Buying land, Need Tractor

[Brahmus]

I dont think anyone with 40 acres in pasture needs anything more than 45 hp. My BIL's first tractor was a 2 WD JD 750 with turf tires. He still managed to mow the whole 42 acres with that 19 HP tractor and 4 foot mower and he only goes there on weekends.

Are you guys retired? Some have the pleasure of taking a little longer to complete a job.

 

[newbury]

Are you guys retired? Some have the pleasure of taking a little longer to complete a job.

And theres a thread for that:http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...neral-question-retired-not-8.html#post1711151

I will turn 60 in December. Have bought a little acreage (11) up in the foothills of the Ozarks near Hot Springs Ark and commenced making it my retirement "farm" So far I have my tractor and disc, cultivator, BB and bushhog which keeps me busy on my time off. I thought I could retire at 60 but like everyone else, the stock market downturn has put that on hold for a few years. Regardless I still plan to retire at 62 at the latest. I am trying to make up the difference in 401 K losses enough that I can build my new retirement home with cash money so I at least wont have to worry about a house payment. Since I have no other debt to speak of other than the essential insurance and food/gas I dont think money will be an issue. My wife is already on SS and enjoys time with the grandkids. If I only knew how long I will live, I could retire now, but with my luck, I will outlive my income. I sure dont plan to become inactive when I retire, I have had enough of that while working to last me a lifetime. A couple of years ago, I started making my list of things to do at the farm. So far I have worked off only a few of them working just on my vacation time off. I grew up farming and swore I would never do that, but after 35 years in construction, I am looking forward to going back to my roots(no pun intended)

I was planning on next January, but SWMBO changed plans. Still it makes a GREAT difference.

 

[two_bit_score]

Here's my 2cents worth. After defining your tasks a bit more you will be able to get what you need. Unless your're going to do a lot of FEL work I think HST would be a waste. A shuttle tranny is very smooth and will reduce your cost. For 40 acres I'd be looking at about 45 to 65 HP as you said you want to maybe do hay. Get the largest rotary cutter that you can. Figure 5HP per foot. You'll probably end up with a disk. Figure about 7HP per foot depending on your soil. FEL is almost a must to maintain a ranch of any size but it won't necessarily be used all the time. Box Blade a must. As you said post hole digger. Personally I'd be looking at the big 3 but go look at what your neighbors are using as that will probably get you the most support. You don't necessasarily need to buy new on anything but when buying your tractor you will probably be paying as much or close to a new machine for anything less than 10years old so you might as well get a new tractor. You might be lucky and find a gem from a ranch sale. I say that as I was at a ranch sale this last weekend and an individual walked away with a 2002 JD 4600, 500hrs with a 460 FEL for $10.500. And this tractor looked very clean. Even the tires were barely worn in.

Good luck on your search.

I haven't read what you have been told so far but if you have a JOhn Deere dealer nearby go see him and tell him what you wrote in the post and see what he can help you with.

 

[Southbound]

WoW, thanks guys you have really come through with some great info..

Farmwithjunk: My sister lives in Mt. Washington, my place is out from Shepherdsville!

A few more questions, 4wd?? is an FEL totally undoable with 2wd? It seems there is quite a price difference in the two. (I think I have decided that an FEL is necessary after listening to all of your post) I have a 4wd truck and love the ability to go ANYWHERE but the land is pretty dry and stable so this would be a nice place to skimp if I can, but if 4wd is somthing i REALLY need I am willing to bite the bullet.

My next question is about the dealers, everyone seems very big on finding a good dealer. When car shopping I tend to not believe anything the dealer says if a tractor dealer makes a promise to say come out to my place to fix a problem should i believe them or is this hype?? (don't mean to sound skeptical but integrity ain't what it used to be)

Keep posting guys you are my lifeline

 

[Dargo]

A few more questions, 4wd?? is an FEL totally undoable with 2wd?

Go use someone's 2wd tractor with a loader. Fill the bucket with dirt and try to back up an incline or back up with the wheels turned quite a bit. Unless you're going to go with a full sized farm tractor that weighs 20,000 pounds or so, I'd not even consider a FEL without 4wd. Or, as it's properly called, mechanical front wheel assist. The only time I've used my FEL with my tractor in 2wd has been when I'm driving down the road with something in the bucket. Even then, on pavement, it may be impossible to back up any incline with weight in the bucket. Best bet; go try it.

 

[Brahmus]

With enough ballast on the rear tires, dry level area, yes you can get by with 2wd and a FEL.

Tractor dealers aren't as numerous as car stealerships and tend to stick around longer, word of mouth goes a long way! The two aren't the same.

 

[Southbound]

The only tractor i have driven much is an old Ford 8n that my uncles father-in-law bought new, then my uncle used it, then my cousin. The engine has never been overhauled and it still runs like a top! What kind of longevity can i expect from a modern tractor? Are they still family heirlooms or will I be looking for another one in a few years???

 

[Farmwithjunk]

WoW, thanks guys you have really come through with some great info..

Farmwithjunk: My sister lives in Mt. Washington, my place is out from Shepherdsville!

A few more questions, 4wd?? is an FEL totally undoable with 2wd? It seems there is quite a price difference in the two. (I think I have decided that an FEL is necessary after listening to all of your post) I have a 4wd truck and love the ability to go ANYWHERE but the land is pretty dry and stable so this would be a nice place to skimp if I can, but if 4wd is somthing i REALLY need I am willing to bite the bullet.

My next question is about the dealers, everyone seems very big on finding a good dealer. When car shopping I tend to not believe anything the dealer says if a tractor dealer makes a promise to say come out to my place to fix a problem should i believe them or is this hype?? (don't mean to sound skeptical but integrity ain't what it used to be)

Keep posting guys you are my lifeline

Well then...Howdy NEIGHBOR! Good chance my guys mow the roadsides where you live.

On 4wd.... When I was still heavy into farming, I owned one 4wd tractor. VERY seldom ever used it. Sold it after a few years and never missed it. I had a 2wd loader tractor (5800lbs w/loader, 3000 Ford) that adaquately performed every loader chore I ever needed and I never really missed having 4wd there either. Of the 5 MFWD tractors I have now for the mowing business, they very seldom get used in 4wd. 2 of my operators report they have NEVER used the 4wd on their rigs. It was more or less standard equipment on the models of tractors I bought, (Would have had to special order ones WITHOUT MFWD) but had 2wds been readily available at the time of purchase, I'd most likely own MAYBE one or two MFWD's. If ground is too muddy to navigate without 4wd, it's too muddy to be mowing in the first place. 4wd, and it's value is probably more important when you try to use a smaller tractor to do a bigger job. Unless you'll be doing a tremendous amount of loader work, 4wd is just not that critical from my experience. I see 4wd as something like owning a tractor with a cab. Nice, but not something that's a "have to have" item. 4wd has it's value, but when we're talking a general utility tractor that will be used in occasional loader work and rarely used for full blown tillage work on a farm, it's just not THAT important. If you're on a budget, I'd rather buy a tractor without 4wd and WITH a little more hp on tap. To each his own.

On "local dealer".....My favorite is Cottrells Massey Ferguson over in Simpsonville (just north of Shelbyville.) Excellent service, knowledgable sales people, just an old fashioned family owned business with it's roots in the farming community. For Deere, I've done "OK" with Heartland Equipment in Fern Creek, but prefer Shelby Supply (in Shelbyville) Heartland's operation in Fern Creek is just a bit too much of a "yuppie supply" for my benefit. They do offer excellent field service, but at a price. Their outlet in Glasgow is a much better store for my buck. Louisville Tractor is a good place to do business also. They handle Deere and New Holland. (Ask for John Day if you go there. Good guy who'll stay with you AFTER the sale. 2M Supply in Shepherdsville is a good place to do business even with their limited product line. Jacobi's is a fair place to shop if you're in to Kubota's. (Which I'm not....)

 

[Farmwithjunk]

The only tractor i have driven much is an old Ford 8n that my uncles father-in-law bought new, then my uncle used it, then my cousin. The engine has never been overhauled and it still runs like a top! What kind of longevity can i expect from a modern tractor? Are they still family heirlooms or will I be looking for another one in a few years???

There you go...starting trouble..... This is an often fought debate. My take? You'll never see the simplicity of those old tractors again. That lends itself to a long life. Any shadetree mechanic can keep the oldies up and running. The new breed of tractors won't be as economically feasable to rebuild out under the old oak tree as grampas FarmAll or 8N. Reliability is there, but high tech issues can shut 'em down in a heartbeat. Just like cars and trucks of today, there's a practical limit as to how much time and money can be devoted to keeping a well worn modern tractor on line. They're fabulous when new, pretty good when old, and a nightmare when they reach a certain point. That's what keeps the value of older tractors at the disproportionate levels they are at. Tractors of today will outlast cars and trucks of today, but IMHO, when todays crop of techno-wonder flash tractors are dead and gone, those oldies will still be out plowin' the neighbors garden.

Again, IMHO, there is the logic behind a SIMPLE, BASIC, "mid-tech" tractor of today. They might not draw a crowd at the county fair like a fancy option laden high tech tractor, but in 25 years, we'll see which one is still operating at maximum efficiency.

 

[Dargo]

Well then...Howdy NEIGHBOR! Good chance my guys mow the roadsides where you live.

On 4wd.... When I was still heavy into farming, I owned one 4wd tractor. VERY seldom ever used it. Sold it after a few years and never missed it. I had a 2wd loader tractor (5800lbs w/loader, 3000 Ford) that adaquately performed every loader chore I ever needed and I never really missed having 4wd there either.

In a quarter century of using loaders on tractors, I have to say that I couldn't disagree more. If you are just going to mow, you don't need to spend the money for an FEL and, depending on your land, you may not need 4wd. If you're going to spend the money on an FEL, well, you know. The only way you'll know is to go try to use a 2wd one with a load in the bucket.

 

[thunderworks]

With all due respect to Farmwithjunk, I'm with Dargo on the question of 2wd vs. 4wd. I think Farmwithjunk could probably accomplish a lot more with minimal equipment than most of us. He has a lifetime of experience. The original poster is in his own words, a "city slicker". I think the 4wd adds a safety margin for a variety of tasks, whether it's mowing on slopes or using the FEL. One of the tasks I do with my FEL (with a brush grapple attached) is deal with large brush burn piles in the winter. I prefer to burn when there is snow on the ground, or at the very least, when it's wet in the winter. Several times I've pushed brush into the pile and nearly got stuck in the mud next to the burning pile . . . without 4wd it's entirely possible I could have had a dangerous problem.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

In a quarter century of using loaders on tractors, I have to say that I couldn't disagree more. If you are just going to mow, you don't need to spend the money for an FEL and, depending on your land, you may not need 4wd. If you're going to spend the money on an FEL, well, you know. The only way you'll know is to go try to use a 2wd one with a load in the bucket.

Why doesn't it suprise me you disagree???? We seem to disagree on quite a bit.

It was more than your "quarter century" ago when I bought, then sold off my first MFWD tractor. I didn't need it then and I don't really see the need now. As I mentioned previously, I used a 2wd loader tractor on the farm for over 35 years. It saw literally thousands of hours of use. Never really felt the need for more than 2wd. And that was use in a feed lot (w/ wet manure), feeding cattle in wintertime conditions, and building a driveway by dredging gravel from a creek bed. So I piled up hours in some of the most adverse conditions a tractor is apt to see. Where I live is about as hilly as land gets.

By the way, I just bought a used "4wd" Kubota yesterday afternoon. (7510) It has a loader. It's being re-sold. I don't need it. Gonna find a buyer who THINKS he does.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

With all due respect to Farmwithjunk, I'm with Dargo on the question of 2wd vs. 4wd. I think Farmwithjunk could probably accomplish a lot more with minimal equipment than most of us. He has a lifetime of experience. The original poster is in his own words, a "city slicker". I think the 4wd adds a safety margin for a variety of tasks, whether it's mowing on slopes or using the FEL. One of the tasks I do with my FEL (with a brush grapple attached) is deal with large brush burn piles in the winter. I prefer to burn when there is snow on the ground, or at the very least, when it's wet in the winter. Several times I've pushed brush into the pile and nearly got stuck in the mud next to the burning pile . . . without 4wd it's entirely possible I could have had a dangerous problem.

The OP isn't even sure he wants (or needs ) a loader. Like I said, 4wd is nice, but just not as much a required feature as is often thought. It's just one of those things that a person can do without, especially so when it comes to working with-in a budget.

 

[Baucom]

I generally would advocate avoiding as much debt as possible, but if you're financing (and especially if buying new w/ the great rates available now), then this is the time to get the things that you would like on a tractor--MFWD, FEL, extra remotes, etc.

With the projects you're planning, I would buy a good utility tractor, 50-60 hp. Generally these work out to be a better "value" than large CUTs. Kubota M series, JD 5xxx, NH, MF, Kioti, Mahindra, etc...weed out the brands for whom you can't find a GOOD dealer that's close enough for your satisfaction. All of the major brands build fine machines, unless you get a lemon (from any brand) your satisfaction will come from picking the right features when you buy and dealer service after the sale.

 

[BarryinMN]

Back to the thread.

I was/is one of those city slickers. The farm has had 2wd tractors here since the 40's. Still does.

My take on the problem with the old machines is the lack of safety features. Primarily a ROPS. Nobody makes a ROPS for a JD A.

It took me about 2 yrs before deciding on a tractor. By then I was smart enough to come in out of the weather, use hydraulics for digging/lifting, and MFWD to to avoid wasting hours or days getting it or something else unstuck.

The budget was adjusted accordingly. Justification was the cost of one medical emergency.

 

[Dargo]

Why doesn't it suprise me you disagree???? We seem to disagree on quite a bit.

The OP asked for opinions. You gave your usual, been there done that, reply and I gave my opinion with an emphasis on actually going to a dealer and trying out an FEL in 2wd vs 4wd. The difference is that I believe a person will know what they need and how to spend their money based more upon what they actually experience than what you tell them. I'd be a very unhappy camper with my equipment if I only took your advice on things rather than real life experience.

I again suggest that the original poster go try out various versions of tractors that seem to be in the range of what they want and arrive at their own conclusions as to what they need.

 

[RWolf]

4wd-2wd the debate goes on. I'm not an expert or an engineer but I've used my FEL on my 2wd on inclines, in wet soggy mud and on dry land with full buckets, Large round bales etc. and the only time I've had any problems and they were slight was when I was moving large round bales in the winter in about 6 inches of mud and that was without ballast of any kind. Should I have used ballast,,,,most likely but to make a blanket statement that if you're going to use a FEL you need 4wd isn't correct. Does 4wd make it easier? most likely. Is it a requirement? Not really. Alot depends on your background. Just because someone says they are a city slicker doesn't mean that they can not operate a tractor. Dargo finds that using a 4wd is to his advantage, FWJ finds that using 2wd does him just fine. Both are correct from there point of view. As to the OP's requirements we still don't know how good or bad his land is. How's the weather? Is there any sink holes? etc. If I was starting over and buying my first tractor the only thing that I'd change is getting more HP. Can I do all the jobs with what I have? So far nothing has stopped me yet. With the right implement you can accomplish just about anything you desire to do and can do it with a 2wd. Maybe not as well or you might have to plan your attack on your project a bit more but it can be done. I personally think that we under estimate what our machines can do.

Anyway good luck to the OP on his decision for a tractor.

 

[newbury]

Why do they call it 4WD on a CUT?
To me it's more like 2WD in the rear and 2 each half (or less) wheel drive in the front.
How much traction do you gain from the two tiny tires in the front?
I can see an aid in steering but for traction to get me out of something I'd rather have 4 BIG tires.

 

[RWolf]

You said it "CUT". It is a utility tractor. When you get into the larger AG tractors they are used almost exclusively for ground engagement tasks. Utility and Compact utility is a hybrid between a large riding lawn mower and larger AG tractor. They're made to do a wide variety of tasks well where the larger ones do the job excellent. Hope my meager explaination helps.

 

[Brahmus]

How much traction do you gain from the two tiny tires in the front?

Enough!! I try to run my unit in 2wd when I can, and that is very rare. A load of dirt in the bucket and a BB on the rear and I loose traction. And my rear tires are filled. Maybe if I had enough ballast I'd be ok, but my projects would take much longer. Maybe it's cause I have the strongest FEL on the minimum machine.... Maybe it's the way I use the Tractor, Maybe it's because I'm doing a bigger job than most with a CUT, but in my case, that extra front wheel pulling makes a WORLD of difference!