Buying Advice Need some opinions and perhaps guidance on a new tractor decision. 50+ HP

[flashpuppy]

So we just got the deed signed and the place is ours now. 33 acres in NC. Nice mix of rolling pasture and woods. Farm came with an AC 5040, 2wd and loader.

Taking the Gator around all the property, is a bit intimidating. We bought from a fella that is in his 90's now. It's apparent that despite his best efforts (which he did a darn fine job of by the way!) there are several past years worth of clean up needed. There are also some fairly steep hills and a couple of seriously wet spots by the creek.

Tasks I need to handle:

• Maintain a nearly mile long gravel driveway/road
• Mowing about 20 acres
• Downed trees and brush clearing
• Round bale handling
• General mini-farm work
• Fencing repairs

I'm thinking in the territory of an M5040 through an M7060. I'll only be considering a MFWD with a loader and I'd really like a cab. I've used a newer L6060 and I just don't feel like there's enough tractor there to do the things I want it to do. Am I crazy? The L series just seem like they're too little and light. Than again, I have no first experience with running an M model tractor.

Thinking that a EA Wicked Grapple and a hefty box blade will be purchased from the get go for whatever tractor I wind up with.

Thoughts?

 

[jeff9366]

33 acres in NC. Nice mix of rolling pasture and woods.
There are also some fairly steep hills and a couple of seriously wet spots by the creek.

Three challenging tasks I need to handle:

• Maintain a nearly mile long gravel driveway/road
• Mowing about 20 acres
• Round bale handling

I'm thinking in the territory of an M5040 through an M7060. I'll only be considering a MFWD with a loader and I'd really like a cab.
Thinking that a EA Wicked Grapple and a hefty box blade will be purchased from the get go for whatever tractor I wind up with.

You are considering tractor models with sufficient weight to accomplish your requirements safely on less than level ground. You will probably want dealer to spread adjustable rear wheels an increment or two wider than default/standard to increase tractor stability on your slopes.

You have experience with lighter tractors. I expect you have already considered tractor width relative to passing between trees on your property.

You will need a dual spindle Rotary Cutter for mowing 20 acres with tractor models under consideration.

Consider a Land Plane/Grading Scraper for one mile gravel road maintenance. LPGS may or may not be better than a Box Blade for your conditions. An LPGS "recovers" gravel. LPGS requires less time to maintain a mile of road.
VIDEO: land plane leveler - YouTube

If road crowns and keeping ditches clear are issues a rear/angle blade may be better than a Box Blade. Fairly long learning curve required for a rear/angle blade.

I own several ETA implements. Substandard paint aside, I have been happy with them.

I do not know if an AC5040 has a ROPS. Consider if new tractor models you are considering will enter existing shelter door without folding heavy ROPS every entry and exit. Cab tractors are generally taller than open station tractors.

Here is an 80% complete survey of tractor implements and attachments:
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/...aa214276e14dacb/pub2917tractorimplements1.pdf

 

[dragoneggs]

:welcome: flashpuppy! I already envy your acreage. I definitely would want to do it right so I would get some good info comparing Grand L vs. M50. Go sit in each and check the ergonomics. You are jumping in price a fair amount for M over L. Most will say go bigger than you think. The more horses the faster to get 'er done, but then there is finesse!

A cab... a luxury... definitely if you think the amount of time you think you might be in it and your climate warrants.

 

[Turbys_1700]

No...
You are not crazy...
Get the cab in either the M or L series and don't look back...
I got my first cab tractor back in the Spring...
Traded in two perfectly great tractors for it and I'm still a happy camper...
You just need to take more care in looking out for tree limbs and overhead obstacles...
IMHO you get more tractor for your money with the M...
But the L is so popular due to it's more compact size...
I would suggest sitting in both and make your best decision...
Both are excellent machines...
You won't go wrong with either...

 

[Diggin It]

Don't be orange blind. Shop all colors with open eyes.

 

[FatTire]

It sounds like your gut is telling you the L6060 is too small. Maybe go look at a M7060 cab, operate it around the dealer's lot, measure the key dimensions, go back to your place and walk around for a couple days. Get the 12 speed.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Just be aware that sometimes bigger is not better. You lose a lot of maneuverability with a larger frame tractor. I bought a 70HP tractor which was good for moving heavy loads but I quickly found that it was too large for getting into tight spots. I needed a smaller tractor for that so I ended up with a B26 TLB also. I have just about nothing left for my large tractor to do now after 8 years of fixing up around my place. My B26 is about the only one I use now.

Unless you are really pressed for time and want to run a wide mower, a 40-45HP tractor with a 6 foot mower is no problem to mow 20 acres of pasture with AND it allows you to mow anywhere that the tractor will fit between. My brother in law maintains his 31 acres of pasture with a cabbed New Holland 2310 and a medium weight 6 foot bush hog and has done so for 10 years with no problems. Pastures only need to be mowed about 2 times a year to keep down weeds and other undesirables, so even if it takes you a day to mow, that is good tractor time. Even taking your time and going slow with a tractor and 6 foot mower, you can mow 3 acres an hour assuming there is not a lot of obstacles to go around so you can mow your 20 acres easily in an 8 hour day even accounting for breaks for lunch and snacks.

30 acres is really not enough grass land to justify hay baling equipment, so you wont need to invest in a 70 HP tractor for that. Hire that done if needed, then a 40-50 HP tractor with the right amount of counterweight will handle any round bale easily and stack them 3 high in your barn.

 

[flashpuppy]

Replying from mobile, so I apologize for any formatting or grammatical errors.

I have a background in heavy equipment mechanics, and I知 comfortable tearing machinery. I design industrial production equipment as well. I said that to preface the fact that I知 not totally reliant upon the OEM to perform maintenance or repairs, however, having a local dealer is a that is steering me towards Kubota. Just parts availability if nothing else. Deere is another option not too far away, but it doesn稚 feel like a 5065E can get cheap enough to be a good competitor to an M7060. Am I mistaken here?

Should致e mentioned before that I have a managerie of Cat I tools. Again, came with the farm. Reason I mentioned the grapple and box was that痴 what I see needing to pick up. I致e really consider a LPGS and will probably consider a bit more yet.

As far as building access, think I知 good. One barn won稚 fit anything (traditional gambrel style barn from the 40痴) and another is big enough but is really just a cattle run in shed. I just cut a HECKUVA check to Morton for my 40x60 shop to go up, which is obviously where the new tractor will be living.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement fellas. Nice to have a little confirmation that I wasn稚 out of line in my thinking.

 

[Diggin It]

30 acres is really not enough grass land to justify hay baling equipment, so you wont need to invest in a 70 HP tractor for that. Hire that done if needed, then a 40-50 HP tractor with the right amount of counterweight will handle any round bale easily and stack them 3 high in your barn.

If you don't have animals to use the hay, you might be able to get it done in trade. They come in, do the work and take the bales with them. You get a cleaned off field.

 

[art]

I would rather start out a little light with a tractor as most people ballast them anyway and we have seen them turn into dogs during everyday work vs digging. The L-6060 does give you the hydro so if you are possibly going to have other drivers anyone can virtually drive a hydro easily vs a gear drive! The mowing with a hydro is the best you can get and even though the L-series is a little less horsepower it still can handle a 7 foot twin spindle brush hog which is the best on rolling hills. The price difference will not be that much between the two because of the additional features on the L-series.