Compact 4wd v. Larger 2wd utility tractor?
- Thread starter agsanders
- Start date
- Views: 39010
dkhntr04
Silver Member
The smaller tractor is your better bet. My property is about the same size as yours, and I cannot think of a single reason I would want a larger tractor. The small size has major advantages. I had a larger tractor (Farmall M) for a year an a half. I sold it because it was too big for most of what I do, and it never got used.
Biggreenavalanche
Gold Member
I'll jump on the wagon in favor of recommending the 4wd...in addition to to both of the above excellent brands take a look at both the Kioti and Mahindra brands, think you will be pleasantly surprised with them, for what you're describing, take a look at the Mahindra 3616 or 4035...just my 2:cents: worth...best of luck with whatever you purchase !
Rich
I truly appreciate everyone's replies. I have a fair bit of experience in operating tractors, but not within the last 10-12 years. In that time, the smaller 4wd tractors seem to have exploded in popularity. I think I would prefer hydrostatic just in ease of use, plus I think my wife would feel more comfortable with it should she want to use it. I'm not really sold on a brand. I'll keep my options open. With that said, is there anything in particular I should look for, or avoid? I've never been concerned with specs because I've never owned one before. My experience has been "boy, get on the tractor and mow the field" or "go move those hay bales". Thank you in advance.
Relic
Silver Member
this>>>>>>>>>>>>>Whatever you end up getting, I recommend it has 4WD. It makes a significant difference in what a tractor can do.
JDgreen227
Super Member
AGREE 100%...while a 4wd will cost more up front and require more maintenance, you will get the extra cost back and then some come selling or trade in time, ESPECIALLY when selling because many used tractor buyers want 4wd. At least 90% of the operating hours on my Deere 4210 are mowing hours and less than 5% are operating in 4wd, but the times I NEED 4wd make the extra cost well worth it. Just remember, a bigger tractor is going to consume more fuel per operating hour and with diesel selling for $4.25 per gallon that will be a significant extra expense in the long run. Maybe ten times in 1005 hours of owning my Deere 4210 I have wished for a few more hp or greater lift height but 99% of the time the tractor I have does the job and then some. Stick with a major brand Deere, Kubota, or NH, a 30 hp 4wd hydro model is the sweet spot and I'm sure you will be very satisfied with one.
Piston
Elite Member
I'm curious why the only options are either a small 4wd or a larger 2wd?
Depending on what you want, you can spend a whole lot more money on a CUT 4wd than a utility sized 4wd.
So why not consider a larger 4wd and get the best of both worlds?
Depending on what you want, you can spend a whole lot more money on a CUT 4wd than a utility sized 4wd.
So why not consider a larger 4wd and get the best of both worlds?
magicheater
Veteran Member
Interesting take but you left out the smaller world of maneuverability and the ability to go places a larger tractor cannot go on the table.
Piston
Elite Member
I don't disagree with you. It sounds like a smaller tractor would do everything he needs. I'm just pointing out that you don't have to give up 4wd just because your thinking about a bigger tractor.
magicheater
Veteran Member
For sure, and with the snow you just got a larger tractor, and that would have been better!!
Last edited:
rjwerth
Gold Member
All I can say is that my tractor would be very close to worthless with only 2wd. I rarely take mine out of 4wd.
GManBart
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2012
- Messages
- 4,976
- Location
- Detroit, Michigan
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson 241, Kubota SVL90-2
That used to be great advice, but with only Kubota building their own smaller tractors here, it's not nearly the benefit it used to be. When I set out to buy a new tractor I researched all the big names, got prices, read feedback, looked at every forum I could find, and came to the conclusion that the major brands are getting their butt's kicked in similar fashion to what happened to the U.S. auto industry not that long ago.
If I'd bought my new tractor from NH, it would say Boomer 50 on it, and it would have cost me $8000 more than buying it from LS....for the identical machine. If parts availability is going to be a problem down the road, it will be for a NH owner as well, so buying the "major name" gets you nothing but added cost, in many cases. That also means the same situation is likely happening when you buy green, or red, or any other color....you're not really getting the benefit of guaranteed lifetime parts and service like you used to.
If they aren't making it here, in their own facility, there's a risk involved as a consumer, and you're not even getting a discount for that risk. Seriously, $8k more for the same machine....that says something just ain't right.
rjwerth
Gold Member
A Kioti DK50SE will cost less than $30k even with a cab!
magicheater
Veteran Member
So what brand would you recommend?
TripleR
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 18,538
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota M8540HDC, L5740HSTC, BX2200, BX2660, John Deere 425&1025R, Case, Massey Ferguson, Ford
Since you are looking at this as just a toy so to speak rather than looking for the optimum machine, the truth is by the time you look at all the available brands and models you could probably come up with close to a hundred different new and used models that would do the tasks you mentioned. We grew up farming 160 acres with a 2WD 32 HP tractor, still use it as a matter of fact. I even used it on our hill farm where I now live to bush hog, grade etc., not my choice, but it worked. When I could afford it, I bought something better suited.
My inclination is that while several sizes will do the job, I would pick something in the 39-40 HP range along the lines of the JD3000 Series, Kubota L/Grand L or equivalent in any of the other brands. I personally like the Kubota Grand L Series with the HST+ transmission, but you pay for it. Other less expensive tractors will get the job done.
I would take my time, look at reputable, friendly dealers in your area to start with. We own a Massey Ferguson, but don't have a good dealer in my area, so while it may be on your list it won't be on mine, same for Mahindra and LS and to a lesser extent Kioti. My brother went out of state to get his Kioti, but he is a lot better mechanic than I and his will never be near a dealer again.
I often recommend renting a tractor of the size you think you will like with as close to the features you want and use it on your land for a day or two, preferably two.
Even after all the research, it is still going to be a difficult decision. Two of the last tractors I bought were not the ones I thought I needed, once I went smaller and once bigger, none of us is going to be able to pick "the" tractor for you.
I have been driving tractors for over fifty years and if I pile what I know against what I need to know, the "need to know" pile is going to be bigger and always will be.
Good luck in your decision process, hope I don't steer you too far off.
My inclination is that while several sizes will do the job, I would pick something in the 39-40 HP range along the lines of the JD3000 Series, Kubota L/Grand L or equivalent in any of the other brands. I personally like the Kubota Grand L Series with the HST+ transmission, but you pay for it. Other less expensive tractors will get the job done.
I would take my time, look at reputable, friendly dealers in your area to start with. We own a Massey Ferguson, but don't have a good dealer in my area, so while it may be on your list it won't be on mine, same for Mahindra and LS and to a lesser extent Kioti. My brother went out of state to get his Kioti, but he is a lot better mechanic than I and his will never be near a dealer again.
I often recommend renting a tractor of the size you think you will like with as close to the features you want and use it on your land for a day or two, preferably two.
Even after all the research, it is still going to be a difficult decision. Two of the last tractors I bought were not the ones I thought I needed, once I went smaller and once bigger, none of us is going to be able to pick "the" tractor for you.
I have been driving tractors for over fifty years and if I pile what I know against what I need to know, the "need to know" pile is going to be bigger and always will be.
Good luck in your decision process, hope I don't steer you too far off.
JDgreen227
Super Member
Although GManBart suggests buying a major brand is a costly mistake because quote: "Buying from NH would have cost me $8000 more...." I have to wonder what brand he purchased and just how far he has to travel for parts and service. Having a JD or Kubota dealer nearby is a HUGE plus if you are a novice to tractor ownership.
Here are some similar links:
