Has anoyne ever traded down to a smaller tractor?

[ddb123]

And been happier, I should add. I never come close to the limits of my tractor, and I often catch myself thinking I would trade some of its power for a few creature comforts. A smaller tractor would be nicer in the woods, too, and wouldn't be such a squeeze to fit under my shelter. This has me thinking that my next tractor will be a little smaller and less powerful, but have all the bells and whistles.

Has anyone ever traded down to a smaller, less powerful tractor and been happier with it? I know many on here do the opposite (or wish they had, or could). Another thread got me thinking along these lines, but I didn't want to hijack it.

 

[Tomtint]

I had a BX22 on a 3 acre property. I got a L3700 SU for the property I now have (25ac) If I ever went back to a smaller property, I would get a BX 25 in a second.

 

[wamsutta]

i just down sized from a 50+ hp utility tractor to a cut- jd 110. and i miss the bigger frame, greater mass and traction of the utility class. Although the JD 110 is very capable, and with the ehydro very fast. I miss the sheer mass and power ( TRACTION ) of the larger frame machine. I need the backhoe functionality of the 110 right now, and I like the 110 enough to keep it, but I am aleady looking for a used agi tractor with a weight of of 9 -10k.
This may not be your situation, but the principal is the same. Unless your present machine is just too big, you will likely be disappointed in a smaller ( less mass) machine.

 

[Ford tractor]

Smaller????


Blasphemer!



(just joking)

 

[bp fick]

When my days of market gardening come to an end, basically because my body wouldn't be able to do it anymore, I'd go back to a BX type/sized tractor in a heart beat. I know that won't be for a few year anyhow and by then, maybe Kubota will have seriously upgraded and updated the machine. The price will probably scare me to death by then. :laughing:

 

[radrock]

Have been thinking about it. I have been hearing lots of pretty good stuff about the GC2600 Massey. I stuck on red. A belly mower with a FEL would be a great combo. But I could keep my 1215 and just buy a new riding mower cheaper haha

 

[TripleR]

medicshawn sold his L3940 and bought a BX1860 due to changed circumstances, but I forgot the details.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Smaller????
Blasphemer!
(just joking)

Smaller is better if you need to do a lot of mowing, and have soft ground to drive on. Mine's a heavy beast and I almost stuck it in the mud this past weekend moving gravel to firm up the drive.

Smaller is better to fit between trees and barn doors, or under garage doors. I recall Kubota has a narrow frame version of a couple of their CUTS. That also might go well for small row crop use.

Smaller "generally" uses less fuel, and costs less to buy too.

 

[Ford tractor]

Smaller "generally" uses less fuel, and costs less to buy too.

Used 100+ hp machines are normally less $$$ than 25-30hp. Oh, and those 100+ hp machines will complete the same tasks using less fuel. Disc a couple hundred acres with each and compare receipts.

 

[Ledge End]

I sort of did... I bought a smaller one and am very happy with it but I also bought a bigger one at the same time. I'm happier with that one too. :laughing:

I don't know how I did anything without my first tractor but after the first few weeks I realized that it was both too big and too small :confused2:

Since my equipment was bought used the resale difference was small. I learned a few things: 1) I should have bought one earlier; 2) It's so much more enjoyable / easier / safer when the machine is right for the job.

Have fun!

 

[grnspot110]

I did, but I was also upgrading as my needs have changed. I sold my 1958 JD 520 row crop (34 HP) & bought a 2004 JD 790 Compact (27 HP). Fits my current needs much better! ~~ grnspot

 

[ddb123]

Right now I have a 45 hp L4300. It is 2 wheel drive and unloaded tires. I'm thinking that a lower hp 4 wheel drive machine would engage the ground as well (or better) than now, and definitely all I need it to do. As far as loader work, the heaviest work I do with it by far is load and unload implements, and my heaviest implement (6 ft brush hog) was loaded into my trailer with a 25 hp New Holland loader. Watching that and seeing what some people on here do with much smaller machines, and a buddy of mine who has a B7800, has me thinking that I would be well served by a 4wd tractor in the low- to mid-30 hp range, maybe as small as a B3200 even. Using my tractor for a few hours straight makes me wish I had a tilt wheel, HST, more comfortable station, etc. Sure would save some money come upgrade time if I could lower the hp requirements. That and, as I said, a smaller machine could really help in the woods and with storage. But would I instantly regret the loss of hp is my worry. Since I don't push my tractor now (except traction sometimes -- gotta load those tires) I'm thinking I would be more than happy with the capabilities of a B3300SU or L3240.

 

[magicheater]

A long while back I down sized from an Oliver 1600 65 H.P. gas tractor to an L4350 Kubota diesel (45H.P.) 4x4. (Actually up-sized) Difference of night and day! Recently I added a B7800 w/HST, now I seldom use the big guy, not once this winter. Only time I need the bigger tractor is for lift capacity of the loader or pure grunt. I have found that the nimbleness of the HST and the smaller tractor play a bigger part in the usage. I would say that your needs drives the decision and at times it is after you buy that you realize that your choice was to big or too small. FWIW.

 

[JDgreen227]

Before I purchased my first CUT, I was torn between the Deere 4210 and 4310, the bigger Deere offered more power and a higher lift height and capacity with the FEL, but I really would have only needed those once in a while, and because after my landscaping work would be done, 90% of my time would be mowing hours. So I went with the 4210. It's lighter, a bit shorter, turns sharper, and the smaller engine is remarkably fuel efficient and I am happy with my choice. Not likely I would trade down to a smaller model though unless I moved to a smaller property.

 

[jpm1]

ddb123

Years ago i had 2 Belarus 60 hp tractors. One with a loader, one without. These were great tractors but extremely heavy. When we sold the cows, i had little use for big heavy tractors and sold them and started with a Mahindra 2810HST. My dad didn't like the idea at the time but learned quickly that i could do anything with my new smaller tractor that the big tractor could do, it just took a couple of trips more with the loader ect. We found out quickly that it was quicker with the smaller tractor because there was less ground disturbance to repair when the job was done. it just takes a little gittin use to. Remember its not the size of the hook you use, it's how you wiggle the worm! .. .John