find the backhoe (BH) is just too short to dig out stumps that big. Even with 360º access you might have to dig an access ramp and get the machine down inside the hole to get enough reach. Even then, the root ball will be heavier than you can lift out with either the front end loader (FEL) or BH so you'd need to drag it out with something bigger/heavier, perhaps a pickup truck.

Now, all that negativity aside, I think a BX will do everything you want for pulling trunks around and loading them (if you cut them in short enough sections) and the dirt leveling work. It'll mow too but I'm with the others that a separate dedicated mower will be much more convenient. You won't want the middle mount mower (MMM) on while doing dirt work and taking it on/off all the time can get old.

Here's the punch line: you won't want to do this, I didn't want to do it either. But for a one-time activity like that, it's going to be much cheaper, easier, and faster to hire someone with a dozer to come clear the trees and then you get the exact tractor you need for the rest of the time to finish off the project.

 

[skeets]

I think were it me and thats the stuff I wanted/needed to do, rather than spend money on a tractor that will not do what you want. Spend that money and have someone come in with the right equipment to clear the land and remove the stumps or at least grind them down. Its not worth your time ,money ,and safety to try and do it wit a little piece of equipment that you will never be happy with because its not the right tool for the job,, Just MHO

 

[85Hokie]

"Here's the punch line: you won't want to do this, I didn't want to do it either. But for a one-time activity like that, it's going to be much cheaper, easier, and faster to hire someone with a dozer to come clear the trees and then you get the exact tractor you need for the rest of the time to finish off the project."

I agree 100% !!!!

the time involved in taking out ONE stump......sometimes hours, sometimes 15 minutes - by the time you think you are getting somewhere, the machine will have 50 hours on it and you will look around and see you are 10% complete!

I would by the B or L series, and spend money on the hiring of someone to clear the big chuck.

"there is a L3830 with front end loader and a pull behind bush hog for $16,500 but has 528 hours"

Is a great machine - 528 is barely broken in! It will last you a lifetime - if you take care of it!

The one aspect you really need to look at is MONEY vs TIME, even if you look at doing it yourself and you are not paying yourself, your time is valuable - where spending 1 or 3 K to have that place leveled and you take care of it sounds like a waste of money - it will be done in a quick amount of time and you will not have to burn that time at a snails pace doing that part, which by the way aint real fun!!! The first stumps are fun, then the next dozen or more are no fun at all


(Skeets beat me to it!)

 

[Stmar]

Any chance of selling the timber or is there not enough? Then use the money you make to buy a tractor. I bought the B2650, it has a mid pto and is a decent size but not too big. You probably don't need the cab in GA so could get into one in the mid 20's depending on implements for a new one and you could probably find a low hour B around your area.

 

[Reddawg17]

wow, thanks everyone for the replies and I should been a little clearer I'm sorry for not being. when I said push trees over i ment for it to assist me in pushing them over. as in leaning the bucket against the tree as I cut the base of the tree and just having it push foward to make it fall... See I've been doing this with ropes and my body. I don't mind physical work. as said it's been one year and I have around 30 trees cut down I've been cutting the logs into 10ft sections then picking them up by hand/handtrucks/log picker up thing snd getting on a trailer and moving on to other end of the yard.. I figured a tractor could make all that work much less work on me.
Time I have and I do all this for my parents so they don't fork out thousands to pay someone to do it.. yes we could probably pay someone 10,000 to come do the work for us but that be all we get out of it then the next project to come up we pay someone another $$ whatever to do it. if we had own tractor then I be able work on any project i needed to. thought about renting from home Depot a machine but then has to be back by x amount of time and or pay another day and you can't count on how Ga weather going be. day before it was freezing out had one sweats and still cold yesterday I had one shorts and felt nice.

so a B series would be the better tractor for what I wanting to do.. any model numbers better then others

Thanks

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[Reddawg17]

Any chance of selling the timber or is there not enough? Then use the money you make to buy a tractor. I bought the B2650, it has a mid pto and is a decent size but not too big. You probably don't need the cab in GA so could get into one in the mid 20's depending on implements for a new one and you could probably find a low hour B around your area.

I've questioned that myself but I don't think there be enough for someone to mess with it I wish we could it be nice. problem is lot of our pines have those tree bugs in them there eating holes in the trees so those are no good for anyone. I found a guy who wanted for free the trees if I cut them 10ft sections he was going take to the lumber yard and make money I just wanted out of yard but I csnt even get him.to show up when he says he will to get free wood.. I posted a ad on Facebook for the free timber and everyone told me 10ft wasn't big enough for anyone to buy and that it wouldn't be enough to mess with.... So I'm not into that kinda business so I have no clue. luckily we have a spot outside the main yard where I can just make a big pile and let it rot till it's gone and it's out of site.

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[85Hokie]

"as in leaning the bucket against the tree as I cut the base of the tree and just having it push foward to make it fall."

this is not a good idea at all!

new to you machine and pressure or even bucket resting against tree as you cut is a bad thing .....period.

If I had to do what you describe, I would drop those trees,let them fall where ever and then skid them to a point where cutting them up would be easier.

YOU are still facing the stump removal - that in itself will consume more time that cutting the trees.

 

[Stmar]

The B's are about the size range of the Ford 8Ns, not too big but not too small. Your best bet would be to go to a dealer and sit in some seats and see what feels good to you then go shopping for what is good for your pocketbook. It is better to have your own machine so that you can do the job in your own time. Rentals have their place I guess but it is too structured for our area too. Reason I suggested selling was that relatives in North Florida had a timber buyer come and bought their pines and they were not planted trees, just natural growth, and I don't think they had that much.
Reason I bought a new machine was that in our area used B2650's with cab are non existent and the cab was my priority, you probably would not want a cab working in timber.

 

[Reddawg17]

"as in leaning the bucket against the tree as I cut the base of the tree and just having it push foward to make it fall."

this is not a good idea at all!

new to you machine and pressure or even bucket resting against tree as you cut is a bad thing .....period.

If I had to do what you describe, I would drop those trees,let them fall where ever and then skid them to a point where cutting them up would be easier.

YOU are still facing the stump removal - that in itself will consume more time that cutting the trees.

I want to ask not a good idea cause of the size of the tractor or not a good idea no matter size of the machine? cause over the years i have seen many many tree services do this.

I know the stumps will take a while and i really only have 3-4 stumps i really want to dig up. the rest can stay... most likely as i clear i will be burning the bush over top of the stumps to get rid of them.. but i don't need them all gone this is in the woods right now never used. i want the open space to get trees away from buildings and away far enough not to reach a building if it was to fall plus we do plan to put another building up on the property where i am clearing.

 

[Reddawg17]

The B's are about the size range of the Ford 8Ns, not too big but not too small. Your best bet would be to go to a dealer and sit in some seats and see what feels good to you then go shopping for what is good for your pocketbook. It is better to have your own machine so that you can do the job in your own time. Rentals have their place I guess but it is too structured for our area too. Reason I suggested selling was that relatives in North Florida had a timber buyer come and bought their pines and they were not planted trees, just natural growth, and I don't think they had that much.
Reason I bought a new machine was that in our area used B2650's with cab are non existent and the cab was my priority, you probably would not want a cab working in timber.

Thank you, i will look at the B's i have seen a few posted on FB and other sites.
With the pine beetles i just not sure anyone would want most of the wood. there still some good but also the first part of the project the trees were right at buildings and i had one tree guy come out with a bucket and he top them first. he was cheapest i found but we had him cut some around the house also it was around $2000 for like 15 trees all he did was cut them down i was left to do all the clean up.. not been able to burn until october here and ive spent a few days burning the limbs from those trees another use for a tractor would be to push all that brush i have pilled up up into the burn pit area. doing it by hand is taking forever.

 

[Benhameen]

Buy the used L or a new L series with a FEL, front end loader.

Learn to fell a tree the proper way, I’m sure there’s plenty of YouTube videos on how to do it. Never heard of using a the bucket to push on a tree while I’m cutting it. I’ve used ropes before to help guide the tree to land in a certain spot but that’s because the tree was leaning toward the house and was odd shaped. Fairly straightforward pines should fall where you put them.

As far as the stumps. I’d rent a stump grinder, I’m sure they’re pretty cheap to rent for a day. They’re slow but do the trick.

Also, make sure you put something on the 3point hitch as a counter balance.

Just my opinion, of course. Good luck with it...

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I want to ask not a good idea cause of the size of the tractor or not a good idea no matter size of the machine? cause over the years i have seen many many tree services do this.

I've seen a lot of contruction related things that just make my hair stand on end, just because someone elese does it doesn't mean its safe or right.

Look up "tree felling barber chair" and you'll see what happens when you push on a tree and cut it!

Just don't do it period!

 

[Reddawg17]

Buy the used L or a new L series with a FEL, front end loader.

Learn to fell a tree the proper way, I***8217;m sure there***8217;s plenty of YouTube videos on how to do it. Never heard of using a the bucket to push on a tree while I***8217;m cutting it. I***8217;ve used ropes before to help guide the tree to land in a certain spot but that***8217;s because the tree was leaning toward the house and was odd shaped. Fairly straightforward pines should fall where you put them.

As far as the stumps. I***8217;d rent a stump grinder, I***8217;m sure they***8217;re pretty cheap to rent for a day. They***8217;re slow but do the trick.

Also, make sure you put something on the 3point hitch as a counter balance.

Just my opinion, of course. Good luck with it...

99% the time they do go where i want but im also working in the woods where trees get stuck against other trees be nice to have a tractor to pull them down or push against rather then a big heavy rope and come a long like i do it now.. be lot less work.
i normally just dig the stumps out by hand with shovels and whatever hand tools again seems a back hoe be lot less manual work on myself.

put something on the 3 point hitch for balance? wouldn't a backhoe be plenty of weight back there?
otherwise do they make weigh for back there or do they make wheel weights for that?

 

[Reddawg17]

I've seen a lot of contruction related things that just make my hair stand on end, just because someone elese does it doesn't mean its safe or right.

Look up "tree felling barber chair" and you'll see what happens when you push on a tree and cut it!

Just don't do it period!

Wow, never seen a tree split like that and i have been cutting trees down for years. But i have seen multiple people use a bucket to put agaist a tree to hold it from going the other direction.. used to be good friends with a tree guy and he owned a bobcat and almost every tree they cut they tied a rope to tree and to the bobcat they put bobcat far enough away so tree wouldnt fall on it then they cut the tree. as the dad cut the son take up the slack in the line and just keep moving backwards till tree was on the ground.

i'm not a expert tree guy and guy who came cut our trees has a bucket truck and or climbed them.

seems a tractor could take out 50% of the manual labor currently do

 

[captmikem]

I want to ask not a good idea cause of the size of the tractor or not a good idea no matter size of the machine? cause over the years i have seen many many tree services do this.

I know the stumps will take a while and i really only have 3-4 stumps i really want to dig up. the rest can stay... most likely as i clear i will be burning the bush over top of the stumps to get rid of them.. but i don't need them all gone this is in the woods right now never used. i want the open space to get trees away from buildings and away far enough not to reach a building if it was to fall plus we do plan to put another building up on the property where i am clearing.

You know, there are wedges just for this, and they work fine. But if you must use a tractor, a line (a bit longer than the tree is tall) pulling on it is by far the safest when you need to direct the fall. I push small (10" or less) trees over with my dozer, but I have a cage that protects me and my cat from the stuff that comes crashing down even from these small trees. Having a tree Barber chair on you while pushing it with a tractor would not be something fun at all.

M

 

[al m]

I personally have been involved with cutting firewood as far back as memory goes,and even when cutting with my bil,a profesional,with skidder etc,have never seen a machine against or tied to a tree in any manner until it is on the ground. Falling trees is a profession as well as a art.Personally,the farther my equipment is away from a tree being cut,the better

 

[Cathy Liebchen]

"But for a one-time activity like that, it's going to be much cheaper, easier, and faster to hire someone with a dozer to come clear the trees and then you get the exact tractor you need for the rest of the time to finish off the project"

Hire out the land clearing. Tree felling is dangerous for amateurs and you will never get the stumps out without heavy equipment, way bigger than a tractor