Buying Advice new here looking for some advice

[boomr]

Hello,
New to the site and have been lurking for a couple weeks trying to pick up on anything to acquaint myself.
So here is my short brief - I am a new small farm landowner in NH. We have 18 acres mostly wooded. Our goal is to clear about 2-5 to start a small family farm. We also plan on utilizing our existing hardwood to heat the house with our wood-burning stove. We would like to plant some of the land and have a small amount of animals.
All the folks around me have suggested I look in the 40 hp range etc...
I am a newbie so I may ask some dumb questions when it comes to understanding the right gear needed.
Thank you in advance!!

 

[beenthere]

:welcome:

There are no "dumb" questions.

I've about that size acerage and have a 32 hp Deere 4300. Perfect for me, and utilizing the wood for heating the home...about 6 cords per year for the last 35 years. Just sayin...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

You're likely to hear 10 "I bought too small"s to every 1 "I bought too big". That doesn't mean you have to have a 400hp 4wd, but don't go for "just barely enough".

SOME farm chores just plain and simple require a little "heft" from time to time.

Implements such as what you might find yourself needing, especially older (read CHEAPER) ones are far more common in sizes for 35 to 45 hp tractors as opposed to equipment for smaller tractors.

IMHO, 40 hp as a minimum.....

 

[Thomas]

Welcome to TBN Granite Stater.
By the sounds your neighbors given some good advice since NH mostly know for growing rocks pushing bank snow banks..lets not forget mud season.

Visit your local tractor dealers and try model out/test also read up on them..do keep us updated.

 

[boomr]

Thanks very much for the thoughts. I guess my next question is what do I need attached (implements, I guess?)? Some have suggested a Backhoe w/thumb, but how big? - 12 inch 36? Also, weights - the Kubota dealer suggested weighting the wheels. Is this needed? And, my next question would be what has been your experience with a cab enclosure or none?
Wow, I really like putting these questions out there. This is really great!
Thank you for your thoughts!!

 

[RoMad]

If a lot of your neighbors have tractors you could ask them what they like about the ones they have and also what attachments they use since thier land is probably a lot like yours.
As for the HP range I would heartily agree to make sure you get enough to start with. My tractor is my first and the one thing I would change on it is a little more HP. I think my next one will also will have an HST transmission also.

 

[Ductape]

Assuming you will have plenty of NH's most bountiful crop to move (rocks) ..... I like the idea of the hoe. Seeing that you will also be using this for moving snow, GET THE CAB !!!! I like the dealer's suggestion of loading the tires also.

A few attachments you will want, are a bush hog, tiller, post hole digger , snowblower, and for land clearing..... perhaps a third function on the loader with a grapple.

I'd be happy to spend your money further if you have any leftover !

What end of the state?

 

[TripleR]

I can obviously only speak for myself, but have owned/own a few tractors. We have both open station as well as cab models. I will never buy another open station tractor; love the comfort and convenience of a cab. However, if you will be clearing woods, you will be limited due to cab damage or be prepared to spend some time with a good pole saw.

A few years ago, I accepted the fact I can't afford and don't want the hassle of owning every piece of equipment I will ever need, so now rent something from time to time.

It seems you are pretty close to the mark on HP, though consider a cab will rob some HP; for this reason, I went with a 50 HP cab unit.

We have HST as well as geared units and for all around work with a lot of FEL use, you can't beat an HST.

I have no need for a bh, but would get one for your needs.

Implements are fairly universal; box blade/back blade and rotary cutter to start with and go from there.

As mentioned; no such thing as a dumb question.

 

[boomr]

Thanks TripleR.
How does a cab rob HP?

 

[Thomas]

Boomr.
Have you decided on HST or Gear tranny?

 

[boomr]

Thomas,
Thanks - I have not made that one yet. Heading out to the Kioti and Kubota dealers today to get some learnin done.
What do you think about the Backhoe option here in the Granite State and also, how about the cab?
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks TripleR.
How does a cab rob HP?

Added weight and the AC though it is not great. We were going to go to a 4240 instead of a 3940, but found a good used L5030 HSTC. We do have a M8540 HDC and Massey Ferguson 375 if more power is ever needed, but so far it hasn't. We often use the L5030 and M8540 together and both work really well together.

 

[bill in ny]

TripleR, have you had any problems with the 4wd on the massey with those mixed tires?

 

[Thomas]

Ductape hit nail on the head w/backhoe advice..always going to be something needs moving,re sharping etc. etc.

Are you considering 3pt hitch or sub frame for back hoe?

Cab always sweet thing for those 6 months..many style/model cabs to choice from,would you want to remove cab for warmer weather?

 

[TripleR]

TripleR, have you had any problems with the 4wd on the massey with those mixed tires?

No we haven't, my father in law had it set up that way when he bought it new in 1986 and much to my surprise, it worked so well that when we had to replace the tires, we went with the same setup.

 

[Kyle241]

We have a similar property albeit a tad larger (82 acres) mostly treed with one 9 acre field that has not been plowed in a few years. I already owned a Kubota B20 TLB when we built last year and it of course has done a ton of work for us. I am however considering a larger tractor in the 40hp range. Due to our stones and trees plus some drainage ditch work needed, I have to get another BH. I have looked at cab models at both Kubota and Kioti and decided due to the amount of work in the bush, I would likely break a few windows and that is a lot of dollars. So it's no cab for me but I do agree, it is nice luxury for blowing snow but I'm a Canuck and can handle it. The implements I have already is a bush hog/rotary cutter and snowblower. I need a boxblade and either a tiller or plow & disc as we plan on planting our open field this spring. Would love a grapple too as they are awesome for clearing brush and trees but they are very expensive and I can't get everything at once! Check out Everything Attachments | Skid Steer Attachments, Tractor Attachments, 3 Point Hitch Attachments, and Farm Tractor Implements. as they have great videos to help learn about all those wonderful toys.

I would suggest you get a list of all local dealers and some a little bit further out and visit each if you can. Try out each tractor in the size/range you are looking at for fit and finish. Ask A LOT of questions and get a feel for the dealer and whether they have good service as this is important when you need it.

 

[charleyfarmall]

Boomr,
That sounds great. You have a lot of work to do! You are right a 40-45hp tractor will work great for you. Set your budget and figure what is required now, and what you can wait on. Look at used tractors on eBay and tractorhouse.com ( that will give you an idea of reasonable but slightly high prices). The older the tractor, the less features it will have. If used, try to get something with less that 2000 hours that's clean and maybe kept indoors.

You can't beat a cab, and I have never heard anyone say I wish I didn't buy a cab.

I own or have owned Kubota, McCormick, Farmall, IH, Kioti, New Holland, and Deere. You will find many good options in new tractors at each one of these. Currently, in the 40-45 hp arena I have looked at NH, Kioti, and Deere. My preference would be a Deere 4120, or 4320 for what you are doing. They are very close on price, although Kioti will be quite a bit cheaper. The Deere cab is better and quieter and getting in and out is better. Plus, they are made here so you are supporting your neighbor so to speak. I have some concern about getting parts for Japanese tractors. I looked at a Ford 1910 today but parts are getting hard to get to rebuild it ( transmission problems).

You will not regret a backhoe and will come up with many things to use it for. Get a subframe mounted hoe and not a 3pt ( although I have used a 3pt hoe for years). They are more robust and easier to mount and dismount. It's worth spending the money. A thumb is nice but not required if you can't swing it. Same with a grapple on the loader.

You need a post hole digger and a 6 foot rotary mower ( i.e. Bushhog as they are known). A 6 foot tiller is useful but will dig up rocks and hurt itself in new fields. A two bottom plow and disc might be better. You will also need a seeder. To start, a cone style seeder will be fine. Snow blowers are nice, but still expensive even if rear mounted.

Get pallet forks. You will know why almost immediately after you have them.

You can't beat HST. It took a long time to convince me but I agree. It is indispensable for loader work and using pallet forks as well as with mowing.

Loaded tires are a must.

I use a box blade, angled scraper, and rake a few times a year for maintenance. They don't cost much and are useful.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

 

[bironacad]

If you just bought the property there are lots of things that will take up your dough there.

Stub Service for hydro
Well
Septic System

I had an old farmall with a bucket and tow bar for a long time before I got caught up in getting the fully loaded deal, see avatar for farmall. Take some time with your property and figure out what your first things first are unless you are starting loaded then go for all of it. I have used my pallet forks almost every time I switch implements, lol. Just bought a cement mixer that weighed in at 25o pounds crated and came off the truck no problem on the forks:thumbsup:

I have 35.45 acres:

New Holland Boomer 3045 CVT (not gear or HST) with cab and all that comes in the cab, great for snow blowing, love the heated cab.
6' bush hog
Woods BH80X backhoe with thumb
BX 42 Wallenstein Chipper with hydraulic feed
Wallenstein splitter
6' pull behind snow blower
FEL with Quick attach (I figure quick attach is a must)
Quick attach plate with trailer receivers including my fifth wheel
Three point five cubic foot cement mixer
and pallet forks, lol.
Want:
Band saw mill
Grapple Bucket............

Enough with the silly stuff for a long time I had a wheel barrow and shovel you can get a lot of dirt moved by a local guy in a day and you will not have to build a garage to keep your stuff safe, lol, take your time enjoy the process:thumbsup: