Buying Advice What size tractor do I "REALLY" need?

[dickedm]

I need a tractor that will pull a 6-7' rotary mower (without bogging down in rough stuff), lift two 6-7' bales of hay (FEL on front), drag a 8'X8' chain harrow, and move a 2,000 lb cattle chute. We will be hiring contract mowers to mow/bale our hay. I have been going back and forth from 30HP to 40HP to 50HP. No cab needed (like fresh air and am 32 years old...probably get a cab when I age a bit). I really like the specs on Mahindra (for machine weight and hydraulic power), New Holland (price), Case (price) and John Deere (resale value). There are some great interest rates on equipment out there right now so I am interested in new equipment.

What size tractor do I "really" need?

 

[arlen4720]

Are you talking moving 2 large round bales, both on the FEL? that will be over 3K pounds. As far as JD goes, you would need a 5000 series machine, like maybe a 5085E.

 

[dickedm]

Just one bale of FEL and one on a rear spear.

 

[Roadbuilder6]

I would say something like a Deere 4520 or a 4720, or a Case 50b would both work for you. A 5000 series sized tractor seems a little big.

 

[JD 4520]

I have a 4520 which would handle your needs just right. You need a 50 to 60 hp tractor.

 

[murphy1244]

Or a KIOTI DK 40, 2739 lbs of lift and half the cost of a JD 4740. or close.

 

[arlen4720]

Just one bale of FEL and one on a rear spear.

A JD 4720 or 4520 would handle the bales...I do it all the time. But a 5000 series is about the same price, if not cheaper than a 4720. The only reason I bought a 4720, is because I wanted the manueverability and a hydrostatic transmission.

 

[GManBart]

I need a tractor that will pull a 6-7' rotary mower (without bogging down in rough stuff), lift two 6-7' bales of hay (FEL on front), drag a 8'X8' chain harrow, and move a 2,000 lb cattle chute. We will be hiring contract mowers to mow/bale our hay. I have been going back and forth from 30HP to 40HP to 50HP. No cab needed (like fresh air and am 32 years old...probably get a cab when I age a bit). I really like the specs on Mahindra (for machine weight and hydraulic power), New Holland (price), Case (price) and John Deere (resale value). There are some great interest rates on equipment out there right now so I am interested in new equipment.

What size tractor do I "really" need?

Which Case and New Holland machines are you looking at?

 

[namyessam]

I need a tractor that will pull a 6-7' rotary mower (without bogging down in rough stuff), lift two 6-7' bales of hay (FEL on front), drag a 8'X8' chain harrow, and move a 2,000 lb cattle chute. We will be hiring contract mowers to mow/bale our hay. I have been going back and forth from 30HP to 40HP to 50HP. No cab needed (like fresh air and am 32 years old...probably get a cab when I age a bit). I really like the specs on Mahindra (for machine weight and hydraulic power), New Holland (price), Case (price) and John Deere (resale value). There are some great interest rates on equipment out there right now so I am interested in new equipment.

What size tractor do I "really" need?

I have been looking also and currently have a Massey 135 and am comparing all the new to its weight. The massey is about a 3800 lbs tractor and barely handles a large round bale of 1800 lbs. It lifts it fine but when moving it the front end gets very light and is dangerous. I move bales around my property but would never go on the road with one on the three point. The loader I have is too small to lift a bale to balance it out and the 135 has a weak front end so I would never consider lifting with the loader. I have been looked at a Massey 1759 and ruled it out being on the edge of too small for bales. The 2635 would be great but isn't available with a cab. The 4608 would be the smallest Massey to consider. I also looked at a JD 5055e and up to a 5085E. The 5055E at 5000 lbs looks like it would be a good choice but moving up to the 5085E would be even a heavier tractor at 6800 lbs for more stability and is available with a heavier duty loader than the 5055E - 5075E. Price does rise considerablity moving up to the 5058E. I also looked a New Holland T4020. This is a 6800 lbs tractor. I have noticed in looking there seems to be a gap in the available models regarding size, horsepower and cab availability. I have been looking for a fwa cab tractor, since I am in Iowa where cold weather and snow moving is a necessity. A cab adds $8,000 to $10,000 to the cost. I have narrowed it down to the JD and the NH for dealer accessability. I have TYM, Mahindra, Kubota, Bobcat dealers in the area and probably some others that I am not aware of but have not researched yet. Happy Looking.

namyesam

 

[dickedm]

GManBart,

I am narrowing down my search to the Mahindra 5035 (4939 lbs), the New Holland Workmaster 55 (4078 lbs), and the Case Farmall 55A (4078 lbs). Thoughts?

 

[TSO]

GManBart,

I am narrowing down my search to the Mahindra 5035 (4939 lbs), the New Holland Workmaster 55 (4078 lbs), and the Case Farmall 55A (4078 lbs). Thoughts?

That Case & NH are the same tractor, FYI. Are you wanting HST or gear transmission?

FYI, the Case 50b & NH Boomer 50 Are the same also. They are both made by LS (they are the LS R4047).

Also look at an LS U5020 & 5030 ... both strong tractors & very affordable

 

[dickedm]

That Case & NH are the same tractor, FYI. Are you wanting HST or gear transmission?

FYI, the Case 50b & NH Boomer 50 Are the same also. They are both made by LS (they are the LS R4047).

Also look at an LS U5020 & 5030 ... both strong tractors & very affordable

I noticed that they are nearly identical. I am now leaning towards the Mahindra 5035. Thoughts?

 

[bdog]

How much do those large round bales weigh - 2000lbs? maybe the tractor will do it I don't know but moving 4000lb of hay at once with a 4900lb tractor doesn't seem like a good idea?

Some of the most frustrating "tractoring" moments I have had over the years have been trying to do things where my tractor was just not big enough. It takes forever, doesn't work right, and is very hard on your tractor to be working it at its maximum capability.

I went from a 47hp, to a 90hp, and now have 135 hp. Do I really need that big of a tractor? No but it does what I ask of it easily and faster. Even though I bought it used I think I will get more life out of it working it well below the capacity than using a smaller tractor maxed out.

I would not be set on new. Buy something used and you will get a lot more for your dollar. I have owned 4 tractors and my least favorite (and the one that gave me the most problems) was the one I bought new.

It sounds like you are going to be doing some bigger chores and not the typical compact tractor stuff so you would benefit from something larger.

What does that Mahindra cost - close to 30k? I am not knocking it but you could buy a heck of a lot more in a used tractor for that much.

 

[sd455dan]

How much do those large round bales weigh - 2000lbs? maybe the tractor will do it I don't know but moving 4000lb of hay at once with a 4900lb tractor doesn't seem like a good idea?

Some of the most frustrating "tractoring" moments I have had over the years have been trying to do things where my tractor was just not big enough. It takes forever, doesn't work right, and is very hard on your tractor to be working it at its maximum capability.

I went from a 47hp, to a 90hp, and now have 135 hp. Do I really need that big of a tractor? No but it does what I ask of it easily and faster. Even though I bought it used I think I will get more life out of it working it well below the capacity than using a smaller tractor maxed out.

I would not be set on new. Buy something used and you will get a lot more for your dollar. I have owned 4 tractors and my least favorite (and the one that gave me the most problems) was the one I bought new.

It sounds like you are going to be doing some bigger chores and not the typical compact tractor stuff so you would benefit from something larger.

What does that Mahindra cost - close to 30k? I am not knocking it but you could buy a heck of a lot more in a used tractor for that much.

^^^ This may be my favorite post I have read on TBN

I would say that if the round bales the OP is considering moving two of, are like the ones we buy (950-1100#s) each- then the Mahindra 5030 should be fine, but as suggested above maybe looking at a larger used Mahindra or other brand may be a better choice than buying a new smaller machine that may be operating near its limits... my:2cents:

 

[ksbrdmkr]

I have moved two bales on my DK 45SE and NH TN 55. The TN series handles the bales much easier and with a longer wheel base. The DK 45 does the job but I go slower and watch much closer on the bumps and terraces. Both are FWD and on slick or frozen ground it is needed.

 

[bdog]

I have moved a lot of hay and have never seen a 6 or 7' bale as OP mentions. They can't be light. The 1000lb ones are what 4' maybe 5?

 

[arlen4720]

I have moved a lot of hay and have never seen a 6 or 7' bale as OP mentions. They can't be light. The 1000lb ones are what 4' maybe 5?

The big round ones are anywhere from 1500 to 2000 pounds. The small 5 foot round bales are 800-1000 pounds

 

[GManBart]

I noticed that they are nearly identical. I am now leaning towards the Mahindra 5035. Thoughts?

Aside from paint, the Case and NH are the exact same machine....remember it's now CNH, so anything they source for one, they seem to be sourcing for the other, with different paint.

Compared to the Mahindra, the pluses and minuses pretty much cancel each other out when you look at straight performance statistics. If you don't have any one particular requirement that heavily outweighs the others, it should come down to the one that feels the best to you, and has the fewest things that you dislike (none are perfect).

Have you gotten any ballpark quotes on any of them yet?

 

[TnAndy]

What size tractor do I "really" need?

Probably bigger than you think......

I started with a 22hp Yanmar in 80's, graduated to a 33hp New Holland late 90's and I'm up to a 41hp Yanmar in 2012. I 'think' I've finally hit the right size.

 

[namyessam]

GManBart,

I am narrowing down my search to the Mahindra 5035 (4939 lbs), the New Holland Workmaster 55 (4078 lbs), and the Case Farmall 55A (4078 lbs). Thoughts?

IMHO, I still think, if you are serious about moving two round bales of at least 1500 lbs apiece at the same time the Mahindra 5035 is still too small to be safe. Look at the Mahindra 7060 or the 8560 and on the website it shows pictures of the tractor with a round bale on the loader and one on the TPH and it looks good. The tractor seems to look big enough to handle the size of the bales. You don't see pictures of the 5035 carrying two bales at a time. In fact you don't see them carrying any bales. All you see is the tractor with a mower, box blade and tiller. If the manufacturer thought it was capable of carrying two bales at a time I would darn sure think they would be pushing that.

I was always taught that "the bitterness of poor quality (or being undersized on this) far outlasts the sweetness of a good price". Pay the extra money and buy a tractor that will do the job correctly and safely. You don't want to get hurt or killed because the tractor was too small and tipped over.

I'm not trying to be nasty,just trying to be honest.