25hp primarily for mowing?

[Sid Post]

My first question is are they all tested the same?

Same test standard ?

Same location on the tractor test ie flywheel vs PTO output and so on

Nebraska tests are standardized for an Apples to Apples comparison. Most of the time, I look at TractorData and follow their link to the Nebraska tractor test data.

 

[WinterDeere]

You still need good weight to run a rotary "bush hog" mower safely. If you don't have a good BALANCE of weight to power, your tractor isn't going to work well for you.

I have this issue when I run some real heavy implements (plug aerator) on the 3-point with the loader removed. But my tractor has a weight bar as the front "bumper", so I just hang a few suitcase weights there, and problem solved.

I actually like having a light tractor (3500# / 33 hp), because it gives me the flexibility to ballast it as needed for each task, without being so heavy it does massive lawn damage when I want to run light.

 

[Jaybr]

My CK35 lifts motors just fine, and I pull a 5' rotary cutter with it with no issue. The 25hp tractors I am considering have roughly the same weight and lift capacity, so i'm not worried about it being able to lift what I need. My question was more around the HP requirements of a flail mower, and how that compares to a rotary. From the comments it sounds like I need more than 25hp to run a 6' flail, so I'll look at models with minimum 30 pto HP and just deal with the emissions.

Now that minimum HP has been decided I need to decide if I want to stick with a unit similar in size to my CK, or step up to the next size up. A big consideration there is that my wife will be doing some of the mowing and other things with the tractor so I'll have to get her comfortable if I go larger. So I'll be looking at the Kioti CK4020, or lowest HP DK/NS/NX model, and Yanmar YT235 and YT347, and the equivalent sizes in other brands.

I dropped my old CK off at a dealer today for a clutch replacement, something I would do myself if I had space and time. This is my first dealing with this dealer so we'll see how it goes. They carry Kioti, New Holland, and Massey Ferguson.

 

[WinterDeere]

Now that minimum HP has been decided I need to decide if I want to stick with a unit similar in size to my CK, or step up to the next size up.

Without getting into brand specifics, things I've noticed when stepping up in size (specifically around the sizes you're shopping) is the changes in visibility and center of gravity. For example, when stepping up from Deere series 1 to 2, or from 2 to 3, the hoods get higher and wider (esp. Series 2R to series 3R), and the center of gravity gets higher due to the tire height increasing faster than track width. I haven't rolled either, but I definitely feel like my 3R is more tippy than the older Series 2 equivalents I've owned previously.

 

[Jaybr]

Well we closed on a new place this week, 48 acres. It’s mostly hardwood forest with about 10 acres of grass. There doesn’t appear to be much weeds in the grass and I’m wondering if previous owners had someone cutting for hay. I’ll be mowing it this weekend with the ck35 and 5’ rotary cutter, which will give me a good measure of how long it takes.

As far as tractors, Yanmar dealer is closest and seems good. I’ve priced a YT235c and a CK4020 cab and they are virtually identical. I need to take the wife to look at them. I’d like to step up to the YT347 or Kioti NX but not sure how comfortable she’ll be with the larger machine.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Congratulations on the new place! Yanmar makes an excellent tractor, and you can't go wrong whether you pick them or Kioti.

 

[EddieWalker]

Congratulations on your new place.

I think I would just keep what you have for now, and get to know the new land. A few more HP wont be that significant of a change.

 

[HamishMacCheap]

I have only heard good comments about Yanmar products.

 

[Jrasband]

You could with a sickle mower.

 

[Sid Post]

Well we closed on a new place this week, 48 acres. It’s mostly hardwood forest with about 10 acres of grass. There doesn’t appear to be much weeds in the grass and I’m wondering if previous owners had someone cutting for hay. I’ll be mowing it this weekend with the ck35 and 5’ rotary cutter, which will give me a good measure of how long it takes.

As far as tractors, Yanmar dealer is closest and seems good. I’ve priced a YT235c and a CK4020 cab and they are virtually identical. I need to take the wife to look at them. I’d like to step up to the YT347 or Kioti NX but not sure how comfortable she’ll be with the larger machine.

You will be much happier with the larger machine overall. If you can swing it, buy it and let the wife "warm up" to it in the future.

If you have a good local Yanmar dealer, I'd go that direction for similar money for a similar Kioti.