Getting set to buy - HELP!

Sabooo · Oct 13, 2005

Greetings everyone! I'm hoping the wisdom here can save me from buying the wrong machine for my needs. Here's the scoop:

Currently mowing 2 acres of a 13 acre plot with a 5' rear mount finish mower being pulled by a family heirloom TO30 (which is actually in nice shape except for the electrical issue that has it currently parked in the middle of the yard!) This setup serves me well as the ground pack is hard (been lawn for 30 years) enough to support the weight of the machine even with new ag tires on it.

My future plans for the new machine are to continue using it for the mowing chores (90% open space, sloped but not hilly) and also resume mowing the 9 acre field that is currently pretty tall/brushy with the 6 foot Ford brush hog.

In addition to the mowing, I'm looking for a FEL to help with yard cleanup, soil work, possibly snow removal (also thinking about a rear mount snowblower) and general odd jobs around the place.

On the property there are also two streams which cross the yard. They are both in rough shape after the rains of the last few days, and I'm considering adding a backhoe to my wishlist to help maintain clean flow. The backhoe would also see service in some landscaping projects my wife and I have planned and be usable for the annual planting rituals.

I considered renting but due to my schedule (workaholic) I often only get to spend weekends on the projects around the house.

Right now I'm scouring the countryside for a nice used machine in the 30-35hp range with a FEL, and thinking I'll add a backhoe after the fact.

Am I approaching this wrong? Is that too much (or not enough) tractor for what I plan? Does anyone know of the 'perfect' machine for these tasks?

Soundguy · Oct 14, 2005

30ish hp.. ps a must.. 4wd suggested.. loader.. hst a possibility.. though gear works fine. I'd say you are ont he right track.

Now.. for that fergy.. what's the electrical issue. I love that old iron.. be glad to try to help you thru fixing it. I'm a ford man myself.. but those to fergy series are very similar to the ford N series.. with the to-30 being about equall to the NAA
.. etc.

Soundguy

Egon · Oct 14, 2005

There may be a perfect machine but probably not on the market yet. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Lots of different tractors to choose from. Maybe start to itemize the expected jobs and hours spent at each.

From this you may be able to assign values and tractor specifics required for each job. Then start looking for a tractor that fits in with your assesment and budget.

Then go looking and buy what the wife suggests or feels best to you.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sabooo · Oct 14, 2005

Thanks for the suggestions! I had been lurking here for awhile before posting (using a 49hp BS sifter /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) which has given me the direction I've gotten so far. Its getting down to actually buying something, and I guess I'm getting nervous about the purchase.

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Then go looking and buy what the wife suggests)</font>

That's brilliant! Clearly you are a happily married man.

The Ferguson was happily chugging along and just up and quit on me. I suspect its something very simple. My first suspect was the rotor, but that looks just fine. Tonite I'm going to replace the ignition switch when I get home from work, and see if that's the issue. I'm trying to rule out all the 'cheap' fixes before I start ripping wires off. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Its been a great tractor so far. Looked pretty sad when I first 'inherited' it, but 2 years of TLC had it looking better, and then a top end job got it running better. Its been SUPER reliable for a 50year old machine.

I'll keep ya posted.

Sabooo · Oct 14, 2005

The switch was indeed the culprit on old ferg'y. Had a simple toggle switch in it and I'm guessing the combination of damp weather and vibration did it in. Replaced it with a sealed push/pull switch today and it fired right up.

Tough old girl. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob_Young · Oct 14, 2005

6' Hog + "pretty tall/brushy" will work 35HP pretty hard. Of course if you go slow the first time and then keep after it, 35HP will get by. Just increase your overlap if it starts to bog.

I finished a tall and brushy 15 acres a few weeks ago. Used a 6' Hog and was happy to have 50+HP on tap. At times it had to work, and I was going slow due to rough, unfamiliar terrain.

Isn't the TO-30 a 30+ HP machine? If you're going to have two tractors (I assume you're keeping the Fergie), seems like you'd want one to have substantially more power than the other.

Two tractors make a lot of sense, especially if one's an heirloom. One to work, one for nostalgia /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. The Fergie sounds like a keeper.
FWIW
Bob

Sabooo · Oct 14, 2005

In years past we've used the TO-30 to pull the brush mower through the field without alot of trouble. Power wise it can do it, but it takes some patience. I installed a set of check chains on it to keep it from cutting too low which helped quite a bit.

The new machine will replace it for all purposes. The balance for me is wanting something that is not too large to maneuver around the tight spots, but also needing something big enough to keep the meadow from becomming a forest.

The ferguson was owned by my wife's grandfather. He bought it second hand from the neighbor in the mid 50's. It actually spent the last 30 years or so in the garage. No rust anywhere on it. It ran for years with 'stop leak' in it, but a few years back it finally started belching white smoke. Took advantage of having it apart to replace all the valves, springs, etc and have the head checked. Its been running great for me, and I really have no complaints. If I'm running that good when I get to be its age, I'll be delighted.

mike223 · Oct 15, 2005

Sabooo,
I'm in the same boat that you are, looking to buy, not sure what. I have driven the Mahindra 4110, and the Kubota MX5000. I tried to go out today and drive the JD 990, but the dealer was already closed. I have looked, but not driven the NH Boomer series. So far I have been impressed most with the MX5000. It's a 50 HP tractor that handles like a much smaller tractor. The price was comparable to all of the 40 HP tractors at which I have been looking as well. The Kubota dealer gave me a quote of $24,435 for the tractor, 702 FEL, and a 7' Bushhog Squealer rotary cutter. The NH TC40 was $21,000 with the 16LA FEL and no cutter, and the JD 990 lists at $23,182 with FEL and 6' cutter. I couldn't talk to the dealer for a better price, that's what Deere has on their website. The Mahindra 4110 is also a very nice tractor, but again the dealer quote with FEL and no 'hog was $22,000, and he won't give me a firm quote until I am ready to buy. Used tractors in this size/power range are difficult to locate, at least they have been for me, so I can't help there, but I would seriously look at the Kubota MX5000. A 50 hp tractor for a 40 hp price.