Best tool for the job(s)

[BowhunterNJ]

So, I've been pining over what to get to fit my property needs...keep going back and forth between ATV/UTV and a tractor, which leads me to believe each probably has a good role and maybe there isn't an "all in one" solution for my situation...but I figured I'd run it by you guys who have far more experience with these things.

 

Anyway, I moved out into the woods from a condo a couple years ago and have been adding tools as I need them to manage my property (chainsaw, ax, leaf blower, weed wacker,  shovels, rakes, etc)...but am now trying to figure out what to get for bigger tasks (i.e. tractor, ATV/UTV, plow, etc).  For the record, I've never owned an ATV/UTV or tractor...hell not even a lawnmower.

 

Basic rundown of the property is I'm on a flat (south NJ) 5 acres that is probably 4 acres of wooded property and under an acre of lawn.  I have a concrete driveway pad and walkway but about 100+ yards of gravel drive to maintain.

 

Property maintenance items:

- Grading the gravel (will require some type of implement to do this)

- Plowing snow

- Lot of deadwood/firewood that I'd like to be able to cut down, drag out, split, and stack for use.  (will require getting in and out of the wooded areas)

- Lawn cutting/aerating/etc

- Mulching landscaping (lot of mulch, around perimeter of property and along house)

- Brush hogging

- Manage a small garden at some point (I can do this by hand really, but something that helps til the ground would be a benefit)

 

Other items:

- I live off a private 1/2 mile dirt/sand road.  One neighbor grades it with a tractor and the other plows it when it snows.  Both have helped me out when I needed it letting me borrow the tractor or plowing me out when the snow was more than I could just drive over.  Ideally I'd like to get something I can help give back as well with, thinking along the lines of a better road groomer so all the neighbors have a better maintained road while also being able to maintain my gravel driveway (and maybe theirs).  On the sand road way, the tractor blading does a decent job but it doesn't really crown well and the potholes come right back.  This may be too much of an "ask", and require better equipment than makes sense to buy vs rent/contract but I was thinking along the lines of a specialized grader implement on a UTV/SUV/tractor for both sand and gravel.  Even plowing wise, I'm thinking about getting a plow mounted on my Tahoe and keeping it just for that.  I don't like to rely on my neighbors, yet I don't mind helping them out if they need it or my neighbors plow breaks down...so I'd like to have something I can prepare for that too.

 

Now...the question is, what do I get to best manage these things?  Ideally I'd prefer to get re-use out of a tool versus buying something specialized in each but it may make sense to start with what I need the most and get something else later.  Anyone have a similar list of maintenance items and found one type of utility vehicle to be better than the other?

 

Tractor feels like it may be overkill?  No idea on how to even size it properly for what I need and they're all expensive as hell.  Yet a number of homeowners in the area have them on 3-8 acre properties with similar situations as mine.

UTV is also up there in cost, main advantage is the two person seating, the dump cart in the back, and the increased "fun" factor for recreational riding.

ATV is the least expensive, but also probably the least powerful of the options with the most limitations (although it may be moot for my purposes and plenty of power for what I need?).

 

 

What say you?

[DeplorableDan]

If I were you I would spring for a tractor. It won’t seem like overkill when it makes light work of all your tasks. And there’s an attachment for every job you mentioned. Do your homework, there are deals to be had If you can wait for the opportunity.

[Bubblehead]

Sounds like a small to medium size tractor is what you need. The property isn't huge so you don't need the speed of an ATV/UTV. A tractor is way more versatile IMO. Get one with a bucket in the front and a PTO in the back. You can save money on a mower and log splitter by buying one powered by the PTO and can get a drag of some sort for grading the driveway and can plow with the bucket or buy a plow. The bucket will also be useful for moving firewood

[Rutting Buck]

I think the tractor is overkill for your needs. Certain implements are designed to be ran in tractors with no less than X amount of horsepower. If you go that route be careful to do your homework

Edited January 12, 2018 by Rutting Buck

[BowhunterNJ]

What's the best way for me to "vet out" a used tractor or any UTV/ATV given I have no experience with them other than using my neighbors...which I might add was EXTREMELY useful and saved me days of back breaking work!  Bring a long an experienced mechanic?  Maybe ask my neighbor to come along (not sure how much he knows though either).

[Haskell_Hunter]

Get one of these.  You'll have a ton of fun with it!

 

https://www.deere.com/en/tractors/utility-tractors/1-family-sub-compact-utility-tractors/1023e-sub-compact-utility-tractor/

 

Plus, you're rich.  The ads on this site helped you buy your palatial compound in the woods, we all know that.  A tractor to help you build your bunker.

[BowhunterNJ]

Get one of these.  You'll have a ton of fun with it!

 

https://www.deere.com/en/tractors/utility-tractors/1-family-sub-compact-utility-tractors/1023e-sub-compact-utility-tractor/

 

Plus, you're rich.  The ads on this site helped you buy your palatial compound in the woods, we all know that.  A tractor to help you build your bunker.

 

 

Hah, I wish!  The ads on here are enough for me to get one of these maybe!

 

[Haskell_Hunter]

More tractor porn.

 

https://www.deere.com/en/tractors/e-series-tractors/

[DeplorableDan]

It may sound messed up, but the best deals are normally guys who buy a brand new tractor with several attachments, and end up having to sell their toys to pay the mortgage. Best way is to look on Craigslist very often and be one of the first to call, and the first to arrive, cash in hand. The negotiating power of cash money is infinitely better than anything over the phone. Pick a brand that’s known to be reliable, and easily able to be serviced by a local shop or easy for you to get parts. You’ll know a mistreated piece of equipment when you see it.

[buckhound]

I would go with a good used  tractor with a bucket  unless you can afford a new one my dad had  a 53 or 58 ford jubilee when i grew up we used it all the time he bought all the attachments except the brush hog used that was around 1979-80 and its still running and the attachments are still good. before he passed the set up was worth about $4500 more than he paid. tractors unlike ATVs/UTVs don't lose value just food for thought...

[Wallew]

The real question is “ do you want a tool or a toy”. ATVs and side by sides are defiantly cooler but if you want something to actually get crap done efficiently and last a long time go the tractor route.

[Bowhunter2004]

Get a Deere!

[not on the rug]

More tractor porn.

 

https://www.deere.com/en/tractors/e-series-tractors/

Tractor porn sounds like some sort of country themed gay pornography.

 

 

Honestly, a tractor is far more useful than an atv. Look at a kubota or new holland

[JerseyJaysTaxidermy]

I might be selling my garden tractor

Got a 1987 case Ingersoll 448 with a 4ft mower deck and a 4ft slow blower attachment.

Strong machine

Brand new front tires.

Garage kept.

I think it's around 650 hrs on it. Tune up done last summer. Runs great.

$2500 or trade for a walk or tow behind brush hog

 

Or

 

I have a 2005 polaris sportsman 700 with a plow and winch I might sell as well.

Brand new rims and tires

Under 260 hrs

$4200

 

Also-

Doore log splitter - 20+ ton I believe.

Just had hydrolic cylinder rebuilt last summer.

$900

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Edited January 12, 2018 by JerseyJaysTaxidermy

[Haskell_Hunter]

Tractor porn sounds like some sort of country themed gay pornography.

 

 

Maybe to you and the crowd you "swing" with....