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Author Topic: whats a good compact tractor?  (Read 5578 times)

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Offline sparky1

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whats a good compact tractor?
« on: November 06, 2011, 02:53:09 pm »
Im looking for a compact tractor or possibly a skid loader.. I have 5 acres of woods, which i live in.  About 200 acres which i have access to from the neighbors.  Id like to get a small hobby tractor or skid loader for moving logs, cleaning up and maybe a little moving dirt. Ive never owned a compact tractor, ive opperated alot of skid loaders thou. My only thing about skid loaders is I tear up the lawn everytime i do something. So for those of you who have a tractor what would you recomend?? I dont wanna break the bank by any means, but i dont wanna buy a POS either. If i get a tractor, id want a 3 pt hitch, and a bucket on it. Id like it to be small enough to fit in my garage, and big enough move decent sized logs.. 24" diameter logs or so. Any suggestions? Im pretty good with hydraulics and welding so i could make attachments, Kinda like tinkering with metal 8)
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Shaun J

Offline sawguy21

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2011, 03:18:07 pm »
Deere, Ingersoll, Simplicity and others make fine compact tractors but they ain't cheap and decent used ones are hard to find. I would look for a small farm tractor such as a Massey 35 with a loader.
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Offline pineywoods

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2011, 03:41:54 pm »
The L series kubota's are quite popular, although a bit pricey. I'm a fan of the old Fords and Massey Fergusons. I have a Massey 135 that has served me well as a logging tractor. Cheap, simple and rugged. Parts are readily available. If you buy used, look at the tires. Tractor tires are getting expensive.They hardly ever wear out, just rot.
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Offline beenthere

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2011, 04:10:21 pm »
sparky1
You may have a brand in mind that you like, and likely have a price in mind too.

I'm very happy with my Deere 4300 and how it handles that size log up to 8-10' in length.
But choice is up to you and your pocket change. :)

 





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Offline sparky1

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2011, 05:26:45 pm »
Deffinetly a fan of the JD green.. Just dont like the green it takes to buy it!!! 8) .. Dang bills keep coming in and all
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Shaun J

Offline sparky1

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2011, 05:27:52 pm »
Hey Beenthere, not to be nosey but what does a tractor like yours go for?? that would be about the perfect size for me id say!!
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Shaun J

Offline beenthere

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2011, 05:33:39 pm »
In good condition, used, low hours around $11k. New around twice that (although I haven't been shopping lately so don't know for certain). I bought this one new in '98 and it's been all I need for many projects. Use it year around with a snow plow in the winter and to move firewood on pallets (forks on the 3 ph when the plow blade is on).
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Offline sparky1

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2011, 05:36:32 pm »
How much weight do ya think that bucket can lift??
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Shaun J

Offline bill m

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2011, 05:43:43 pm »
Most all tractors made today by the bigger name brand manufactures are good. I would start off by talking to anyone near by who has a tractor ( regardless of size ) and see what they like or don't like about their dealer. Having a good dealer who will work with you can make a big difference in your satisfaction with what you buy.
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Offline bull

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2011, 05:44:47 pm »
Kubota will work just right for you....
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Offline chevytaHOE5674

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2011, 05:56:16 pm »
Worst part with most compact utility tractors is for their size they are very expensive. For the 11k that beentheres little JD would cost my dad picked up a MFWD 60 something horsepower farm tractor that will work circles around those smaller machines.

But if you only have a limited space to use a tractor in then I guess you have to pay to play as a large tractor is more of a hassle.  
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Offline sparky1

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2011, 05:58:09 pm »
thats the thing about a larger tractor.. to big... The neighbors dont care if i cut trees and what ever else in their woods, but i dont wanna leave logging trails in them.
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Shaun J

Offline zopi

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2011, 06:45:27 pm »
I concur with the older Massey...especially with a loader...good old tractors.
I would not reccommend the smallest tractors...they are a little light in the loafers for moving logs...
If you like the deere...you might find an older 950 or a twenty series....not huge but not too light.
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Offline woodmills1

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #13 on: November 06, 2011, 07:31:36 pm »
check out KIOTI
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Offline sparky1

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #14 on: November 06, 2011, 07:42:18 pm »
I dont know, nor see much of KIOTI??
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Shaun J

Offline John Mc

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #15 on: November 06, 2011, 07:46:02 pm »
The "Big three" of tractors are John Deere, Kubota and New Holland (NH also makes Case, and the compact lines of Case are basically identical to the New Holland models). There are other manufacturers who also make very good tractors (and there are some who make not-so-good ones).

A great place for tractor advice is www.tractorbynet.com (Kind of like the "Forestry Forum" of Compact Tractors). Folks there can help you find the right sized tractor for your needs... folks can tend to get carried away with size recommendations, but you rarely ever hear someone say "DanG, I wish I had bought a smaller tractor". This site will be great at helping you size a tractor for a variety of needs, though not a whole lot of them have done any significant logging.

I use a 33 HP New Holland TC33D (no longer made). It's about 2500# bare, but with loader, filled rear tires, and my logging winch, I'm probably up to close to 4500#. It's on the small side for logging, but I'm careful, and I'm not earning my living at it, so I can take my time and deal with smaller loads at a time. I would not go any smaller. Many folks would recommend bigger, but you need to consider all of your uses, and where your personal balance is for cost vs. time spent doing given tasks.

Biggest thing I can say is unless you are a diesel mechanic (and maybe even if you are), the most important thing is finding a dealer who stands behind their product.
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Offline sawguy21

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #16 on: November 06, 2011, 08:09:58 pm »
Quote from: sparky1 on November 06, 2011, 07:42:18 pm
I dont know, nor see much of KIOTI??
Kioti is referred to as a 'grey market' tractor, they are low cost clones of the major manufacturers. They have quirks such as odd size pto shafts which run in tin the opposite direction to north American units. Standard implements therefore will not work. They also use odd size fittings so hydraulics are difficult to hook up. Nice looking unit but it drove us nuts.
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Offline sparky1

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #17 on: November 06, 2011, 08:17:32 pm »
thanks for the website John.. Im now a member there too!! :)
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Shaun J

Offline sparky1

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #18 on: November 06, 2011, 08:18:54 pm »
well some days are difficult enough, i dont need to be battling the wrong size hydraulic fittings and a pto shaft spinnin backwards on me!! 8)
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Shaun J

Offline chevytaHOE5674

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Re: whats a good compact tractor?
« Reply #19 on: November 06, 2011, 08:37:26 pm »
My neighbor has a Kioti tractor and the hydraulic hoses/fittings are just metric iirc (local napa makes them just the same as my SAE hoses/fittings) and the pto is normal size and spins the right direction as he has borrowed implements from me on occasion. His remote hydraulic valve has standard pioneer couplers on it as well. 
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