I saw another post on here about someone that was looking for recommendations on the type of tractor they needed. However, the poster had a few different needs than myself. I was able to gather some good information from that post, though.
I own 24 acres with a house, garage, and about 3/4 of it is wooded. We are getting into the wood business and will from time to time be moving around pine logs and/or possibly large oak tree stumps around the property for them to be milled. This will be the main or most strenuous work, but there are other smaller task around the homestead that it could and I am sure will be used for. Really, the only thing I know is that I will need a FEL. But unsure of what size tractor would best fit my needs. Any and all advice is appreciated!

A 4WD Utility Tractor in the 50-75HP range with a quick disconnect. Buy a grapple. I use this setup for nearly the exact same thing you are wanting to do. I move dead trees to burn piles. I can cut pretty much any species into 10' lengths and pick up and move.

You can get a NON COMPACT tractor, but pay special attention to tractor width. Utility tractors are usually shorter and narrower....6' wide is the max I want to keep it nimble.

The other thing is whether you want shuttle shift or hydro-static. I have a synchronized shuttle shift and with 700 hours on it, its in need of a new clutch. Keep this in mind when you decide how you will use the tractor.

Don't get talked out of 4WD. With a 1000lb shredder on the back of mine and a red oak log in the front, it can take enough weight off the rear tires to slip. 4WD is a must in my opinion.

How big & long are the logs, and how much do they weigh? Most compact tractors are light in the ass end.

For mine, if my grapple and hydraulics can lift it, then it will remain stable.

Best thing I ever bought for one of my tractors is a grapple.

Buy bigger than you think.
I'd say a 65-75 HP 4WD hydrostatic Kubota would be the way to go. (Kubotas make great utility tractors compared to John Deere's).

Keep in mind kubotas don't have much in terms of counterweight even after liquid in tires. So you'll want something heavy on back end when you're picking up loads of 400+ with FEL. They make aftermarket wheel weights you can add, but using a rear Hay spear with a bale on it or American made box blade will likely add the sufficient counterweight you need.
We have 2 Kubota hydrostatics and they have held up well.

Tip- if you get a cabbed tractor, tinting the windows will help a lot with keeping can cool on hot days.

We own a 7060 Kubota (70 HP) that we bought used. Solid tractor for our Ranch use. In addition, the cab came in quite handy yesterday when we put round bales out for the cows. It was bitterly cold and sleeting.

Not sure what everyone else likes, but my tires are filled in the back.

Visited with a guy the other day that had just bought a 37 hp front wheel assist mahindra (Korean). He loved it. He had about 40 acres and said it would do all he needed. Came with a 7 year warranty.
He was retired military and was SAE certified and from his research said it was the only new diesel that didn't need DEF due to all the research they put into the design.
Base tractor came with shredder, post hole digger, box blade, front end loader and trailer for under 19K.

Get you a D8. It can handle anything.

Secolobo said:

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Visited with a guy the other day that had just bought a 37 hp front wheel assist mahindra (Korean). He loved it. He had about 40 acres and said it would do all he needed. Came with a 7 year warranty.
He was retired military and was SAE certified and from his research said it was the only new diesel that didn't need DEF due to all the research they put into the design.
Base tractor came with shredder, post hole digger, box blade, front end loader and trailer for under 19K.

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Mahindra is Indian and they are really challenging Kubota for this segment.

Quote:

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Get you a D8. It can handle anything.

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Man, that would be great. Fire breaks. Road work. And endless, endless piles of mesquite....

I would love to know how much a 37hp mahindra could lift with a FEL. I'm betting it's not much. I'm betting you'd have to separate a pallet of feed into 3 pallets to unload it off a truck. I guess it just depends on the owners needs, but I don't think I could justify spending 20 grand on a tractor that is only 37 hp and isn't four wheel drive.

For reference, my compact tractor is a ford 1600, with a cheap aftermarket FEL made in Vietnam I salvaged off a grey market tractor. It has 25HP and weighs about 2700lb. It is underpowered and I really need 40HP but it's what I have.

Not sure why tractors today are so flimsy but the FEL on this 40 year old thing will easily lift 1000lb. Probably 1200. Only 1400psi hydraulics.

I also would like it to have been 4wd in retrospect. Gotten stuck a few times and had to use the front loader to "crawfish" my way out a couple feet at a time.

I use a heavy duty box blade as a 3point counterweight when lifting heavy loads with the loader. I also built my own hydraulic grapple. Very useful piece of gear to have.

longeryak said:

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Secolobo said:

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Visited with a guy the other day that had just bought a 37 hp front wheel assist mahindra (Korean). He loved it. He had about 40 acres and said it would do all he needed. Came with a 7 year warranty.
He was retired military and was SAE certified and from his research said it was the only new diesel that didn't need DEF due to all the research they put into the design.
Base tractor came with shredder, post hole digger, box blade, front end loader and trailer for under 19K.

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Mahindra is Indian and they are really challenging Kubota for this segment.

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Don't know but it said Korea on the frame tag below the engine.

It is four wheel drive.

BrazosDog02 said:

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Not sure what everyone else likes, but my tires are filled in the back.

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Ditto. Filled mine with water and it made a world of difference.

I have a 2004 Kubota Grand 3830 38HP 4WD, where Kubota placed the 3-point cylinders externally, giving it 3200lbs of lift. The Factory FEL (6 ft bucket) is rated at 1700lbs, and I had the dealer fill the rear tires with water/antifreeze before it was delivered. It weighs approximately 5600 lbs (including FEL).

Quite the workhorse, and a little heavier than their standard L-series. It has the "Glide Shift Transmission" (GST), where one stick controls the 12 forward/8 reverse gears, with shuttle shift. About 1100 hours on it, and the best part....no repairs. On occasion, it has met its match implement-wise (such as a 16 ft drag....), but otherwise ideal for the general work done on my 60 acres.