The theory on tractor sizing basing the tractor size on the acreage you own makes perfect sense if you're doing field work...
... but it doesn't make as much sense if it's wooded recreational land.
When the land is wooded, you'll end up, over your lifetime, 'sculpting' the woods based on the footprint and capability of the tractor. I have wooded hilly land and a B7510. The result is land that's become accessible and generally 'fun' to work with this size tractor. The 'fit' of this tractor for me and the way I want my land is about right. When I'm plowing snow or need to lift heavy stuff, I'd like more tractor. When I'm bush-hogging a trail, my little B7100, with its smaller 'footprint' is usually better.
I use my woods recreationally. I don't need or want to build roads - only trails for the tractor, ATV, SxS. If I was building roads suitable for my truck, I'd want a bigger tractor.
I've wanted a grapple to varying degrees over the years. I find that a FEL + forks are pretty amazing in what they do, just slow. A 'right-size' skidding winch would be very useful. I'd not want a tractor with a BH, since most of the time it'd be an encumbrance in the woods.
So, if I was getting analytical, I'd find a tractor size that:
... but it doesn't make as much sense if it's wooded recreational land.
When the land is wooded, you'll end up, over your lifetime, 'sculpting' the woods based on the footprint and capability of the tractor. I have wooded hilly land and a B7510. The result is land that's become accessible and generally 'fun' to work with this size tractor. The 'fit' of this tractor for me and the way I want my land is about right. When I'm plowing snow or need to lift heavy stuff, I'd like more tractor. When I'm bush-hogging a trail, my little B7100, with its smaller 'footprint' is usually better.
I use my woods recreationally. I don't need or want to build roads - only trails for the tractor, ATV, SxS. If I was building roads suitable for my truck, I'd want a bigger tractor.
I've wanted a grapple to varying degrees over the years. I find that a FEL + forks are pretty amazing in what they do, just slow. A 'right-size' skidding winch would be very useful. I'd not want a tractor with a BH, since most of the time it'd be an encumbrance in the woods.
So, if I was getting analytical, I'd find a tractor size that:
- Maximizes weight
- Maximizes FEL lift capacity
- Maximizes ground clearance
- Maximizes 'stability' (i.e. wheel width)
- Maximizes HP
- Obvious, but hyrdrostat + power steering is required
- Is orange
- Minimizes CG (i.e. wheel weights)
- Minimizes length/turning circle
- Stays in budget
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