Help choosing my next tractor

[Doty]

I had a compact Shibaura 19hp 4wd. I sold it because it was a little unsteady on my steep ground. I have never owned a full size tractor and there's a lot I don't know about the tractor business. Here's what I would like to do with the tractor:

Bush Hog 15 acres a couple times a year
I'd like to have a front end loader to help clear some of the other 5 acres as well as do some small landscaping jobs around the house
I live in East TN so I have some pretty steep ground to contend with


Should I stay with a compact 4wd tractor or go with a full size? How much power do I need? How much should I be willing to spend? What kind of transmission do I need? Why shouldn't I just go to the Northern Tool store and buy a Nor-Trac?

I've done some looking around and some reading but I still have a lot of unanswered questions. Any help from you all in the know will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[whitedogone]

I had a compact Shibaura 19hp 4wd. I sold it because it was a little unsteady on my steep ground. I have never owned a full size tractor and there's a lot I don't know about the tractor business. Here's what I would like to do with the tractor:

Bush Hog 15 acres a couple times a year
I'd like to have a front end loader to help clear some of the other 5 acres as well as do some small landscaping jobs around the house
I live in East TN so I have some pretty steep ground to contend with


Should I stay with a compact 4wd tractor or go with a full size? How much power do I need? How much should I be willing to spend? What kind of transmission do I need? Why shouldn't I just go to the Northern Tool store and buy a Nor-Trac?

I've done some looking around and some reading but I still have a lot of unanswered questions. Any help from you all in the know will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Hard to answer all those questions. It really depends on 3 things:

Budget
How long you want to spend doing that mowing twice a year
How much time spent doing loader and other tasks in tight spaces

If you don't mine spending all day mowing that 15 arces, a 40hp tractor and a 5' brush hog will do the job and give you a nimble mahine for other tasks. It will also be light enough to trailer if the need arises. To cut mowing time you're looking at at LEAST a 70hp machine and a 7-10' hog. To cut it any faster you'll need 100 hp+ and a 15' batwing. You are really limiting you utility of the tractor when you go bigger unless you have the need for a large loader.

 

[greggh]

Welcome to TBN. I can imagine your hills and concerns. It is always recommended that you consider safety first. I would suggest that any tractor you purchase, you have the tires loaded to keep as much weight below the axels on the tractor as possible. This next recommendation is more common sense than anything, never drive sideways on the hill. Drive up or down the hill using the transmission as a brake on the downward trip.

I would say that a compact tractor around 35 to 40 HP would be a resonable choice. Ground clearance might be a consideration depending on the condition of the property.
You will figure out pretty quick on what is safe and possible. Tractors are wonderful tools when used safely. Good luck there are many good brands out there and I know one has your name on it.

 

[MarkV]

For your bush hog work the rule of thumb is 5 PTO hp per foot of mower. So with 15 acres I would want at least a 6' mower and a tractor with 30 PTO hp. That puts you in a 35+ hp tractor which normally would be a mid size frame. Four wheel drive is a must for your hills. Transmission is a matter of preference although something with a shuttle shift or hydrostatic tranny will be easier to use than a straight gear tractor. I know little about the Nor-Trac units except that they are of chinese manufacture and the same tractor is sold under a number of different names. Local service would be one of my issues with one.

MarkV

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had a compact Shibaura 19hp 4wd. I sold it because it was a little unsteady on my steep ground. I have never owned a full size tractor and there's a lot I don't know about the tractor business. Here's what I would like to do with the tractor:

Bush Hog 15 acres a couple times a year
I'd like to have a front end loader to help clear some of the other 5 acres as well as do some small landscaping jobs around the house
I live in East TN so I have some pretty steep ground to contend with


Should I stay with a compact 4wd tractor or go with a full size? How much power do I need? How much should I be willing to spend? What kind of transmission do I need? Why shouldn't I just go to the Northern Tool store and buy a Nor-Trac?

I've done some looking around and some reading but I still have a lot of unanswered questions. Any help from you all in the know will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

The Nor Trac units are re badged Jinma Tractors. Chinese tractors get a bad rap because so many fly by night importers bring them in and do a shotty job prepping them. Because of the cost this is many peoples first tractor and it leaves a bad taste in their mouth. You can get these tractors much cheaper and better prepared for less money than Nor Trac. I did this in 2003 and bought a 28HP Jinma with a FEL to replace my aging Ford 861 Powermaster. The Ford is 48HP and the Jinma will do everything the Ford would do and better but does have a little less PTO HP. These tractors are heavy, mine weighs 5,300# with loaded tires, FEL, and Bush Hog so they are built like the tractors of 40 years ago.

Where do you live in Tennessee? If its western Tennessee I would contact Chip at Blue Chip Tractors, also called Artrac. If in Eastern Tennessee I would contact Ronald at Ranch Hand Supply. These are 2 of the premier Chinese Tractor dealers. They will prep them right and fix all the little know issues prior to delivery. By the way parts are no problem. I can get parts for my Jinma via 2 or 3 large dealers quicker and cheaper than I could for my Ford or my buddy can for his Massy.


ARTRAC Company LLC: An Intersate dealer of Agriculture Equipment, Heavy Equipment, Lawn and Garden, Tractor, Lawnmower, Lawn Mower, Tractor, Utility Vehicle of Clarksville, Arizona.
www.ranchhandsupply.com


Chris

 

[Builder]

I had a compact Shibaura 19hp 4wd. I sold it because it was a little unsteady on my steep ground. I have never owned a full size tractor and there's a lot I don't know about the tractor business. Here's what I would like to do with the tractor:

Bush Hog 15 acres a couple times a year
I'd like to have a front end loader to help clear some of the other 5 acres as well as do some small landscaping jobs around the house
I live in East TN so I have some pretty steep ground to contend with


Should I stay with a compact 4wd tractor or go with a full size? How much power do I need? How much should I be willing to spend? What kind of transmission do I need? Why shouldn't I just go to the Northern Tool store and buy a Nor-Trac?

I've done some looking around and some reading but I still have a lot of unanswered questions. Any help from you all in the know will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Size of tractor: You would need to buy the tractor based on the size implements you want to use. Ask yourself how quickly you want to get your bushogging done. If you want to get it done quick, you'll need a big mower. Bigger mowers require more PTO HP. How big of an FEL do you need?

Budget: What is your budget? Ask yourself how big of a tractor can I buy without breaking my budget.

I would avoid the Nor-Trac chinese stuff. Might be fine for light occassional use, but I can't see these tractors holding up long-term. How many full time farmers, contractors, landscapers do you see using them. Probably perfect for weekend warrior, which you may be. In that case, you should consider one.

I do everything with the end game in mind. The end game is selling it sometime in the future. What will a Chinese tractor be worth in the future knowing there's a possibility they woun't be around? Now ask yourself it that will be a problem with NH, deere, Kubota, MF, etc.

How about parts and service, dealer support?

Right now is a historically unmatched time to buy used equipment. If you are unafraid to buy used, check out Tractor House . com and take a look around. You might be able to buy a slightly used name brand tractor for a very low price.

 

[Soundguy]

look for a lgp machine that's done golf course duty.. generally lower to the ground as far as profile, and wide.. will likely have turf tires.. toss on a loader and hog.

soundguy

 

[Doty]

Thanks to all of you who are helping with my tractor search. I just had a gut feeling this site was the best one for information and support. Very pleased with all the responses, content, and friendly advice. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I personally would look at the JohnDeere 2X20 and 3X20 series tractors. The 2X20 series go up to 31 hp and have a wider stance for steep hills. The 3X20 series go up to 44 hp but can be a little tippy. If you added some type of widening kit it would work great. In your case, i would get R1 tires but since the 2X20 series dont have R1 as an option get R4 tires. They will provide the traction for your hilly land. I would look at the 2720, 3120, 3320, and 3032. If you like gear thought the 3005 and 3320 with power reverser would work great. I personally like the hydro models since they give you more speed control and there is no shifting with loader work. Wow, I almost sound like a sales man.