Need advice-Too much HP?

[chim]

If it were me, I'd use the bigger tractor and be cautious. There are two ways that something bad could happen. First is if he ran into something (tree, utility pole, etc.) but the damage might not be a lot different with a larger tractor. The other would be overloading the mower's drivetrain by clogging it up or scalping a ridge. The shear pins or slip clutch should prevent that.

Years ago when the Ford 1210 was my only tractor, it was in the shop when we got a fairly substantial snow. I borrowed a Case 5140 from my FIL. It had almost 100 HP more than my Ford. The only rear blade that was available was the 5-footer that I had for the Ford. After cobbling / adapting the Cat I blade to the Case, I went a-plowing. I knew if I hooked anything solid it'd wrap that blade like tin foil. I was careful. It was awkward to have a tractor that was wider than the blade.

 

[WinterDeere]

lol... you know you're riding something big, when it has "100 hp more than" your other tractor.

 

[chim]

lol... you know you're riding something big, when it has "100 hp more than" your other tractor.

That's not a tractor. THIS is a tractor. Pic from my FIL's farm auction. This thing was pretty amazing. Pop had a chicken farm and one Winter they had chickens delivered during a snow storm. They needed an extra hand so I volunteered to help move the trucks through the snow. The layout was such that the trucks could pull along the side of the chicken house to unload. The drivers couldn't back out, so the exit was a big loop through an adjacent field. Imagine the feeling of being able to drag a tractor trailer where YOU wanted it to go

 

[chim]

Here's the lineup at the auction in '02. The case mentioned earlier is the second in line. Seeing the 4840 next to it little brother (MF275) gives you an idea of the size.