Equipment Review

I am a total newbie, have only test-driven one tractor. I purchased a 40 acre plot of land, basically the side of a hill. It has several overgrown fields as well as some woods. There are a few flat areas where we may build, but much of the land is sloping, some gentle, some fairly steep. I want a tractor mostly for brushhogging the overgrown, sloping fields and snowplowing the long, uphill driveway. I'm sure I would get a lot of use out of a FEL as well. I can't afford a new tractor, so am looking for a used. Given the slope of my land, I am wondering if I would be better off with a smaller, less powerful compact 4WD tractor, or a more powerful, wider, bigger 2WD? Which would give me the best stability/accessibility on the sloping land? There are several used tractor dealers around here, and I have been watching ebay for a while to get an idea what is available and what prices are. But what I really need is some advice.Thanks in advance.

 Welcome to the forum.

My opinion would be to buy a smaller 4WD tractor with FEL.

The bigger 2WD would be great if you're baling hay or similar but for day-to-day activities, the smaller CUT would be better.  The larger 2wd machine would possibly do your brush-hogging faster but there's so many other things that you'll sacrifice.  If you take a 50hp tractor across your yard, you'll have a lot of damage if the ground is soft (eg. spring-time).  The smaller CUT may leave an imprint but a lot less.

If I were you I would by a 4wd between 25 and 35 hp tractor because of the hill which will be slippery and soft after it rains. The 4wd will help you when your driving the heavy mower up the hill and pushing the wet snow. Dont forget that you have to drive up and down the hill not side ways because it will tip. I would also buy one that has a diesel engine in it because it is fuel efficient, powerful, and long lasting.

Thanks for your replies. I have another question: how expensive is it to change tire types on tractors? Many of the tractors I have seen online have turf tires. I will need at least R4s for traction. If I were to purchase a tractor with turfs, would I need new rims as well as tires, or are the tires interchangeable on the rims. It also seems that the turf tires are much smaller. Will larger R4 or bar tires fit as replacements for turf tires on compact tractors? About how much does it cost to have a dealer replace turfs with R4s?

Thanks!

Its very expensive to change tires - figure $1500 or so.

I'd also take a look at Steiner tractors. I've spent alot of time working in the woods with them and I know they are soem of the best around on slopes. Also easier to come by used than an inexpensive compact tractor.