Need tractor for deer food plots

[scrimshaw33]

I've never owned a tractor and never used one except for the low powered riding lawn mowers.

I've researched that the best horsepower for my 100 acre farm will be around 45-48 horsepower (a good strength to get things done--will be planting food plots for deer, moving trees and brush, bushogging, cutting grass).

Am looking at the New Holland, John Deere, and Kubota somwhere around 45 hp with a frontloader.

Originally wanted the more compact 30-35 hp but from research sounded like the power wouldn't be enough.

Thoughts on tractor brand and hp?

 

[HCJ]

I use mine for the same purposes, on my 300 acre hunting property. I plant food plots, maintain and create roads, clear trees and brush to make new shooting lanes, bush hog, etc. I have a M 6800 Kubota (68 hp) and find it ideal. You want 4WD, loaded rear tires, and implements. Moving trees is what takes power and weight, where as bush hogging does not. I highly recommend a grapple on the front (for moving trees and chain sawed debris, fallen trees etc.) Next is a heavier duty rotary cutter, especially if you use it in the woods to make new paths or lanes, such as a Woods Model 720. Cutting grass doesn't take a heavy duty whereas cutting sapplings and thick brush does. After trashing a regular duty after 4 years of hard use, I upgraded to a beefier one and like it. Then get a box blade for moving dirt and grading roads. And lastly a disc harrow, again the heaviest you can afford. A cheap 3 pt. hitch spreader speeds up fertilization, whereas I spread my seed by hand with a good chest type spreader for more control. Then make or buy something to drag to level the plots and cover the seed. That's all I use and feel I have everything covered. I think this sized tractor is ideal for what I do

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

You are going to be doing a lot of ground enguagement work, so you will want more of a ag utility tractor rather than a compact tractor. The weight of the tractor will mean as much as the HP in accomplishing your tasks. The heavier the tractor the more traction and stability. You will also want ag R1 tires over the industrial R4's. Good luck!

 

[scrimshaw33]

Thanks so much! HCJ, do you just use the disc harrow for your food plots or do you also have something like a plow to break the ground? Thanks for both of your guys help.

 

[Soundguy]

you looking for new or used?

if used.. a ford 4xxx series.. or 5xxx series should give you more than enough hp.

soundguy

 

[scrimshaw33]

would the New Holland tc33da work for me--4 WD, hydrostatic and diesal?

 

[sunnyside360]

I have 300 acres of old farm land of which about half is wooded and the other half is fields which haven't been farmed since the sixties. I'm doing all of what you are doing plus maintaining a half mile of road. I have a JD 3720 w/cab, JD 4320 OS, and a Kubota M8200 w/cab -- bought all new and all are very good tractors. The JD 4320 is the workhorse of the three. Even though it's the newest (1.5 yrs), it's got the most hours on the meter because it's great for most work. In fact, I was telling my wife that if I went down to one tractor I would sell all three and get a JD 4720 w/cab. The 4720 is the same as the 4320 with more hp. Just my $0.02.
However, IMHO, you can't go wrong with any of the brands you are considering. Good luck.

 

[flINTLOCK]

I have been using TC40 DA for foodplots about 3 years now. I work about 8.5 acres. Hardest work I have is discing since I cannot plow my rocky soil. I can pull medium duty 6 ft disc no problem, although the rocks prevent deep penetration. If your soil is better with less rocks, the TC33 may be marginal in power.

 

[HCJtractor]

Thanks so much! HCJ, do you just use the disc harrow for your food plots or do you also have something like a plow to break the ground? Thanks for both of your guys help.

Good question!! For years, we used our 20" x 20 disc Leinbach harrow (after bush hogging the plots) When the ground is wet from rain and relatively soft, it works pretty good, but still takes multiple passes. Our problem has been that when we want to plant in early September, it seems never to rain when we need it to, so that has been a major problem. The ground is rock hard and the disc just rolls along. Of course, some of this depends on your soil type. Here in upstate S.C., we have varied soil, some good river bottom, some clay, and a fair number of rocks.

This year, I bought a used three bottom turn over or "moldboard" plow. I also bought a two bottom which had no "trip protection" whereas the 3-bottom has shear pin protection. I trashed the two bottom snagging rocks but the 3 bottom works absolutely great (still shear some pins but that's an easy fix). This has really helped to use before the disc.

So to prepare an existing plot, we bush hog it close, (round-up helps but I don't have a sprayer), plow it (one pass, goes quickly), disc it 3 or 4 passes, then drag it with a home-made drag to level it out (We pull this with a vehicle). Then broadcast seed by hand and do a fast one pass drag to cover the seed. Then fertilize (either before or after seeding). We usually plant a wildlife mix (wheat, rye, oats, clover, peas) because it's cheap and works well. The more exotic blends are more expensive and our deer seem to like what we plant just fine. We do these steps over several weeks as time (and our wives) permit.

I agree with the previous post that an Ag type tractor would be better than a compact, and I don't feel all the "bells and whistles" are really necessary. Just a good heavy, powerful tractor in the 60 or 70 hp range would be all you ever need. Brands are just a matter of opinion. I like my Kubota, but have never used anything else.

Where are you located? How many food plots do you plan? Does the land need cleared and graded first? If so you may want to hire a dozer to speed things up. We did this is some places.

I will warn you. Tractors and implements are additictive!! Good luck in your search.

 

[scrimshaw33]

Thanks guys, it is addictive. Am anxious to use one.

I have a 100 acres in central NC. Clay soil though not real rocky. Some wet parts near ponds and creek. I think I'll use a front end loader to remove trees and brush and will definitely need something for bush hogging, planting food plots and tractor rides in the fall for the kids.

I have 50 acres of woods which are mature and will be cutting many to allow some small undergrowth, might use the tractor to help clear some roads and tear through the 20 yo growth after chainsaw work.

Am going to divide the 50 open acres (fields) so that I have more smaller food plots. I had the 50 open areas planted in soybeans this year so fescue is gone and should give me a good start and open pallate for whatever i want to do next year.

Am debating growing some pines to break up the fields which grow fast year vs letting nature take it's course and let old field succession take place for several years, burning or cutting it and letting the process start all over again to create cover for the deer.

Ideally adn the main reason I'm wanting to purchase a tractor is to plant food plots like the last poster and mainly the same mix as you with primarily clover (I agree--stay away from those bags of seed with the bucks on them, generic works just the same!), and maybe some corn for cover b/t food plots.

 

[HCJtractor]

Thanks guys, it is addictive. Am anxious to use one.

I have a 100 acres in central NC. Clay soil though not real rocky. Some wet parts near ponds and creek. I think I'll use a front end loader to remove trees and brush and will definitely need something for bush hogging, planting food plots and tractor rides in the fall for the kids.

I have 50 acres of woods which are mature and will be cutting many to allow some small undergrowth, might use the tractor to help clear some roads and tear through the 20 yo growth after chainsaw work.

Am going to divide the 50 open acres (fields) so that I have more smaller food plots. I had the 50 open areas planted in soybeans this year so fescue is gone and should give me a good start and open pallate for whatever i want to do next year.

Am debating growing some pines to break up the fields which grow fast year vs letting nature take it's course and let old field succession take place for several years, burning or cutting it and letting the process start all over again to create cover for the deer.

Ideally adn the main reason I'm wanting to purchase a tractor is to plant food plots like the last poster and mainly the same mix as you with primarily clover (I agree--stay away from those bags of seed with the bucks on them, generic works just the same!), and maybe some corn for cover b/t food plots.

Sounds like a nice place! What are you near in N.C.? My land in near Greenville, S.C. Are your 50 acres cleared all in one tract? If so, I think I would have to plant some pines to offer cover for the deer (and as an investment) with food plots scattered about. I would first plan stand locations, such as high points or large trees to use to support stands. We have created food plots/shooting lanes radiating out from these stand sites. Most are long and narrow, say 200 yards by 10 yards. Small enough to let the deer feel secure but visible. The plantings give them a reason to stop when crossing. We trophy manage ours, taking does (never enough) and a few bucks.

For your tree/clearing work, I strongly recommend a grapple, sold in N.C. by Markham Welding out of Dunn. Get a 48" heavy duty made with 1/2" steel. It will cost you about $1400. Make sure whatever loader you get on your tractor is "skid steer compatible" so it will mate with this grapple (or whatever implement you may eventually use on the front) without needing an adapter (a mistake that cost me about $700). I use this much more than any other implement all year round, whereas the disc and plow are only used seasonally. Hey, it's fun for me to spend some of your money! There are lots on threads on grapples here.

I would also advise telescopic rear links on whatever tractor you buy. It allows for easier switching of implements. You have several good tractor businesses in N.C. who sell used tractors. You may want to check them out. Carver Equipment is one that advertises on this site.

 

[flusher]

I've never owned a tractor and never used one except for the low powered riding lawn mowers.

I've researched that the best horsepower for my 100 acre farm will be around 45-48 horsepower (a good strength to get things done--will be planting food plots for deer, moving trees and brush, bushogging, cutting grass).

Am looking at the New Holland, John Deere, and Kubota somwhere around 45 hp with a frontloader.

Originally wanted the more compact 30-35 hp but from research sounded like the power wouldn't be enough.

Thoughts on tractor brand and hp?

Unless you're handy with a wrench and want to do all the maintenance and service yourself. start with the dealer--which one(s) are near you? If you've never owned a tractor before, you probably are going to need dealer support for occasional service and repairs. If you can't find what you want from your nearest dealers, then you'll have to broaden your search.

I'd check out entry level ag tractors (50-70 hp engine) for 100 acres. My Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto) qualifies IMHO (although Mahindra insists on calling it a utility tractor). It has an FEL with a 6-ft wide bucket and a skid steer quick attach setup.

 

[Scott85]

I know this is an old thread but I am kinda in the same boat. I am wanting a tractor to maintain 100 acre hunting camp, we have two food plots one is close to the cabin on a power line right of way easy to get to with big trails. The second food plot is deep in the woods with fairly good trials although some tight spots. The second was cleared using a Bobcat T190 so the trails are at least 72" to that point. most of the trails are old logging road and if I can remember right I've had a land mower on all of them. The question I have is I want a tractor that has enough power to do food plots move trees and is small enough to cut the grass with a finishing mower at the cabin. The drive from where I live is 190 miles also. I know the bigger is better for the food plots but I don't want to waste the money of a 50hp+ tractor and only use it a couple times a year. I'm looking a New Hollands about 30 to 35hp with a loader and 4wd but is that to big to cut grass with? I was thinking with that size tractor it could run a 72" mower and it doesn't do any job I want to extremely well but it will do both jobs? Am I on the right path or am I out in left field?

 

[Soundguy]

why not an antique you leave at the property.. forget hauling it.

 

[Scott85]

why not an antique you leave at the property.. forget hauling it.

That has crossed my mind but I need or want a 4wd with a FEL. I have looked at a lot of 8N and stuff and even big 2wd tractors. I have the truck and trailer to pull a tractor and I don't think it will eat a lot of diesel pull the tractor.

 

[bucktaker]

Can I suggest just hiring it out??? woiuld save you the time and money of a dedicated tractor for this task... A 30 hp 4wd with fel will cost upwards of 10grand

 

[Scott85]

Can I suggest just hiring it out??? woiuld save you the time and money of a dedicated tractor for this task... A 30 hp 4wd with fel will cost upwards of 10grand

I would rather rent the equipment and do it myself. Why rent when you can buy. I want a tractor and I understand the up front cost and I am looking at tractors that run 15k to 20k. I'm looking at this as an investment as it will be used to maintain our land and hopefully grow and attracted big buck and more deer, improve the herd and so forth. So I want to buy the tractor and everything I need and the greatest thing is my wife is a hunter and she completely on board with the tractor.

 

[Soundguy]

you are gonna mow 50ac with a 30hp tractor?

good luck with that.

Make sure you pack a tent and change of clothes and some food cuz you will be mowing a LOOOOOOOOONG time!

I guess if you like setting in a tractor seat for 20 hours it's fine.

I bought a 95hp tractor and a 15' mower just so i could mow my 10a field in under an hour and a half.

 

[Scott85]

you are gonna mow 50ac with a 30hp tractor?

good luck with that.

Make sure you pack a tent and change of clothes and some food cuz you will be mowing a LOOOOOOOOONG time!

I guess if you like setting in a tractor seat for 20 hours it's fine.

I bought a 95hp tractor and a 15' mower just so i could mow my 10a field in under an hour and a half.

No No No, We own 100 acres the food plots are about 5 acres total and the grass at the cabin took 1.5 hours to cut with my Ford 1210 with a 5' finish mower and that was to weed eat too.

 

[Soundguy]

No No No, We own 100 acres the food plots are about 5 acres total and the grass at the cabin took 1.5 hours to cut with my Ford 1210 with a 5' finish mower and that was to weed eat too.

All I saw was '50 ac open fields'

Again.. I'd get a vintage one just for mowing.. then get whatever else you need . IE.. not mowing with a loader on t he tractor might be nice.

2500$ gets you a decent mower tractor.

Otherwise.. 30hp is more than enough for 5ac mowing.