Buying a tractor and looking for opinions

[Birdbrain]

Hello Everyone,
This is my first post to this forum. I am in the market to buy a new tractor and would like some opinions. A little background
My location is southern Delaware (or slower Lower Delaware to some). The land is flat, climate is moderate.
I grew up on the farm. My grandfather and father farmed until 1985 when they sold out (I was 12). We had several tractors Farmall B, H, M, a 450 and a 1066, but they were all sold at auction. Since 1992, we have maintained a 1-acre garden with a Farmall A, an ancient worn-out 2 bottom plow (it has steel wheels) and a disk that bounces as much as it disks. It worked for what we needed.
Now I own the 50-acre family farm. I have taken it out of ag production and enrolled most of it an Environmental program through the state. The heavy construction is almost complete with 6 new ponds being built. Wetlands will take up 16 acres and 24 more acres will be planted in native grasses. On the remaining 5-6 acres of existing fields, I plan to have an expanded garden and some wildlife plantings (sunflowers, sorghum, etc.).
So here is what I think my needs will be:

1. 5-6 acres to plow, disk each year. Perhaps this will dwindle as I add permanent plantings.
2. Approx 10 acres of the grass areas to mow once each year in order to maintain it as grassland. Possible maintenance of pond slopes (5:1), possibly muddy areas.
3. Temporary use (one-time) this spring to plant the grasses (using an 8 foot drill available from the state).
4. Possible use for finish mowing, but parts of the yard that I am not too concerned about like behind the barn and the back lane.
5. Possible use to remove the every so often big snow.

I am looking at tractors in the 25-30 hp range. As yet, I have no preference of manufacturer and have dealers of all major brands within a reasonable distance. I think 4WD is good, either Gear or HST is fine (HST not a must). For attachments, I want a plow, disk and mower now (I have fun plowing so I do not want a tiller). Possibly adding a landscape rake, finish mower and rear blade in the future.

So here is my list of questions (for now):
1. Do you think I am on target for the size tractor I will need?
2. Can a 25-30 hp tractor handle a 2 or 3 bottom plow? What is the minimum hp for 3?
3. Can it handle the one time use of the drill?
4. I am considering a sickle bar mower over a rear mounted one. I don稚 like the idea of driving through all the tall grasses to mow them. Starting from the side seems much easier. What are the pro/cons of a sickle bar mower?
5. Is there any online source for prices, even a ballpark idea? I can find the exact MSRP of a car I want to buy, but tractors seem to be a big secret. I would like to have some clue before I contact any dealers.

Thanks for any and all opinions,
Glen

 

[toddol1971]

Heres my thoughts (subjectable) but thoughts none the less LOL. I have a massey 1433 mfwd with fel. I think it could handle a small 2 bottom plow. I think for a 3 bottom you'll need at least 50 hp. The drill I'm not sure about, You may be awfull close on that one. Ask them what size tractor they usually use for it. If its real big ask if they will rent or borrow that tractor too. If not, find out the name of the drill & look up the recommended size tractor for it. Now to cutting grass: I am a self proclaimed expert on this. I have mowed my whole life. I have mowed stuff (reclaiming old grown up fields) so rough that I should have used a dozer for. I figured if I tore up my 1200.00 bush hog it was cheaper than paying for a dozer. I'm guessing that this mowing you'll be doing will be just grasses & small trees that tend to pop up. I personally wouldnt use a sickle mower if only mowing once a year. Those little saplings will be hard to mow & will occasionally stop the mower. I think you would love mowing with a rotary mower if you ever used a sickle mower before. It is just easier all the way around. I hope I have helped you.

Todd.

 

[Oleozz]

Welcome to the site Glen. You are going to have a real paradise for wildlife and you should be commended for your efforts.
I personally would look for a tractor that's a bit bigger, something in the 35 to 50 hp range. Don't be reluctant to look at something used, from your description of tractors you came from an IH family and there are still plenty of good used IH tractors on the market, but many would be 2wd.
Good Luck.

 

[chh]

I generally look at ads on Fastline and Tractorhouse to get ballpark prices on tractors and equipment before I really start shopping. It is not really like check a cars MSRP but it is about the best way I have found. I think 30 hp is going to be too small for a small 3 bottom plow. I would check with the conservation dept and ask about the recommended hp or weight rating for the drill and also if you need hydraulic connects to use it. Some of the smaller tractors don't commonly come with rear remotes, but they can be added. For plowing or discing type work I think I would prefer a gear tranny over a HST though. It sounds like you are going to have your share of muddy conditions, I would definetely go for the MFWD option on whatever I looked at especially if you want a Front end loader to help with maintaining the pond dams.
If there are going to be very many bushes or sprouts in the area you are going to mow I would stay away from a sickle mower and go with a brush hog mower. If it is all pretty much going to be grass a sickle will cut it without a problem.

It sounds like you are going to have a nice place there. Good Luck

 

[JiminGa]

I have a JD2305, and I doubt anything in it's class would get close to pulling an 8 ft drill, what I do know is you can buy a brand spanking new JD 5103 for less than $20k . I would guess it'll pull a 3 bottom plow, but can't say for sure

 

[frank_f15]

welcome to the forum! looking at your needs i think you might want to go a bit bigger tractor 40-50 hp.

 

[wesross]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Wesdor]

Welcome to TBN

Sounds to me like you have your thoughts pretty well organized. However, I believe you might be making the same mistake that I almost made. For your own sake, I suggest that you give serious consideration to adding a FEL to the tractor.

When I purchased my tractor a few years ago I started out believing there was no need for the FEL. I spent a day working with my brothers tractor which has a FEL and found it to be a "must buy" purchase. I laugh that he cost me $3,000 more on the tractor, but it has been a very important tool for me.

If you can use a FEL on a modern tractor for a day, you will have a better idea of how much it can help in your specific situation.

Good luck

 

[Barneyhunts]

Hi! Welcome to the site! I have a 30 Hp. Kubota B7800. Last year I plowed about 2 acres with it, using a Howse 2 bottom 12" plow. I had some difficulties and ended up removing one bottom. Most of my problems were due to my lack of experience I'm sure, and by the time I had finished, I had purchased a gauge wheel to control the depth of my plow and then reinstalled the second bottom. I was plowing old rocky pasture with heavy sod - not sure when, if ever , It had been plowed before. If I were buying a tractor today to pull that 2 bottom 12" Howse I'd look at 45 Hp with some weight to it. Having said that, I also pulled a 5 1/2 ' King Kutter heavy duty disc over those same acres without any problems. It handled a 5' Woods rotary cutter,nicely, in the fields, and also in the woods. It handles a 5' rake well, though, the rake may be small for this machine. It has a front end loader which has been a real useful tool for me. Good luck in you search.

 

[DAP]

I'll say this .. a 30hp machine will do what you need, but probably not as fast as you'd like and forget a 3 bottom with only 30hp.

You are talking about a fairly formidable piece of land. That being the case, you may end up owning multiple machines for different purposes. For example, I have found that finish mowing with a farm style tractor to be problematic, unless I'm talking about several acres of finish lawns. Machines dedicated to mowing usually (repeat usually) outshine CUTs with finish mowers in my opinion.

I have an 18hp JD for mowing and a 30hp Kubota for all other chores on my small 7 acre gentlemen's farm with horses, goats, etc.

I'm thinking you would do well to START at a minimum of 35hp and probably settle around 45 - 55 hp (or splurge and move into 60hp or a utility tractor).

If you have a loader you will use it constantly. If you use it constantly, you will regret not having HST.

Do not get a machine that is 2WD. Period.

Only you know the other details, like how well your property drains (i.e. do I lean towards a lighter machine or a heavier one?), etc.

The great thing about buying a tractor is that even if you don't make the perfect decision, you're still happy about it!

Keep us posted!