Buying Advice Just bought 40 acres of grass

[saray]

Trying to decide what the smallest tractor I can get to take care of it? My plans are to have some cows the property asls has 2 ponds. Looking for general mowing and poss hay work. New here only tractor I ever owned was a ym2000 with loader.

 

[newbury]

Size your tractor for your biggest 1 piece load. Will you need to move round bales or dead cows with the FEL?
And read a lot on TBN about "hay work", generally the equipment is really costly.

Is the land flat?
What's your price range?
New or used?

Without more info I'm thinking 40 to 50 HP, 4WD w/ FEL would be minimum.

 

[LD1]

If you are talking haying....I'd say 50-60hp is minimum.

Why are wanting the "smallest" tractor you can get by with? Not a good strategy for the future IMO

 

[rustyshakelford]

If you are talking haying....I'd say 50-60hp is minimum.

Why are wanting the "smallest" tractor you can get by with? Not a good strategy for the future IMO

Hit the nail on the head here. When someone looks for the smallest tractor they can use to get by with, they usually end up getting to tractor shop twice

Brett

 

[cat fever]

Welcome to the forum.

If your future plans are to hay, I would stay around 40hp minimum. Long term I think you would be happier with 50-60hp.

Congrats on your 40 acres.

 

[saray]

Land is flat . Grass currently 5' tall as to size I was 35 to 50 HP I was thinking used still have 2 mortgages.

 

[cat fever]

Do you plan to "hay" most of the property?

As Newbury stated; the equipment to get started can get pricey. But IMHO very well worth it. I just started doing my own hay about 2 years ago. I look forward to planting season and the whole process.

 

[Tractorable]

Since you live in Florida, have flat land, and two mortgages, it may be a good option to get an older heavy 2wd tractor for your 40 acres of mowing, then upgrade to a more modern machine later.

A Ford thousand series may be a good option, like a Ford 4000 or 5000.

 

[David Wayne]

If you are going to make hay on 40 acres you will want more than one tractor. Going from mower- tedder- rake- baler- to moving wagons will get old quick with just one. If you do round bales check HP requirements for baler.
Older N fords are good for raking and wagon moving.

 

[jeff9366]

Trying to decide what the smallest tractor I can get to take care of it? My plans are to have some cows the property asls has 2 ponds. Looking for general mowing and poss hay work.

To operate a six foot Rotary Cutter, Bush Hog being one well known brand, you need a tractor with at least 45 gross horsepower. In grass up to 36" high you can mow at a brisk pace. In grass 72" high you will have to creep along or the Rotary Cutter will bog down and eventually stop. With more than 45-horsepower you can cut taller/thicker grass.

Here are tractors for sale on eBay, near Zip Code 32428. Looks like John Deere country. Tractors | eBay

Kubota MX series may suit you: http://www.kubota.com/product/MX4800/MX4800.aspx