Hey guys, sorry I didn't initially provide more details or get back to this sooner. I deserve a good ribbing for being an internet flake - LOL.
Bottom line up front: I want the power/weight to run 6-8 foot implements in air conditioned comfort on steep terrain and have a soft footprint in nice areas.
If you want to get into the weeds with me here you go:
I have Dad's old Yanmar listed in my profile. It's the tractor I grew up on 40+ years ago. Moved back to the family property after he passed and it was unoccupied for 20ish years with only basic maintenance. Bought a B2601 and a KX-057-4 and started clearing 20-30 year old trees that had popped up all over the place way too close to structures. The little B was handy for carrying tiny bites of wood away without tearing the place up. But that work is largely done.
The little B is a light machine. Which is great for tip toeing across lawns. But it can't grade road or bush hog in 4wd what the old Yanmar can do in 2wd. I love it, but it's more for a guy with less demanding terrain. If my property was flat I would be happy to nibble away at the work with 4 foot implements and get in lots of tractor therapy. I've put twice as many hours on the old Yanmar and the excavator as the little B. So it is clearly my least preferred machine. And I am blessed to have all those machines to choose from! There is probably a guy out there with a wheel barrow and a shovel wishing he could afford a lawn tractor.
The little B's loader capacity is impressive for it's size. But small. It's not going anywhere near a big log or much less a round bale.
We hay 3 fields and lease that out to a farmer. He runs a 70hp Massey Ferguson. Would like to team up with him on something more efficient (and comfortable) but not a huge priority. Running 6/7/8 foot box blade on 4000 feet of mostly steep gravel driveway is a priority. Bush hogging several acres 2-3 times a year, it's all steep. Have a bush hog for the mini coming. So will open up more old pasture to mow or even hay.
If I could also use a big tractor with giant turf tires, like they use on golf courses, to mow our finest western north carolina weed mix "lawns" in air conditioned comfort?? I would throw down some cash for that.
Since moving home again I have mowed with, again, Dad's old Wright Sentar. It's clapped out and keeping it running is almost as time consuming as mowing. So I am kind of looking towards a solution that may not exist. Mow lawns, grade roads, bush hog mountain sides. And carry heavy stuff around.
As for experience, I've run tractors and other equipment for a job here and there and have had professional training on some of it. I have thousands of hours on stuff, but not 10's of thousands of hours. Like some guys do that would make me look like a novice. I'm 50 and was running a tractor independently at 9 years old. And driving at 13 on the road, totally illegal. Even back then.
I'll see if I can find some pictures to help explain. A picture says a thousand words.
