Buying Advice Bought a farm, looking for a tractor...and help choosing!
- Thread starter curdy
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Thanks everyone for the thoughts so far. I had thought of getting 2 machines, but I don't think that's a good idea for me right now. One tractor to maintain will be enough for me to handle right now.
Would it be a better idea to ditch the MMM and look for a 3pt?
Would it be a better idea to ditch the MMM and look for a 3pt?
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TripleR
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I have been unable to come up with any scenario in which one machine will "do it all" well. I do agree to focus on tasks rather than acres. Good luck.
silvertramp
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I've got a 276D (27 hp) powershift and it handles everything I throw at it. It works circles around my MF 4 cyl Perkins. 12 sp f vs 6, and 4x4 makes all the difference. The MF had double the power, but was always stuck. The correct gearing just didn't exist.
SPYDERLK
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As said - hard to cover it with just one. ... Given your priorities and budget, I think the Kubota B series is for you. [Im not sure, but I hope MMM is available for those.] That "compromise" should reach both ends of your performance needs without much stretch. While compromising I think turf tires are in order ... with a set of chains for use when needed. If you can get a quick detach bucket it would allow you to leave the FEL on mostly.
larry
larry
Soundguy
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on a compromise machine.. my biggest concern is that he is getting hd enough to move some large loader loades for a farm that size. IE.. if he can't safely pick up 1000#.. it may be a tad light of a loader for that size land.
add to that.. if it is a single machine and he needs maneuverability.. then that is a higher dollar tranny.. iether lotsa gears.. or powershift.. or hst.. and he'll want a quick tach loader..that more $$... those add up fast.
i don't even think he could find a chinese machine big enough with a laoder with that bucket with good trans options to fit his budget. thus my thought of finding 1 machine to do all his stated tasks, within his budget was going to be dicey.. thus the idea of a dedicated lawnmower.. and since it is 5ac of mowing.. a ztr vs a big rider.. that gives him good mowing and maneuverability. thenthe rest can buy some old heavy iron that don't need the extra gearing, don't need the quick tach laoder.. but could give him some hp for brush mowing and heavy laoder work.. not to mention the extra weight and the ground clearance a MMM WON'T let him have.
soundguy
Alright, I think I've just about come full circle here and come back to what I originally thought was the way to go. Before I started this thread I had thought a ztr and an older dedicated loader tractor would suit my needs. A couple of people I talked to got me leaning towards combining into one machine. I won't bore you with the details of my thought process, but instead redirect my focus here.
I'd like to stay under the same budget of $10k. I won't pass up on something if it takes me a little over so long as its worth it. Can anyone recommend a decent ZTR and a tractor that will get me there? HST would be nice, but I could go with a shuttle shift too. Same with 4x4. Its the most ideal, but not an absolute must at this point.
Keep in mind, this is a machine that I am trying to just get started out with. I would expect that in a couple of years I may look to get something different if my needs change a good bit.
Thanks again for all the help and advice so far everyone!
I'd like to stay under the same budget of $10k. I won't pass up on something if it takes me a little over so long as its worth it. Can anyone recommend a decent ZTR and a tractor that will get me there? HST would be nice, but I could go with a shuttle shift too. Same with 4x4. Its the most ideal, but not an absolute must at this point.
Keep in mind, this is a machine that I am trying to just get started out with. I would expect that in a couple of years I may look to get something different if my needs change a good bit.
Thanks again for all the help and advice so far everyone!
Soundguy
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hst size 4x4 and to some extent, shuttle shift are gonna be hard for you to find in your budget. you are gonna be splitting it about 35/65 to get the ztr/tractor. 4x4 and hst and to some extent shuttle are found on scut and cut sized tractors.. in your price range and what you need to do I think you should be looking at large cut to smal UT sized.. and am guessing you will find straight gear crashbox, or if lucky, shuttle. There ARE a few hydro options there in old IH units though.
the budget and your wide array of tasks and needs are gonna be tough to fill.. but can be done with compromise.
soundguy
the budget and your wide array of tasks and needs are gonna be tough to fill.. but can be done with compromise.
soundguy
As others have said a ZTR or a lawn tractor and and older tractor would be the way to go in my opinion. Especially if you are planning on running any livestock in the future.
A tractor that will be big enough to handle your loader tasks will be pretty inefficient in the close in mowing areas and will also be a bit on the heavy side so it will probably damage your grass.
Four wheel drive is nice however it is not required. People have been farming for many years without it. I would go for the mower of your choice and then look for an older cat 1 tractor in the 30 to 40 hp range. I am partial to the ford 3000's myself and have been very happy with mine. I gave 5000 for it with a cab, loader, bale fork, chains and another 500 for a used brush hog. It is small enough to be maneuverable in the woods and large enough to handle the other tasks that come up on the farm. However it is to large to be used in the yard with out damaging the grass.
I also have a Mitsubishi mt 180 with a loader that personally I find useless. Too bulky with the loader for close in mowing (three point finish mower) and to small for heavy work. Would be a good yard tractor for somebody with a couple acres but not for larger acreage like you have. I use my craftsman rider for mowing the yard. Its faster than the MT 180 and dose a better job.
Having had both over the years you will be happiest with a three point mower if you go that route. The belly mounts take to long to remove and reinstall and limit the tractors usefulness when mounted.
A tractor that will be big enough to handle your loader tasks will be pretty inefficient in the close in mowing areas and will also be a bit on the heavy side so it will probably damage your grass.
Four wheel drive is nice however it is not required. People have been farming for many years without it. I would go for the mower of your choice and then look for an older cat 1 tractor in the 30 to 40 hp range. I am partial to the ford 3000's myself and have been very happy with mine. I gave 5000 for it with a cab, loader, bale fork, chains and another 500 for a used brush hog. It is small enough to be maneuverable in the woods and large enough to handle the other tasks that come up on the farm. However it is to large to be used in the yard with out damaging the grass.
I also have a Mitsubishi mt 180 with a loader that personally I find useless. Too bulky with the loader for close in mowing (three point finish mower) and to small for heavy work. Would be a good yard tractor for somebody with a couple acres but not for larger acreage like you have. I use my craftsman rider for mowing the yard. Its faster than the MT 180 and dose a better job.
Having had both over the years you will be happiest with a three point mower if you go that route. The belly mounts take to long to remove and reinstall and limit the tractors usefulness when mounted.
