Tractors (Star: upkeep, moving, retired)

[mistyriver]

Kubota engines are made in Japan so not made completely in the US. I also don't believe JD takes other tractors and puts their name on it.

[Cnynrat]

Something to consider is how far you have to go for posts and service. There is a John Deere dealer in standpoint, and a Yanmar dealer in Sagle. CdA has a few more dealers, including John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, Tym, and maybe one our two others.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by mistyriver

Kubota engines are made in Japan so not made completely in the US. I also don't believe JD takes other tractors and puts their name on it.

Yanmar makes at least some of the smaller John Deeres. IIRC Shibaru makes the small Ford/New Hollands. There is probably better info out there but here is a thread I found. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/j...ohn-deere.html I used to be more up on it but have forgotten a lot.

[Ghostrider16]

Originally Posted by mistyriver

Kubota engines are made in Japan so not made completely in the US. I also don't believe JD takes other tractors and puts their name on it.

Fortunately, I qualified that with "If I recall correctly" because I didn't.

I knew there was something about Kubota that was distinct from the others. I did some more reading and it was that Kubota is the one that builds all their own major components (engines, trannys, etc.), albeit not in the US.

[oldafretired]

Hey Toyman, got a couple questions for you about tractor size for the NID area. I think I'm going to get either a B series or L series tractor. Seems like you're happy with your L. Do you think the heavier L series would be better for moving brush and cut logs with a grapple than the lighter B series? Is your tractor pretty easy to drive around all the trees?

Thanks!

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by oldafretired

Hey Toyman, got a couple questions for you about tractor size for the NID area. I think I'm going to get either a B series or L series tractor. Seems like you're happy with your L. Do you think the heavier L series would be better for moving brush and cut logs with a grapple than the lighter B series? Is your tractor pretty easy to drive around all the trees?

Thanks!

It's OK in most places. The problem is as you're getting at-the bigger tractor will do a better job lifting bigger loads/pulling bigger implements. But at the same time, it's not as handy to get around with. I have nearly 1/2 mile of driveway to do and I don't think I'd want smaller for that. But in the woods, honestly I don't work it that hard and it's a bit big and clumsy-especially with the FEL and a counterweight (usually box grader). It's also much too big to use for mowing my yard. Just bought an old riding mower for that. Honestly, if it wasn't for the driveway, I'd be sort of tempted for the B2601. It looks smaller, more like a big riding mower. And I see it does have a mid-mount mower on it, and a small FEL. I don't know if you can get a grapple with it. It would really pay to spend some time playing at the dealer. With your 250ft driveway you don't need a huge machine. Honestly it's a tough call, with a shorter driveway I'm not sure which way I'd go. When you mention cutting logs, are you looking to just cut them to firewood length then move them with the FEL? Or are you talking moving full-size trees for commercial logging? Or throwing a choker around a tree and dragging it?

[oldafretired]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

It's OK in most places. The problem is as you're getting at-the bigger tractor will do a better job lifting bigger loads/pulling bigger implements. But at the same time, it's not as handy to get around with. I have nearly 1/2 mile of driveway to do and I don't think I'd want smaller for that. But in the woods, honestly I don't work it that hard and it's a bit big and clumsy-especially with the FEL and a counterweight (usually box grader). It's also much too big to use for mowing my yard. Just bought an old riding mower for that. Honestly, if it wasn't for the driveway, I'd be sort of tempted for the B2601. It looks smaller, more like a big riding mower. And I see it does have a mid-mount mower on it, and a small FEL. I don't know if you can get a grapple with it. It would really pay to spend some time playing at the dealer. With your 250ft driveway you don't need a huge machine. Honestly it's a tough call, with a shorter driveway I'm not sure which way I'd go. When you mention cutting logs, are you looking to just cut them to firewood length then move them with the FEL? Or are you talking moving full-size trees for commercial logging? Or throwing a choker around a tree and dragging it?

Thanks for the reply, Toyman. I plan to cut the logs down to 6-8 foot lengths for the grapple. The B2601 looks like it's between the BX and the B2650 in size. I don't know if it's too small for the Land Pride grapple for the B series and not sure if the grapple for the BX series would fit.

I have so many trees that the tractor size would be a big factor. I plan to thin it so I need the tractor to haul the logs. I sure got tired of hauling the down trees manually when I cleared the area around the house with the push mower and string trimmer/brush cutter. That sure was a workout. LOL The worst part was moving all the dead branches and tree trunks that were all over the place.

Here's what it looked like behind my house last summer before I cleared it out. That's pretty much how the whole lot is.



Looks better after I cleared it out but still have too many trees:









I think I should stay with the smaller tractor so I can get around all the trees. Thanks again for all advice.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Honestly, I think you're right. A mid mount mower is much handier for mowing in tighter areas and keeping things maintained. Only thing is they are lighter and not suitable for "rough" brush clearing. OTOH that's what a bush hog is for, and anything with a 3-pt and PTO will handle that. I think you'd be well served with the smaller BX or B series (I need to study more on the differences). Talk to your dealer in detail about what you want to do, as well as bring some pics like you have above. Especially get the dope on the capacities of the FELs. Another thought that might be really helpful-rent a couple different ones for a couple weekends and see what is really better for you. It's a big investment, a few hundred in rental fees beats spending $20k and wishing you'd have gone a different route. Also, you might ask the dealer which one is the most stable on hills. Your property doesn't look too hilly, still stability matters.

BTW, your property looks great.

[oldafretired]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

Honestly, I think you're right. A mid mount mower is much handier for mowing in tighter areas and keeping things maintained. Only thing is they are lighter and not suitable for "rough" brush clearing. OTOH that's what a bush hog is for, and anything with a 3-pt and PTO will handle that. I think you'd be well served with the smaller BX or B series (I need to study more on the differences). Talk to your dealer in detail about what you want to do, as well as bring some pics like you have above. Especially get the dope on the capacities of the FELs. Another thought that might be really helpful-rent a couple different ones for a couple weekends and see what is really better for you. It's a big investment, a few hundred in rental fees beats spending $20k and wishing you'd have gone a different route. Also, you might ask the dealer which one is the most stable on hills. Your property doesn't look too hilly, still stability matters.

BTW, your property looks great.

Thanks! I'm planning on going to the Kubota dealer next week to check out the tractors and talk to the sales guy there. The stability issue is a good point to consider. I have a couple of huge brush piles from my cleanup efforts and several smaller ones. I don't feel comfortable burning so I think out have to find a spot somewhere on my lot to move them and I might have to make a road/path for the tractor to the spot. Hopefully the tractor will be up to that task and moving all the brush and logs.

Would a MMM work on uneven ground like in the photos as long as there is no woody growth? I'd have to make sure all the small stumps are cut about level with the ground and rocks are removed. Luckily most of the cleared areas are rock free. I just want to maintain the areas that I cleared with my cheap push mower. That mower finally broke just when I finished. LOL

Thanks again!

[mistyriver]

We are selling our Kubota tractor (B3200 Hydrostatic) and implements. Rototiller, backhoe, 3-point chipper, snowblower, and deck mower.

If anyone is interested, pm me.