Tractor info, please? Never thought I'd be asking this!

[Dana in OR]

I have been snowed in more times than I can count this winter. I told my dh that I want a tractor for my birthday this summer, one with a bucket for utility work and a snow thrower to clear my very long driveway and road (.5 mile).

The guy who has been clearing my road at $90 a pop recommended at least a 30 hp tractor.

We live on a mountain slope so rolling over is a concern.

"Green acres is the place to be....." theme song running through my head.

[Renee in FL]

Do you know how much those things cost? It would take a long time to pay for itself....

[Shelly in IL]

We bought a John Deer 425 all wheel steer. It is amazing. It is very close to zero turn, but has all the benefits of a tractor. The snow blower is VERY easy to install and once mounted, pops off fairly easy at the end of season. Same with the mower deck. We have a 60" deck, but we mow approx. 5 acres.

It does have options like a bucket as you said you wanted. But, we have had no need for anything other than our snow blower (driveway is 500 ft. long). Husband would like a blade for when the snow is very heavy (wet snow doesn't work great with the blower)

It was expensive - maybe $10K, but we have had it for almost 7 years now, and have had no mechanical problems whatsoever. Good luck=maybe you could find one used?

[Shelly in IL]

Maybe you would want a backhoe? You could probably get one of those used (really used) and it would have more stability maybe - even one like the tiny Kubota skid steers make one with a bucket.

[Dana in OR]

Do you know how much those things cost? It would take a long time to pay for itself....


I think that it may run from 10-15K. Ugh. If we get it we would have to put off getting a generator for a while.

[Dana in OR]

[quote=Shelly in IL;44056]We bought a John Deer 425 all wheel steer. It is amazing. It is very close to zero turn, but has all the benefits of a tractor. The snow blower is VERY easy to install and once mounted, pops off fairly easy at the end of season. Same with the mower deck. We have a 60" deck, but we mow approx. 5 acres. quote]


But we do have a lot of brush that needs to be cleared for fire safety. I think the bucket may help to haul rock or moving dirt around when we build something like a deck or a greenhouse. I think that my dh will love it too but he is balking at the cost. Good to know that the snow blower pops off easily, I wouldn't want it on all year.

[Dana in OR]

Maybe you would want a backhoe? You could probably get one of those used (really used) and it would have more stability maybe - even one like the tiny Kubota skid steers make one with a bucket.

as an excellent tractor. Could you mount a snow blower on a backhoe? I'm trying to get as much multiple-purpose use as possible.

[Audrey]

My dh says go for a Montana. He is in love with our Montana tractors. They are excellent small tractors and will take many attachments (loader, snow blower, etc.) We have this one (http://www.montanatractors.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=1218814E-02X2K9K2008J4I41I54JPMQ3691R0&veh=67315&CatDesc=Tractors-Agricultural) and this one (http://www.montanatractors.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=9630984E-02X2K9K2008J4I45I39JPMQ3691R0&veh=67318&CatDesc=Tractors-Agricultural) (but older versions). It's bigger than you want, but you'll find many smaller options at their website.

[Dana in OR]

My dh says go for a Montana. He is in love with our Montana tractors. They are excellent small tractors and will take many attachments (loader, snow blower, etc.) We have this one (http://www.montanatractors.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=1218814E-02X2K9K2008J4I41I54JPMQ3691R0&veh=67315&CatDesc=Tractors-Agricultural)and this one (http://www.montanatractors.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=9630984E-02X2K9K2008J4I45I39JPMQ3691R0&veh=67318&CatDesc=Tractors-Agricultural) (but older versions). It's bigger than you want, but you'll find many smaller options at their website.

Boy those are nice! They are more tractor than I need but thanks, I didn't even know about this brand. I think I need to have my dh talk to some other men who are "in love with their tractors" LOL. Seems to be the common denominator of men with tractors.