HorsePower Question

Bhoyle · Aug 5, 2003

I have posted a similar question in the Kubota forum. I apologize is cross-posting is a no-no, but I wanted opinions from both users.

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Well I have went a plunged head first into home purchase that includes 10 acres of trees so thick you can't shoot a rifle through it, a 600 ft gravel driveway on a slope that makes a ski jump look tame, a "lawn" isn't, and a wife that wants it to look like Better Homes and Garden.

Actually, we are very excited about this house because is the log house my wife as dreamed of for 18 years and the acreage I have always wanted. The good news is I now have no trouble justifying a tractor. The bad news is I have a lot of trouble figuring out what to buy. I have a good deal of experience on skid loaders and such, but I just drove them, I didn't by them. I would appreciate some feedback the following:

I have looked at smaller tractors, including the BX22 and the JD2210. Fearing those were too small, I got a quote on a JD4010 with FEL, box blade and scrape. New was/is $12,200. Of course, my fear is the 18HP engine. Is it enough? I was surpised the BX22 and the JD2210 had more HP, but how much is enough? I will be using a rotary cutter, FEL, and grader blade mostly, but some of this work will be on hilly terrain. What size tractor should I be looking at? The JD2210 looks like my garden tractor? I'm lost but eager /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks in advance

Hambone · Aug 5, 2003

$12,200 for 4010 FEL BB and Scraper

Seems like a very good price.

The 2210 looks like my garden tractor.

I can assure you it is much more than a garden tractor. It is not as capable as the 4010, but will do a number of task very well.

I would say by the size of your lot the 2210 probably is too small. It sounds like you already have a garden tractor. I would keep it for mowing and buy a bigger tractor for your other chores, depending on the size lawn you are going to cut. Might want to look at the next size up from the 4010 considering the steep hill. I always lose traction due to the small frame before I lose power.

Wannafish · Aug 5, 2003

My 4010 works great for everything I ask of it EXCEPT...the 5' Brush Hog; it runs out of power in real deep grass. I wish I had bought the 4', but it's ok...I just don't take as big of a cut. 50" tiller is fine. 7' Backblade is a little large; 5' would have been better. My 60" MMM leaves the lawn looking as good as I've ever seen. I have some real good hills and the tractor has great stability on them.
I bought it for the 20 acres I live on, and am now in the process of buying a 60 acre farm next door. The 4010 is just fantastic, IMHO. No matter what size tractor you get, it is possible to ask to much of it, but if you use it for what it was designed for, I think you will be very pleased with the 4010.
For the farm I bought an old 4020 (92 h.p. WOW! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif) and all the toys (well, most of the toys /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) including an old 14T J.D. hay baler. I have baled approx. 200 bales of hay with it so far...running it with the 4010! I don't pull a wagon, just bale onto the ground, but it works GREAT! I have a Ford 9N that has a little more horse power, but I just love the power steering and hydro on the 4010.
Just my $.02 worth

EldoNixon · Aug 5, 2003

I would look at the 4110. More HP, and can add a backhoe down the road if you need it.

Docsknotinn · Aug 5, 2003

I would think you are looking too small. I have the 2210. In my opinon the 4010 is under powered, but then the 2210 is too light and misses a few of the features of the 4010 at about $800 less. The 4115 is 1750 lbs roughly plus the FEL. Weight will be fairly critical in your hilly situation. I would think the 4110 minimum in the JD line and I like the 4115 because it has 20 pto hp with the Hydro. I consider this the magic mark for some larger projects but it is imperative to balance HP with Torque and weight. I am sure that the Bx, 2210, 4010 and the 4110 will run out of traction due to a lack of weight before hp so in that sense they are all adequitly powered. The 4115 with FEL is about 3k more than the 2210 with fel. I know little about the Kubota line but I do not like the Bx for several reasons not the least of which is no tach. You might consider the 2710 or the 2910 in the Kubita line up.

Bob_In_MN · Aug 5, 2003

Dave (DocsKnotInn),

Let's clarify something--the 4010 may be under powered for the application he's asking about, but it's not an under powered machine. You can't look at the raw HP. If that was the case, I'd be better off buying a 27HP Sears tractor.

I've run this machine for over a year and the only area where I have maxed this tractor out is the FEL.

Bob

Docsknotinn · Aug 5, 2003

Bob, I'm not really sure what you are trying to say. My opinion is that the 4010 is underpowered, but has some nicer features than the 2210. I would think most shopping new machines would make a quick decision between the 2210 and the 4010 based on what they like. My advice is spend a few dollars more. The peramiters that the origional poster set suggests to me at least the 4110 which is a 1 piece tractor style frame. I dont really see how the sears 27 hp analay flies as I think we all understand torq etc. The 4010 benefits from a larger pump on the hydraulics but I really do feel it lacks hp with only 14 pto hp. Lets face it, both the 2210 and the 4010 are glorified garden tractors, sub-compacts really. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. I dont mean to knock any ones elses toys, I just think the 4115 would be a better choice in the above application.

Hambone · Aug 5, 2003

I cannot say the 4010 is an underpowered machine. I have not operated one. Shoot, never even went around the parking lot with one. I am not qualified, as some others might not be as well, to make such a statement.
Kinda like when the '65 Mustang came out. Underpowered with only 271 hp in the hipo version. Ride in one then say that.

Docsknotinn · Aug 5, 2003

Good grief, its just my opinion. Would you like to run me over a few times ? I heard this was not the friendliest site. I'm starting to believe it. Either way I was responding to the original poster who was asking a specific question within a set of peramiters. I was responding within those lines. Either way I think you are trying way too hard to be unpleasant if you need to have a 2210 Vs a 4010 debate. Try thinking a little more positive !

Bob_In_MN · Aug 5, 2003

Dave,

You're entitled to your opinion, however my real world experience conflicts with your opinion. I've run my 50 inch tiller to change pasture into lawn, drug a 5 foot box blade not only to maintain my driveway, but relocate a substantial portion of the driveway.

If you said--all I want to do is run a 5 foot hog to take down brush, grass, small trees--then the statement the 4010 is underpowered would fly with me as I don't think it would perform well in that environment. So--My Opinion (based on a year with the machine) is that the blanket statement that the machine itself is underpowered is not correct.

Not trying to start a war, but lot's of people read these posts to make buying decisions and I want to make sure they get info from all vantage points.

Bob