Yes my property size is 4ac, with the usual tasks, mostly mowing, snowplowing and box blading. With a new machine I will get a FEL. At this point in time I am doing alot of ground prep, the property was an old farm field and I can keep it cut but it's still a field. Once I have torn everything up and smoothed it out most of the work will be mowing and snow removal. I fully understand a 50 hp tractor is not necessary for this application. Here is my observation, l check some prices on the green site, a 4410 has a base price of 19749, a 4310 has a base price of 16669, a 5103 has a base price of 14691, and a 5103 has a base of 18305, in my odd thinking would it make sense the larger utility is the better value, it has more power, and weight, able to handle larger attachments?
CUT or Utility
- Thread starter js5020
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I fully understand a 50 hp tractor is not necessary for this application. Here is my observation, l check some prices on the green site, a 4410 has a base price of 19749, a 4310 has a base price of 16669, a 5103 has a base price of 14691, and a 5103 has a base of 18305, in my odd thinking would it make sense the larger utility is the better value, it has more power, and weight, able to handle larger attachments? )</font>
I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to go with the larger tractor, 4 acres or not, as long as you can get it around the property and do what you want to do. You're exactly right that the larger tractor will carry larger implements, cutting down on the time it takes to do most of your tasks, unless you can't maneuver the property with the larger tractor. Who knows, you may end up with more property down the road and wish you had bought larger anyway. In the meantime, you'll have a great strong tractor and will have saved some money over a lesser one. John
I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to go with the larger tractor, 4 acres or not, as long as you can get it around the property and do what you want to do. You're exactly right that the larger tractor will carry larger implements, cutting down on the time it takes to do most of your tasks, unless you can't maneuver the property with the larger tractor. Who knows, you may end up with more property down the road and wish you had bought larger anyway. In the meantime, you'll have a great strong tractor and will have saved some money over a lesser one. John
grandad
Platinum Member
When you are in the "site preparation stage", having a larger tractor really pays off in productivity. As you have observed, your 25hp CUT can only get so much done in a reasonable amount of time.
But there may come a time when the heavy work tapers off a bit, and lots of people find the smaller CUT's a better choice in those situations. They don't need big implements or a utility ag tractor to pull them. Shorter wheelbase, lighter weight and ease of operation become more important for those folks. It probably says something that so many buyers seem to go in that direction. Whether you will end up in that situation someday is something only you can decide.
Meanwhile, you're also correct that the utility tractor is probably going to give you more horsepower per dollar spent. Lots of people start out with a larger, used ag tractor for the heavy work, then sell it - often for what they paid for it - and get the smaller CUT for maintenance at a later date.
But there may come a time when the heavy work tapers off a bit, and lots of people find the smaller CUT's a better choice in those situations. They don't need big implements or a utility ag tractor to pull them. Shorter wheelbase, lighter weight and ease of operation become more important for those folks. It probably says something that so many buyers seem to go in that direction. Whether you will end up in that situation someday is something only you can decide.
Meanwhile, you're also correct that the utility tractor is probably going to give you more horsepower per dollar spent. Lots of people start out with a larger, used ag tractor for the heavy work, then sell it - often for what they paid for it - and get the smaller CUT for maintenance at a later date.
I've been using the neighbors backhoe for loader work (case 530) and it's really not that bad to maneuver, it's not as nimble as the 5020 of course. I'm just looking at the prices and thinking I'm getting more for the same money, an example is the loader, the price is a little higher for the utility but I'm sure the capacity is a whole lot greater than a CUT. I just need to get some info on how narrow a utility will go, I'd like to stay under 7" implements if possible.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just need to get some info on how narrow a utility will go, I'd like to stay under 7" implements if possible. )</font>
You can put just about any size implement you want on a utility tractor. There is no law that says a utility has to have the largest implements it will carry. I've seen posts here where large tractors were carrying a 5' implement!
A large tractor with a 7' or under implement would get a lot of work done in a short amount of time, and you'd still have the capability to go larger with the implements if needed. I say go for it, save some bucks and have all the power you need. After all, what we're talking about is buying larger for less money than you would need to spend for what you need anyway, except that larger implements will cost a little more. John
You can put just about any size implement you want on a utility tractor. There is no law that says a utility has to have the largest implements it will carry. I've seen posts here where large tractors were carrying a 5' implement!
A large tractor with a 7' or under implement would get a lot of work done in a short amount of time, and you'd still have the capability to go larger with the implements if needed. I say go for it, save some bucks and have all the power you need. After all, what we're talking about is buying larger for less money than you would need to spend for what you need anyway, except that larger implements will cost a little more. John
Kyle_in_Tex
Super Star Member
The price of 4WD is usually at least a few thousand dollars or more. I would worry about a 2WD for snow plowing but I'll let the northern folks chime in about this.
I will say that very few times in the last rainy 6 months have I not had to put the tractor in 4WD. Furthermore, 4WD helps even big utility tractors work a front end loader. I think it is the best option on my tractor.
I will say that very few times in the last rainy 6 months have I not had to put the tractor in 4WD. Furthermore, 4WD helps even big utility tractors work a front end loader. I think it is the best option on my tractor.
Well I would like to cover the tire track when mowing. I checked some mower prices and a 7' isn't that much more than a 5'. As I said earlier the loader is only a few hundred more, I don't have any spec's but I'm sure it will lift alot more.
Small ground equip would be my concern I remember back the farmer I worked for had a 3 bottom plow on a 100 hp machine he drove it like a wild man just cause he could, ripped that plow all apart, it was total junk in very short time. Guess I'd just have to control myself when I had the 5' KK box blade on the back. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Small ground equip would be my concern I remember back the farmer I worked for had a 3 bottom plow on a 100 hp machine he drove it like a wild man just cause he could, ripped that plow all apart, it was total junk in very short time. Guess I'd just have to control myself when I had the 5' KK box blade on the back. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
About 15 yrs ago I had a 45hp 4wd utility used to pull a 4-14 plow behind it, it was a brute. Unless I go used 4wd is 4000 + on the new ones and I'm not sure I want to spend for the little I would need it. A few of the neighbors plow with 2wd one has 50hp the other 100, they go where I would not try and neither of their machines have diff lock either.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Yes my property size is 4ac, with the usual tasks, mostly mowing, snowplowing and box blading. With a new machine I will get a FEL. At this point in time I am doing alot of ground prep, the property was an old farm field and I can keep it cut but it's still a field. Once I have torn everything up and smoothed it out most of the work will be mowing and snow removal. I fully understand a 50 hp tractor is not necessary for this application. Here is my observation, l check some prices on the green site, a 4410 has a base price of 19749, a 4310 has a base price of 16669, a 5103 has a base price of 14691, and a 5103 has a base of 18305, in my odd thinking would it make sense the larger utility is the better value, it has more power, and weight, able to handle larger attachments? )</font>
You can go with 40 hp models in non-green tractors and come out ahead on price. I priced a Mahindra 4110 w/loader for $18,600, a McCormick GX40 w/loader @$17,900 and a GX50 w/loader @ $19,000, Montana LG 4540 w/loader is around $18,600 and the Kioti DK45 w/loader runs around $19,500.
The Branson/Century lineup should be in the same price range.
In the John Deere models I priced a 990 for around $19,900 w/loader.
Most of these tractors have shuttle shift trannies, with the exception of the JD 990, which is a 9X3.
FWIW, I noticed that most of the tractors that aren't part of the big three lineup tend to be heavier than the JD, NH and Kubota lineup.
The prices I was quoted for the 5103 and 5203 w/loader were $17,912 for the 5103 and $19,500 for the 5203.
As you can see, there isn't a lot of difference in price between the value priced John Deere's and the full featured competition in the CUT and small utility sizes.
You can go with 40 hp models in non-green tractors and come out ahead on price. I priced a Mahindra 4110 w/loader for $18,600, a McCormick GX40 w/loader @$17,900 and a GX50 w/loader @ $19,000, Montana LG 4540 w/loader is around $18,600 and the Kioti DK45 w/loader runs around $19,500.
The Branson/Century lineup should be in the same price range.
In the John Deere models I priced a 990 for around $19,900 w/loader.
Most of these tractors have shuttle shift trannies, with the exception of the JD 990, which is a 9X3.
FWIW, I noticed that most of the tractors that aren't part of the big three lineup tend to be heavier than the JD, NH and Kubota lineup.
The prices I was quoted for the 5103 and 5203 w/loader were $17,912 for the 5103 and $19,500 for the 5203.
As you can see, there isn't a lot of difference in price between the value priced John Deere's and the full featured competition in the CUT and small utility sizes.
Actually I was just using JD as an example because they have pricing on their site. I didn't want to spend the extra money on a JD 20 years ago and probably won't this time either. I did price Kubota this fall the dealer quoted me 17500 for a 2910 or a 3130gst both with loader, both were nice machines but I wouldn't consider the 2910, it doesn't weigh any more than what I have, and I'm not interested in a hydro. Also priced a Century but that guy was dreamin his prices were about list for a JD. Guess I'm just gonna have to think about this some more and keep shopping.