Tractor Sizing Tractor for 20-50 acres

[IslandTractor]

Is the M9540 open cab with loader oversized for the situation?

Really depends on what you are planning to do. If most of your 50 acres is wooded and you really need the tractor primarily to mow ten acres of pasture then the M9540 is too big. If you have 40 acres of fields and need to pull a batwing mower then it is the right size.

In general a 40 HP CUT is a good compromise as it isn't too big for routine tasks like working around the barn and can handle six or seven foot implements (any larger implements get real pricey). That said, if you have big plans for plowing large areas or mowing more than 20 perhaps something as big as the M9540 would be justifiable.

 

[NeedMoreTractor]

What if you are grappling large trees and backfilling dirt? Does that justify a M9540 sized tractor?

 

[TripleR]

What if you are grappling large trees and backfilling dirt? Does that justify a M9540 sized tractor?

As I said in my original post, an M Series could easily be justified and dealing with large trees and moving a lot of dirt is one of those justifications. We run an M8540 12F/12R HDC which is the same tractor as the M9540 and it works really well doing those things and is really stable on hills.

We really like the Grand L 5030 and often work them side by side and you can do a LOT more of that kind of work with the M than GL.

 

[IslandTractor]

What if you are grappling large trees and backfilling dirt? Does that justify a M9540 sized tractor?

No. A 40hp tractor can lift 2700lbs (maybe a bit less if it is a Kubota) and you will never grapple more than half that much brush in one bite. Even a whole moderate sized tree can be lifted and moved by a 40hp tractor. Few tractors have buckets bigger than six feet or so and that is the size you'll find on a 40hp. Get a bigger bucket if you are just moving loose dirt but you won't need more than a good 40 hp tractor.

Here is a 40hp tractor at work with a grapple: (note that the biggest brush load is being lifted by a 20hp tractor (CK20), the rest are a DK40se).

 

[R_Walter]

Is the m9540 open cab with loader oversized for my situation?

Again, you never really answered what is your situation. Is it 20 acres, 50 acres???

Have you bought the land yet? Buy the land and then you can narrow down your real needs. It's fun tractor shopping, but without the land it's "all hat, no cows" as they say in Texas.

 

[newbury]

<snip> Even a whole moderate sized tree can be lifted and moved by a 40hp tractor. <snip>

For example a 10' chunk of oak with an average diameter of 26" weighs 2,420 lbs.

If you need to move wood, here's some calculators:
Timber and Lumber Calculators at WOODWEB

 

[NeedMoreTractor]

To answer R_Walter's question we have about thirty acres and plan to expand to about 50 acres.

 

[IslandTractor]

To answer R_Walter's question we have about thirty acres and plan to expand to about 50 acres.

How much of that land will be mowed or tilled versus being left as woodland?

Again, if you are actively working only a portion of 50 acres then a 40ish HP tractor would be fine but if the whole property is mowed or worked regularly then more power and bigger implements might be best.

 

[NeedMoreTractor]

Only about 10-15 acres is grassy, and the rest is wooded. We plan to selectively remove some trees though.

 

[flusher]

Would you guys recommend buying used or new?

Have you ever owned a tractor before? Ever buy a used tractor before? If this is your first tractor, I'd recommend going new. Unless you know how to check out a used tractor or have someone who can do this for you, I'd avoid the hassle and risk of getting a used tractor that could turn into a money pit.

 

[Bluegill2]

400 acres here, around 150 get mowed, rest is timber. The last 10 years we've taken care of the place with an old L3750, 1984 model, 45hp. I just got a L3800, 38hp. Now have a two tractor farm.

Ya don't really need a large tractor, but if ya want one, get it. :thumbsup:

 

[Bluegill2]

Also, my brother is logging with a little 23hp Massey 4WD. He can snake logs out of the woods where the larger tractors can't.

 

[IslandTractor]

Only about 10-15 acres is grassy, and the rest is wooded. We plan to selectively remove some trees though.

30-40hp would be fine then. Six foot implements are a good size for 10-15 acres. No reason to get greater than 40hp, just make sure that you get a decent loader with at least 1500-2000lbs lift to help with the tree removal.

 

[abeal]

400 acres here, around 150 get mowed, rest is timber. The last 10 years we've taken care of the place with an old L3750, 1984 model, 45hp. I just got a L3800, 38hp. Now have a two tractor farm.

Ya don't really need a large tractor, but if ya want one, get it. :thumbsup:

Just bought a 100 acre farm - mostly wooded and horses take care of the pasture. We ordered a L3200 and figure it will be fine for what we need. Will rent or borrow if we need something bigger.

 

[Bluegill2]

Just bought a 100 acre farm - mostly wooded and horses take care of the pasture. We ordered a L3200 and figure it will be fine for what we need. Will rent or borrow if we need something bigger.

And it'll do a fine job for ya! Congrats! :thumbsup:

 

[TripleR]

You mention working with "large" trees; depends on your definition of large. My 50 HP tractor won't budge some of the trees with which I have worked. We used our Massey Ferguson 375 72 HP 4WD loaded tires and cast centers to pull them out. I have two trees down right now that I am going to have to work up or get the 8540 down in there as my other tractors just won't do it.

 

[Bluegill2]

It also depends on how much a guy wants to spend. $$$

 

[TripleR]

It also depends on how much a guy wants to spend. $$$

Almost always a consideration for sure. I didn't particularly "want" to spend the money, for us, nothing else worked.

 

[Bluegill2]

Almost always a consideration for sure. I didn't particularly "want" to spend the money, for us, nothing else worked.

True that. I tend to get by with less, because of the money.

 

[IslandTractor]

True that. I tend to get by with less, because of the money.

Advice on TBN is almost always more more more horsepower etc. Maybe we need a new subforum for "small is beautiful" tractors.

20hp is plenty to get a lot of work done so long as there is no critical time element.