Buying Advice What size?

[jvictory15]

Hey guys, Im new here, so hopefully Im posting in the correct area...

I grew up on around 12 acres of open pasture land, we basically shared land with my grandparents, which is every kids dream. My grandpa had/has a ford utility tractor. I know how to operate everything on that tractor with all sorts of attachments; but I couldn't tell you what kind of tractor it is, what model it was, HP, anything. As a kid I never paid attention to that stuff, I just wanted to ride with my grandpa and as I got older I wanted to do it myself.

All that to say, I know how to operate for the most part, but I have no "book" knowledge on tractors.

Well, now married with kids of my own, we are in the process of purchasing an 18 acre piece of property, pretty flat terrain; 15 of these acres will be open pasture land, the other three is heavy wooded (I don't plan on doing anything with these 3 acres). So I am looking at purchasing a tractor but really have no idea where to start.

The main uses I will need is mowing. Im guessing 5 of those acres will be more finished mowed every week, and the remaining 10 will be bush hogged a few times a year. This will be 95% of what I will use it for. I don't even have in mind what the remaining 5% will be used for but Im sure I can find something .

Im not sure if a small compact tractor could handle this, 25hp or 35hp, or if I need to go up to a utility tractor with 50+hp. If someone could at least point me in the right direction that would be great! Thanks!

 

[Thall303]

We have 10 acres and a John Deere 5045D (45 hp) on the PTO.

I am no expert, but love this size tractor.

Anything smaller, I don't really consider a tractor!

 

[jeff9366]

It takes a minimum 45-horsepower tractor engine to operate a SIX FOOT wide Rotary Cutter, which is the minimum I would want for your stated mowing needs.

You can get by with a less powerful tractor and smaller Rotary Cutter but mowing will take you longer. Mowing, with the dust, pollen and mould, is not my favorite tractor task. I like most tractor seat time, with the exception of mowing.

Finish mowers have rubber V-belt drive to the two or more spindles. Worthless in grass over 4" tall. Consider just a Rotary Cutter. If the blades are kept sharp and even, which mean forgoing mowing saplings, Rotary Mowers can give a nice cut, once you learn how to adjust for the cut you desire.

As you have kids, plan on an HST tractor transmission.

If you will build a home on this land you will want a Front End Loader (FEL).

KUBOTA LINKS (2):
http://www.kubota.com/product/LSeries.aspx
http://www.kubota.com/product/MX4800/MX4800.aspx

 

[paulfun9]

Judging by the description

I would be looking between 40 to 50HP nothing smaller than 40.
If its flat open land with few obstacles I would be looking at a rear finish mower opposed to any mid mount mower.
I would also prefer a Shuttle shift over a HST. Even with Kids growing up and wanting to drive it, remember you grew into your grandfathers machine so there is no reason why your kids couldn't learn to operate a gear or shuttle like you did.

 

[LD1]

If you keep the pasture maintained, cutting should never be difficult. A 30 PTO HP tractor will handle a 6 foot mower at 4 mph without much effort in a pasture that is cut twice a year. That will put you around a 4-hour job each mowing.

I'd size for that and really consider a cab.

But mowing twice a year being 95% of your use....I think that will soon change as you realize just how handy a modern tractor is.

And have you considered letting someone bale hay off the pasture?

 

[Phillip w]

I would not recommend a 30 hp tractor. I have a little 1531 massey ferguson and it can't handle a 5 ft brush hog in heavy conditions. I would recommend at least 40-50 hp. I think these engineers tell you it will handle 5 ft brush hog in light ankle high grass and it will. But can't do the job if it is knee high and heavy grass and weeds. A far as your pasture, ever think about fencing it off sand running a few light weight yearning calves in there. Might save you a dollar mowing it and accidently fool around and make a buck. Just my thoughts.

 

[LD1]

I would not recommend a 30 hp tractor. I have a little 1531 massey ferguson and it can't handle a 5 ft brush hog in heavy conditions. I would recommend at least 40-50 hp. I think these engineers tell you it will handle 5 ft brush hog in light ankle high grass and it will. But can't do the job if it is knee high and heavy grass and weeds. A far as your pasture, ever think about fencing it off sand running a few light weight yearning calves in there. Might save you a dollar mowing it and accidently fool around and make a buck. Just my thoughts.

Why dont you think it will handle it.

I mow 250-300 acres per year commercially. And bits of everything. Ankle high grass from accounts that get mowed monthly to lots that havent been touched in 10+ years and everything in between. Did that for 5+ years with a L3400 kubota and a 6' Bushhog 306. Handled it just fine.

So I have a very hard time believing a 1531 wont handle even a 5' cutter.

How fast are you trying to mow? Because until you run out of power in your lowest gear....claiming that "it wont handle it" is a load of bull. SLOW DOWN.

Hear it on hear all the time and it gets pretty old. Why people seem to think that IF a tractor cant pull a bushhog through untouched 5-year old CRP ground at 5 MPH, then it "cant handle it".......thats nonsense. Learn how to utilize the equipment properly.

 

[airbiscuit]

I've had 15hp, a 24hp, a 33hp and 40hp tractors. I like the 40hp the best, but I liked em all. I think 40hp is the sweet spot for your property, but if that's not in your budget, a 30-35hp tractor is pretty sweet. I ran a 5' rough cut mower with my 24hp tractor with no problem.

I cut trails through 8' brush with my little 15hp, and with no advance clearing. I just walked it first, and then plunged right through it!

 

[Streetcar]

+1 on 30 hp. A bigger tractor can run bigger equipment, but smaller is more maneuverable and does less damage. I had 100 acre cattle farm with only 30 hp tractor for a couple of years.

 

[jvictory15]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all this information! The plan is that we will be building a future homesite in 2-3 years on this property so I would definitely want a loader eventually. I obviously would want more HP, but unfortunately price is something that we have to take into consideration given the recent purchase of the property and future construction loan coming.
"

 

[jvictory15]

And have you considered letting someone bale hay off the pasture?

I've always thought this could be an option given that we could give all the hay away in exchange for the baling given we will not be having livestock (at least in the near future).

What is normal in terms of trading bales for labor? I know my grandpa still has his done at no cost with giving the guy that bales his hay all of the bales.

 

[airbiscuit]

So are looking for new or used? What is your budget? Having a loader is awfully handy. It's nice if you can get a tractor and a loader right at the outset. If that's not in the budget, it's nice if you can get a tractor!

 

[BMan2005]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all this information! The plan is that we will be building a future homesite in 2-3 years on this property so I would definitely want a loader eventually. I obviously would want more HP, but unfortunately price is something that we have to take into consideration given the recent purchase of the property and future construction loan coming.
"

We're in that same situation, bought our land and looking to build within 2-3 yrs. We've been in the process of site prepping the cut over to replant this winter, so I understand the financial status.

What's your price? Or more so think about the monthly payment you can swing comfortably if not paying cash. Some manufactures are offering some great financing options. I was going the used route, but the cost of a nice used tractor put me in about the same monthly payment as going new even with money down. Longer term, but I would know what I was buying with warranty. Just something else to think about and feel free to private message me about our current tractors we looked at & prices quoted with monthly payments.

But I agree a 30hp will probably do everything you are looking to do but I would look for into the 40-50 hp range honestly & with FEL since you are about to build.

 

[jvictory15]

We're in that same situation, bought our land and looking to build within 2-3 yrs. We've been in the process of site prepping the cut over to replant this winter, so I understand the financial status.

What's your price? Or more so think about the monthly payment you can swing comfortably if not paying cash. Some manufactures are offering some great financing options. I was going the used route, but the cost of a nice used tractor put me in about the same monthly payment as going new even with money down. Longer term, but I would know what I was buying with warranty. Just something else to think about and feel free to private message me about our current tractors we looked at & prices quoted with monthly payments.

But I agree a 30hp will probably do everything you are looking to do but I would look for into the 40-50 hp range honestly & with FEL since you are about to build.

I would love to go with new but I don't mind used if it's been taken care of. I doubt I could pay with cash but would love a monthly payment under $300, and I would really love for this to buy me a FEL and some type of mower attachment.

Is this realistic or should I adjust my expectations?

 

[airbiscuit]

Bigger than what you need but .... (Fayetteville CL)

 

[BMan2005]

Yeah it's realistic, according to how long you are willing to stretch the payment. Some companies are doing 84 months now. It's all according to what model/size you buy. Figure out your wants & needs, go to dealerships and test tractors, ask questions, and do lots of research. There are some nice used units outs there, but you'll need to be very patient. If you decide to go the used route, search Craigslist, fastline, tractor house, call dealership's, and search Google for equipment auctions in your area.

This was a quote on a Massey Ferguson 2705E before we decided to spend a little more and get a utility tractor for handling our hay and all the land work we have ahead of us. This will give you an idea, hope this isn't breaking any rules.

This Tractor would probably be on the maximum size you would want also from what you are saying.

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[jvictory15]

Thanks airbiscuit I'll definitely check out craigslist, seems like there could be some great deals there!

 

[LD48750]

I mowed & took care of 5 to 7 acres for 20 years with a worn out 2N ford & a 5' bush hog & 6' woods finish mower.
Don't let anyone tell you you need 40 or 50 HP just to mow.

The little N would mow anything I could drive over and reclaimed a bunch from the woods.
The finish mower made "lawn"out of reclaimed pasture.