Newbie

[honeyb]

I am looking at purchasing a tractor and wanting some help on what to buy. My dad has a Ford 3600 and my father-in-law has a Ford 3000 with FEL these are the only tractors that I have used so I was wanting something comparable to these. As far as knowing the in and outs of tractors I know very little.
I have been reading this forum for a while and have got a lot of good info here.

I had thought that I wanted to get an used Ford for around $6000-$7000 but I got to looking at these Mahindras and it got me to thinking. I could buy an older Ford that may or may not be good or spend a little more and get a brand new Mahindra. What would you guys do?

I have just bought some new land and I will be using the tractor for bush hogging, planting food plots, some garden work, and a little clearing. I do not plan on any type of hay work. I am not planning on buying a FEL now but later on in the future may purchase one. As for now I don't need the FEL.

I am looking at the 4500 and 5500 series tractors and wanting to keep my budget under $15,000.

These are the prices that a dealer close to my house quoted to me today, see if these sound resonable:

4500 2wd $11,900
4500 4wd $15,500

5500 2wd $12,900
5500 4wd $16,900

I have just talked to dealer, I will probable go this weekend and test drive all of these models just to try them all. I was wanting to know if the 2wd will be ok for a FEL if I was to get it later on. I know most everyone suggests the 4wd for a FEL but I am trying to keep the price down, so obviously the 4wd models are out of my budget.

For the price it looks like I would be better off to pay an extra $1000 and go with the 5500. I need lots of help here.

 

[MicroPilot]

The reason you want 4wd with a FEL is when the bucket is full that rear end can be kinda light. The front wheels turning with a full load help to get you moving.

 

[MicroPilot]

HoneyB, What part of the Country do you live in?

 

[MicroPilot]

I knew this - put a BIG NEWBIE sign on my forehead!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[honeyb]

Hey Mp I am from Jasper, Alabama (NW of Birmingham).

The reason I asked about the FEL on a 2wd is that my Father-in-Law has a Ford 3000 with a FEL and it works OK. It is only 2wd and he leaves his FEL on all the time and never takes it off the tractor. He has the back tires loaded and keeps at least a bush hog or disc on the back when using the FEL.

I have only used the FEL on his tractor maybe a couple of hours in ten years, so if I do need to use a FEL I would just borrow his in the time being. That is why I am not buying a FEL at this time. Also in a few years if I was to buy a FEL, I probable would not use it that much anyway.

My dad has a friend that has a NH 4wd with a FEL and it works great. The steering and moving of the bucket is much better, but it is not enough to sway me to pay the extra for 4wd. The Ford 3000 2wd FEL counter balanced is plenty for what I would use it for.

 

[RanchMan]

The "to 4wd or not to 4wd" question comes up every so often. Lots of past threads on it - it's benefits (capability) and it's drawbacks (initial cost).

The one thing that is that if you do get a 2wd now, you can't simply pay to "upgrade" to a 4wd later on, so be dern sure you don't want 4wd because you might be making a very costly mistake. If you simply do not have the $$, then that's certainly an issue. If you simply don't want to spend the money, that's something entirely different - we all want to save $$ after all. Just make sure you aren't being "penny wise and pound foolish."

Although saving $$ by not buying an FEL at this time is certainly an option, once you have an FEL you'll find you use it for a lot of different things - things that you never initially envisioned. Personally I'd go ahead with it, but unlike the 4wd, as you point out, you could get it later. One thing to consider here is if you can you get it for the same price separate as a later purchase as you can get it if you purchase the tractor/FEL as a package. Something to talk to the dealer about to confirm.

What your question really boils down to is what YOU believe is "worth it." It's certainly possible that going 2wd/no FEL would be the best thing for you based on your price sensitivity and willingness to do with less capability. For me, I couldn't do without either due to my uses. It really boils down to a personal decision that nobody can give you the "right" answer to.

 

[honeyb]

OK, I am not sold on 4wd yet, let me ask this question. If I was to get a 4wd the only one I could afford would be the 4500 4wd. Now being that would I be better off with the 4500 4wd than the 5500 2wd.

 

[RanchMan]

I'd choose the 4500 in 4wd over the 2wd 5500. Here's why:

1) the 4500 weighs more (i.e. more traction)
2) the 4500 has the same capacity in 3 pt. hitch lift
3) the 4500 has 8fw/8rev gears where the 5500 is 8fw/2rev.
4) the 4500 has wet disk brakes.

What you loose in HP at the tires you more than gain in 4wd traction (e.g. pulling power) You loose some HP at the PTO, but for me, that's not an issue.

Beyond the other things I see as positives in the 4500 in general, the 4wd alone is the primary selling factor for me.

Now, if all I did was mowing on flat dry ground? No, 4wd is not needed there. Planting a field/plot is a different game. Weight helps you here, but less weight AND 2wd (i.e. 5500 2wd) could make life a pain - especially if you are using a disk harrow, for example. Going 4wd AND heavy will allow you to cut deeper and/or wider, all else being equal. Clearing? same thing - traction is the name of the game. Box blade work? If you have a good bite, 4wd not only will help you pull it but help you go where you want to (simply steering or operating the independent rear brakes doesn't always cut it.)

Could I do most things on my ranch with a larger 2wd tractor? Sure. But it would take me longer and quite frankly, there are certain things I wouldn't have been able to accomplish. When I'm on my tractor I'm there to work and simply stated, 4wd makes completing my tasks faster/easier.

 

[honeyb]

RM thanks for all the great info so far, let me ask this question, how much Horsepower (PTO and Engine) do I actually need. I will using a 6 ft. bush hog, a 6 ft. disc, and a 5 ft. tiller.

 

[RanchMan]

That's a kindof subjective question.

Tiller:
I'd estimate 30/40 PTO HP is a good range for a 5' tiller based on mfg. ratings.

BH:
I have found my 4110 (41hp/34hp) entirely adequate for a 6' BH. Chances are you'll break your shear pin long before you run out of HP to turn the cutter, so somewhere in the 30-40 PTO HP range should be plenty.

Disk:
This is a little harder question because you have speed vs. soil type vs. width. Generally speaking, 40 hp (4wd) would be adequate for a 6' disk at a "decent speed" for the soil on my place. (I run a 6.5' disk w/ 41hp).

Now, the faster you want to go, the more HP you'll need to prevent from loading the engine too much at speed. IMO although 50 hp would be better, 40 hp is entirely adequate for a 6' disk (and many people get away with less hp than that.)

Hope this helps.

 

[honeyb]

Thanks RM this helps out a bunch, my place is basically sandy loam and it is not too difficult to work. I am going to go test drive some of the Mahindras on Friday so this will help also. I will talk to the dealer and see what his opinion will be be. I will update you with what I find out.

 

[Smithla]

HoneyB,

I have a Mahindra 4005, 40 HP, 2WD, FEL, and yes I would love to have 4WD, I purchased this used, so didn't have a choice at the time. I pull a 6' BH, 6' disk, and wish I had a tiller, but that will come later. I have the rear tires loaded, and have never been lacking for power. I will mow low speed, 3rd or 4th gear in waist deep weeds, and have never stalled. I did plow some new ground with a double 16" turning plow, and that gave me fits, clay and rocks, but the 40 HP wouldn't give up, wheels would spin sometimes, so I'm recommending that you get the 4WD. I bet that the dealer would rather discount by $500 bucks rather than loose a sale.

Good Luck,

Les

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

Smitty, if it makes you feel any better, I don't think 4wd would have helped with the plow. The front end is unloaded when pulling a plow. The most important time for 4wd is with the FEL.

 

[MicroPilot]

I found out last evening another reason to have 4WD. I was mowing my yard and have an area that has a decent slope. Steep enough that I don't run the tractor across. Anyway I had been mowing in 2WD to keep from tearing up the turf, and got to the point of going down the slope (I save this area till I'm nearly finished). Well the rear end started to want to be the front end!!! Luckily this slope is only about 15' or 20' so I was able to ride it out. Switched into 4WD and made another pass down and this time no problems!!!

 

[RanchMan]

<font color="blue">I don't think 4wd would have helped with the plow. </font>

This is not the case with a disk based on my experience. I have used my disk while in 2wd, but it is much harder on the machine and traction is much harder to come by. I notice a huge difference when pulling my disk in 4wd instead of 2wd. Even though the front can be "light," you still gain significant traction when 4wd is engaged. If the front end is not so light (weights or FEL installed), then 4wd makes an even bigger difference. Again, this doesn't mean a 2wd can't do a lot of the work, it just does it less efficiently and has more difficulty doing it.

 

[Chet]

Ditto what Ranchman said about the options and the 4500 4WD will easily handle those implements you listed. Mine has the FEL and you will never regret getting the 4WD if you decide to add the loader later. I have pulled a 6" hog through some heavy stuff and the tractor never even strained. Also runs a drum mower and square baler with ease. Chet

 

[Travis_R]

I would DEFINITELY get the 4500 4WD over the 5500 2WD if you had a choice between the two. It makes more sense. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jwcinpk]

Another vote for the 4500 4x4. I have the 6000 4x4 and I'll never have another 2wd tractor. You can do so much more with those extra 2 pulling wheels. For what you are talking of doing the 4500 will take it like a walk in the park. You could even step down to atleast the 4110.
While you are comparing new 4x4 tractors to these older Fords keep in mind how far technology has come in that many years. You can do more with a smaller, more compact, less HP tractor now than you could ever do with some of the older ones. JMO. Not trying to knock anyones older tractor it's just technology keeps allowing you to do more.
When you go to the dealer see what you can get every thing you want for. Don't take his first offer. Take some time and shop around. In my case I had a dollar amount in mind I could spend and when I realized I couldn't get evrything I needed for that amount I took advantage of the low financing for the other stuff I needed. Hope this helps. You already have some good advice here.

 

[coronelli]

I've had my Mahindra 5500 4wd for about 3 weeks now and I love it. The tractor is very easy to drive and very powerful. It does a pretty good job pulling up my many ceadr trees, the bucket carries a lot of material and it has enough power to burry my 9 blade ripper to the hilt and pull it through hard packed ground without trouble. I though about 2wd and was set on it but decided to switch to 4wd for several reasons. Exrta traction for pulling, dirt work and ease of manuvering on hills and rocky areas.


For the Mahidra tractors there is another reason to get 4wd.....shuttle shift. On the 4500/5500 you are looking at only the 4wd models have shuttle shift. Now that I have it, I could not imagine life without the shuttle shift. It makes a big difference, especially with the FEL.

No matter if you choose 4wd or 2wd I would seriously suggest geting the 5500 over the 4500. The price difference is minimal and you gain 9hp, extra lifting capacity (264 over 260 FEL) and get an all around larger tractor. The 4500 4wd is a little underpowered in my opinon for teh weight. For the small amount of exrta money now you will have a bigger more powerful tractor forever.