Looking for a tractor not sure if we need as big as I think.

[oz in SC]

We have 17 acres,of that,there is maybe an acre clear,some partially cleared(enough to put up a fence around it) and the rest in either pines or brush.

Our ultimate goal is to have maybe 10 acres or so of pasture,woods of some sort and garden/orchard.
We also have a 1/4 mile long drive to maintain.

Always thought we needed something in the 30+ hp range to handle it all,we had an old MF 40 industrial that was just too worn out for us,looked around and have found various makes and models in our price range(under $7,000 if possible.) but nothing has panned out.

So recently saw for sale a Ford 1500 4wd,20-ish hp,loader,4ft bushhog.
I have started wondering if something this small would work for us?
Any open pasture land would be interspersed with trees,it wouldn't be all open.

So,what say you all?

Oh,and we already have a couple of 5ft implements,rotary cutter and boxblade.

Thanks.

 

[George2615]

I have a 26HP Mahindra 2615HST w/ loader and attachments I use on 3 properties occasionally. Total acreage is about 28 between the 3 parcels. I wouldn't want my tractor to be any smaller. My (opinion) guess for you would be something between 24-30HP (20HP might be too small) but think you'll be limited by your price range.

 

[oz in SC]

Yup,found a JD1050 4wd,had a independent tractor shop take a look at it and they had doubts about the hydraulics,it was slow to lift the loader.
It was also priced at $8000 but we probably could have worked that out.

Looked at some older 2wd tractors,and most were worse than the one we sold...:laughing:

 

[Bigfoot62]

That little Ford, is just under 20 hp engine, 17 hp at the PTO. Your 5' hog would probably be a bit much. Without front weights, I don't even know if it would pick it up. As George said, you need a bigger tractor. (or a smaller hog )
BTW, here's a link to the TractorData page for that model. You might want to bookmark the site. It's a good quick-reference for most tractors, and could come in handy while you're shopping.
TractorData.com Ford 1500 tractor information

 

[5030]

I like the 'I' and the 'we' in the thread starter......

My takes is if it's under 50 PTO, I don't want it.

 

[oz in SC]

That little Ford, is just under 20 hp engine, 17 hp at the PTO. Your 5' hog would probably be a bit much. Without front weights, I don't even know if it would pick it up. As George said, you need a bigger tractor. (or a smaller hog )
BTW, here's a link to the TractorData page for that model. You might want to bookmark the site. It's a good quick-reference for most tractors, and could come in handy while you're shopping.
TractorData.com Ford 1500 tractor information

The little Ford comes with a 4' cutter,and has a loader,but I do think the cutter we have would be a little big.

I have been using TractorData for a while,it is helpful with the differing hp for sure...especially when certain makes keep reusing the same number...cough cough..John Deere...

 

[oz in SC]

I like the 'I' and the 'we' in the thread starter......

My takes is if it's under 50 PTO, I don't want it.

Well...sometimes it is me and sometimes it is us...:laughing:

50 hp is probably too big for us I think...

 

[Rustyiron]

Well...sometimes it is me and sometimes it is us...:laughing:

50 hp is probably too big for us I think...

NO SUCH THING!!:laughing::laughing:
Like too much money or too much fun!:thumbsup:

 

[oz in SC]

Well....we went and looked at a 80+ hp JD with loader in our price range...it was actually too big to get between the trees....

 

[Qapla]

We had a 1900 - a little bigger then the 1500 - and we found it to be lacking.

The 4' bush mower is not very heavy duty and we were forever replacing shear pins. Even thick/heavy grass would break the shear. If you go with a "hardened" shear, it could damage the mower.

The 5' mower and other implements lifted the front off the ground and made it really hard to drive. You definitely would need weights.

Having had the 1900 and now using a 39 HP 4wd, I would not go with the 1500 for your needs. I would stick with the 36+ hp.

I know you have a limited budget, but you still might consider looking at new tractors as many brands have some very good offers.

You might check out the LS brand or Mahindra.