Small tractor or well equipped ATV?

[BetterOnTwo]

I apologize if this question has been asked, a search under "ATV" yielded no results.

We picked up a seven acre ranch in NoVA late last year. With the exception of this year--the area isn't known for punishing snowfall. We've got a 26hp Husqavarna lawn tractor for mowing the mostly-flat front, side, and back lawns. The main field, paddock, and sacrifice field for the horses is where I'm not sure the lawn tractor will be up to the job, mostly due to the area to cover and the terrain.

We talked about a small tractor or a nicely outfitted utility ATV. Each one seems to have pros and cons. I've listed them below, but I'd appreciate any input, thoughts, etc. that anyone has. I realize there'd be more "elbow grease" required with the ATV (filling a cart vs. scooping w/ a bucket, couldn't have a post hole attachemnt, etc.), but I'm willing to make that trade if it makes sense for now. So based on the info below--would we be better off and going straight to the tractor or getting the ATV and saving until we can get the amont of tractor we need?

Price--We could get a newer used ATV or an older tractor in the $3500-$5000 range.
Maintenance--I'm fine w/ small engines (mower, motorcycle, atv, etc.), never really wrenched on a larger diesel. I know enough to make me dangerous w/ a shop manual. Not sure of parts cost/specialty tools for working on diesel tractor engines & transmissions.
Use & Maneuverability--Primary use for either would be hauling, moving brush, timber, manure, hay, etc. Plowing when needed. There's a decent size hill in the back, either vehicle would have to be able to make it up in not-so-great conditions. Smaller size would actually be a plus for some areas; however, larger vehicle (tractor) means larger deck & less mowing time.
Attachments--Tractor has more versatility, but for the size of our property many seem like overkill (feel free to tell me I'm wrong). I feel like an ATV w/ a blade attachment, cart, mowing deck, & racks would serve the purpose. Tractor would allow a bigger deck (w/ PTO rather than separate motor), possibility of post hole digger, etc.

TIA,

-Jimmy

[fancifowl]

If it were me: I would opt for the ATV. It can do most everthing a small tractor can do, you already have a small tractor, the Atv has potential of the lot uses a tractor would not perform well. I miss my ATV and used it for many farm related duties, I also have a 28 hp Husqvarna and a 35 hp Massey ferguson on 18 acres. The ATV was used daily for some chore or pleasure.

[MooseToo]

tractor - diesel -

[Deberosa]

I've got the 28hp Husquevarna mower and got a 2915 Massey Fergusson tractor with loader. I'll add a tiller and brush hog. Probably rent a post hole digger.

We have 14 acres. The loader is big for us here - it's been clearing snow, hauling wood. And when the gardens get going it will be spreading and turning compost. The loader was really important for me. If you get attachments for an ATV - they all have to have their own motor so there is lots more maintenance. I like having the PTO - then it can power a variety of implements that are not as likely to fail. I don't think an ATv will do what we need - but if you are just doing animals, maybe it's enough. I know one farmer in WA that only had an ATV and raised several kinds of meat animals. Very small gardens though.

[briddygirl]

Hi,
I noticed there were a few ideas on this discussion regarding tractors vs. ATVs.......I have a small (5 acre) horse farm (that I rent) locally....I live in Herndon and the barn/fields I rent are in Great Falls, which is approx. 8 miles from me......anyhow, I am so lucky to have a riding ring BUT it needs to be maintained very regularly......I have a drag, but now need something to pull the drag -- my husband has been using his Jeep, but it's getting to be a hassel b/c I need to drag more often than he can come out....so now I need a small tractor (not a riding lawn mower) or ATV.....I've been looking on CraigsList for used versions and am shocked at the prices....I was hoping to get something for around $600 ......anyone have any suggestions or ideas where else I can search?

[DM]

If all you are going to use it for is to pull a drag, any old DECENT, RELAIBLE tractor will work. Take someone with you to MAKE SURE you are getting a tractor that will start easily, and be reliable. You will just have to keep checking locally until you find what you want.

Maybe for your purpose, an older 4wd pu would be a good choise too??

DM

[offgridbob]

Most used ATV'S are not built to do the things your talking about and they don't have a lift bucket. I would go for the tractor

[Wyobuckaroo]

I suppose there is quite a gap between lawn tractor and small farm tractor.
An atv would fill a lot of uses in that gap.

I am going to go with small farm tractor myself. Actually, I'm going to save my nickles and get a tractor a little bigger and with more muscle than a "little Ford" size tractor. For 90% of the things I need it won't be that much overkill.

If I get an atv, it will be more for pasture transportation than working........... And fun........

Wyo

[lost1]

you need a small tractor, any ATV will not stand up to hard use, I think you will find you will some times use it harder than you think

[patience]

offgridbob said,
"Most used ATV'S are not built to do the things your talking about and they don't have a lift bucket. I would go for the tractor "

lost1 said, "you need a small tractor, any ATV will not stand up to hard use..."

Me too. I fix a lot of ATV's. If you laid the drive parts for an ATV out beside those for a tractor, it's a no-brainer. ATV will die young if you use it for heavy work. I've heard all the stories about how cool the ATV's are, and they all fall apart as soon as you put a serious load on them. They are basically 4 wheeled motorcycles, by design. Intended for transportation off road. Even doing that, a lot of them don't last long.

There are a lot of tractors out there 50 or more years old, and still going. I challenge anyone to do they have done with an ATV.

[DM]

Although a decent 4 wheeler is NO tractor, they aren't whimpy either... I use my Yamaha Grizzly here on the farm nearly every day, and it gets worked. I pull loads of rock out of my fields with it, skid some logs with it, and do many other tough jobs day in and day out. It's never had a drive line problem, nor did the Yamaha Kodiak i sold not too long ago, and both are older ATV's. Of course, i WORK it, not let kids go out and torture and destroy them...

BUT i still say, for the above job, they need a tractor or 4wd truck for what they need done.

I also agree, that once you have a decent tractor, you will find thousands of uses for it...

DM

[CarolAnn]

My Sis & BIL just got a used John Deere Gator for their homestead and they love it. It's something to consider, and in your price range if you get a used one. They also have an old small-ish John Deere tractor (Don't know the model, but it's not a mini, it's a real tractor) - but they use the Gator for almost everything now on their tree farm.

[CountryGuy]

I have to agree and say go with a tractor. Also be sure to get something large enough. I'd suggest somewhere between a 30-50 hp. I know others are saying about older tractors but with the economy in the shape it is a lot of landscapers and contractors are selling off tractors to save money or bkz they're going out of biz so there are a lot of newer tractors out there for some good prices. These newer ones not only have 3 point hitch and PTO but the added advantage of hydraulics for the bucket and other add ons.

There are a lot of the cheap chinesse, korean, russian and indian tractors out there like Belarus, Kioti (low grade Kubota knock off), Nortrac and Mahindra. I don't know much about all of them on how durable they'll be over the long haul or ease of getting parts. I can speak to the Kioti as my Dad bought a new one about 10 or 11 yrs ago and it was a total piece of junk. After months of us and the dealer fighting with them, they finally took the POS back and gave Dad a full credit. It had around 35 hours on it and Dad only put maybe 1 hr of that on it. The other hours were put on at the dealer during its stay there for repair. In that short number of hours they had replaced numerous electronic modules, 2 sets of injectors, an injector pump, and then the motor all with no luck. Second motor was garbage too. In fact the dealer dropped the franchise after the cluster that was this tractor.


Obviously I'd say look more traditional American brands like New Holland, Case IH, Massey Ferguson, JD, BobCat, etc... and Korean Kubota.

just my $.02

[headhunter]

Lookin' at it backwards, having both- if one had to go it would be the ATV. I really like the 450 Kodiak ATV. It has the ability to lock things up so all 4 tires pull and has pulled deer and elk to where they can be loaded into the truck and it's fun to have a "look- see" vehicle that you really have to work to get stuck and you don't endanger your primary vehicle.
The tractor- I wonder how we survived without it. Approaching the 3 score and 3 age, things seem to be heavier that they once were. The loader is great! In 2000 we purchase a JD 4100 20 hp 4 wd and couldn't be happier. A bit costly---you bet. But other than grease,oil, filters, one change of hydraulic fluid, one battery, and one trip to the dealer to have the valves reset (500 hours)-zero maintenance. It mows, digs, and lifts Our 5.5 acres is covered with trees and many are large oaks 24" dia., I can not picture myself cutting one up without the help of the JD to move things around. No, it won't move the whole tree at one time, but---. Last winter the grandchildren ended up with some nice sliding hills.

[Prairie]

I have a 425 TGB (Made in ROC) ATV that has served me well, but I've had it only since this spring. It's fun, but I'd probably trade it for a tractor. I have used it as a tractor to drag a horrows around and recently to pull a 12hp rear tine riding tiller around that was NOT made to be used in rough, fresh broke ground. I have seen a disc unit that is made to pull behind the ATV, but I'd rather have a tractor, because going slow in 4L on an ATV is a PITA.

[jhnpldng]

Compact 4wd tractor and you can get rid of the mower.

[hunter63]

Well, you can get an ATV first (like I did) and use it like a tractor, but it's hard on them running at low speeds for a long time.
ATV attachments are small, expensive, (most have their own motor).
Tractor has PTO to drive implements and the power to drive them.

Then get a tractor (like I did), and really get down to buiness with the work.

Now you have an ATV to play with, and a tractor to work with.

P.S. get a tractor with a loader, you will find new stuff to do with it every day.
Loader for ATV are worthless.

P.S. Buy a new tractor, that way you can get something done, instead of just chasing paqrts and working on them.

[AZTimT]

Well, you can get an ATV first (like I did) and use it like a tractor, but it's hard on them running at low speeds for a long time.
ATV attachments are small, expensive, (most have their own motor).
Tractor has PTO to drive implements and the power to drive them.

Then get a tractor (like I did), and really get down to buiness with the work.

Now you have an ATV to play with, and a tractor to work with.

P.S. get a tractor with a loader, you will find new stuff to do with it every day.
Loader for ATV are worthless.

P.S. Buy a new tractor, that way you can get something done, instead of just chasing paqrts and working on them.

Good advice. If you can find a used Kubota (100% Japanese by the way, not Korean) BX23 or BX25 in your price range you would be surprised at how much it can do for you.

[Travis]

Heck I have an acre and bought a Kubota B7800. Yeah its over kill but what I found after looking for a long time is the loader is rated on the tractor. My loader will lift about 1,000 pounds and I have maxed it out several times moving dirt. Besides a loader I have a box scraper and will rent a tiller when I need it.

I have found a tractor a valuable tool for doing yard work. Bought it to level my yard and move a lot of fill dirt. If I had lots of property I could find many more uses. Have friends that use forks to load/unload stuff like animal feed or pellets for their stove.