We bought 11 acres and built a house on it, and just moved in a couple weeks ago. I was thinking I need a small tractor, nothing fancy just something I can use to mow and light duty other activities to be determined later. My budget is going to be pretty small at this time which is why I am thinking of a compact. What would get me the best bang for my buck?

Just need something for mowing, light grading (maintaining a horse arena), maybe some future digging, who knows what else.

Sounds like me 7 years ago. Bought and older 17hp Kubota and worked the poor thing to death over a 5 year span. Then turned around 2 years ago and bought a new larger 38hp Kubota. Hard to go wrong with them. My advice.. get a loader on it. Period. You'll need it.

If you plan on digging I think your thinking of the wrong tool.

Like said above a loader is handy. I'd spend a little or a lot more time and figure out exactly what you want/need it to do and go from there.

Most dealers nowadays have package deals where you get tractor, mower, FEL, etc. It ends up being cheaper in the long run if you buy that way instead of buying everything separately. I'm a John Deere guy but I'm sure most modern tractors will serve you well. You'll be surprised at how long it takes to mow 11 acres with a small mower so I recommend getting the largest mower that fits whatever tractor you get.

Also there is a certain size, hp, of tractor that is exempt from dpf def etc. if you could and you wanting to buy new, I would get under that size.

I probably am, this is all new to me

I hope I wont be mowing the whole 11 acres, i have farmer currently taking care of 10 of them and eventually (once I get fencing) I will get cows/goats to help maintain the property as much as they can

Get something that can at least move a round bale. 11 acres won't support many animals so you will need to feed hay (certainly in winter). Messing with square bales is a PITA and more expensive. Having a loader is handy. You'll want a shredder and maybe a box blade to maintain your driveway. You can find a used one for maybe $300. They last forever.

70hp and under is exempt from def, for round bales a 70hp is about as small as you can go and be able to pick one up. the cantilever weight will get ya on a smaller one and even a 70 may need something on the rear to offset.

I like kubota for ease of use and longevity, have used a few and they just work. don't care for the jd 100hp we have now due to small cab, full time 4wd (or I haven't seen a shifter to take it out of 4x4), and clearance is not what our kubota was.

something else about the jd is the bucket is jd specific, kubota uses a quick disconnect so you can drop the bucket and attach a bale fork in a minute or 2 and has a lot more options for attachments.

those are the only 2 I have recent experience with so take it as ya want to.

I've got a 41 hp and move 1300# round bales all the time. I use a three point spear. I don't think I'd want to use a front spear for the reason you mentioned.

If you decide you just need to mow I’d go commercial zero turn 72” width.

You well mow it 10x faster then a sub 40hp tractor.

I bought a used 29 hp Case, with loader 2 years ago

If you’re buying compact, with a loader you just about have to have 4wd

It won’t pick up round bales but will pick up a 54” zero turn

I pull a 5ft brush hog to mow ours

I wish I would have bought in the 40 hp range honestly

You can not go wrong with a JD4720.

LS Tractors has some good budget friendly compacts.

Get a 40 hp tractor with a detachable front bucket. You need a shredder and a box blade. Have rear hydraulic attachments added.

A buddy once told me that a fellows first tractor usually doesn’t have a FEL, but the second one will. He was so right.

Also, pay attention to the seat. If you are going to spend a good bit of time on the tractor, an air soft type seat is MUCH easier on your back. I had to add it to the Kubota. I think New Holland offers it on their small tractors.

I have a 64 horse 4x4 Kabota with Front end loader for my mid size tractor. Bale my own hay and roll the “big” John Deere rolls, not the small ones. Always pick up a bale on the 3 pt spear, then the FEL, never had a problem.

We move 300 gal water totes with our 45 hp john deere on FEL with pallet forks, just gotta have the shredder or disk on back.

forgot about the rear bale spear, everyone out here hauls them on the hiway with the front type.

some even use a trailer. lol

Its a compact tractor HP curse. Buy a 20 wish you had a 40hp, by a 40 wish it was a 60, wishing the 60 below was 100

Get one with a loader....you will use it more than you think. JD or Kubota.....you can get a new one for $300 - $400 a month. Get one big enough to do what you want done. Take care of it and you will be surprised at the resale should you ever decide to sell or get a bigger one.

If you can afford it , get one with a cab (ac/heat) with that quick attach loader.

A neighbor of mine mows his groomed pasture with what appears to be about a 27 hp Kubota 4x4 with front and rear steering, belly mower, and 2 more mowers offset behind it.

Pretty slick setup

I'd go north of 40 horse, and definitely need a front end loader. I'm a Deere guy, but I wouldn't throw rocks at a Mahindra or a Kubota.

When you need to drill post holes, rent a skidsteer with a BelTec auger. You will only need it one day, and it will be worth every penny.

My place is 70 acres. I use my skidsteer far more than the tractor. I have a much newer skidsteer than tractor, and will be upgrading the skidsteer this year. It is a 2005, and the tractor is a 1977. But, in order to get big horse power (130 hp) I had to get an old one. It shreds the range more than anything, and does some plowing and harrow work from time to time.

The skidsteer does dirt work, grapple bucket for clearing brush, pallet forks, bale spikes for moving round bales, BelTec auger for post hole drilling. All I do not do with it is shred. But they do make medieval shredders for them that will handle up to 3" trees.

Depends what you are doing with it. Bigger tractors don't fit in tight places. Started with a 62HP and now have a Mahindra 1526. Great little tractor. Not going to dig a tank or move bales with it but it moves dirt and drags a 5' box blade. Nice quick detach bucket and forks too.