Noob needs advice on tractors

[Spitfire]

Greetings to all

I need a tractor to work about 4 acres and don't know what I am looking at when I am looking for one to buy. I want to do some small scale farming and orchard tending on the 4 acres. I also have another 30 acres that just needs bush hogging about once a year to keep the other trees under some sort of control. I was told that something between 25-35 hp would do. Is that true? If I find something about 10-20hp bigger will I be struck down by lightning? How big is too big? (Boy, that could go wrong really fast.....)

I plan on using a bush hog, disc harrow (sp?) and the occasional box blade/scraper thingy to manage the dirt driveway. A front end loader would be nice too so I need to know what can handle all of that. I do not want a gas engine. And a ROPS is a must-have for me.

What tractors are easiest to work on? to get parts for? not rarer than hen's teeth? Which ones should I avoid like the plague and which are the best overall?

I am not a total noob, just mostly. I know how to operate a tractor and hook up attachments to the 3 point, I just don't have a clue about what to look for in the classifieds. Its like knowing how to drive a car and looking for one to buy when you don't know the difference between a turbo diesel 4x4 truck and a Honda Civic.

 

[RadarTech]

Spitfire,
We were all at the new guy point somewhere in time.

So let me chime in for a few comments.
1st-- Everyone will alude at some point that you can never have enough HP.

2nd-- how much loader work? The more loader work you will do the more you will want an HST.

3rd-- Ground engaging-- plowing- how much? if alot you will lean more towards a gear

4th-- More HP = wider attachment normally. a 28-35 HP tractor typically handles a 5 ft-6ft wide attachement-- EXCEPT for tillers. Bushhog size will depend on what your cutting.. Some will say 6ft on a 34HP without a problem --BUT that depends on how thick the brush, and/or "trees"...

5th-- Engine HP does not Equal PTO HP. My 34HP Kubota has 27.5 HP at the PTO. This needs to be taken into account for PTO powered attachements.

now for the make and model..

John Deere and Kubota are the 2 most common..

BUT-- everyone will tell you that the biggest concern is the service level your dealer will give you.
Check out your local Dealers Talk to the service manager.
If your close to me in SC, I can name a couple places to do business with and maybe some to ignore. But will Private Message that info only.

In the Upstate SC area there is only 1 small dealer that sells and services the Kioti. So that may be a show stopper for parts-- also do a search on them here. I remember something about part availability in a few posts here.. But don't remember the details.

I have a Kubota L3400 HST with a loader, 5ft box blade, 6ft scrape blade, and 4ft finish mower.
Although, I am a little biased, my money would be on the little tractor I have all over again.....
My tractor maintains a 1/4 gravel, and handles a 1/4 mile asphault driveway for snow/ice and rain/tree damage.


Drop me a line and let me know where in SC you are...

Later,
J

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Welcome to TBN!

Hope you enjoy it here.

 

[teg]

Well, New Member Introductions forum is not the best place for this but what the heck What price range are you looking at? Sounds like you are looking at used. Listing your location may help, if you need 4x4 or not. What do you mean by "small scale farming" - the larger tractor would help you there but it can be done (just takes longer) with a smaller tractor. Do you have the extra time? Big tractor use big implements, meaning more money but gets the job done faster... If you have the room and don't have too many trees to watch out for...

Yea, I'll add... welcome to TBN - we are happy to spend your money

 

[RadarTech]

Ya know TEG is right-- can a moderator move this over to the buying forum?


TEG-- there ya go again=== correcting my mistake..
thanks guy!

and since I so rudely forgot...

WELCOME TO TBN.....


J

 

[Bird]

OK, it's moved.

 

[RadarTech]

Bird,
I never knew you watched what I typed so much!

Thanks!!!

J

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I buy and re-sell used tractors. Been at it for nearly 40 years. Over the years, I've sold more'n one tractor to a beginner who doesn't know what he wants or needs at first. I DO NOT try to pressure anyone into buying "whatever I have" at the moment. I give them my advice on what they should be looking for (as it fits their needs best) then let them look at what I have. Here's a quick look at what I tell folks.

First and MOST IMPORTANT. Set a budget. You're wasting YOUR time and anyone elses involved if you're looking at a 75hp, cabbed, 4wd, w/loader, AC, ect, and you have $5000 to spend. Set a reasonable figure, allow for implements you'll need, THEN start narrowing down the possibilities.

SLIGHTLY "too big" is better than slightly too small. For maintaining 4 acres, you don't need 75hp, but you MAY find the occasion where a 45hp tractor would be usefull. At a time like that, a 20hp machine will seem grossly inadaquate.

Buy a tractor that suits the available implements. (example?) Gonna be plowing? 2-bottom plows are getting harder to find, but they're around. CAT0 1-bottom plows are rather scarce. If I was planning on doing some plowing, I'd buy a tractor that will handle the plows I could find.... Wish to mow with a 6' mower? Don't get a 20HP tractor.

Can you do your own mechanical work? Or will you be limited to minor maintenance issues and hauling your tractor to and from the dealer when it needs anything substancial? If you CAN do the repairs, used isn't out of the question. Can't tell us which end of a screwdriver you hold on to? Then you need NEW, a WARRANTY and a dealer who'll work with you.

I've found that I MUCH prefer tractors in the 40 to 45 hp range for just about everything. They're a handy size (generally speaking), and have the ability to use most all "common" CAT I 3-point implements, big OR small.

Brand....Probably the most OVER-RATED point of arguement..... ALL the major brands market good equipment these days. Some will feel "more comfortable" to each individual, some are more affordable, and some particular MODELS with-in brands are their "shining stars", but in general, the brand (as it relates to "color") isn't the big issue.

DEALER....CAN be very important, even when you look at used. I've never been around a tractor that actually got used, and yet it never needed mechanical attention. Long story short, you'll need parts at some point. Choose a brand that will have dealer support in your area. This applies in spades if you buy new (with warranty)

Finally.... This is the one I try hardest to drill into potential customers minds. TAKE YOUR TIME. CHOOSE WISELY. A good deal will happen along. Don't jump at the first reasonable offer. Wait until you see what you WANT and NEED at a price you like.

 

[Ken45101]

If you want to bush hog 30 acres once a year, 25 hp will be way too small IMO.

Once a year mowing will mean it will be heavy and thick. A 30 hp tractor will be challenged pulling a 4-5' mower through that and you will probably spend 50-60 hours mowing it.

With a 45 hp tractor, you can mow with a 6' bush hog without overloading it. I've done that for years (I have about 35 acres of pasture) but I just upgraded to a 90 hp (Kubota 9540) with a 15' mower

If you want a front end loader, you definitely want 4WD. Unless you get into a big tractor, 2wd and loaders are about useless.

For what you've described, I would think a 40-50 hp tractor ("utility") would be more appropriate. For years, I used a Kubota M4700 (38 hp PTO) which handled a box blade, scraper, bush hog very well.

I would also recommend diesel over gas. Very few tractors have been made with gas engines in the last 30-40 years. Less issues with fuel, carbs, etc.

Welcome to the forum.

Ken

 

[powerstroke444e]

For what you are doing I would look for a 40-60hp utility tractor 4wd that is color of your choice but I would look for a powershift/shuttle/manual shift over a hydro for all the ground engaging you will be doing. I really would not look @ old farm tractors as the newer compact utility tractors would be a better fit and more user friendly.
I also would stick to the major brands with a good dealer in your area.
Best of luck shoping