3016 HST. Enough HP?

[Dsimonl]

New member. My property is 65 acres of mixed pasture/woods. There is 100' elevation gain. Tractor would be used for pulling logs up the hill out of the woods, food plots, mowing, tilling, general farm work. The local dealer has one 3016 FEL HST left for $18.5k. He can get a 3616 FEL HST from another dealer for $22.5k plus freight. Will I regret not paying the (highway robbery!) $4k for more power, or will the 3016 be suitable?

 

[Sysop]

I'd go with the larger one to prevent both regrets and breaking things.

 

[SDiver40]

I cant suggest which way to go. BUT my 3016 has done everything i have asked of it. The 3616 looks to have 6 more PTO HP than the 3016. That may give you a little extra power or width on a cutter.
IF I had 65 acres and could afford it, I would look at a 50 hp tractor even if I had to go used.

 

[AchingBack]

New member. My property is 65 acres of mixed pasture/woods. There is 100' elevation gain. Tractor would be used for pulling logs up the hill out of the woods, food plots, mowing, tilling, general farm work. The local dealer has one 3016 FEL HST left for $18.5k. He can get a 3616 FEL HST from another dealer for $22.5k plus freight. Will I regret not paying the (highway robbery!) $4k for more power, or will the 3016 be suitable?

If you really think you'd be robbed by getting a more powerful machine, then don't buy it.

 

[Dsimonl]

This would be my first utility tractor, so I'm still a 'newbie'. Does HP affect the pulling power, hill climbing ability, or just implement width? If the latter, I can live with that. I won't get wider than 5' implements.

 

[SDiver40]

HP does matter for pulling but the weight of the tractor plays a big roll in it too. I can get in a lower gear with the 3016 and it has the power to spin the tires. Only because it doesnt have the weight to hold traction. And in the lower gear your not going any place fast. IF your only going with 5ft implements then either tractor will serve you well. IF your going to mow ( Rotary Cutter ) more than a few acres, you will wish you had a larger mower before it's said and done. 5ft for the 3016 and 6 ft. with the 3616. Neither one is going to like a baler if you decide to make hay.

 

[Dsimonl]

That was very helpful, thanks. The dealer recommends filling the rear tires, and I concur. He also recommends installing the rear remote ($1000). Have you needed one for your general usage?

 

[SDiver40]

No I havent needed a rear remote. I have a gas powered log splitter and for me thats the only reason I would need one. I do wish I had a 3rd function on the front end so I could use a grapple if I ever get one. But for now I cant justify that.

 

[oldpilgrim]

If you're considering something larger, remember that the larger you go the more you limit yourself in maneuverability in the woods.

My 3016 is perfect for woods work, I think. I spend a lot of time in the woods and, even though I've never tried pulling a giant sequoia, it's worked great for me. I've never had an issue with pulling any trees and I work with 18-24 inch pines. I put the thing in 4WD low range in the tough spots, and if I run into soft ground where the wheels want to spin, I step in the diff lock and out she comes. Most of the time it's in M range.

I tried it with unloaded tires and later with loaded tires and the load makes a HUGE difference.

What SDiver40 says is right on.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

My neighbor has a 35hp open station tractor (a Bobcat 337, if I recall the model correctly) that is one frame size down from my 60hp Kioti. His tractor is pretty capable but it does everything including transporting material slower. More hp not only adds beefier bits, but speed as well.

 

[tman1020]

3016 is a nice size tractor seems to fit in the not too big not too small category to me. I'm not sure if you get anymore pulling power in the hydrostat models when you jump up to the 36 you have to check the specs on the Hydro relief for that. Something that I would definitely do before I spent the extra money especially if you're not going to be using the extra horsepower on your PTO. Before I spent the extra money that you're talking about for more horsepower on the same size frame I would be pricing larger Frame size tractor especially with that amount of acreage. so in short in my opinion 3016 will do what you're asking but a larger frame size with a bit more hp might be a little better. Good luck

 

[s219]

The 3016 and 3616 are otherwise identical save for the engines, minor tire size difference, and a couple other small things. Given earlier comments about the 3016 being traction limited, I'd say the main benefit to the 3616 would be more horsepower at the PTO. The extra HP won't help much for ground engaging work or pulling if traction is the limitation. You'd really need a bigger/heavier tractor to take advantage of the extra HP for ground work.

 

[Sysop]

The 3016 and 3616 are otherwise identical save for the engines, minor tire size difference, and a couple other small things. Given earlier comments about the 3016 being traction limited, I'd say the main benefit to the 3616 would be more horsepower at the PTO. The extra HP won't help much for ground engaging work or pulling if traction is the limitation. You'd really need a bigger/heavier tractor to take advantage of the extra HP for ground work.

The 3616 will better support weighing the tractor down to gain the needed traction, so if traction is a concern, going with the more powerful tractor would allow you to ballast the tractor to gain the maximum traction and still have the power needed to take loads along for the ride. If traction is a concern, go with the AG tires. Most of the 3016 and 3616 units I've seen all have industrial tires...

 

[s219]

The 3616 will better support weighing the tractor down to gain the needed traction, so if traction is a concern, going with the more powerful tractor would allow you to ballast the tractor to gain the maximum traction and still have the power needed to take loads along for the ride. If traction is a concern, go with the AG tires. Most of the 3016 and 3616 units I've seen all have industrial tires...

Certainly true, but I am making the assumption the 3016 was properly ballasted too, and keep in mind the 3616 isn't any bigger physically. Many of the tractors in this size range are traction limited, even with front loader and rear ballast, and tires aren't always the solution. Pretty soon you run out of ways to add weight. The only thing I have found that the extra HP is consistently valuable for is getting from point A to point B faster and running PTO implements. Otherwise you'll just end up chasing your tail with the power/weight/traction balance. I'd want to step up to the next size class rather than hot rod a smaller tractor.

 

[DB Pilot]

I have the Kubota L3800. That's 38 hp. With 65 acres I think sometime you will want to brush hog, 3pt mower deck or use an auger. You will want the extra HP then for sure. Nothing worse than an auger digging in but not able to lift it out, a mower that can't handle tall grass or a 4' brush hog that needs a lot more time to cover acreage. Oh, yes, also I am thinking about something in the M series kubotas with 50+ HP. While it is true the 30 hp will handle everything you want to do it is also true that you will have to go slower/spend more time doing one job. As for 5' implements which I use only with my BX2200 it is great for snow clearing in close quarters but for moving dirt its just to small. :2cents:

 

[Dsimonl]

Thanks for all the advice. We won't be using many PTO implements except for tiller and mower. It sounds like the 3016 will do everything we need (with loaded rear tires). I think we'll proceed, but may have implement questions later

 

[Dsimonl]

We're making progress. I will get the 5' tiller for sure. To get the rebate, I need to add a second implement. Between the 8" auger and the SS pallet forks, which would be recommended? My wife is leaning toward the pallet forks, but we don't know anything about the Mahindra-badged ones.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Go with the forks, you'll use them much more than the auger. Mahindra's implements in general are very good products...heavy. well made. I don't know who makes them all but they are much more rugged than the typical non professional grade units.

I saw a root grapple on one at a dealer today and was impressed. I looked at a rear blade a while back and was impressed with it's quality.

 

[Sysop]

PHDs can be found often and cheap second hand. Once someone has SSQA forks they never part with them, buying new is really the only option.

The Mahindra forks are heavier than some other brands (not all, and not by a lot, but some). If trying to maintain all your lift for load, go with a different brand (although I think the most you'll save with other brands is a bit less than 100lbs). If you want a really tough set of forks that will take more abuse than your tractor will dish out, go with the Mahindra forks.

The reason the Mahindra forks weigh a little more and are a little tougher than others is due to the "headache rack". It sticks up higher than many and it also is a solid plate of steel with sight-holes (and their logo) cut in it where many others are not as tall and have more open space in the back.

Some consider more visibility, more desirable. I consider protecting the hood of my tractor and the top of my head more desirable.

Unless you have a ton of posts to set, the forks will be much more handy. The downfall is the discount savings on the forks will not be as much as the post hole digger (simply because the PHD costs more).

 

[SDiver40]

Kodiak makes their bush hogs and box blades, rebranded for Mahindra. They lean towards Howse for their grooming mowers at least here in NC anyway.
I just got the Med. Duty 5 ft Kodiak thanks to some good info from some guys here on the forum. So far i'm happy with it. I got the box blade over 2 years ago and it's still going strong.
The pallet forks I got from Everything Attachments. Couldnt be happier with them. I use them more than the bucket most times.