Tractor Sizing I'd like to ask a dumb question

   / I'd like to ask a dumb question #1  

shoeguru1

New member
Joined
Nov 4, 2012
Messages
8
Location
Iron Station, NC
Tractor
Kubota BX 2660
I have been looking at tractors for over 2 months, and finally decided on a Kioti NX55HST. So before I pulled the trigger I took the gentleman who works on my property to have a look and give me some input. He looked at me and said" this is a really big tractor" Our terrain is pitchy, and the tractor is pretty high, But I wanted a reasonable amount of lift capacity. The dealer said, have a look at the NX45HST. The overall dimensions did seem smaller, mainly due to the tire size, and it was definitely lower, by say 4 to 6 inches. It did feel more comfortable to me.

The dealer said it weighs the same and lifts the same, so my dumb question is, how can a 45hp tractor lift the same as a 55HP tractor. Only implements we will use is a 3 point chipper, bush hog, and rock rake ect. No hay equipment.

It is a nice savings, if I am not missing anything.

Thanks for the advice.
 
Last edited:
   / I'd like to ask a dumb question #2  
Horsepower has almost nothing to do with hydraulic power. That can be greatly changed by manipulating cylinder size or pressure. But if the smaller HP tractor is smaller size or weight, it won't handle the load as well.

It is common for tractors to be the same size in everything except HP, so the difference won't show except when you do something that needs that extra HP. Kind of like a pickup, with the larger of two size engines available, won't carry more weight in the bed than one with the smaller engine, if the engine is the only difference.

Bruce
 
   / I'd like to ask a dumb question #3  
Horsepower has almost nothing to do with hydraulic power. That can be greatly changed by manipulating cylinder size or pressure. But if the smaller HP tractor is smaller size or weight, it won't handle the load as well.

It is common for tractors to be the same size in everything except HP, so the difference won't show except when you do something that needs that extra HP. Kind of like a pickup, with the larger of two size engines available, won't carry more weight in the bed than one with the smaller engine, if the engine is the only difference.

Bruce

Great explanation.
Often the only difference in tractors is the amount of fuel injected and maybe the size of the radiator to cool it better.
 
   / I'd like to ask a dumb question #4  
Depending on how they have configured the hydraulic pump, the smaller HP tractor may lift the same amount but lift it slower. On the other hand it may lift it exactly the same but have less power available for pulling at the same time you are lifting.
 

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