Looking to purchase a new tractor, will first need it to install (3) 52’x16’ base for some buildings we are putting on site.

What size tractor would y’all recommend?

What brand would y’all recommend or stay away from?

Would new or pre owned be best?

Thank you.

We have 11.5 acres

For a lot of dirt work I'd look into a skid steer also. I don't know much about them but there very versatile and can do a lot of things a tractor can't.

That’s what I was thinking . To be honest.

Problem is once you get those buildings up you’re not going to pull a brush hog behind a skid steer to mow etc. I’d rent a skid steer for the pad work, and then buy a Kubota HST with a front end loader for property maintenance. 25 horse minimum for 11 acres. 33 or 39hp would be better if you can afford it. Really like my 39hp and wouldn’t trade for it. Just my

https://www.j5tractors.com/

Ask for Gavin

We bout a bobcat zero turn for mowing.

What’s the best brand out there tractor wise?

I'm partial to CNH.

Go green. JD

Seen lots buy something they think they can get away with only to turn it in for something more powerful later.

Btw, buy somethign appropriate and it'll be hard to wear it out on your place.

I would buy something from a nearby dealer so that you have support when you need it. My preference would be JD or Kubota; if you can find a used one that's pre-DEF, that might be a bonus. And I would buy 10-20% more HP than you think you need.

this should do nicely.

This.

FYI under 50 hp don't overpay for green paint. It is not a JD tractor - it is a yanmar with green paint.

Either one of the orange ones in HST would be my pick for that sized acreage.

FYI I think Kioti (Daedong) is making Bobcat tractors and zero-turns. They aren't a Kioti but they're built by them. Kubota was building Bobcat machinery for a while IIRC.

It would take more than 11.5 acres just to turn that one around!

And be worth more than double (probably a lot more) than the land it was working...one of those run ya about 250-300? I do not know how big time farmers make any money...oh wait most of the time they dont

as others have stated, get something slightly bigger than you think you need. I have been running Kubota for over 30 years, various sizes and configurations, and been very well pleased. Although expensive, parts are readily available and there are dealerships all over the place. As someone else stated, the smaller JD are Yanmar with green paint.

I would suggest 4x4 hydrostatic with FEL, 35 hp minimum ... moving up to a 50+ hp would be better IMO

the base model 580 starts at $566k.

Find the closest dealer that sells JD or Kubota and buy a 35hp model of whichever they sell. Rent a skidsteer for the dirt work.

DSST Construction??? Surely you know someone to level a slab area with a backhoe. A tractor is not so great for that; especially if you have trees. $70, $80 an hour, few hours and you have a level site. Then bring in your tractor.

As a farm and ranch lender - I see this more times than not. Many folks under buy on their tractor purchases, only to be disappointed later.

I would certainly rent a skid steer for the dirt work.

I've got a 299 Cat skid steer and a 75hp New Holland. I am happy with both. The 75hp does everything I need on both of my places, 15 and 100 acre farms.

You can typically find 50-75hp tractors with a few hundred hours quite cheaper on the open market, than from the dealer.

Am I spinning my wheels thinking we can do the dirt work with a tractor? Is it even worth considering doing the dirt work with the tractor?

Tractors are not really meant for that sort of work.... Loaders are nice but they can't compare on breakout force to a small skid steer in my opinion. I have several tractors, and construction equipment, backhoes, excavators, tracked skid steers, and dozers. There is no comparison for accuracy and production to a skid steer or a dozer for pad work. Tractors are just too light for that kind of work.

A tractor would be inefficient even for a super skilled operator. If your not highly skilled - only going to compound on the inefficiency - it can certainly "be done" but would be a million times better just to rent a skid steer.

OP, I bet if you will just let your concrete contractor handle it he will use his skid steer and get-r-done for no more than you would spend renting one and learning how to operate it.

Then go buy a Kubota for your needs.

^^^^^^^

A 50 HP 4WD with FEL and box blade with rippers can level and smooth with little effort.