Oh No another Newbie! need a tractor and Help

[2ACR]

Hello Everyone,

Here is my first post. Thank you for all of your help and for having this site up.

I am very sorry I have to ask the question again but my time is limited by my 2 year old (who can't seem to let me work on the computer), work, and our new 10 acres. I have learned a lot from what I have found though.

Like I said, I have 10 acres. It breaks down to 1 acre for the house, 1 acre pond, and the rest is mostly clear cut cow pasture. The pasture could probably be cut with a grooming mower set on high. There are only five trees and the ground has about a 1-2 degree slope no hills.

I will be running some cattle, will keep 10-20 chickens and do 1-2 acres planting. Probably 1/4 acre planting this year because we are so behind on everything else.

Now that you have some background on the property and some of my doings here are my final requirements and questions.

How much can the loaders on the models you suggest lift? Been having a hard time nailing that down.

I need to mow 8 acres
till or disc 1-2
move purchased hay (hope I don't really need to buy any)(I understand square may be my only option)
Move sand and dirt for various land improvements
Maybe move my fence one day

My dad had old ford I used to have fun with but it has been a long time since then. I am a little green but will check all brands. I would like to stay under 20 to 22 with implements.

I have looked at just about everything on the following website Brookside Equipment Sales, Inc. - Brookside's Tractor Package Lineup

 

[Martian]

Well first of all, welcome to TBN. I'm sure we can get all of your questions answered.

I'm most comfortable with Deere equipment, so I'm going to use them as the comparison model.

I think your ideal tractor is a John Deere 3x20 series, unfortunately it will be tough to get any of them new for your budget. Below is all the 3x20's for sale on tractor house.com, one of the best used tractor sites.
JOHN DEERE Tractors, Used JOHN DEERE Tractors, JOHN DEERE Tractors For Sale At TractorHouse.com - Page 1

Of course all of these prices don't include any attachments as well. They may be more than some of the competition but Deere prices hold their value a lot longer than others.

If you really want a bargain tractor, look for a Kioti. They are of excellent quality for thousands less than others. Downside is they won't hold their value quite as well but are an excellent tractor.

 

[2ACR]

Thanks for the quick reply. I have been looking at the the 3320 and the 2320 but have been trying to justify the 6 grand difference. Then I get tractor happy and think why not pay less and get the 5045 (then I wonder if my 1500 would make the 6 miles between dealer to home. Last calculation was 500 pounds under max towing rate).

Have the fear of getting too small of a tractor but don't really need more than I need.

At the same time I don't want to purchase twice. I'd rather pay for a long lasting workhorse now rather than having to try again.

 

[RoyJackson]

You might want to check out some older Deeres....the 4300 and 4310 are equivalent to the 3320 in power; the 4400 and 4410 are equivalent to the 3520.
Either can be had for $15K plus/minus a few grand, which include a loader.

Good machines, the 4x00 and 4x10 series...

 

[Martian]

IMO, if you are starting a small farm you want at least a 3x20 series. Don't get me wrong, the 2x20s are good machines, and very powerful, but are more for a small estate with occasional use vs near everyday use on a farm. Bigger, more comfortable operating station and more power to name a few.

I'm with Roy though, your best option for the budget is to get a older machine, same functionality with a few less of the goodies.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I believe you can do what you want with a Kubota BX25 or a 2660. The 25 comes with a front end loader (FEL) and backhoe (BH) standard. 2660 comes with only with FEL. They are 23 and 25 HP respectively. I have the 25. I thought I would not use the BH much until I got it working. Found all kinds of things it is useful for, but my requirements are diferent as I have mostly forest on 21 AC. Bota sells new ones for 0% down, 0% interest and 60 months. My 25 cost me $24K with, a brush mower (all you need to keep your pasture mowed; what are the cows eating?), box scraper, roto-tiller, bucket forks attachments, 3 point (3PT) hitch assembly. Bought it last spring and put 300 hours on last year. I am very pleased, it does a lot more and faster than I ever dreamed such a small rig do. My kids call it the Tonka Toy Tractor. If you do not get the 25 but go the 2660 you will probably never get teh BH as after market they are about $5K installed. Save your cash and invest it and this way you are not buying somebody's used nightmare for which you can only save about 15% for a late model. My experience talking, I looked at 25 used tractors and was amazed at how they hold their price and the precieved problems down the road, especially if you are not a skilled mechanic, which I am.

Ron

 

[Hollow]

I have been looking at the the 3320 and the 2320 but have been trying to justify the 6 grand difference. Then I get tractor happy and think why not pay less and get the 5045 (then I wonder if my 1500 would make the 6 miles between dealer to home. Last calculation was 500 pounds under max towing rate).

For ten acres, don't get a compact. Buy a utility tractor. New Holland TT45A's or a Massey Ferguson 2000 series will provide cheap reliable HP, they'll be big enough to tackle tougher jobs but nimble enough to work a small garden. You should also be able to haul one on a trailer with an implement and stay under a half ton truck's tow rating.

 

[shortthrow50]

i too just got 10 acres in august. 8 acres of mowing at least. i dont plan on doin much farming but do plan on bringing my moms 2 horses here in about 5 years or so. I mowed the grass a few times with my john deere 325 garden tractor and even ran over a few in ground yellow jacket nests. I said the **** with this crap and just ordered a 3000 series cab tractor. Cant really afford it but it will pay for itself in years to come im confident. Cant wait to run over some more bees nests and then laugh at them while they are on the windows while im sitting in the a/c with a lip full of kodiak wintergreen listening to some old country music:laughing:

 

[2ACR]

(all you need to keep your pasture mowed; what are the cows eating?),

Ron

Well they are eating the grass in the pasture but some parts grow a little too quickly.

 

[2ACR]

For ten acres, don't get a compact. Buy a utility tractor. New Holland TT45A's or a Massey Ferguson 2000 series will provide cheap reliable HP, they'll be big enough to tackle tougher jobs but nimble enough to work a small garden. You should also be able to haul one on a trailer with an implement and stay under a half ton truck's tow rating.

my thought on the tow vehicle was for a tractor that weighs in at about 5000 pounds. Not the little tractors.

Thanks for the info about NH and Massey options.