How much do I need?

[TJSlice]

I am a complete tractor newbie. We are currently building a house on what was 5 acres of pasture land. It is essentially a level piece of property.

I plan on making the lawn about 1.5 to acres, and leave the rest as is. I will be using the tractor for general upkeep, digging holes for fencing and to help with digging holes for trees. I will do some earth moving, but nothing excessive.

Do to allergies and heat, I have decided on a cab model. I am currently trying to decide on the 4720CH or the 4225CH. The 4225CH is $300 less at the dealer I am working with.

Do the added benefits of the 25 series outweigh the extra 5 HP?

Any advice is welcome.

 

[Aquamoose]

You may need to elaborate about digging holes for trees. My 3520h gets worked well and has proven itself well on my 10 acres. If you’re talking planting saplings, you can definitely afford to go smaller and have enough moola for implements.

 

[check 6]

I have gone through several small tractors over the past 20 years and finally settled on a Kabota B2650 cabbed tractor. It has proven to be large enough to do 99 % of everything I need to do and yet small enough to maneuver around the yard. Additionally, 26hp or less in a diesel does not require the additional pollution crap that is prone to failure and costly to maintain. I do not have to use "blu def" The one thing I would desire on the B2650 is a slightly wider track as I have to be sensitive on side inclines. All in all it has proven to be a very fine work horse. I have the front loader with bucket, quick detachable fork lift option and a heavy duty lawn plugger. I normally keep the loader bucket on the front and a ballast box on the rear. I also have the 60 inch belly mower. Love the A/C in the Texas heat and dust plus it keeps the bugs out and the odd chance I may throw up a snake from a tire running over one

My lot is an acre but I also share in the mowing of another 17 acres ( grass runway) and do odd tractor jobs for neighbors . Hope that helps

 

[ptsg]

I think the best thing to do, is for you to have a seat on both tractors and see if any of the differences between the series appeals you more.

The 4720 is a bit more heavier with a slightly bigger engine. The 4225 is a newer series with a couple of differences and maybe some bugs that got corrected from the previous series.

For the work you described, I don't think that 5hp will matter that much. The tractors are pretty much the same size.

 

[widefat]

FWIW,
I have yet to ask my Kubota L3200 to do more than it is capable of doing; including log skidding, pulling down tress and pulling up small stumps, driveway grading, hauling, and mowing about 3 acres with a 72" finish mower.
I have also come to the conclusion that anything larger would present it's own set of issues - you can have too much size for the property.
May I humbly suggest that something smaller than a 4720 or 4225 would suffice and leave you more scratch for implements.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

You'll never see the 5hp for the work you're describing. I would also recommend driving both models. Maybe you'll like one over the other? But if it was me, and the 25 series was cheaper, I'd take that and run, never looking back.

If you were running a lot of pto driven tools, I'd say the 5hp might end up meaning something. I'm mowing pastures with a 6' brush hog without any problems, and I've got less hp than both the models you're looking at. Are you planning on running a wood chipper? Eric has the 3725 same as me, albeit his isn't cabbed, and I know he's said he wishes he'd gone up to the 4225 when he's running his chipper. I don't run a chipper.

Other than driving pto powered attachments, FEL lift and tractor weight get more work done than actual engine hp. And those 2 models you're looking at are so close together on those stats, I'd literally buy the one you liked driving the best.

Edited to add--

When I was buying my 25 series, there was a 20 series that was also cabbed. The cabbed 20 series did not have AC. I don't know if that was a separate option on the 20 series cabbed tractor. My 25 series came with both heat and AC. After finding out the 20 series didn't have AC, I stopped looking at it. So if you're looking at a cabbed 20, and a cabbed 25 series, I'd make sure they both have AC.

Also consider rear remotes. My 25 came with 2 rear remotes, don't know if the 20 has 1, 2 or none. Rear remotes can come in handy, I'd recommend getting 2 if possible, just for future possibilities, like top and tilt on a blade. They can be added later, but I think it's cheaper to get them up front (usually).

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I have gone through several small tractors over the past 20 years and finally settled on a Kabota B2650 cabbed tractor. It has proven to be large enough to do 99 % of everything I need to do and yet small enough to maneuver around the yard. Additionally, 26hp or less in a diesel does not require the additional pollution crap that is prone to failure and costly to maintain. I do not have to use "blu def" The one thing I would desire on the B2650 is a slightly wider track as I have to be sensitive on side inclines. All in all it has proven to be a very fine work horse. I have the front loader with bucket, quick detachable fork lift option and a heavy duty lawn plugger. I normally keep the loader bucket on the front and a ballast box on the rear. I also have the 60 inch belly mower. Love the A/C in the Texas heat and dust plus it keeps the bugs out and the odd chance I may throw up a snake from a tire running over one

My lot is an acre but I also share in the mowing of another 17 acres ( grass runway) and do odd tractor jobs for neighbors . Hope that helps

The Branson emissions system is an entirely passive exhaust filter. There is no DEF, or anything else to add or fiddle with. There is no regen, no computer, nada. And you can take the exhaust filter off completely and put on a muffler and the tractor will run great with no other mods required.

 

[ericm979]

The emissions requirements are easier to meet under 75hp and don't require DEF. No tractor under 75hp uses DEF. Under 25.5hp the requirements are easier still and the DPF or DOC is not used.

I don't operate my 3725 on the lawn as it'll leave marks and compact the soil. I have a riding mower for the lawn but it's 1/4 acre. The 3725 handles a 5' rotary cutter with ease. I went small with this cutter for manuverability but as I clear brush the mowed area is getting larger. Eventually I'll get a wider flail mower.

I also have allergies. I wear a mask when mowing and that helps a lot. Other operations like piling brush with the grapple don't stir up so many allergens so I don't need it there.

 

[TJSlice]

You may need to elaborate about digging holes for trees.

They will probably be 15 gallon size, possibly an occasional 30.

 

[TJSlice]

I don't operate my 3725 on the lawn as it'll leave marks and compact the soil. I have a riding mower for the lawn but it's 1/4 acre. The 3725 handles a 5' rotary cutter with ease. I went small with this cutter for manuverability but as I clear brush the mowed area is getting larger.

Would the turf tires make any difference for that? I know there is no perfect tractor/mower for all applications. I really only want 1 machine, and I am dead set on one with a cab and ac.

 

[ericm979]

Turf tires would be better but I think they're still going to compact soil that isn't really dry. These tractors are heavy. It really depends on your soil though.

 

[bigcut]

I am a complete tractor newbie. We are currently building a house on what was 5 acres of pasture land. It is essentially a level piece of property.

I plan on making the lawn about 1.5 to acres, and leave the rest as is. I will be using the tractor for general upkeep, digging holes for fencing and to help with digging holes for trees. I will do some earth moving, but nothing excessive.

Do to allergies and heat, I have decided on a cab model. I am currently trying to decide on the 4720CH or the 4225CH. The 4225CH is $300 less at the dealer I am working with.

Do the added benefits of the 25 series outweigh the extra 5 HP?

Any advice is welcome.

TJ,
Take this for what it's worth, but, the 25 series is a newer model here in the US. ptsg from Portugal stated in a different post that the 20 series is no longer sold in Europe. ptsg correct me here if I'm wrong on any of this. The speculation is that Branson is working down the inventory on the 20 series, and selling it in the US. This might explain the narrow gap in the 4720 and the 4225 pricing.

Owners of both models have posted glowing reviews. So, I don't think you could go wrong with either.

 

[ptsg]

Yes bigcut, you are right. We can only speculate since Branson doesn't give much info to anyone.

It seems that they are focusing the European market more than the US market, judging by the updates from the European dealer Facebook pages.

I saw some pictures of a newly and updates 25 series tractors. I posted the pictures on another thread.

As bigcut said, both are great and robust machines.

 

[TJSlice]

Thanks for all the input. While I think the 15 series is all the tractor I will need, there is no cab option.

I've looked at other brands and it seems like all of those options would be much more expensive than a Branson, even for a smaller one.

Right now, I am leaning toward a 3725Ch, 4225Ch, or a 4720Ch.

I am also leaning toward turf tires. My lot is essentially flat, so I'm thinking they wouldn't be too much of a hinderance.

 

[PapeCAT]

If you're not in a hurry, I know the 15 series has a new cab option overseas. Only time will tell when we get that cab here. (If you're not in a huge hurry)

 

[bigcut]

Thanks for all the input. While I think the 15 series is all the tractor I will need, there is no cab option.

I've looked at other brands and it seems like all of those options would be much more expensive than a Branson, even for a smaller one.

Right now, I am leaning toward a 3725Ch, 4225Ch, or a 4720Ch.

I am also leaning toward turf tires. My lot is essentially flat, so I'm thinking they wouldn't be too much of a hinderance.

TJ,
I think the turf tires will be easier on your lawn, but, may not be ideal for front end loader work, depending on how much you plan on doing. Keep in mind, that hp will just spin those tires, if you can't get sufficient traction to move or pickup objects, no matter how much hp you have.

From what you've described thus far, sounds like the 3725 with the hydro cab maybe more in line with your needs. You didn't mention a backhoe specifically. There is a front end attachment I've seen advertised for digging holes for trees, bushes, etc. It looks like the spade portion of a shovel and attaches to the FEL. Might be worth exploring for planting those trees.

Whatever you wind up buying, I'd keep it off your septic field.

 

[TJSlice]

Whatever you wind up buying, I'd keep it off your septic field.

Are talking about damaging the septic sprayers?

 

[bigcut]

Are talking about damaging the septic sprayers?

TJ,
I was referencing your septic field for the treatment of human and household waste....but, maybe you're connecting to the city sewer system. In which case you'd have nothing to worry about.

 

[ericm979]

It's not a good idea to operate on the leach field. Some people do and some of them damage it. It depends on how deep it is and the soil conditions. And of course stay off the tank. Falling in would be bad.

 

[Cougsfan]

I would lean toward r-4 industrial tires. They are an intermediate between R1 ag tires and R3 turf tires. They don't tear up the ground too much, yet give much better traction that R-3 turf tires. Either tractor is to heavy and big for mowing a quality lawn. I'd get a riding lawn mower to handle the 1.5 acres of lawn. Either of the tractors you described would probably be fine for whatever else you need. I personally would lean towards the 4720. The 4720 is heavier with more hp. HP never hurts. Weight in a tractor is always better. Don't let the $300 be a factor. But I am me, and you are you. So if you go a different direction, I certainly wouldn't criticize you