Tractor or UTV?

[ADK_XJ]

We moved to a bigger property this year and I'm contemplating an upgrade from my trusty but underpowered 400CC ATV to either a compact tractor or a "mid-size" UTV like the Kawasaki Mule. Obviously, to justify this kind of purchase I need to be able to do a lot of things with the vehicle but maple'ing is sort of a nice cross-section of tasks. Any thoughts on the better investment for a 30 acre sugar bush with some decent grade in the woods?

I do have a line on an older, 2WD tractor but I'm wondering if that would have the traction needed for work hauling heavy loads in the woods.

[Ultimatetreehugger]

Either an utv or as big of 4wd tractor as you can afford. I have a full functioning farm with little tractors, big tractors. And a utv. I use the utv daily. Most helpful tool on the farm for getting around. But, a tractor has amazing versatility to get the job done. It really comes down to what you need most.

[MISugarDaddy]

We use a Kubota UTV with tracks for all our work in the woods during the winter. This includes hauling all of the sap we collect. With up to 4' of snow on the level when syrup season starts for us, it is the only practical way for us to transport sap. We have used it for 10 years and it is still going strong, hauling an average of 3500+ gallons of sap each year.
Gary

[buckeye gold]

It depends on your use needs. I have both a 4wd tractor and a UTV and use both a lot. If you have farm type work like mowing, bush hogging and soil work then get a tractor, but if your mostly just tooling around and tasking then a UTV is the choice. If I could only get one at a time I would go with the UTV for versatility.

I have a 2018 Massie Ferguson 1735 ((39 hp) with a front end loader and love it. A front end loader is very important, you will be surprised how much work you will do with it. I went with the massie because it was heavier built and competitively priced at $23,000.00. You can go smaller, but you'll be happier with bigger. Usually a tractor in the 30+ HP will do a nice job for your size property, but up to 60 will do fine.

We have a Kubota RTV 900 UTV. We looked at every brand we could find and settled on the Kubota for driveability and good reviews. The Mule was our second choice. Kubota often has zero % financing. We found a holdover demo model just like we wanted and bought it for $2,500.00 off sticker. We had to drive 1.5 hrs to the dealer, but it was worth it. They usually have these after model years change, which should be about now. Don't be afraid to ask. Ours still carried full warranty and had less than 10 hrs.

[heus]

I have both a Kawasaki Mule MX (2019) and a 50 hp Long tractor. One thing to keep in kind, is that when things get muddy the tractor will tear up your woods a lot more than a utv.

[buckeye gold]

One thing to keep in kind, is that when things get muddy the tractor will tear up your woods a lot more than a utv.

Very good point heus, back when I worked my woods on buckets and had a two wheel drive tractor, I destroyed my woods roads and field. Every summer meant hours on the tractor with a blade trying to smooth things out. I even had to do some dozer work a couple times. That was the great thing about tubing, I don't even go in the woods with the tractor now, when it's soft. The UTV will not leave much of a footprint unless you get crazy with it.

[ADK_XJ]

Thanks for the input - yes, I can see where a tractor has more versatility when needed but my growing bunch is that the UTV would get more use throughout the year.

[ADK_XJ]

Interesting, I seem to run across the recommendation of either kubota or kawasaki for a UTV. Have you ever found the diesel Kubota to be underpowered or tough to maneuver on hills? What did the tracks setup set you back $-wise?

[ADK_XJ]

Another vote for Kubota, eh? Yeah, I can only justify one expense right now even though I have a feeling I will someday need a tractor as well. It will be tough to convince my wife to go for two financed purchases, we just bought this place but then also are done paying off both cars. Sort of an offset.

I have heard that Massey and Mahindra are good options for compact tractors. The one I have been looking at is a Kubota but it's older, 2WD and has no loader (right now).

[ADK_XJ]

I've been looking closely at the Mule...I see many folks around here with their newer Pro FX line and here they are similarly built for work as the Kubota. The Mule FX has a model that is more bare bones than the 6 person transport models and instead it has a very large cargo bed that would be good for my other hobby, firewood.