How BIG is TOO BIG?

[HunterdonPaul]

Hello,
I had all intentions of buying a compact utility tractor last year (I wish I had before the stockmarket colapsed!). I have about 6.565 acres of which about 3.5 is pasture. So I will use it for cutting the pasture, occasional loader work, scraping my gravel driveway and whatever the neighbors have to do.

The Kubota dealer recommended B2410. He said it is all the tractor that I will ever need for my property. The JD dealer said that a 4200 is actually too big, but he would gladly sell it to me. The problem is that I think both tractors are way too small - not that they couldn't do the work but I tend to attack problems with a sledge hammer rather than a claw hammer. Of course I REALLY like the bigger tractors and can still probably afford one - this is the classic case of Tonka Truck Envy (TTE) - I missed out as a child!

So now I am looking at much bigger tractors like L and M Kubotas and 4600 - 5420 JDs. My wife thinks I am a nut but the kids really get a kick out of the big tractors and because of me they know them all by color.
My question to anyone - How big is too big? What are the disadvantages of buying too big? Will I tear up my lawn? Are they more dangerous? Is the resale not as good? Is one of these larger tractors better for my needs? Do they accept all impliments?

I 'd love to know your thoughts.

Paul
Tewksbury, NJ

 

[beenthere]

I have a 4300, which to some would appear to be "too big" for my bottom line, but if I had to do it over, I would get the same size (4400 with a couple more HP). Handles most of implements on 3pt (no need for backhoe) and a nice size FEL. Can use it with a belly mower (MMM) and for ground engaging equipment (HST probably not the way to go if wanting to pull a plow, but works nice most everything else, including a tiller). I went with what I wanted, not what someone else thought I could get by with. I liked the smoother ride with the bigger tires, as the 855 I rented before waiting to get the 4300 was much too rough in the field and woods trails (small diam rear tires). Thus I would stay away from the 4100 size. This would hold true for any color you pick. Good luck.

 

[banjobj]

When I was researching and trying to make up my mind about buying ,I had some of the same questions you have. I was torn between the NH TC 18 and TC 21D. I settled on the TC 21 D and convinced myself that it would be the biggest I would ever need. Seven months later I have thoughts that I maybe should have gotten a bigger tractor. I have been very happy with my 21 D, but sometimes that extra size and horsepower...................

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>How big is too big?</font color=blue>

If you don't have room to turn it around without knocking down the neighbors' fences, it's too big./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

For a lawn, I'd say the lighter the better; for everything else I'd say get the biggest thing you can afford and have room to maneuver.

Bird

 

[garchib]

Take advice with a grain of salt. I have 2.1 acres and could not justify anything bigger than a 4100 HST.
Tractors are like a lot of things in life, how much is enough ? If my 4100 HST can't handle the jobs I am
doing, than I don't want to do them...I will hire a construction outfit to do the work. If I had 15 to 20 acres
I would consider a bigger tractor, but I think most people buy tractors that are bigger than they actually need. Just my bit of advice....No matter what size tractor you buy, you will always wonder "did I buy the
right size ?" "Should I have gotten a bigger/smaller tractor" ? Best of luck on your decision....

 

[ejb]

If you plan on doing finish mowing with it, on a lawn that you care about, don't even think about the 5400 series. Much too big, too heavy and will tear the heck out of your lawn. (Not to mention how ridiculous looking it would be to mow with one).

I have a 5410 (now called 5420) and I love everthing about it, but I also have a 15 year-old 27HP yanmar for the finish mowing. I occasionally cut across my lawn with my Deere, but theres no way you could mow with it.

If you really want a big tractor, maybe you need two. A small dedicated finish-mowing machine, and then a big tractor for everything else.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

For what you have to do I would stay in the compact range. Bigger tractors use more fuel and are harder to transport and store. A JD 5420 would not even have time to warm up and you would be done with what you want to do.

<font color=blue>Robert Turk Jr.</font color=blue>
<font color=blue>Whitetail Splendor Deer Farms</font color=blue>
<font color=blue>Silver Creek, NY</font color=blue>

 

[Hillbilly]

Well said Bob,
A person needs to be practical.

 

[HunterdonPaul]

So for my size property, what would you guys suggest should be the largest I should go?

Paul

 

[cowboydoc]

If you're going to mow your yard with it you need to stay smaller. If you have another mower for your yard and this is going to be used more like a tractor I say go for a 4600 or 4700. You will always be sorry you didn't go up in power but you will never be sorry you went up in power.