Advice for new tractor

[Munsey]

Hi all, new member looking to buy my first tractor and could use some advice. Our property is relatively small, just over 2 acres, heavily wooded and some areas fairly rocky, Other areas are soft-loamy so I feel weight would be an issue during the wet season.
We plan to build a house next year so some of the uses will be moving and leveling 100+ ton of road base (160’ driveway), backfilling water, sewer, utility trenches, moving some of the large rock (300-600 lb), grading front drainage ditch, other misc site work. At some point will probably end up with a stump grinder as well.
I’ve been looking at the LX2620HSD, I like the lighter weight for the soft soil. Just not sure how well the lighter tractor will do moving the material I have. I’m ok with moving smaller amounts, time isn’t too big of an issue. Most of the tractors in the neighborhood are JD 1023’s or similar and they are happy with them as far as maintaining property. I think I want to go a little bigger mainly for comfort.
So just trying to get some advice and make sure I’m on the right track.

 

[CAPT Seabee]

You actually have two jobs. One is limited timeframe (construction) and the other is long term (maintenance). If you "size" for the first, you'll likely be overkill for the second. Also using the second for the first means you're teasing the job along vs. just getting it done. Consider renting what you need for specific tasks. It'll be a lot cheaper than buying big. The smaller maintenance sized can do the close quarters chores during construction. I started out with a JD 1025R in Northern Idaho. Had auger, brush hog, loader, etc. The snow blower up front "worked", but sitting out in 10 degree weather took its toll. I upgraded to my current L5460 which does pick up a ton near the pivot. The cab makes the winters somewhat immaterial.

 

[bbxlr8]

Welcome - great knowledgable group here that helped me w my purchase. I'll start it off by saying that you are on the right track and will get many opinions. All these are like a Swiss army knife vs a dedicated tool for the job. Any will do it and 4WD is a godsend so I would worry about that; time/capability/cost are the 3 legs you trade off on.

That being said: I bought & love the larger frame of the small engine L series and have been reshaping/grading my property over time. I added a box blade quickly and a stump grinder over time. Maybe a bit much for 2A - possibly think about getting someone to spread your gravel quickly and go smaller

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day.

I think @CAPT Seabee is shooting you straight about the two different timeframes and jobs to do.

Couple questions:

1. Do you plan to mow lawn with this machine? If so MMM or 3pt mower?

2. What do you plan to use the machine for after the initial heavy lifting / digging / trenching is completed?

I am sure this goes against the grain here, but I personally don’t think number of acres should determine machine size and capability (unless you can’t turn the machine around ). I think weight and grunt to complete your tasks and time available have more to do with sizing then acres. YMMV.

Depending on your plans with questions 1 and 2 I think you could go a couple different ways.

 

[Munsey]

Thanks for the replies. I started off looking at smaller tractors, test drove a Branson 2610 and couldn’t wait to get off of it. I’ve had a couple back surgeries and between little to no seat suspension and that cramped hunched over the steering wheel feeling, I was miserable. I didn’t drive but did look at the B2601, sitting in it felt exactly the same as the Branson. I did drive the LX2620HSD and an L2502 and both were very comfortable. So, I’m headed in that direction.
I really don’t see any mowing with this. I thought about the 2620SU model without the mid pto but was quoted $1,500 & $2,000 from two different dealers for the seat upgrade. I would want the better seat.
After construction the uses will vary from running a stump grinder (50-60 stumps), landscaping, and general maintenance.