Help to determine HP needed

[rmaa]

We are looking to purchase a new tractor and are getting conflicting advise from dealers on what the best size tractor is for the job we need it for.

We have 30+ acres, though only about 15-20 of it is cleared. So far we have only been able to bush hog it once a year by borrowing my parent's tractor, so saplings do rapidly appear. Once we get our own tractor we will be able to keep it down to pasture quality and no saplings growing. So the main function of the tractor will be for bush hogging the 15 acres until our horse population slowly expands, after which the uses will turn to some bush hogging and dragging fields. Other uses, though not as frequent as bush hogging, will be drilling holes for fence, moving dirt with box blade and minor use of the FEL.

The land is kind of hilly, (rolling ) and the soil is mixed, with some parts clay, some gravel, some rocky, and regular topsoil, depending on what part of the land you are on. Not really any significant snow around here, so not worried about that.

The bush hog we will get after we get the tractor since its size will be determined by the HP, though we were thinking a 5 foot bush hog will be fine. Same for the box blade.


Hmm, any other details needed for giving advise? From the dealers, we got advise as low as 25 HP and as high as minimum 40 HP :confused2: Obviously we don't want to get too little and wish we had more, but would hate to have a bigger tractor than we really need. Ideally we would like to spend under $25K for the tractor and FEL. The tractors we are looking at and have dealers in our area for are Kubota, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and maybe JD.

Thanks in advance

 

[jake98]

Welcome to TBN.

I run a 5' brush hog on 25 hp with no problem. Lots of people say to not get less than 35 hp, but I think 25 is good for that.

 

[TripleR]

As has been said on here many times, a smaller tractor will often do it, it will just take longer. I am sure it can be done with a 25 HP machine, but that sure would not be my choice. I wouldn't want to go under a 35 HP myself and really like something in the 50 HP range as they are not really all that much bigger physically and have more capability. I like a good strong FEL and a little bit of weight which is hard to come by on a smaller tractor.

Now I am talking about ideal conditions and have done what you contemplate with an old Ford NAA, so you should be able to get something capable in your price range from any of the dealers in your area; all make good equipment. While my preference is Kubota, Kioti/Bobcat seem to be offering some good tractors for a really reasonable price; check them ALL out to see which fits you and your budget best and good luck.

 

[jdbnh]

with 5 foot implements we always sale either a 30 or 35 hp tractor. if you are gonna have a FEL, 4x4 works a lot better than a 2wd tractor that is small. that is just what we see and sale aroudn here (texas)

 

[EFC]

We are looking to purchase a new tractor and are getting conflicting advise from dealers on what the best size tractor is for the job we need it for.

We have 30+ acres, though only about 15-20 of it is cleared. So far we have only been able to bush hog it once a year by borrowing my parent's tractor, so saplings do rapidly appear. Once we get our own tractor we will be able to keep it down to pasture quality and no saplings growing. So the main function of the tractor will be for bush hogging the 15 acres until our horse population slowly expands, after which the uses will turn to some bush hogging and dragging fields. Other uses, though not as frequent as bush hogging, will be drilling holes for fence, moving dirt with box blade and minor use of the FEL.

The land is kind of hilly, (rolling ) and the soil is mixed, with some parts clay, some gravel, some rocky, and regular topsoil, depending on what part of the land you are on. Not really any significant snow around here, so not worried about that.

The bush hog we will get after we get the tractor since its size will be determined by the HP, though we were thinking a 5 foot bush hog will be fine. Same for the box blade.


Hmm, any other details needed for giving advise? From the dealers, we got advise as low as 25 HP and as high as minimum 40 HP :confused2: Obviously we don't want to get too little and wish we had more, but would hate to have a bigger tractor than we really need. Ideally we would like to spend under $25K for the tractor and FEL. The tractors we are looking at and have dealers in our area for are Kubota, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and maybe JD.

Thanks in advance

The problem is the amount of ground you have and potential needs in the future. Also size is not a horsepower and horsepower is not a size. Tractor weight and footprint is the actual size and is something you should be looking at also. A 100 pound difference in models is not a big deal but you can see as much as a 1500 pound difference in the same horsepower. If a 5 foot field mower is big enough for you than a 25 horsepower compact (not sub compact) would be fine. But that is a lot of ground to mow with a 5' mower. If you wanted to go up to a 6' then 35 to 40 horse utility size (not compact) would work better. For 25K out the door you should easily be able to buy a 40 horsepower tractor with loader and 6' mower. This is a tool and the more capable the tool the easier the job.

Nice part about a utility sized tractor in a farm environment is you have a tractor that is small enough to fit in the tight spots and isn稚 intimidating to drive but is really big enough to farm with. Plus with the extra lead in your pencil you can pick things up that a compact or sub compact might lift but is on the edge of calamity at every bump in the field.

In Deere the 4000 series, New Holland 3000 series Boomers, Massey I really like the 2600 series for farm/horse operations, nice and heavy and simple.

Buck

 

[nybirdman]

Horse power is not the total answer,you also need weight for ground engagement work.
example:have used a Kubota B7800 30 hp ,four cylinder maybe 2800lb
owned a L3130 31hp, three cylinder about 3800lb
owned now L4240 44hp four cylinder about 6500lbs
The L3130 would do most of the work of the L4240(FEL capacity much greater)
I quote Kubotas because that is what I am familar with.
The L3130 was replaced by the L3240.I believe the L3240 would do all the work you require with five fooot implements.
All of the major manufactorers have tractors in this class.

 

[Craig Clayton]

Without being to specific could you supply the general location ,state or province. Snow fall and length of drive. Possible condition of the unusable parts, trees, ponds. New and now for the hard part, how much are you willing to spend. If you purchase wisely you will have the tractor for many many years.
Craig Clayton

 

[rmaa]

Also size is not a horsepower and horsepower is not a size. Tractor weight and footprint is the actual size and is something you should be looking at also.

You are right, I should have been more specific with my question, though many of you gave me what I was looking for. We did notice when we looked at the kubota the difference in size between a 32 HP and the 34HP when you changed the series, and we are thinking along the lines of the large "footprint".

For 25K out the door you should easily be able to buy a 40 horsepower tractor with loader and 6' mower. This is a tool and the more capable the tool the easier the job.

Really? When we stopped by the Kubota/MF dealer this past spring, we were quoted in the low $20's for the MF1533 and the L3400 with loader (no mower). You think we could find 40 HP plus the mower for $25 brand new? We are looking to go new because we have some of the money to put down for down payment, and then many dealers have the 0% financing for a certain amount of time, which I like the idea of not having to pay interest. We have issues buying used in the past for other items and would like to know what we are getting when we buy and not guessing if the previous owner abused it... Personal preference I guess.....

In Deere the 4000 series, New Holland 3000 series Boomers, Massey I really like the 2600 series for farm/horse operations, nice and heavy and simple.

Thanks for that list, I will ask about those (next week we go scouting).

Without being to specific could you supply the general location ,state or province. Snow fall and length of drive. Possible condition of the unusable parts, trees, ponds. New and now for the hard part, how much are you willing to spend.

Well, my original post had many of the answers, but the area is central NC, like in the Raleigh area. So the snow fall is almost nothing, maybe 6 inches for the whole year, nothing a bucket couldn't handle easily or a cheap scrape blade. If we get more than that, we will just wait it out because county streets will not likely be cleared either. I am not sure why you want to know the "unusable" parts, but they are trees, no ponds. They will stay that way for hunting. I already mentioned we would like to stay under $25K. If we really need something more expensive, we will wait to save more money.

If you purchase wisely you will have the tractor for many many years.

This is the idea

 

[brin]

You mentioned trees...I bush hog 22 Acres and I have trees so I use my 29 HP NH TC -29 with a 5' bush hog and it handles it just fine as long as I don't let the pastures get to high..then it is slow going. I don't use my JD 3020 with 6' bush hog since it sits too high to get under the trees....As long as you cut when the growth is only a foot or two high and it isn't real thick fescue or bermuda grass you will be fine with 25 to 30 HP .and if it is just little saplings and weeds you can let it get higher and still be fine but you will always have weeds. The idea is to cut the weeds down before they go to seed and then you won't have to use chemicals..Hope this helps.

 

[rmaa]

if you are gonna have a FEL, 4x4 works a lot better than a 2wd tractor that is small.

Knew I was going to forget something Definitely 4x4 because when we get a lot of rain, the 4x4 will come in handy!

 

[rmaa]

and if it is just little saplings and weeds you can let it get higher and still be fine but you will always have weeds. The idea is to cut the weeds down before they go to seed and then you won't have to use chemicals..Hope this helps.

This was out thinking to get it back to pasture quality, to keep it cut often enough and before the weeds go to seed. The saplings will go away after a couple of cuts unless we fail to keep it cut again. I think previously they used to cut hay on the fields until they decided to sell it. I think mostly it is orchard grasses and fescue. There is some issue of broom sage, but we will deal with that after we get the equipment!

 

[RobertN]

Based on what you described, my NH TC40D would be a perfect fit. 6' loader, 6' rotary mower, enough HP to easily run the mower even in really tough stuff. Hydro tranny. Easy to drive and operate.

My previous tractor was great, but under powered. 20HP with 4' mower was marginal at best. And took a long time. I was taking care of my 5 acres and my parents 8 acres.

My TC40D is a huge step in HP, and a large step in size. It is more than I need for 13 acres, but it is sure nice since being underpowered.

The extra power, and extra 2' of mower make a huge difference in mowing time.

From my 12 years of doing this, I could see where a 35hp tractor like an L3410, or TC35(not sure the latest model #) would work for you. The extra 5hp of the TC40 or similar sure is nice though.

I have a friend in Tenessee with 40 acres as you describe. He got a 40hp McCormick and really like the size and HP for tasks that you describe.

 

[picker77]

This is coming from a John Deere guy, but I'd be looking real hard at the Kubota L4400 with LA703 loader in either gear (for mostly mowing) or HST (for mostly loader work).

 

[jlsmith]

We are looking to purchase a new tractor and are getting conflicting advise from dealers on what the best size tractor is for the job we need it for.

We have 30+ acres, though only about 15-20 of it is cleared. So far we have only been able to bush hog it once a year by borrowing my parent's tractor, so saplings do rapidly appear. Once we get our own tractor we will be able to keep it down to pasture quality and no saplings growing. So the main function of the tractor will be for bush hogging the 15 acres until our horse population slowly expands, after which the uses will turn to some bush hogging and dragging fields. Other uses, though not as frequent as bush hogging, will be drilling holes for fence, moving dirt with box blade and minor use of the FEL.

The land is kind of hilly, (rolling ) and the soil is mixed, with some parts clay, some gravel, some rocky, and regular topsoil, depending on what part of the land you are on. Not really any significant snow around here, so not worried about that.

The bush hog we will get after we get the tractor since its size will be determined by the HP, though we were thinking a 5 foot bush hog will be fine. Same for the box blade.


Hmm, any other details needed for giving advise? From the dealers, we got advise as low as 25 HP and as high as minimum 40 HP :confused2: Obviously we don't want to get too little and wish we had more, but would hate to have a bigger tractor than we really need. Ideally we would like to spend under $25K for the tractor and FEL. The tractors we are looking at and have dealers in our area for are Kubota, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and maybe JD.

Thanks in advance

I just sent you a PM with some info on a tractor, let me know if i can help
Jeremy

 

[EFC]

Really? When we stopped by the Kubota/MF dealer this past spring, we were quoted in the low $20's for the MF1533 and the L3400 with loader (no mower). You think we could find 40 HP plus the mower for $25 brand new? We are looking to go new because we have some of the money to put down for down payment, and then many dealers have the 0% financing for a certain amount of time, which I like the idea of not having to pay interest. We have issues buying used in the past for other items and would like to know what we are getting when we buy and not guessing if the previous owner abused it... Personal preference I guess.....


This is the idea

In either of the brands I sell my normal sticker price for a 40 hp with loader and 6' mower would be under 25K and I am not considered a "low price $100 over cost" dealer either so I think you should be able to find something locally that is the same price or lower than me. If not let me know and I can send some references.

Buck

 

[LD1]

This is coming from a John Deere guy, but I'd be looking real hard at the Kubota L4400 with LA703 loader in either gear (for mostly mowing) or HST (for mostly loader work).

Thats exactly what I was thinking but you beat me to it.

I cant believe you got a quote over 20k for the L3400 with just the FEL. That should be in the 18-19k range at most.

I am not sure but I think the L4400 runs about 2-3k more. Add a 6' cutter and you sould be a good but under your 25k OTD price.

 

[Jerry/MT]

We are looking to purchase a new tractor and are getting conflicting advise from dealers on what the best size tractor is for the job we need it for.

We have 30+ acres, though only about 15-20 of it is cleared. So far we have only been able to bush hog it once a year by borrowing my parent's tractor, so saplings do rapidly appear. Once we get our own tractor we will be able to keep it down to pasture quality and no saplings growing. So the main function of the tractor will be for bush hogging the 15 acres until our horse population slowly expands, after which the uses will turn to some bush hogging and dragging fields. Other uses, though not as frequent as bush hogging, will be drilling holes for fence, moving dirt with box blade and minor use of the FEL.

The land is kind of hilly, (rolling ) and the soil is mixed, with some parts clay, some gravel, some rocky, and regular topsoil, depending on what part of the land you are on. Not really any significant snow around here, so not worried about that.

The bush hog we will get after we get the tractor since its size will be determined by the HP, though we were thinking a 5 foot bush hog will be fine. Same for the box blade.


Hmm, any other details needed for giving advise? From the dealers, we got advise as low as 25 HP and as high as minimum 40 HP :confused2: Obviously we don't want to get too little and wish we had more, but would hate to have a bigger tractor than we really need. Ideally we would like to spend under $25K for the tractor and FEL. The tractors we are looking at and have dealers in our area for are Kubota, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and maybe JD.

Thanks in advance

One thing I would strongly advise you to consider is to not buy a tractor that is just sized to what you think you need right now. You are new at this and you will find uses for the tractor that are beyond what you are thinking of at the moment.

If you want to use a FEL, I would strongly advise 4WD. You'll get a beefier front axle and the first time you go into a muddy situation with the loader bucket full,you'll know why I recommend 4WD.

How much time do you want to spend mowing your acreage. A 5ft mower at 5mph is about 3 acres an hour. If the ground is rough, you'll do less than 5mph. and since you're cutting saplings, you may not even be able to do that with 25hp. For just mowing grass the rule of thumb is ~5 hp per foot of mower.

As far as a post hole auger is concerned, that will not size your tractor. The auger will run at maybe 1000 to 1200 rpm at the engine depending on the pto gear ratio.

Are you going to plow or have ground engageing implements. Are you going to grow hay and mow, rake, and bale that? If so what kind of bales. big rounds or small squares? Small sqaures don't require as much HP but are much more labor intensive to put up. Consider having someone custom it (we do)and letthem pay for the expensive equipment and maintenance.

I started out with a JD 435 (~3200 lbs as I recal) a while back to grade my driveways and drag pastures and mow them and it was a heavy 29 hp tractor. I moved from that to a TO-30 Ferguson(~2500lbs) for the same uses. The JD435 was better for those uses because of it weght and the fact that it was a diesel.

We now have a small ranch and I bought a 2WD Ford 4610 (62 eng/46 ptoHP @~5500lbsw/FEL))and put on an EZee-On loader and I feed with large round bales and that tractor is marginal for handling them.

I recently purchased a 4WD TD95D with a 820TL loader((90 HPeng/80HPpto @~8500 lbs w/FEL))so I can more easily handle round bales and deal with muddy conditions. When I bought the Ford, my plan was to feed small squares because if your tractor doesn't start with round bales, your cows don't eat. Where I live, small squares cost more so I had too small of a tractor for my needs but at the time I bought it, it met my assumptions. Live and learn. I also have a cab on NH as I'm getting too long in the tooth to feed in an open station machine during a Montana winter.

My point is don't look too short term and don't just look at the HP by itself. Consider the weight of the tractor also. For the same HP, the heavier tractor will generally be your best choice. Make the right choice and you'll have a tractor that will meet your present needs and be flexible enought to meet the future needs you haven't even considered.

Good luck in whatever you chose to do.

 

[zene55]

I have a kubot L-2800 geared. It was less than the HST model. It has been plenty of tractor for so far. I have been moving a large pile of dirt/rocks from a septic system install and the 4wd has been a must. I think the AG tires are a must for the type of jobs I have been doing. Hope you figure out what you need.

 

[big bubba]

from your description & possible future needs, in terms of Kubota i would go no less than the mx5100. with a geared tranny, 4wd, loaderw/quick attach, according to the K build your own option on their website, it would run hi 26's...you may not feel too great the diff. per monthly payment. i had a L4400 and felt it was way too light on it's feet for fel, etc work. only imho. mahindra may be another option for you (heavier & cheaper) but loses resale much quicker. kioti another one. good luck.

 

[bp fick]

While a Kubota guy myself, it would be wrong not mention that there are lower priced, quality machines, at your price point.

LS tractors are certainly worthy of at least a good, long, hard look. Same with the Kioti/BobCat twins. If you have looked at those tractors and discarded further consideration, that's fine, but be sure you don't leave those stones unturned. FWIW

Sometimes, just being honest here, going Korean can save you an awful lot of money over the more typical Kubota, MF or Deere.