Sounds like an atv would be a good investment. You could still use the Bolens to handle the snow... correct? Western Maryland is a beautiful area and I'm sure their are all kinds of atv trails through some of the wilderness areas you could use it for as well.

I'd check out some of the DR pull behind mowers for the atv. They look like thy work extremely well.

Here is a link that might be useful: DR field and brush mower

Correction to my original post- for option 5 I meant to say walk behind tractor, not mower. Maybe a BCS with a sickle bar?

I have a JD LT190 mower, a Gravely 8122 garden tractor, and a JD4310 (32 HP cut). I think you should seriously consider a 24HP (or larger) CUT tractor - whether new or used. A Kubota BX24 with backhoe may be perfect. Or a JD 2305. How about a Kioti or New Holland? How old are you? If you are young buy it now. You will save tons of money in the long run. There will be no limit to the things you can do with a CUT but make sure you get a backhoe.

Digging trenches for run-off, moving trees, rocks, etc will increase the value of your home by more than the price of the CUT. Cut roads / access / paths in places you couldn't access before. Relevel your yard. Move topsoil to your gardens. And much more - there is no limit to what you can do. And you will have fun in the process.

Friends always are telling me I shouldn't have a 32 HP CUT on 2 acres (with backhoe). I spent almost $30K by the time I got done with attachments. However, I would guess the work and value I have added to my house is close to $100K. I also do work for my neighbors just to help out. Then I ask my friends why they spent $50K on a pickup with cummins engine to pull a $50K camper? I tell them I could have bought 3 tractors for that much money.

People seem to be willing to spend lots of $ on cars but not on tractors. WIth a tractor you can recoup your money and more. And you only ever have to but one of these in your lifetime. And the earlier you buy it - the more it will return to you in the long run.

So, did I give you enough rationale to make the plunge? You will never regret it.

Mikesj, if you want to use the BCS with the sicklebar mower you'll need to go all the way up to the 852, because the smaller ones don't have fast enough reverse gears for comfortable walking. An 852 with a 53" sicklebar would be faster than the narrower DR brush mower and still handle tall grass and small saplings. If you have a need for a chipper/shredder, the BCS attachment looks like a good one. And you have the best of all tillers and can run a blower if you want.

On the other hand, BCS is getting harder to find here in my neck of the woods, and while a sickle mower is very efficient, it doesn't give your pasture that just-mowed look.

An older farm tractor with a belly mower is a less expensive option. Something like a Farmall C all ready to mow goes for under $3000 around here.

If you want an ATV, I think you would probably be happier dragging around something like the DR that aesanders suggested than either of the options I've talked about, but I think you're talking about more money. ATVs are great for spraying, pulling harrows, and plowing snow.

A CUT can do things that an ATV, Walk Behind or Garden Tractor can't and that's operate a real Front End Loader and or a Bush Hog.

A well maintained, low hours used CUT will hold it's value, operates economically on off road diesel and will last longer than the other options combined.

old man,

Welcome to the forum! And I totally agree with your foresight. These tractors can add value to your real estate. We don't know the OP's situation, but I certainly hope he at least considers what you posted.

Cheers

JDFANATIC

If you are in good health and you want to stay fit, your
BCS walk-behind tractor idea has a lot of merit. I'd find out about Grillo tractors too. You could buy a Grillo G107 with an 8.5hp diesel and electric start for $3500. A 44" sicklebar cutter, 28" snow blower and a tiller would bring your total cost to just over $6000.

Boy the feedback is all over the place, you are goig to have a tough decision to make. IF you are never going to leave your property with an ATV I would vote against it. IF plan to ride it on other property, leased land or national forest land I would get the ATV and tow behind brush hog. Let us know what you decide or narrow down to.

Thanks for all of the feedback. I've been pondering these questions for some time and I can't figure out which is the best for me. Really, I think that any of them would work fine and accomplish what I need to do.

One major plus with a walk behind is that I could use it in a few of the "tighter" spaces on my property- I've got a few awkward areas that I won't be able to get to with any of the other options.

I wouldn't really be using an atv off of my land- it would be strictly for utility. We've got plenty of trails and good places to ride around here, but that's not really my thing (I'd rather spend the day fishing).

I went to look at the tractor dealer up the road from me and realized that a new tractor, as much as I'd love to have one, is not really in the cards right now. I could definitely put it to good use, but to go buy a $10-$15k tractor for my needs is overkill. I did see a small Satoh that got me thinking about going with a used one.

Like I said, I don't really think that there's a right or wrong answer, here. But it sure is nice to have someone else's thoughts.

Thanks for all of the posts- if I come to any conclusion in the near future I'll let everyone know.

Thanks again!

I live in Carroll County Maryland and have to deal with the hills as well. I also have 2.5 acres of pasture, and 1 acre of yard to maintain.
I decided to go with the Kubota GR2100. I needed the all wheel drive for the hills. It has the glide steer which is close to a zero turn. This feature is great for cutting the lawn. I also like the ability to raise the deck about 6 inches so I can cut the pasture at the recommended height. My driveway is steep and 600 feet long. I plan to purchase the snow blower attachment.
I have an atv, but did not like the tow behind mowers. The maximum height I could find was 4 inches. Also I didn't think they manuevered very well.
The GR does not have ROP's nor a bucket attachement, however the Johnny Bucket now has an attachement for GR's.
My two cents, good luck.

Mike -

How far into Western MD do you live? Folks in the DC/Baltimore area consider Western MD to start at Frederick county. If you're in Garrett you should be thinking about a big 2 stage blower unless you like sitting on your tractor in the cold for hours on end.

How steep is "pretty steep" with regard to your slopes?

If you don't plan on riding the ATV recreationally I wouldn't consider it. I would look for a used compact tractor at around 25 hp. That should be sufficient to run a 5' bush hog and a good sized snow blower. Check other dealers in the area.

Why don't you just buy a horse?

John, I'm in real Western MD- about 10 miles from DCL. I do have a single stage blower for the front of my Bolens, but so far (for the last 3 winters), I've been more pleased with the results from my front blade. My lane is kind of sheltered from the wind, and is fairly level so that helps. I also have a 2 stage walk behind for around the house and backup, too.

I don't really need something to help with snow at this time, but I figure if I decide to get something to help with the field, I'd like for it to be able to do double duty.

I've got a respectable slope in one part of my pasture- ok for livestock, not ok for tractors in that area.

I was talking with another neighbor tonight and he's interested in getting horses and possibly using the pasture, so that might just solve the problem.

Thanks for the input!

Well, if your neighbor doesn't buy a horse you can always buy a couple of goats :)

You're lucky you're protected from drifting, but there are still the 2 foot storms that come through every now and again.

10 miles in which direction? I'm from those parts and most of my family still lives there.

I'm just outside of Oakland. Grew up in the area- lived downstate for a few years and just moved back a couple of years ago.

Actually, before we bought the place, the previous owner let someone use the pasture for goats- he had around 40 or so. A couple of sheep and a horse or two, also.

I'm not too worried about the 2 foot storms- it's the 5 foot ones that we get every few years. Fortunately, a couple of the neighbors have real tractors with blowers, so if I get in a real jam I can give one of them a call.

Is Schrock the TYM dealer you were referring to? My buddy just bought one of the 70HP TYMs from them. Still need to get back up there and get some seat time on it.

Last time I was up there were a few used compacts over at Manor HC. Might be worth the trip to see what they're asking.

Sure is- they're right down the road from me. I bought my Bolens over at Manor a few years ago.

How does your buddy like the Tym? I was looking at their smaller machines (the 273 I think). Pretty nice, but a little out of my price range right now.

He's from a farming family and spent many hot and cold days on an open tractor, so when he went shopping he made sure to get all the goodies. He likes the tractor but I think his dad likes it more. I think he likes the deal he got on it better (last year's nodel left over, really good financing from TYM, plus a big price break).

Just joined the gardenweb so may be too late to be of any use to you. I cut quite a large area of grass using a walk behind tractor, grillo, very similar to the BCS. I have mixed feelings regarding the unit. If you have flat / level land I would suggest a small tractor with a mower attachment, far easier and quicker.
Take a look at my site if you want more information on the grillo and how I use it.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Few Steep Acres