Next size

[gavinfred1]

I purchased a 3540 last year and think i made a "mistake" of not going big enough. Reason being I purchased another 28 acres for a total of 70 acres around the house and 50 down the road. 80 acres woods and 40 tillable total. Does anyone have any insight of the next size I should get? I am not going to farm but will have larger food plots and more to take care of. And I will get a grapple very soon!

 

[bigbull338]

your best next step up would be an MX5100HST 4X4 w/LA844 quick taych loader.

 

[crazyal]

Since you own the 3540 already I would try it so I could get an idea of how big you really need. The large GL or MX line may be fine but you could find that even they are not enough and you need something like a 70 to 85 range M. It really depends as to what your idea of "take care of" really means.

 

[Martian]

That's a lot of land for that size tractor if you plan to do anything more than maintain it, as you seem to want to do. I would skip the MX and the large GLs and go straight for a utility tractor. There's no comparison in the work they do. I'd look for whatever Kubota makes in the 75+HP range - sorry don't know Kubota model numbers very well.

 

[MHarryE]

I traded my L3710 on a L5740 last May. Tremendous increase in capability for the general stuff I use it for but I have access to several larger tractors (up to 155 HP) for more serious work. My L5740 is a real nice size and HP for the type of stuff you are talking about if you don't intend to get into serious farming.

 

[TripleR]

Tough call, personally I would want nothing less than the MX5100 with the L5740 being my real preference. We also have a M8540 for those things our L5030 won't quite get it.

 

[bigbull338]

Tough call, personally I would want nothing less than the MX5100 with the L5740 being my real preference. We also have a M8540 for those things our L5030 won't quite get it.

you an i think alot a like.even though he could get a M8540 HDC ROPS 4x4 w/fel for $39,000 or under.

 

[nue2farm]

I must be doing something wrong.... I have over 200 acres that I "maintain' with a L3130. May take me longer but it has done all I have asked of it for the last several years. Granted, when I win the powerball for a few hundred million , I will most likely go up in size a little....

 

[TripleR]

you an i think alot a like.even though he could get a M8540 HDC ROPS 4x4 w/fel for $39,000 or under.

Decisions, decisions ain't it great.

I must be doing something wrong.... I have over 200 acres that I "maintain' with a L3130. May take me longer but it has done all I have asked of it for the last several years. Granted, when I win the powerball for a few hundred million , I will most likely go up in size a little....

Heck, I have done pretty much the same or worse, but it is far from ideal at last for me. My brother and I row cropped 160 acres with a Ford 600, but that sure wouldn't be my choice now.

I like tractors about as much as the next guy, but there comes a time after several long days that "seat time" turns from fun to real work; course I am pretty old and worn out.

 

[kuboman]

Buy as big as you can afford. I guarantee that if you don't you will be in the near future. :thumbsup:

 

[Singlemalt]

Work with what you've got until you get a feel for what you need.

Trading for a bigger tractor could probably mean replacing the implements and that can add to the expense.

What are your plans for your acreage? Are you at it full time?

 

[newbury]

a total of 70 acres around the house and 50 down the road. 80 acres woods and 40 tillable total. Does anyone have any insight of the next size I should get? I am not going to farm but will have larger food plots and more to take care of. And I will get a grapple very soon!

How far "down the road" ? I've about 73 acres in East Fletcher /edit - Vermont and another 370 acres "down the road" about 1350 miles in Fulton, Ms.

The reason I ask is for example down in Ms. I've got 5 parcels within about 5 miles of my house and a couple of parcels about another 25 miles away. Hopping on the tractor to go 5 miles back and forth to work is one thing, 25 miles is too much seat time. I've a trailer I can load my ride on when I need to go there. But when I need to go to East Fletcher it will be a 2 day trip even with trailer. And with the cost of fuel running to $5/gal it might be cheaper for me to buy another tractor and drive my TDI.

If you will have to tow your new ride make sure your tow setup, from the cowdung on the front bumper to the mud on the back of the trailer meets all specs. When you get up to 9540 territory your pushing 4 or 5 ton w/ FEL, trailer etc.

Also if your doing food plot maintenace are you going to have clearance for a much bigger ride?

 

[gavinfred1]

All great points. "Down the road" meaning 2 miles. Sorry for any confusion. I think I would like a little more on the front end capacity. I have held off getting a grapple for this very reason. I had a buddy bring out a SVL?90 HP Kubota skid steer with a "huge" grapple and i was AMAZED at what he could do with it. He tore out 160' of fence row with it very quickly. I like what I have but I think I want just a touch bigger as far as the tractor. I have everything farmed and that isn't purpose for the larger tractor. I like knowing I am covered under any circumstance. I work a lot and when I get some seat time I don't want to fight it. Maybe it's a little selfish but that's how I look at it.

 

[nue2farm]

I was mostly joking but its what I use cause its what I have. TripleR, I know what you mean.... I just turned 70 years old..... Have fun and stay safe...... Paul

 

[TripleR]

I was mostly joking but its what I use cause its what I have. TripleR, I know what you mean.... I just turned 70 years old..... Have fun and stay safe...... Paul

Paul, I can understand that. My health won't allow me on an open station tractor and I can't walk very far, so I had to put our older tractors on another farm where my brothers use them and get newer machines.

I put LOTS of good hours on our old Case 995 and Massey Ferguson 375 before I had to let go.

Take care, Larry

 

[foreman Etexas]

Im going to suggest a M6040,4x4 with hyd.shuttle.

I really like my M5040 just feel Im pushing it at its limits. (My favorite)
For my main HP tractor the M7040 is just a tad to light I would get an 8540 if I could do it over....
I suggest the M6040 cause I believe just in my situation I would over work my 5040 and under work the 7040 in most cases,so its a good happy medium. But in my situations its pulling heavy mowers with the 5040 is were im pushing it,dont really notice to much difference in doing loader work between the two,but I think having a cab on 7040,I like doing loader work more on the 5040. Most of the time if the 5040 doesnt lift it then the 7040 isnt going to either,I do have the tires set out wider on 5040 so it gives it a more stable feel.