Is Bigger REALLY Better?

surfran · Mar 30, 2004

I was thinking........is bigger really better? (maybe Henro's spring fever is spreading)

I've had a BX1800 for almost a year now and I keep reading posts from new perspective owners who are looking to purchase a machine and most everyone always says get bigger you'll need it down the road.

Sometimes this truly makes sense, and sometimes well........it doesn't.

I'm thinking that you need to buy a machine to handle what it is you need to do (assuming you have visited TBN of course and have siphoned the knowledge and learned what it is you REALLY need to do).

Three points for me to buy what I need now and worry about bigger (maybe even smaller) later......

3) It's not the size that matters, it's how you use it!

2) If you haven't owned a tractor before, you really don't appreciate what can be done until you have tried.

1) Half the fun is buying them, so why deprive yourself for 20 years. Heck trade every 5 to 10 years and upgrade/downgrade as your needs change.

My apologies for no smiley faces, grins etc. Every time I click on them it kicks me back out of the message to the main discussion screen. I think when I re-installed my anti-virus/internet firewall the other day I disabled something that is now blocking me using these, but haven't figured out how to fix it.

kevinj · Mar 30, 2004

( I'm thinking that you need to buy a machine to handle what it is you need to do )

I been saying that for some time but gave up on it. I have a bx1500 and rent when I need a big machine. Most of my stuff is mowing and snow blowing. When I want to dig I get a digger !!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Poppa · Mar 30, 2004

The posts I've seen, recent and past, have not been constantly pushing bigger. When someone writes in and says THEY are thinking between two then quite often it is suggested that they go bigger. But they were already leaning along that line anyway.

But, just for an example read the posts for "I am absolutely stuck, TC24 TC29" in the Newholland buying and selling area. There the answers seem to overwhelmingly suggest staying with the smaller unit and some even suggest a smaller unit than the TC24.

The problem is, Bigger is Better /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also, this post has shown me I have no idea how to reference other threads. A little help?

Mike

Poppa · Mar 30, 2004

My apologies, it has been pointed out to me that Bigger is not always better. The pointer was my pregnant wife in reference to the baby /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Mike

MossRoad · Mar 30, 2004

I like to settle on a frame size, first, then get the largest power plant available for that frame size.

Kind of like finding a car you like, then getting the biggest engine available.

BigAl · Mar 31, 2004

Ok , There are times when something a little smaller size in tight working areas is very nice . I think the bottom line is : "If it works well for your needs than go for it and don't worry what everyone else is using or saying" . Sure , I bought up in tractor size after talking to a few folks on TBN . Would my original ideal tractor have got the job done ? More than likely, but it would have taken longer and I have better things to do than get jiggled around on a tractor all day . Now I am looking at buying attachments that the old size would not have handled so to me it was wise to move up in size . Besides with 45 acres tight spaces are not a problem .
Big Al

Egon · Mar 31, 2004

A bigger paycheck would be nice but if it requires an increase in living costs and reduced quality of life from the previous situation what is the answer? Each to their own requirements one would think.

Egon

RalphVa · Mar 31, 2004

My opinion has always been that smaller is better. So many people are buying cars with big engines and never use the full power of the engines. Can't imagine buying a car with more than 150 hp, for instance. In my opinion, if it doen't get AT LEAST 25 mpg overall (never mind highway mileage on those once/year trips), it oughta be junked.

Bigger tractors have bigger wheels, which are heavier and harder to handle. You likely can't handle big tractor wheels with tires, especially filled ones, by yourself. You'll need something with a winch. You won't be able to just fix it yourself or throw it in the trunk or bed of the truck to be fixed.

Engines running at lower than design rpm will use more fuel than engines at the hp you're using at their design rpm.

Ralph

Bob_Skurka · Mar 31, 2004

Moss. . . I think you are making a pretty good case for a compact frame .45ACP pistol (compact frame, lots of HP) . . . but as for tractors I think I've made a few enemies on this board by advocating SMALLER can be better.

I have almost 12 acres that I maintain, I've had a Kubota B2910 with FEL & BH and it is a very useful tractor. With some of the jobs I've used it for, I wish I had a LARGER tractor than the very capable 30hp Kubota. But most of my BUILDING jobs are DONE and now I spend more time MAINTAINING than I do BUILDING. And for the maintainence tasks, the Kubota is not as good a tractor as a SMALLER framed New Holland TC24D that I picked up last summer. The smaller tractor fits into tighter spaces, goes down most of my wooded trails without the ROPS getting hung up on large branches, its tighter turning radius allows it to mow around the landscaping faster, etc.

The reality is I probably could have used the TC24D to build things, and it would have been capable enough to do it, but I probably would have taken some smaller bites. The only real reason that I can think of for not buying the TC24D the FIRST time is that then I would not have 2 tractors. So now I have a big one and a little one and the wife is happy. In fact, the strategy worked out well enough that I'm shopping for a dedicated mowing tractor for my lovely MRS.

BB_TX · Mar 31, 2004

I was thinking........is bigger really better? 
At 27 PTO hp, I am toward the upper end of the compact size. It is great for >90% of what I use it for. The other <10% is mowing in and out of the trees along my creek. That is rather tedious maneuvering around the tight spaces. I would not want any larger.

SteveM · Mar 31, 2004

The reason for the bigger/better thing here is that so many posters have no tractor experience, and are hoping to do incredible things with small tractors. It always seems to start... "we just bought 40 acres in texas and I want to remove all the rocks to Oklahoma. Will a garden tractor do?"

I think you do often and up actually needing LESS tractor over time, since you do the big landscaping/home building tasks and then only need a maintanance machine.

gray · Mar 31, 2004

You make good points about the tractor sizes. I am always looking for a stronger machine but most of my work is light construction. I do not mow lawns with it.

I posted on this subject while dreaming about what I wish I could find in a "perfect" to me tractor. As expected, others have their own "perfect".

I used to think, and to an extent still do, there are too many models out there. The more I look the more I find are made. Some shouldn't be. They may fade?

A freind has a small 24HP JD that has it's place snaking through the woods? Lots to be said for smaller tractors in some cases.

It is still good to hear opinions. Learning can be painful sometimes.

DAP · Mar 31, 2004

I think the question is missing context actually. There have been threads lately that raise a very related question - Toy vs. Tool - or more succinctly, what is the actual NEED involved in owning a tractor.

I would wager to say that a significant portion of TBNers as CUT owners have the latter because they enjoy operating them, enjoy a station in life where they can feasibly own and maintain one, etc. Would their domestic life collapse into rubble if they didn't have one? For many that answer could be a resounding NO. That being said, the context of Is Bigger Really Better is kinda moot.

For the puny few who make their livelihoods from agrigarian endeavors, machines are an absolute necessity that allows them to compete. This usually does not inclue the CUT class of machine. For those who supplement their other livelihoods with agrigarian efforts, they would be hard pressed to have that machinery figured into the balance sheets at the end of the day. Yet for those who have machines used for other commercial purposes, CUTs make good sense (landscapers, builders, etc.) For private home builders who want to DIY with site prep and materials handling, the high resale value of used CUTs can make a good bottom line if they unload the unit when it's original function is fulfilled.

ALL this being said, Is Bigger REALLY Better? I'm having a hard time finding relevance to this at all. If ya like BIG and can HAVE BIG and can USE BIG, then BIG it is. If ya think BIG is too BIG, then go SMALL if it doesn't impact your professional or domestic life.

Does anyone REALLY need a car that can hit speeds in excess of 90 mph? Most sold today will do that easily. Do people go that fast usually? Is it necessary? Does it make things better for them in general? I think not.

Bottom line? The tractor, in most cases here on TBN, can make our lives somewhat more comfortable and perhaps provide more leisure time for other things. How big it needs to be is directly related to how much comfort we can stand and how much leisure time we'd like!

(If all you have is FUN when using your tractor, then you probably didn't NEED one to begin with!)

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

surfran · Mar 31, 2004

Yeah the answer is probably just like many things.......It depends!

Depends on your personal needs, depends on your likes, depends on your dislikes, depends on who else you let use it, depends on your financial situation, depends on your susceptibility to getting caught up in the process, depends on your realization of the tasks that can be done....etc.... etc... etc....

Bottom line I guess is really what most everyone gives as their disclaimer "you really need to decide for yourself" then you will be happy with your decision.

I am very pleased with my BX, only thing I would do different is I would have added more implements at the time cuz now I have the payment, wife won't let me spend the extra on attachments as easy.

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts as well. TBN is a great community of people!

megotatractor · Apr 3, 2004

The longer it takes to do the job the more fun you're having, right? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

RoyJackson · Apr 3, 2004

Physical size, I'm quite happy with my 670. However, I'd wish I'd gone for a 770 (if one had been available at the time and I knew then what I know now! ).

The ol' 670 has served my purposes admirably. I use it to run a 60" Land Pride cutter through some pretty thick brush. That's with 16.5 HP @ the PTO (Land Pride recomends 20 PTO HP minimum). I'd like a PTO chipper, but I'm right on the bottom of the requirements, powerwise.

But, this machine has done what it was bought for.

Maybe in a few years...a little more HP. I do like this size though...so maybe a newer 770 or 790 is what I'll end up with.

Atch4115 · Apr 3, 2004

Here's my opinion for what it's worth.I've had 4 tractors and each time I trade I loose my tail,so this last time I really thought it through before buying new.Decide what frame size best suits your needs.In John Deere's case they have small,medium and large.I chose small.Then get the biggest tractor in that class,I chose the 4115.So far I couldn't be any happier with my choice.Will it do everything my bigger tractors would do? No, but looking at the big picture it's perfect!