First Tractor Advice

[jrh94]

My wife and I just purchased 11 acres consisting of 85% wooded area. The woods are vastly overgrown with underbrush and needs some bush hogging/ small dirt bike trails for the nephews. I originally was thinking L3302 but an L3902 is $1,000 more and my dealer has an L3560 LE for $2,500 more than that. (L3902 ~$33,500 /L3560 $36,000) not sure if either pricing is in line?

Never the less uses would include:

Bush hogging
trail cutting
driveway maintenance 1500’
tree/ firewoood moving
lifting elevated deer stands (surprising amount of deer traffic on a smaller plot)
landscaping
probably more

I really liked the operator station on the L3560 and additional features/ lift capacity as it has the larger FEL but unsure if it would be to large in the trees? Wish I could do a cab as they have a 2022 L3560HSTC with 3rd function and 80hrs for 33k. Anywho what would be the opinion on these two options?

 

[jyoutz]

My wife and I just purchased 11 acres consisting of 85% wooded area. The woods are vastly overgrown with underbrush and needs some bush hogging/ small dirt bike trails for the nephews. I originally was thinking L3302 but an L3902 is $1,000 more and my dealer has an L3560 LE for $2,500 more than that. (L3902 ~$33,500 /L3560 $36,000) not sure if either pricing is in line?

Never the less uses would include:

Bush hogging
trail cutting
driveway maintenance 1500’
tree/ firewoood moving
lifting elevated deer stands (surprising amount of deer traffic on a smaller plot)
landscaping
probably more

I really liked the operator station on the L3560 and additional features/ lift capacity as it has the larger FEL but unsure if it would be to large in the trees? Wish I could do a cab as they have a 2022 L3560HSTC with 3rd function and 80hrs for 33k. Anywho what would be the opinion on these two options?

Of the two I would go with the L3560, but open station for woods work. A cab doesn’t last too long in the woods. Weight is your friend for those purposes, so I would value weight over hp.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Why not a cab?
Just clear the paths wide enough or tall enough for it.
You'll really be happy with a cab when it cold and you need to clear snow.

But I've run tractors in trees for years.

The L3560 is a much better tractor than the 02 series.

 

[jyoutz]

Why not a cab?
Just clear the paths wide enough or tall enough for it.
You'll really be happy with a cab when it cold and you need to clear snow.

But I've run tractors in trees for years.

The L3560 is a much better tractor than the 02 series.

If he is just going to use it on trails, yeah, but sounds like he wants to work in the words brush hogging. If that was me, I’d have every piece of glass broken.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If he is just going to use it on trails, yeah, but sounds like he wants to work in the words brush hogging. If that was me, I’d have every piece of glass broken.

Yea I edited and added that I've done it for years, and he's new to tractors, so a open might be a better option.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

all are great options for what you describe.
since you are not doing any ground engaging working (ie: plowing) biggest hp really shouldn't be a big factor.
all will make a lot of work.
I wouldn't be ashamed of having any of the above in my shop for the work you describe.

 

[PaulL]

The Grand L (L3560) is a way better machine. Far more sophisticated.

I hear all the stories about cabs in woods. Caveat being that I have neither woods nor a cab. Nevertheless, it seems to me that whatever the things are that might strike your cab and break it, would probably otherwise strike your face. My open station does regularly have incidents where it grabs branches in ways I didn't expect, and they hurt a lot when they hit your face. I probably could deal with my cab getting broken occasionally instead of my face.....

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Sounds like you want a cab, so for the small difference in money, just get it, and cut your trails to accept it.

I have almost always regretted, being a "tight wad" for such the small differences that you pointed out.

Especially if I am making payments. I mean for example, is a $475 VS. $425, going to put you at financial risk? Only you can answer that. But to some people I know, their "Latte habit" is more than that per month.

So get the cab, and switch to Folgers cofveve

Just my .02

 

[BAP]

If he is just going to use it on trails, yeah, but sounds like he wants to work in the words brush hogging. If that was me, I’d have every piece of glass broken.

Then you are a poor tractor operator if you would break all the glass in your cab in the woods. We used to take our farm tractors into the woods in the winter to pull out firewood and gather maple sap and only broke 1 window in 30 years. That was because it was after a heavy snow fall and a branch snapped off. We broke several cab windows mowing with disc mowers when they would throw pebbles back at the tractor.
To the OP, buy the cab tractor if you want one and just be careful. You will regret not buying one later on.

 

[chim]

When it's cold enough to snow, cloudy enough to rain, hot enough to burn your butt on a seat, dry enough to be real dusty or insects keep flying in your face - a cab is nice.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

You're going to want third function and a grapple sooner or later. Also, I'd recommend a smallish chainsaw, polesaw and brush cutter. I have gas and battery capability and find myself using the battery more and more. Exercise caution, I hope you're in shape and stop when you get tired.

 

[jyoutz]

Then you are a poor tractor operator if you would break all the glass in your cab in the woods. We used to take our farm tractors into the woods in the winter to pull out firewood and gather maple sap and only broke 1 window in 30 years. That was because it was after a heavy snow fall and a branch snapped off. We broke several cab windows mowing with disc mowers when they would throw pebbles back at the tractor.
To the OP, buy the cab tractor if you want one and just be careful. You will regret not buying one later on.

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.

 

[Rdrcr]

Love my L series but, the L3560 is a LOT more tractor. That would be my choice.

Mike

 

[jrh94]

all are great options for what you describe.
since you are not doing any ground engaging working (ie: plowing) biggest hp really shouldn't be a big factor.
all will make a lot of work.
I wouldn't be ashamed of having any of the above in my shop for the work you describe.

Would in the next year or so probably end up with a tiller/ seeder for yard work and a garden possibly.

 

[jrh94]

You're going to want third function and a grapple sooner or later. Also, I'd recommend a smallish chainsaw, polesaw and brush cutter. I have gas and battery capability and find myself using the battery more and more. Exercise caution, I hope you're in shape and stop when you get tired.

I’ve got 3 chainsaws yet to get a pole saw, definitely thinking a grapple just don’t want the physical size of the L3560 to be an issue.

 

[jrh94]

Sounds like you want a cab, so for the small difference in money, just get it, and cut your trails to accept it.

I have almost always regretted, being a "tight wad" for such the small differences that you pointed out.

Especially if I am making payments. I mean for example, is a $475 VS. $425, going to put you at financial risk? Only you can answer that. But to some people I know, their "Latte habit" is more than that per month.

So get the cab, and switch to Folgers cofveve

Just my .02

Cab is actually used 2022 with 80hrs and is $500 cheaper than the L3902 and $3000 cheaper than the new non cab L3560.

 

[jrh94]

Love my L series but, the L3560 is a LOT more tractor. That would be my choice.

Mike

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

 

[rc51stierhoff]

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

Good day.

Congratulations on your new property!

To your question….I think it really depends on the age and density of the woodlot you are dealing with…and your willingness to maintain appropriate trails.

I use both a B and an MX in the woods across three different wooded properties. None of the three woodlots are similar in age or density. Some places neither machine will fit unless I want to cut some trees down….thats just what it is.

If you want to know what is going to happen before you shell out any money, get two dowel rods. Then go out into your woods, hold them with your arms out laterally so the dowels are about the height of the rops or top of cab and walk where you think you would like to drive your tractor….whatever hits those dowels is going to hit your rops or cab. All that stuff needs
Trimmed and it will take some maintenance on a regular basis if you want to keep the branches at bay. Or don’t, it’s your property and machine.

Most likely within 5-7 yrs what you cut off to make a trail, the trees that were left will have branches growing back over your trail….some will need trimmed (again).

IMO trails are really important to be able to access your property.

Good luck.

 

[mcmxi]

Wish I could do a cab as they have a 2022 L3560HSTC with 3rd function and 80hrs for 33k. Anywho what would be the opinion on these two options?

There's a 2020 L3560 LE for sale near me (Craigslist) and they're asking $33k but have 600 hours on it, no 3rd function and no rear remotes so the 2022 L3560 your considering seems like a good deal.

I would certainly recommend a cab for all around use. Hot, cold, raining, snowing, dusty, pollen, noise .... none of it matters with a cab. I had a BX25D and MX6000 that were open stations but I replaced them with cab tractors with zero regrets and would so again.

Kubota 4x4 Tractor with Loader Cab Heat Air HST - farm & garden - by owner - sale - craigslist

2020 L3560 Grand L limited edition with 600 hours. HST transmission, quick attach loader and bucket. Full deluxe cab with Heat and Air. Runs, starts and operates perfect.

kalispell.craigslist.org

 

[PoTreeBoy]

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

I've noticed that my little L35 tractor itself will turn pretty short. The real issue is the loader sticking out the front and the backhoe hanging off the rear, in other words, the overall length. You can control this somewhat, by removing the loader if you are bush hogging, for example. Wide attachments can work against you in the trees, also.

Is the L3560 larger than the L3902? I wouldn't think so. Another advantage of the cab is protection from biting/stinging insects. You'll need to prune overhanging branches with either tractor.