Blank Slate in Missouri

[gocards1177]

Well, I have to admit, I was wrong. I proved all of the advice I received so far from you guys to be true today. A friend let me borrow his 2001 JD 4310 to bush hog the front 6 acres of one of my fields. It's a 27 HP PTO, so he has a 5' RC on it. It's also an HST transmission.

I learned two things: I need a bigger tractor than his, and I LOVE the HST. I realize that my dislike of the wine came from side by side comparisons of geared versus HST tractors. It's quite apparent if you just drove a geared tractor. But if it's the only thing you've got and been using it for a few hours, you don't even notice it.

 

[FrankieO]

Good to hear you figured out what you want--that was half the battle for me, and it took twice as long!

 

[k0ua]

Well, I have to admit, I was wrong. I proved all of the advice I received so far from you guys to be true today. A friend let me borrow his 2001 JD 4310 to bush hog the front 6 acres of one of my fields. It's a 27 HP PTO, so he has a 5' RC on it. It's also an HST transmission.

I learned two things: I need a bigger tractor than his, and I LOVE the HST. I realize that my dislike of the wine came from side by side comparisons of geared versus HST tractors. It's quite apparent if you just drove a geared tractor. But if it's the only thing you've got and been using it for a few hours, you don't even notice it.

I am glad you got a chance to use the HST tractor, I have always believed if the "gear lovers" could actually use a HST equipped tractor for a few hours, most would choose the HST. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I think a lot of that opinion is based in not knowing how wonderful a HST compact tractor is to operate. I am not saying that Gear tractors dont have their place, as in tillage tractors as an example, but for most of us small tractor owners I think a hydro is best for what most of us do with our tractors. There, that's my opinion, from a totally biased "HST lover"

James K0UA

 

[MoKelly]

Welcome. I like your name!:thumbsup:

Just wish we could have handled Milwaulkee a little better.

MoKelly

 

[jenkinsph]

I suspect a 4520 cab tractor such as I have would be a good fit for your place. I recommend you try one out with 6 to 8' equipment, you will be amazed at the difference a 50 pto hp tractor makes. Long term you will be ahead if you get something larger with the proper options to start with. There are lots of threads on TBN where people are trading up because their first tractor was to small, didn't have enough features or options and also found they wanted a cab.

 

[TripleR]

Like jenkinsph, I would be looking along the lines of the lines of a 50-60 HP such as his or the Kubota L5740 etc. I use a L5030 HSTC and it has all the power I really need, but we have bigger tractors if needed.

The two tractors I use the most are the L5030 and M8540. While I like a lot of things about the geared unit, for all around general use, the HST wins every time for me.

 

[idaho2]

gocards1177,

I have a Mahindra 5530 Turbo 4wd and pull a 10' Mahindra (Kodiak) mower. As others have advised definitely look at the 50 and up in hp. But consider what implements you intend to need down the road. Also, look at the pto hp and most 3ph mowers need more pto hp than a pull type. Research your implements and go from there in determining your tractor hp & pto hp. Also don't forget to have at least twin hydraulics as a minimum.

idaho2

 

[gocards1177]

As far as cabs go, doesn't the glass panels get beat to h*ll by tree branches and what not? It sounds pleasant from a cofmort point of view to have a cab, but how durable are they?

 

[TripleR]

As far as cabs go, doesn't the glass panels get beat to h*ll by tree branches and what not? It sounds pleasant from a cofmort point of view to have a cab, but how durable are they?

Not very, so if you are going to be in the trees, go open station or be ready to do a lot of trimming. I hit limbs with our pretty regularly, but only small ones and I am not a tractor waxer, so a few scratches don't bother me. I will, however, get less if I ever trade it in.

We have open station tractors, but I don't remember the last time I used one.

 

[jenkinsph]

As far as cabs go, doesn't the glass panels get beat to h*ll by tree branches and what not? It sounds pleasant from a cofmort point of view to have a cab, but how durable are they?

You can break the glass but it isn't as easy as you might think. On the other hand you can drive an open station tractor through the trees and get hurt yourself. I have had an occasional branch bend around the rops and fold back towards my head. In my experience new tractors are just too expensive to drive through dense trees at wild abandon. Not much point in it either, most of the time you pick your way through with a few trimmed trails.

Best bet is to trim the branches for clearance of the cab or rops. Yes this may be a large undertaking but recognize you don't have to cut every tree or every lower branch. In my area trimming the branches higher is a real plus to lower the fire danger too.

I use the x749 mower to work under trees that are too dense for the tractors to get through but there are some places nothing will fit, I just go around.

 

[eastexan]

I am not a tractor waxer....

:laughing: :laughing: +1

My tractor don't get waxed either. In fact it don't even get a Saturday night bath.
I raised my tractor to be no sissy. It ain't spoiled and don't go running around holding its skirt and tip-toeing around mud puddles, either.

And it ain't skeered of a few cow patties neither.

 

[TripleR]

:laughing: :laughing: +1

My tractor don't get waxed either. In fact it don't even get a Saturday night bath.
I raised my tractor to be no sissy. It ain't spoiled and don't go running around holding its skirt and tip-toeing around mud puddles, either.

And it ain't skeered of a few cow patties neither.

When our tractors need a bath, we just leave them out in the rain a few times.:laughing:

We don't have any cattle now, but use to raise Black Angus and our tractor didn't seem bothered by cow patties and if you are running open station, you better not be either. Those rear tires at speed do a pretty good job of spreading them around.:laughing:

 

[eastexan]

When our tractors need a bath, we just leave them out in the rain a few times.:laughing:

We don't have any cattle now, but use to raise Black Angus and our tractor didn't seem bothered by cow patties and if you are running open station, you better not be either. Those rear tires at speed do a pretty good job of spreading them around.:laughing:

:laughing::laughing:
Yeah, I'd forgotten all about that.
Those old 8N fenders didn't offer much protection either.

 

[mwb]

Well, I have to admit, I was wrong. I proved all of the advice I received so far from you guys to be true today. A friend let me borrow his 2001 JD 4310 to bush hog the front 6 acres of one of my fields. It's a 27 HP PTO, so he has a 5' RC on it. It's also an HST transmission.

I learned two things: I need a bigger tractor than his, and I LOVE the HST. I realize that my dislike of the wine came from side by side comparisons of geared versus HST tractors. It's quite apparent if you just drove a geared tractor. But if it's the only thing you've got and been using it for a few hours, you don't even notice it.

Good that you tried the HST, sounds like a good fit for your needs. Lots of recommendation here that you go bigger (up to 60hp) but as you go bigger I think you loose on versatility. A 60hp machine crossing your lawn is a lot different than a 40 hp. You don't intend to hay (yet) and if you do you will probably want an even bigger tractor. Why not stick with a modest 40 hp that will work well for 'around the house', small enough for the bush, light enough to trailer... if you decide to do hay then buy an older iron dedicated to running pto equip (you wouldn't need a loader on it). You can do a lot with a 35 - 45 hp machine!:thumbsup:

 

[sandman2234]

Mwb was thinking along the same lines as me. Get a tractor that fits you and your current chores and find a large used ag tractor to do the heavy work with. If I was going to bush hog 80 acres, you better believe I would want 100 hp or at least close, and pulling at least a 10 foot mower, but preferable bigger. Consider the larger one used and the smaller one new to slightly used and figure both of them into the budget, along with the dedicated implements (fel for the smaller, 10' bushhog for the larger, etc).
It doesn't cost any more to have two tractors, as your only going to be running one at a time, unless you get your wife to drive one (which I can't). One advantage, is when one breaks, or goes to the shop, your chores don't stop, they just change to what the other tractor can do. Nothing worse than having stuff to do while your tractor is in the shop, and the shop is working on other peoples tractors because they got there first.
David from jax

 

[jenkinsph]

Good that you tried the HST, sounds like a good fit for your needs. Lots of recommendation here that you go bigger (up to 60hp) but as you go bigger I think you loose on versatility. A 60hp machine crossing your lawn is a lot different than a 40 hp. You don't intend to hay (yet) and if you do you will probably want an even bigger tractor. Why not stick with a modest 40 hp that will work well for 'around the house', small enough for the bush, light enough to trailer... if you decide to do hay then buy an older iron dedicated to running pto equip (you wouldn't need a loader on it). You can do a lot with a 35 - 45 hp machine!:thumbsup:

You are correct to a point, I agree. When you compare most of the compact tractors there is a range of hp that is similar in weight. Very little difference between a Deere 4120 and 4729 but the hp varies between 43 and 66. Larger diameter and wider tires have a larger contact patch with the ground so the larger tractor doesn't necessarily cause more problems.

I recommend having a riding mower for lawns with turf or hdap tires but occasional use of a tractor is okay too. Just pick days that are dry enough to not track it up.


The OP might be well advised to buy a good mower first since I am sure he will have to address the lawn and large house initially. I would think the work farther from the house will take a backseat.

 

[gocards1177]

Sandman and MWB...I hadn't thought of that. You know, I could get a fairly high HP older tractor and 10+ cutter for 10-15K and that would take care of my needs for the immediate future. The house is in the very infancy of the planning stage (basically we know where we want to put it, and that's it). I could use an older/bigger tractor for now to keep nature at bay on the pasture areas, and when we get ready to build/maintain a lawn/do some projects, I could look for a new/newer CUT with FEL. I'm going to have to give this some thought...

 

[flusher]

Here are some pics of my new property as promised:

So, just by chance, I came across a used tractor listed locally today online. It's a 2007 JD4520. 300 hours. 400CX loader. 6' Frontier RC. 7'Frontier Blade. 6' Frontier Tiller. Frontier Hayspike. One owner. Looks good in the pics, but haven't gotten to see it in person. He's asking $25K, and for that amount of equipment, I may have to learn to love HST. Is this a deal worth eating my words?
Nathan

Retail price new on that 45hp (pto) tractor (without the loader) is about $28K. It's barely broken it with only 300 hours. That loader goes for about $4K now

IRON Search - 2006 John Deere 400CX Loader For Sale By in USA

Considering that the implements in the deal are probably worth $3-4K depending on condition, I'd say $25K is a honey of a deal (assuming there's nothing wrong with the tractor itself). Check it out thoroughly and test drive it before buying. Post back if you need info on what to look for in a test drive.