Bought 43 acre farm - Need Tractor

[TNJOHN1533]

So I've bought a 43 acre mostly level (gentle roll) farm in southern TN and need help figuring out what size tractor and related implements I need. It's probably 38 acre pasture, fenced and cross fenced and the rest in woods around the perimeter. Pictures below. My plan is to initially lease out some fields 25-30 acres to cattle or hay farmer so I don't have to maintain it at first. My plan with the rest initially is to plant black walnut trees, followed by growing some veggies for farm2table restaurant and road side stand, sunflower field, start pumpkin patch, grow corn for a corn maze and give tractor rides. Obviously as I expand what I'm doing I'll be leasing out less and less land and may also expand the farm as time goes on. I'll be doing one thing at a time so all these activities will take years to accomplish but this gives y'all an idea on my tasks.

Bush hogging will definitely be done on the areas not leased out and I'll need to decide on tiller vs plow and disk and then figure out what other attachments I'll need for the veggies/cover crops/sunflower/pumpkin fields. I was planning on a 50-60hp tractor w/FEL and I know I want HST (I've had a Kubota L3200 and Kioti ck20 on my little 2.3 acres). I don't really want a cab due to cost, visibility and ease of on/off. My budget for tractor w/FEL is 25k and I'd prefer something without the emissions (pre 2014?) though if the concerns with the emissions aren't warranted I'd be fine with it.. it's just a stigma in my mind and not sure if it's warranted or not.

Brands I don't want JD only because of price and my dad designed round balers and combines for NH so I just couldn't go Green LOL.
I'm looking for suggestions on whether the size tractor I'm considering is correct, suggestions on models (used/new... for example is a Kioti DK45SE big enough?) and what attachments I should consider for the pumpking patch/cover crops/veggies in terms of installation and maintenance. I have Kubota, NH, MF, LS, Mahindra all within 30-45 min and then Kioti and Branson within 2hrs. Thanks everyone.

 

[jeff9366]

So I've bought a 43 acre mostly level (gentle roll) farm in southern TN. It's 38 acres pasture, fenced and cross fenced and the rest in woods around the perimeter.

My plan is to initially lease out some fields 25-30 acres to cattle or hay farmer so I don't have to maintain it at first.

My plan is to plant black walnut trees, followed by growing veggies for farm2table restaurant and road side stand, sunflower field, start pumpkin patch, grow corn for a corn maze and give tractor rides. As I expand what I'm doing I'll be leasing out less and less land and may also expand the farm as time goes on. I'll be doing one thing at a time so all these activities will take years to accomplish.

I need help figuring out what size tractor and related implements I need.
For example is a Kioti DK45SE big enough? I have Kubota, NH, MF, LS, Mahindra all within 30-45 min and then Kioti and Branson within 2hrs.

What attachments I should consider for the pumpking patch/cover crops/veggies in terms of installation and maintenance.

Yes, a Kioti DK45SE, 4,500 pounds bare tractor, is ample for 40 acres, mostly pasture, especially for moving round bales of hay.

I would start with a 1,700 to 2,800 pound (bare weight) tractor with less than 25-horsepower. Every tractor manufacturer has several models in this weight range. Ample for vegetables, Sunflowers and a corn maze. With a Middlebuster, ample for establishing Walnuts.
CK2610 HST Compact Tractor | Kioti Tractors
Tractor Potato Plow | Middle buster

It is hard for me to imagine using more than two (2) acres for vegetables, including pumpkins. An acre of vegetables will require twenty (20) man hours (20) per week. Do you have the time?
growing pumpkins site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search


Are you planning Sunflowers as a crop?
growing sunflowers site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

Implements: PTO powered roto-tiller, bedder, cultivator, sprayer, possibly fertilizer spreader.
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[searcyfarms]

I think you are spot on with the kioti 45/55 unit, there are some used ones around here for GREAT prices in Gear drive/shuttle I would consider if I was in the market - I have a 65hp tractor for sale but you are far away and it doesn't have a loader

 

[Tractorable]

Beautiful property! Looks like you’re going to need a tractor and a good zero turn mower. I might be looking in the utility tractor range if I were you. I always liked the New Holland Workmaster 55 with the Shibaura engine but it’s a shuttle shift. They can be found for ~$20-23K.

 

[Cat_Driver]

My advice always go bigger than you think you need it will save you the headache of buying a tractor twice. A lot of people get a smaller tractor and then they get better at handling the tractor and start to be more creative with its use and then need/want a bigger tractor. It's happened to me and a lot of us. Often times you find a bigger tractor works less hard at the same tasks as a smaller tractor, plus that fact that you can work faster with a bigger tractor. I went from a small tractor to a big tractor and I was much happier and did a lot more work with the bigger tractor. Then I got out of tractors and sold everything. Then I got back into tractors as I needed one for the property so I went with a smaller one again. I'm sorry I went against my own advice as the smaller tractor takes twice as long to do the same jobs as the bigger tractor. It's all about pulling power and lifting capacity. There are no jobs I just simply can't do because the current machine just doesn't have the lift capacity to accomplish certain tasks. So I now need to rent a bigger piece of equipment to accomplish what I need costing me a lot of wasted money

 

[TomIre]

Congratulations on what looks like a beautiful piece of land. Mostly flat? I'd sure want a bar wing bush hog if I was cutting that much.
BTW, you may already know this but black walnut trees drop juglone in their nuts and leaves. Vegetables will really struggle to grow within 50 yards of so of a black walnut.

 

[newbury]

So I've bought a 43 acre mostly level (gentle roll) farm in southern TN and need help figuring out what size tractor and related implements I need. It's probably 38 acre pasture, fenced and cross fenced and the rest in woods around the perimeter. Pictures below. My plan is to initially lease out some fields 25-30 acres to cattle or hay farmer so I don't have to maintain it at first. My plan with the rest initially is to plant black walnut trees, followed by growing some veggies for farm2table restaurant and road side stand, sunflower field, start pumpkin patch, grow corn for a corn maze and give tractor rides. Obviously as I expand what I'm doing I'll be leasing out less and less land and may also expand the farm as time goes on. I'll be doing one thing at a time so all these activities will take years to accomplish but this gives y'all an idea on my tasks.

Bush hogging will definitely be done on the areas not leased out and I'll need to decide on tiller vs plow and disk and then figure out what other attachments I'll need for the veggies/cover crops/sunflower/pumpkin fields. I was planning on a 50-60hp tractor w/FEL and I know I want HST (I've had a Kubota L3200 and Kioti ck20 on my little 2.3 acres). I don't really want a cab due to cost, visibility and ease of on/off. My budget for tractor w/FEL is 25k and I'd prefer something without the emissions (pre 2014?) though if the concerns with the emissions aren't warranted I'd be fine with it.. it's just a stigma in my mind and not sure if it's warranted or not. <snip>

Figure out the biggest heaviest thing you are going to have to transport. For example a 10' long 16" diameter walnut log weighs about 800 lbs, so be ready for that in about 30 years!

For everything else I have to agree with Jeff for the most part. You don't mention horse, round bales, haying or anything requiring 50 to 60 hp. I would think something the size of your Kubota L3200 would be great.

I've a B7610 (23HP) for small tasks and a M4700 (50HP) for large tasks, like lifting 12' long 20" diameter oak logs.

The more bush hogging you need to do the more horsepower you may require. How many acres do you envision bush hogging and how often?

How many acres of Walnut?

 

[Mike Madison]

My preference would be to look for a 20 -30 year old diesel tractor with 2-3,000 hours on the clock, well maintained, kept in a barn. Mid-size tractor (50-60 hp) should have a working life of 8-10,000 hours if well cared for. They're around, but it takes patience to find one, and you might have to haul it a ways. I think that's a much better value point. Spend the extra money on more implements., or a separate cultivating tractor, like a Farmall Super A, for the vegetables. Ford 4600, Kubota M8000 come to mind as good choices. For vegetable ground, starting from a cover crop, my sequence is flail mower, chisel plow, disk, pre-bed with shovels on a tool bar, rototiller/bed shaper. There's a bunch of implements you'll want right there.

 

[TNJOHN1533]

Jeff, I'm planning a 2-3 acre pumpkin patch to allow a pick-your-own business and then sell the rest/donate locally. The sunflowers I'm planning just a cover crop and something cool to look at including for during tractor rides. For veggies I'm planning to start with an acre but figured with running plow, disc etc I'd need something heavier than a 1700-2800lb tractor. The corn I would do about 3 acres for the maze and to sell the stalks at Halloween/Thanksgiving.

 

[TNJOHN1533]

Thanks Tomlre, I'd love a bat wing but that will have to wait. For now I'll probably get a 6' bush hog to maintain the fence lines and cut what I'm going to cut. I'm a planner but I feel like It's going to partly be a figure it out as I go kind of thing. I did know that about the black walnut trees and certain things not growing around them but thanks for reminding me! I'm also going to co-plant white pine with the black walnut as they're nitrogen fixers and will help the walnut.

 

[TNJOHN1533]

newbury I'll probably start out bushhogging 5-10 acres. I also figured I'd need a good sized tractor to pull a wagon for the hay rides/farm tours. I had an L3200 and just couldn't go back to that. I'm trying to take the approach most suggest and that is to go bigger than you think you'll need. I appreciate the logic and practicality though!

 

[TNJOHN1533]

Thanks mike, so I've got the process in my mind for veggies, pumpkin, sunflower... mow low, plow, disc (multiple passes) but then I'm not clear on what to use next as far as making the planting beds and then planting the seeds. For an acre garden I could hand drop them I guess but larger areas i'm not sure the best way to make the beds and plant the seeds is. I believe the cultivator will be good for weeding but the part after the soil prep and before the weeding is where I'm not as clear.

 

[TNJOHN1533]

thanks Tractorable... we're pretty excited about the property.. feel like we just sit for hours and look at it. I like the Workmasters too but just not the lack of HST. I'm looking at Boomers/2320/2410/TC in the mid 40s-mid 50s hp range, really like the NHs.

 

[TomIre]

Keep in mind that you may not want HST on a tractor mostly used for bush hogging.

 

[BMan2005]

OP, coming from a Kubota L3200 to a NH Workmaster 60 you would LOVE the jump in size and capability! Short reason, was cleaning 2.5 acres we had stumped, root raked, and burned. After mostly finishing with my Workmaster I decided to hook my landscape rake to the kubota and finish raking small debris with it, one small dip and a hang up the Kubota was stuck in less than 5 min. Brought the NH and picked up the rear of the Kubota and moved it forward off the snag just idling. It's the same difference with implements. I know you don't want a Workmaster because of the shuttle, completely understandable. But I would suggest a tractor close to the capabilities with the HST you want. It will really help with task around the farm now and in the future, no telling what you decide to do then.

Boomer 55 or maybe a Kubota MX and fill the tires at minimum imo. The LS XR4155 looks nice also at almost 4,000 lbs bare.

Beautiful place btw.

 

[BMan2005]

Information on prior ownership of an L3200 would have been valuable in your first post.

He does have it in his first post :thumbsup:

 

[Jchonline]

What about LS? They build the smaller NH tractors anyway. Do you have a dealer in the area?

 

[searcyfarms]

I have heard nothing but good things regarding LS and was impressed looking at them and basically just subtle differences in offering/features - if you are contemplating the workmaster series, CNH/FNH you are not going to be much different in the LS models other than paint color.

The LS family CNH/FNH would have been what I purchased but they did not have a MMM for me in the HP range or tractor weight I desired.

I would not hesitate a second on an LS family tractor unless they are not close to you for dealer support - congrats on the land purchase and kudos on the heart/desire to take care of something you are blessed with. You will find a solitude and peace in it that most things cant bring. If the LS tractor is less I wouldn't worry about taking it to a CNH/FNH dealer for repairs either as they will be able to get parts for it and take care of it. I know someone at my church that takes his LS to a CNH dealer for work and they take care of him just fine. Nothing major to this point but some adjustments, a lever he broke, a hose he busted/severed. They do a great job for him.

 

[OverandOut]

I just purchased a LS XU6168CPS and really like. I was looking at the XR4150C and dealer quoted me $29,000 but I liked the 6168 better. If you didn't want cab the 4150 open station should be around your price point of $24-25k. I mostly do a lot of mowing and between this heat and mosquitos is why I chose a cab.

 

[GSVette]

I have the XR4155HC and couldn’t be happier-I have a 72” dual lid root rake/grapple, 84” back blade, 84” Ford Flail and 48” pallet forks-so far it handles all of them easily.