First Tractor Advice

[Rdrcr]

Would you foresee any agility issues in the woods with a slightly larger tractor?

Depends on the tasks you have planned in the woods and how dense your woods are. On my property, which is heavily wooded, I would be able to use the L3560 without issue. Though, in some places, the L2501 would be more maneuverable. Perhaps trimming some branches or cutting down a tree would solve any issue.

The only reason I don’t have an L3560 is because my garage door is too low and even with the ROPs folded, it wouldn’t fit. That said, I’m very very happy with the L2501 an have zero regrets.

Mike

 

[BAP]

The OP said they want to brush hog in the woods. That doesn’t sound like it’s very cab compatible. Far different than dinking around gathering wood.

I guess 250,000 board feet of saw logs and 1,000 cords of firewood per winter dinking around for some less than smart people.

 

[jyoutz]

I guess 250,000 board feet of saw logs and 1,000 cords of firewood per winter dinking around for some less than smart people.

Are you running a cutter through saplings?

 

[Workerbee]

Ive ran a cab through the woods cleaning up windfall and firewood gathering for over 25 years. Never broken any windows. Occasionally a branch will slap or scrape against it, but I don’t look at that as any big issue.
As far as mowing all the brush, what for? That could turn into a many hour per week job, and you sure won’t need to worry about having any deer around once its all cut out.

 

[jrh94]

Ive ran a cab through the woods cleaning up windfall and firewood gathering for over 25 years. Never broken any windows. Occasionally a branch will slap or scrape against it, but I don’t look at that as any big issue.
As far as mowing all the brush, what for? That could turn into a many hour per week job, and you sure won’t need to worry about having any deer around once its all cut out.

Not competing bush hogging the entire woods. But the way my property is setup I need a couple of trails to access the far side with the SXS and ATV, along with that gaining access to the many downed trees that I would like to clean up.

 

[Moose7060]

Not competing bush hogging the entire woods. But the way my property is setup I need a couple of trails to access the far side with the SXS and ATV, along with that gaining access to the many downed trees that I would like to clean up.

All the tractors you mentioned will be fine. Go with the one you really want . No matter what machine you purchase you'll need to be aware of your surroundings regarding height and width restrictions, etc.
Good luck and enjoy whatever machine you decide on.

 

[Yotekiller]

I do everything you listed with my 2502. I also run a 5' tiller to till up a pretty large garden. My primary use for buying the tractor was for trail maintenance and to clean up a MASSIVE number of felled trees and treetops all over my 20 acres left over from a logging outfit that got kicked out ½ way through their project. I also used the 2502 to recess my 27x41 foot pool 30” into the ground. I recently used it to lift my 2x6 constructed deer blind on it’s posts. This 2502 never stops surprising me with its capabilities.



With that said, the 3560 is MUCH more tractor than what the 02 series is for very little money. I really wanted the 3560 and I actually ordered it and then changed my mind to the 2502. I have no regrets at all with the 2502. My opinion is for the L series, the 2502 is where it’s at and if you need more HP, bypass the 33 and 3902 and go straight to the 3560 because the benefits are huge for the little extra $$

 

[BBFarmer]

I cleared most of our land, trail blazing and what not what our 3301. Wasn't until a few years later i'd decide I just couldn't live without a/c and a lower fuel filler neck lol.

Love the 3560. I to have the LE. And i will say go ahead and add the rear remotes back to it and get a third function while shes still and the stealership. You'll thank yourself later.

As far as the footprint goes, it's just about the same as the standard L. Both on R4s are similar in width. Just a touch wider on the 3560 but still under the 72" mark for all your 6ft stuff.

Ours gets ran on a blueberry farm with 8-10 foot row spacing and she barely rubs in the tight rows.

Weight is several hundred pounds heavier but I am still able to finish cut with her without tearing the grass up.

 

[nerwin]

While I don't have much experience with mine yet, I have the L2501 as my very first tractor and it's been awesome, I feel comfortable on it. Getting a tractor of this size for the first time was intimidating honestly....for what I needed a tractor for the B2601 would have been fine, or the LX2620 but I couldn't pass up on the deal I got for this tractor.

If you plan on dumping material into a dump truck or dump trailer, I think the L series tractors is more capable there. While the B & LX series can lift the same amount of weight, the L series can lift it higher but also the distance from front of the tractor the say your bucket or grapple actually quite significant and I feel like a lot of people overlook that. Maybe it's not important to everyone but for me being able to load a dump truck will be handy for future projects. For reference, I am not talk about loading a tri-axle dump truck

(not my video).

 

[johnjk]

Would you foresee any agility issues in the woods with a slightly larger tractor?

How mature are your woods? Lots of scrub and thickets where visibility is an issue or open old growth? I take my B3200 with wheel spacers in after firewood all the time. Width of the tractor is not an issue. Just take it slow and think about how far that FEL sticks out and where your rear end is

 

[jrh94]

Well as an update, they knocked off anither $2500 on the L3902 and are giving me accessories at cost for whatever I decide to buy in the next week. I came home with a land plane because my driveway is washboarded all to heck. It has the 3rd function already setup for when I get the grapple. Really wanted the 3560 but I think size wise this just fits my property better!

 

[Moose7060]

Great choice! Congratulations and enjoy.

 

[Yotekiller]

Well as an update, they knocked off anither $2500 on the L3902 and are giving me accessories at cost for whatever I decide to buy in the next week. I came home with a land plane because my driveway is washboarded all to heck. It has the 3rd function already setup for when I get the grapple. Really wanted the 3560 but I think size wise this just fits my property better!

You’re gonna LOVE those R14’s!! Great choice and well worth the extra $$$.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Congratulation!!!

Nice ride, for sure and I have heard good things about using a land plane for drive way work.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Well as an update, they knocked off anither $2500 on the L3902 and are giving me accessories at cost for whatever I decide to buy in the next week. I came home with a land plane because my driveway is washboarded all to heck. It has the 3rd function already setup for when I get the grapple. Really wanted the 3560 but I think size wise this just fits my property better!

Great job! I bet you will like that land plane way better than a shovel and rake for 1500’ driveway.

I saw you mentioned lifting tree stands in your OP. I am not sure you have thought about it, but I picked up a work platform finally and I wished I would have done it sooner. It comes in handy for tree stand installs, moving them, maintenance, trimming branches…not to mention way better cleaning gutters. Anyway something to think about maybe. Good luck.

 

[bbxlr8]

Great job! I bet you will like that land plane way better than a shovel and rake for 1500’ driveway.

I saw you mentioned lifting tree stands in your OP. I am not sure you have thought about it, but I picked up a work platform finally and I wished I would have done it sooner. It comes in handy for tree stand installs, moving them, maintenance, trimming branches…not to mention way better cleaning gutters. Anyway something to think about maybe. Good luck.

Any pics / info on your work platform set up?

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Any pics / info on your work platform set up?

Good day.

Here’s what I am using…I picked this up when on sale from titan. Makes everything easier and safer. I should have done it years ago.

 

[Yotekiller]

Good day.

Here’s what I am using…I picked this up when on sale from titan. Makes everything easier and safer. I should have done it years ago.

The hydraulics shop down the road from me rigged up a valve for a guy on his JD that allowe him to operate the loader controls from the work platform. Was pretty cool I thought.

 

[PaulL]

In my part of the world, a lot of people use the frame that comes around an IBC tote. In NZ terms they're 1000L, so I guess that's 250 gallons. They look kind of like this:

Once you take the plastic out of them they make a pretty good frame for a safe(ish) work platform.