Don't even know where to start. New tractor for 85 acre property

[Luke82]

Hello all! First time posting on the forums although I've been a lurker here for a couple of months. I'm in the process of moving into an 85 acre former, old, neglected farm in desperate need of some (A LOT) of TLC. Roof of this 1800's farm house leaked for the last 20 years with no repairs unless you want to count the previous owners rotation of buckets under the leak "fixing it". That combined with many other issues meant that I needed to completely gut the house down to the plank walls and start over. It's a major work in progress. None of that is really relevant, but I figure the background on the house will give an idea of what I have to work with for the property as a whole. It all needs extensive work.

I'm looking to purchase my first (2nd?) tractor to assist with the work I've got ahead of me. I've got a late 70's Ford 6600 that came with the property and it was easily the best maintained thing on this property. I've used it extensively already for some FEL work. I made an immeasurable number of trips back and forth from the house to the sand pit on the property where we burned everything that could be. Also used it for digging up, pushing over, and/or dragging out a lot of the unchecked growth around the house as I try to get the place ready for the contractors to come in and get started. I want to get another tractor though. Out of the 85 acres maybe 20 of it is fields and the rest is woods. The property is going to be used for hunting mainly, but I do plan on getting a few cows and pigs a couple years down the road. I'm used to animals and farm life as my father has a 200 acre farm with black angus and pigs, but I'm not looking for mine to be a full time farm operation. I just want to raise a couple of each a year for my families consumption. There's 6 in my family plus my in-laws who are moving in with us in an in-law suite that was added to the main house.

Now that the background is out of the way here's what I have in mind and looking to do:
1. Field maintenance - disc, rake, bail, etc. Some fields will be clover or mix of some kind for deer food plots and some may eventually be hay for a couple cows.
2. Land clearing - brush hogging, tree removal, leveling, etc
3. Fence posts - auger or driver not sure yet
4. Driveway maintenance - house is at the end of a half mile private road. Hauling and spreading stone, digging new drainage, and then upkeep.
5. Snow removal - see above
6. Timber work - House is heated by an outdoor wood burner. Figuring ~12 cords a year I'll need. Will be skidding trees to flat land next to wood shed for cutting, splitting, and stacking.

#1 will be done with the 6600. It has 70hp and is what's been used for all this in the past. If it's not broke why fix it? It's the rest of the chores that are making me look at a new tractor. I'm thinking something smaller (30-40hp?) would probably be better for this. Definitely want 4wd for some of these tasks and the 6600 is only 2wd.

I'm familiar with Deere and Kubota from my fathers farm, but personally have no brand loyalty. The only thing I know for sure is that I don't want is a single rocker pedal HST like Kubota has. I prefer gears, but shuttle shift or two pedal hst is acceptable. I also haven't decided yet on a cab. It would be really nice for sure, especially when blowing snow on cold winter days. However, I'm leaning towards open cab due to the work in the woods.

I haven't been to any dealerships yet, but I have looked a lot online at the Mahindra 2638 and 3640, Kubota L3901, Deere 3039R and 4044M. Even checked out the Massey Ferguson 1740E. Whichever I get it will definitely be ordered with loader and backhoe. I'm kind of leaning towards a Mahindra right now. No personal experience with them, but they seem to be a good combination of features, weight, and cost. AAm I in the right hp range for what I'm looking to do? Cab or open? brand? other considerations? Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

 

[jaxs]

I seriously doubt you will find better advive than your paw's who know's you. I'd advise not getting carried away with ripping out trees,they are hard to replace later on. As for Mahindra,I seldom see any old ones, and suspect there's a reason I don't.

 

[shooterdon]

Have a forester determine if you can harvest 12 cords a year from your woodlot

I use a 40 HP LS 4100 series with grapple for processing logs. Run a 74 blower with it. Does a good job. Saved $8k over green and orange.

HST is handy for FEL and snow removal

 

[Luke82]

I seriously doubt you will find better advive than your paw's who know's you. I'd advise not getting carried away with ripping out trees,they are hard to replace later on. As for Mahindra,I seldom see any old ones, and suspect there's a reason I don't.

You might be right about Mahindra. I know some people like them, but I'm with you on not seeing a lot of older ones.

Have a forester determine if you can harvest 12 cords a year....I use a 40 HP LS 4100 series...Saved $8k over green and orange. HST is handy for FEL and snow removal

Definitely a smart idea and something I've already started looking into. Don't want to purchase my wood, but don't want the property to be clear cut eventually because I'm taking it faster than it's replaced. I'm not saying thanks for giving me another brand to now look at and consider.

I recommend adding your LOCATION to your T-B-N PROFILE....Whether or not you will work sloping ground has a big influence on tractor selection. Is your twenty acre field flat?

Thanks for that recommendation. Done. The majority of the fields are relatively flat. Most of the sloping/hilly areas are the forest.

 

[jeff9366]

Ford 6600 - dimensions
1975 - 1981
Utility tractor

Weight (shipping): 5475 lbs [2483 kg]
Weight (operating): 5880 lbs [2667 kg] (ROPS)
7020 lbs [3184 kg] (cab)
Weight (ballasted): 9700 lbs [4399 kg]
Wheelbase: 88 inches [223 cm]
Length: 153.3 inches [389 cm]
Width: 73.2 inches [185 cm] *
Height (hood): 68.5 inches [173 cm]
Height (cab): 106.6 inches [270 cm]
Clearance (front axle): 18 inches [45 cm]
Front tread: 52.5 to 80.5 inches
[133 to 204 cm]
Rear tread: 52 to 80 inches
[132 to 203 cm]
66 to 90 inches (power adjust)
[167 to 228 cm] (power adjust)

3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: II
Control: top-link draft sensing
Rear lift: 4040 lbs [1832 kg]


The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Tractor weight is more important identifying compact tractor capability than tractor horsepower.

Bare tractor weight is a fundamental tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used. Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range.


The best reason I perceive for a new tractor is having a Loader.

For twenty acres of field most here will recommend a tractor of 3,700 to 4,500 pounds bare tractor weight with 4-WD. Most tractors in this weight range will be around 66" wide, not that much narrower than your existing Ford unless the Ford's rear wheels have been spaced apart.

What implements do you have currently for the Ford 6600?

 

[dodge man]

Part of the reason I say this is because they have the best support in my area but I would stick with JD or Kubota. I would say you are looking at the right size tractor.

Something else to think about is implements. They can add up. Think about a log splitter, grapple, brush hog, box blade, rear blade, front blade, land plane, land scrap rake and snow blower. You don’t need all of them or buy them all at once but something to think about.

 

[RustyA]

If your thoughts are to cut and bale your own hay in the future consider 35 hp minimum gear and 40 go minimum HST for pto. We used a JD 1070 for years and it struggled a little with haybine and baler. 2nd tractor was utility 57 hp and it didn't know equipment was back there even on slopes. Food for thought.

 

[airbiscuit]

Over the long term, and given the length of your driveway, I think you'd be happier with a "large frame" Compact tractor. The Deere 3039R would be a mid frame, and the 4044M would be a large frame. There is a big difference weight, clearance and TRACTION. I would be looking at a 40hp to 50hp Kubota, Kioti, Yanmar or John Deere.

• Kubota - Gold Standard
• Yanmar - Gold Standard II (has the gold wheels to prove it)
• John Deere - Green Standard
• New Holland - Bronze Medal
• Massey Ferguson - Your Fathers Oldsmobile
• Kioti - Up and Comer 1
• LS - Up and Comer 2
• Mahindra - Committed to Success/Needs to improve quality
• TYM - In the game but sloppy
• Branson - Will be swallowed up by TYM
• McCormick - Dead man walking
• Any Chinese Brands - Non starters

 

[Luke82]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! For all the hay questions...I'm not getting rid of the 2wd Ford. Already have a plow, disc, rake, spreader, and loader for the Ford. Could have had a bailer as well, but what the previous owner had was a square bailer and I'd prefer a small round bailer for the convenience. A bailer and discbine are down the road though. Almost every field has a rock wall around it that has been neglected and seems to have just as many trees on the field side of the wall as on the other side! I need (want) to get that taken care of first. Plus it will be a couple years before I get any animals and have a need for hay. I'll keep buying half a cow and half a pig from my father a couple times a year until I get this property and all the out buildings straightened up a bit. Like I said at the start, ton of work at this place. It will be years before the property is up to my standards (let alone my fathers), but I'm at least familiar with and aware of the amount of work I've got ahead of me.

The desire for a new tractor is for all the other tasks and having 4wd to do them. There's a stream that runs down the middle of this property and a few springs that make some parts too muddy to feel comfortable taking the Ford. Dodge Man already nailed most of the attachments I'm looking at. Grapple, box blade, brush hog, rear blade, backhoe, auger and snowblower for a start. Definitely snowblower over a snow plow because most of the driveway is thick woods on both sides with nowhere to push the snow to. Just not sure on type of snowblower. What my father has and I'm used to using is a 3pt blower, but with the length of this driveway a mid pto and front mount blower would be pretty nice I think.

 

[airbiscuit]

Last year, I bought a Rear Pull Snowblower and I love it. Prior to that I had a standard rear 3pt snowblower, but backing up all the time is a pain. I now do my snow blowing going forward in half the time, and I still have the loader on the front. Here's a video. That's a 40hp large frame New Holland, which is about the size tractor I think would best suit your needs.

 

[Aquabird]

I know you said you do not want a single pedal HST, but getting used to one is really not hard at all. I would not let that one thing rule any tractors out.
Both the tractors I have had, have had the single pedal. I never found it to be a problem I have a size 12 boot too, so foot size does not enter into it.
Test drive several to get a feel for them.

 

[Luke82]

Last year, I bought a Rear Pull Snowblower and I love it. Prior to that I had a standard rear 3pt snowblower, but backing up all the time is a pain. I now do my snow blowing going forward in half the time, and I still have the loader on the front. Here's a video. That's a 40hp large frame New Holland, which is about the size tractor I think would best suit your needs.

That is awesome! I haven't seen a pull snowblower before. Learn something new every day. Add another thing to consider. My list of things to consider for the tractor decision is going to end up being just as long as my list of things to fix on the new farm! :laughing:

 

[mred2]

I don't know anything about snow. I have a LS XR4150 open station with shuttle shift. Bad right foot, can't use HST. I would call it a heavy frame compact. Check for the closest LS dealer. And test drive them all. I have two rear remotes, 3rd function, and water in all the tires. I feed round bales to 10 horses on 200 acres, mostly trees. I like the shuttle shift and open station, but if I had snow, I might want the cab. I got the LS for about $7000 less. I also run a grapple and a backhoe. If you want a backhoe, do not get one that just attaches to the 3pt. LS and a lot of others attached to the frame. LS makes some of New Holland. Most of the newer tractors are good. When pricing, make sure they are equal. Same number of remotes, weight, lift, etc. I went with the 50hp mostly due to stacking hay. Stacking hay with a 2wd tractor only works with dry ground.
Mostly, take your time. Dealer support for some is very important, but not for all. How well it fits you will be very important. I set on a Mahindra, good tractor, but just did not fit me good. Size 16 shoe. Mostly test drive, think about it and maybe test drive again. When you find a couple that fit good, compare frame, weight, hp, remotes, lift, price, etc. The best of luck with the property.

 

[rScotty]

I'm glad you are keeping the Ford. You don't know yet how lucky you are with that. It was from the "golden age" of US tractors, and should last your lifetime if maintained. Few tractors are built so well today, and none better. With the implements you have it is even better.

So I would say to make maintaining that Ford your #1 tractor priority. I know it's not sexy or new, but get the Operator's manual (ebay), get back into regular greasing, oil & filter changes.... and a clean fuel source. Try to put a tarp on it after use - tractors are susceptible to damp and rain water runs into all the wrong places. Weather ages them faster than work. Just basically put out the effort keep it up as your #1 machine and everything else becomes easy. I guarantee you will be a long time - if ever - finding another one that good.
Ask yourself, what it could use right now to make it better & make you have more pride in it. How about the seat? Cushions are cheap. So are good batteries.

If you have done that much work with the Ford already, it is a proven keeper. Time to put some money into it to make it stay that way. I know this because we still have our older JD. I see what we did right and what wrong.

As for a smaller "handier" tractor I definitely agree that you will end up with one - at least most of us do. It's the "chore tractor" rather than the workhorse. I Don't know what that tractor will be - but everyone makes one so there are lots of options. It will be a lot lighter, 4wd, 30ish HP, maybe HST or maybe power shuttle shift.Gotta have power steering, and a Cat I 3pt hitch will be enough.

Don't be too quick to form opinions, there is good in them all. The Ford is allowing you to take your time and I'm betting that will save you more than you spend on upgrading the Ford's maintenance in the long run. What are you leaning toward right now?
luck,
rScotty



rScotty

 

[Luke82]

...I got the LS for about $7000 less...Mostly test drive, think about it and maybe test drive again. When you find a couple that fit good, compare frame, weight, hp, remotes, lift, price, etc. The best of luck with the property.

LS matches my initials so I guess I need to check them out as well! :laughing: Dealer/service location isn't a big deal for me. There's nothing within 30mins of me, but within 60-90mins I've got Kubota, Deere, MF, NH, Mahindra, Case, and...LS. I drive 90mins each way for work so driving for stuff doesn't bother me. I definitely won't rule anything out until I test drive it. Comfort is high on my list since I'll be spending a lot of seat time on this thing, but price and reliability are probably tied for number 1. How long have you had your LS and how do you like it? Never heard of that brand until yesterday.

 

[Luke82]

I'm glad you are keeping the Ford. You don't know yet how lucky you are with that. It was from the "golden age" of US tractors, and should last your lifetime if maintained. Few tractors are built so well today, and none better. With the implements you have it is even better.

So I would say to make maintaining that Ford your #1 tractor priority. I know it's not sexy or new, but get the Operator's manual (ebay), get back into regular greasing, oil & filter changes.... and a clean fuel source. Try to put a tarp on it after use - tractors are susceptible to damp and rain water runs into all the wrong places. Weather ages them faster than work. Just basically put out the effort keep it up as your #1 machine and everything else becomes easy. I guarantee you will be a long time - if ever - finding another one that good.
Ask yourself, what it could use right now to make it better & make you have more pride in it. How about the seat? Cushions are cheap. So are good batteries.

If you have done that much work with the Ford already, it is a proven keeper. Time to put some money into it to make it stay that way. I know this because we still have our older JD. I see what we did right and what wrong.

As for a smaller "handier" tractor I definitely agree that you will end up with one - at least most of us do. It's the "chore tractor" rather than the workhorse. I Don't know what that tractor will be - but everyone makes one so there are lots of options. It will be a lot lighter, 4wd, 30ish HP, maybe HST or maybe power shuttle shift.Gotta have power steering, and a Cat I 3pt hitch will be enough.

Don't be too quick to form opinions, there is good in them all. The Ford is allowing you to take your time and I'm betting that will save you more than you spend on upgrading the Ford's maintenance in the long run. What are you leaning toward right now?
luck,
rScotty



rScotty

rScotty, ton of great info in there! You are 110% correct on this Ford being a keeper. It was obvious the first time I turned the key and it started right up that this thing had been maintained. Within the first week I had the operator and repair manuals ordered and changed the oil and filter and air filters. Hydraulics all seem to be working great, but changing that fluid is on my todo list. Even though I can tell it's been maintained well the previous owner passed away and the daughter I purchased it and the property from had no idea about the maintenance schedule. Previous owner kept it parked in one of the out buildings on this property and I'm parking it in the same place so it's not out in the rain.

For the new "chore" tractor as you put it, I'm kind of leaning towards New Holland. No real reason other than already having the Ford so I have one service department to go to for parts for either tractor. NH dealer is about 45mins from me in one direction and all the other dealers are 60-90mins in the other 3 directions. As I said in my response to mred2 though, I'm not ruling anything out until I test drive it since this will be the tractor the most time is spent in.

 

[duffer]

I wasn't going to post a reply since you've gotten several already, but when you stated you're considering a Mahindra 2638, I decided to chime in. I'm not gonna bad mouth any other brand. I looked at green, orange, blue, purple and pink before I bought my 2538 (predecessor to 2638- but same drive train).

For what you're describing you want to do, I don't think the 2638 would not be a bad choice at all. I've got over 1300 hours on my 2016 (2538), and not one problem. But I take care of it too. Still purrs like a kitten and works like a mule. In fact, I think I have more than 38 hp. (They make the same tractor in a 40 & 45(?) hp versions)

For me, I like the 2 pedal HST, especially for FEL work. My old ankles can't rock back and forth good enough for a one rocker accelerator. Shuttle shift is a fine choice too. Just personal preference.

I agree with the poster who said you need to consider the implements you need/want. A good conversation to have with the dealer you eventually choose to do business with. One point I would make, is that I'm not a big fan of back-hoes on CUT. They don't have the power to really dig out stumps the way you want. AND...when you want to use other 3 pt implements, you have to remove the back-hoe which is a PITA. I rent a big-guy back hoe when I need one for a couple hundred bucks, rather than shelling out $4k for one on the tractor.

One other thing I like about the 2638 is that there is no Blue Def requirement, or re-gen cycle to concern yourself with. New tractors won't have a problem with the re-gen cycle, but as they get older, we just don't know yet...too soon to tell.

Anyway, good luck on your search. There are lots of good CUT's to choose from. Mahindra is one of them (but not the only one).

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! :thumbsup:

I also agree that you get a forester out there to see what you've got. In Indiana, I used the state forester. It was free. He did a tree survey, told us the number and types of each species, developed a management plan for the existing 10 acres of woods, a reforestation plan for a 4 acre field, and wind breaks for the property. FREE FREE. . See what your state has to offer. There are also classified forest, classified wildlife habitat, etc... programs that don't put much burden or restrictions on the landowner, yet reduce tax load significantly. Government tree planting programs, erosion control, etc.... FREE FREE :laughing:

We heat with wood. I've been cutting 6 cords per year from a 10 acre plot for about 11-12 years, and haven't cleared maybe 1.25 acres total. Between wind-fall/storm/winter damage and undesirable trees, I'll probably never clear 3 acres total. Nature will do it for me. But it's still nice to know what you have, what's valuable, and what can go to promote more valuable to you trees. Get that forester.

 

[MossRoad]

Forgot to mention we got 2,150 trees bought, planted and side sprayed for $265.00 (yes, two hundred and sixty five dollars) after being refunded 75% of the cost by the state for erosion control, back in 1990. Look around for those state programs.

 

[mred2]

I have had my LS for over 2 years with no problems, only oil and filter changes. Works as it should. If you like New holland, look on the back for a sticker that says made by. It may have been LS. You may find the same tractor at LS for less money. However, I don't mind a little more for the better dealer.