Tractor Sizing first tractor size

Anonymous Poster · Aug 25, 2001

I am considering buying either a NH TC45 or TN55, MFWD. I have 10 acres of new pature (timothy) that I want mow with this tractor. Eventually I may want to produce hay as a hobby with some neighbors but for now I just want to keep the field mowed in an effort to improve the weed situation. My question is whether or not either of these tractors will be able to pull a 10 ft bush hog which is rated by specs for a 50hp tractor. There is also a used 15 ft batwing I was looking at with the same 50 hp rating. I plan on keeping the pasture mowed several times a year and there is no heavy brush etc... so it should never get too deep. I have been told by the salesman the TN55 should be able to do it although its really 42hp PTO. The TC45 is 39.6hp PTO. I have also been told the specs on bush hogs is often overstated. Any one have experience with this or opinions on it?

Robert_in_NY · Aug 26, 2001

For what little land you are talking about you would be better to get a 6 foot chopper behind a TC. If you plan on starting a custom haying operation then look at a TN 65 but a 10' chopper is too big for 10 acres and will run the tractor hard. Do not even think about hooking up the 15 foot batwing as the TN will not be able to run it. We use a 6 footer behind a 65 and chop around 40-45 acres a couple times a year. It only takes a couple days to cut our land and you should be able to cut a 10 acre field in about one day with a 6 footer.

Robert Turk Jr.
Whitetail Splendor Deer Farms
Silver Creek, NY

jinman · Aug 26, 2001

G-Man, I agree with Robert in NY, completely. The 6 ft mower is the best choice for the amount of land you have. Spend your money on quality rather than size and keep your life simple is my suggestion. I'd also suggest 4WD on either tractor. If you buy the TN55, you can get a factory cab too. Depending on where you are, having comfortable heat or airconditioning might come in handy and make you the envy of your neighbors. Also, if you ever transport your tractor + mower on a trailer, you will appreciate the simplicity of the tractor-6 ft mower combo for loading and hauling. Good luck on your purchase./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

JimI

VinNB · Aug 27, 2001

Robert

Does that six foot mower cover the tracks on your TN65?

DVerbarg · Aug 27, 2001

G-Man,

I agree with Robert's suggestion on tractor sizes. For doing hay the TC series, although it can do the work, is not the best machine to use. The TC ground clearance is too low to straddle a tall winrow of hay while baling. If it is just for hobby reasons and limited to only 10 acres then you could make it work by not raking the winrows as large as typical. I love my TC40D but if I was serious about "farming" type activities I would get a TN series, probably the TN65 as it does not cost much more then the TN55 but has the extra hp needed for ag use.

DaveV

cowboydoc · Aug 27, 2001

G-Man,
While I agree with the guys that if you want to hay get a bigger tractor but if you are just going to be mowing you can handle at least an 8' mower. I have the JD 4600 and can pull my woods 8' mower without any problem. It doesn't even bog it down on heavy weeds and such. A 6' would be too small in my opinion.

Robert_in_NY · Aug 27, 2001

I have the tires set in as far as I can and the chopper just covers them. I went with a six footer because of our pens, it is easier to cut along a fence when you can just watch the wheels of the tractor instead of looking back and keeping the front edge of the chopper from catching one of the stays. I had it happen with a loader and is a lot of work to repair 8 foot tall fence.

Robert Turk Jr.
Whitetail Splendor Deer Farms
Silver Creek, NY

Robert_in_NY · Aug 27, 2001

What type of woods mower do you have? The only 8 foot model is a flail shredder that requires 60 hp. I could hook to a 10 footer but it puts the machine thru a lot and if you hit a thick spot or a dirt mound you do not do a good job. I think a 8 footer on a compact is too much unless you cut the field once every couple weeks.

Robert Turk Jr.
Whitetail Splendor Deer Farms
Silver Creek, NY

cowboydoc · Aug 28, 2001

Robert,
I'm not sure of the model # as this thing has all the paint wore off of it. When I bought it they told me it was a Woods but they could have been mistaken. I just cut my new place with weeds that were about three and four feet tall in places and it did fine. On a 55 horse I don't see how it could be a problem.

Anonymous Poster · Aug 28, 2001

I had not thought of ground clearance, thats a good point. I have since looked at the JD 4700, any idea how the clearance compares on that vs. TC 45 and TN 55? Thanks for all the replies.