[GT8791]

Hi All, The only thing I know about tractors is what I've read/watched in the past two weeks. I am in Connecticut and have 2 acres of very rocky (1-3" diameter in top soil and boulder size deeper) land that I will be landscaping/gardening. I am doing some landscape work now and will start the gardening portion next spring when I move onto the site. I have been doing the work by hand/shovel and my back suggested I get some modern equipment to help.

I am thinking of a JD 1025R with bucket, pallet forks, rotary mower, and mid-deck mower for these future tasks that I will do regularly, in order of importance:

• Semi-annually transporting compost and mulch from the materials storage area on one end of property to the various garden beds around the property (bucket)
• Regularly mowing small lawn areas right around the house (mid-mower)
• Annually brush mowing natural areas that are left to grow long all year (rotary mower)
• Regularly moving harvested large and small rocks from the soil around property to fill in swale, work on a possible future rock wall, etc. (bucket, pallet forks)
• Semi-annually transporting branches to materials storage area (pallet forks)
• Semi-annually rough mulching branches from pruned trees to kick start composting process (rotary cutter)
• Weekly carrying trash cans down a very long drive (pallet forks/trailer bed/something else)
• Annually moving a few buckets of gravel from one end of the property to the other (bucket)
• Perhaps doing some snow shoveling (hoping to try this with the bucket and some accessories and seeing how it goes)

I was hoping to use the same piece of equipment with perhaps just an additional attachment or two for these one-time/rare applications:

• Clearing about 1 acre of overgrown pasture with growth 2-3 feet high for future flower and vegetable gardens: cutting current invasive growth (poison ivy, oriental bittersweet, etc.), removing lots of rocks, tilling in compost (rear tiller and rock bucket)
• Prepping a 250 ft long hillside (lots of invasive plants and so many rocks) for planting 1000 bulbs and grass in the fall (rear tiller and rock bucket)
• Prepping small orchard area (rear tiller and rock bucket)
• Placing 12+ trees in hand-dug holes in the orchard (pallet forks)
• Occasional planting of ornamental trees (pallet forks)

Am I on the right track? Totally ignorant here. Thanks!

 

[kylew]

You'll need something for rear ballast. And don't rely on the rotary cutter. Way too bulky. You'll run into things before you know it.

 

[MTB98]

You’re on the right track. Don’t forget tractor weights and ballast box on your list. A box blade is really handy to have too. Have you thought about snow removal equipment?

 

[Jimmy Walker]

Welcome from southern KY!

Sounds like a good list!

 

[9MMMAC]

A nice shelter for your stuff and some basic tools, some way of storing 10-15 gal. of fuel. I REALLY like Heavy Hitch's weight system. If you have or will get any trailers, pushing them and spotting them perfectly with a receiver on the fork frame is absolutely the way to do it. Speaking of- do you have a truck and good trailer?

 

[JimR]

You are in CT. Whatcha doin' for snow removal?

I'd be hesitant to use a rotary cutter as a mulcher for tree branches. They make chippers for that purpose. And I'd look at a rock bucket if I were you.

 

[Pigpen]

Ok I whould do a snow plow quick hitch or blower and whould not get a rotary cutter for how your useing it and a counter weight also look at a rock bucket do you have a gavel driveway

 

[ClydeLogan]

Everything sounds good except the RC. You do not have enough rough land to justify the cost vs use time. As above maybe a PTO wood chipper. But I am sitting on my back porch right now looking out at a fenced 2 acre pasture for perspective, and to me justifying a chipper is a marginal call. For the half of your property that is now a rough pasture you plan to be cleared for an acre of vegetable and flower gardens, and given your description of the rock-laden soil I would think really hard about hiring out initial prep to someone with bigger equipment than a 1025R. Realize that caring for a one acre vegetable garden is quite an undertaking. Are you planning on putting in an irrigation system?

But, it’s your money and your time. If you can afford to buy and maintain a RC and chipper for occasional use, go for it. The bad news right now is the equipment shortage. if you can find a new tractor you will be paying top dollar for it, as well as for implements. Maybe put off some of the equipment buys hoping that the supply side picks back up and leaves room to dicker on prices.

 

[Ozo]

Your OP was so long, and even at my age I (apologize) I did not have time to read it all

I am sure you were advised above......but here is my basics.
If you got the loader, you need the 3point suitcase weight attachment.
You will NEED the grapple for the front.....the 3rd function kind, NOT the Brush Crusher.
Simple as that to start.

 

[2016JD3033R]

Welcome from Central Georgia. Did I see a set of forks? They come in handy.

 

[GT8791]

Everyone, thank you for your input. It has been really valuable. You gave me a lot to think about over the weekend and I'm rethinking parts of my strategy. Much appreciated.

 

[txwil]

You forgot the grapple. Trust me, you NEED it. 🤣