I am considering buying a tractor but wonder how much tractor is enough as many others have. I would use it on my own 5 acres but have some questions about other uses in a hydroseeding business I have. I would like to be able to use the tractor at times to tow a hydroseeder around some job sites with a fabricated towbar for either a standard trailer ball or a goosesneck. The weight of the smaller bumper pull type machine would be about 8000# loaded and the gooseneck machine would be 14000#. That would make the lifting capacity of the 3 point hitch to require about 3000# ( max tongue type weight of gooseneck would be 20% of total weight or less) or 2000# at most for the bumper pull. Also I would like to pull these weights around at obviously a slow speed. Does anyone know what general size of tractor would be required for this?? Thanks, Dave M
How much tractor
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5030
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The size of your tractor depends on the size of your wallet, the limit of your wifes tolerance to your needs and your credit rating. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Actually, get the largest unit you can afford, will store easily and look at the ratings of the FEL and 3PH and buy accordingly.
I started with a 16 horse Kubota and now, I don't own anything under 90 horse. an M9 (95 flywheel) and a 1085 Massey (dynoed at 100).
Actually, get the largest unit you can afford, will store easily and look at the ratings of the FEL and 3PH and buy accordingly.
I started with a 16 horse Kubota and now, I don't own anything under 90 horse. an M9 (95 flywheel) and a 1085 Massey (dynoed at 100).
flusher
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If I were you I'd look into some sort of 2-wheel bogie/tow dolly that would attach to your tractor's drawbar and support the goosenecked hydroseeder. Like the trucking industry uses for its double-bottom rigs.
I don't think I'd try to support the 3000 pound gooseneck directly on the 3pt. Don't see why you need the up-down capability of the 3pt if you're just towing what's essentially a tanker trailer around.
Custom building this contraption would be a nice DIY project. Or maybe you could pick up a used tow dolly from U-haul or Penske, the one they rent for towing vehicles (two wheels up, two wheels rolling).
With a tow dolly you could get by with a tractor in the 30HP range instead of a full-size ag tractor 50HP or more. Will save you lotsa bucks.
You can get some idea of cost from stuff used in the RV industry. For example:
Tow dolly
I don't think I'd try to support the 3000 pound gooseneck directly on the 3pt. Don't see why you need the up-down capability of the 3pt if you're just towing what's essentially a tanker trailer around.
Custom building this contraption would be a nice DIY project. Or maybe you could pick up a used tow dolly from U-haul or Penske, the one they rent for towing vehicles (two wheels up, two wheels rolling).
With a tow dolly you could get by with a tractor in the 30HP range instead of a full-size ag tractor 50HP or more. Will save you lotsa bucks.
You can get some idea of cost from stuff used in the RV industry. For example:
Tow dolly
HEC
Veteran Member
I agree with Daryl , and find a good dealer in your area you feel comfortable with and explain to them your needs.They can help you a great deal and should even bring one to your site to try out, doing the things that you will need to accomplish with a tractor.Like Daryl I started out small and now have an M5700 Kubota which is plenty big enough for my needs.It seems I could always find a reason I wanted one just a little larger,if you buy one large enough the first time it can save you some money in the long run.
Good Luck,
Herb
Good Luck,
Herb
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It's been my experience that most dealers will deliver a tractor for your use and inspection with no problem. My last 2 Kubota's were on the farm for weeks before I signed anything.
frank_f15
Super Member, Rest in Peace
I don't know much about hydroseeding, but the tractor you need for that business may not be the same tractor you want on your 5 acres , also take into consideration that you will need to transport this unit for your business.
Big_Cajun
Silver Member
Frank brings up a super point...depending on transport options from the 5 acres to the hydroseeding destination, size could definitely be an issue.
On another note, check out the spec sheets for utility tractors of comparable size/value/market share. Those should give you a pretty good idea of which make has the best 3pt lift capacity.
BC
On another note, check out the spec sheets for utility tractors of comparable size/value/market share. Those should give you a pretty good idea of which make has the best 3pt lift capacity.
BC
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If I read your post correct you want to tow up to 14000 lbs with the tractor. If that is correct and you want to do it safely you will need quite a large AG tractor, I would recommend 4WD for the increased braking. And stay away from hills. This will be way overkill for the five acres, and not something you would likely want to tow regularly to the jobsite.
Something else to consider. You will need the fabricated tow bar as short as possible, as with that much tongue weight it will really lighten the front end, especially if you get it too far behind the rear axle. The dolly idea may be an option.
Question: Why can't you use whatever towed the seeder to the jobsite, to move it around the jobsite? That way you can get a nice 25-30 hp tractor for the home.
Something else to consider. You will need the fabricated tow bar as short as possible, as with that much tongue weight it will really lighten the front end, especially if you get it too far behind the rear axle. The dolly idea may be an option.
Question: Why can't you use whatever towed the seeder to the jobsite, to move it around the jobsite? That way you can get a nice 25-30 hp tractor for the home.
The reason I am looking to use a tractor is the fact that we tore up the auto trannie on a supercrew F350 diesel this summer towing around in the dirt- the lowest gearing still isn't low enough and I am thinking that traction with a 4 wheel drive tractor would be better in some mud than with the F350 dually, but I amy be wrong. It doesn't have to move fast it just has to move!! Dave M
Ahhh, as in "Truck farming" (-:
Without starting a Ford/GM flame war, there is at least SOME anecdotal evidence that those trannies aren't in the same league as the Allison.
I would have thought that 4LO would be plenty slow enough for a hydroseeder.
OTOH, you probably don't need a 300+ street HP diesel truck to tug something like that around at sub walking speed.
How about an OLD beat up 4WD truck ?
Say, $2,000 worth - expendable, junk it if/when it breaks.
How much do appearances matter in your hydroseeding biz ?
Without starting a Ford/GM flame war, there is at least SOME anecdotal evidence that those trannies aren't in the same league as the Allison.
I would have thought that 4LO would be plenty slow enough for a hydroseeder.
OTOH, you probably don't need a 300+ street HP diesel truck to tug something like that around at sub walking speed.
How about an OLD beat up 4WD truck ?
Say, $2,000 worth - expendable, junk it if/when it breaks.
How much do appearances matter in your hydroseeding biz ?