PTO???

[SilverHawk]

My husband and I purchased our first piece of property (12.5 acres) near Augusta, GA 5 days ago!!! After doing a more thorough walk around, we've decided we need a tractor. The land is relatively flat with 2 ponds, numerous trees where there is good water supply, and a spring fed swampy area that we'd like to cultivate into a real creek. We've decided that we need a loader, a mower, an auger, and a backhoe (we may decide to rent this as needed).
The seller suggestest we get a tractor w/ 35 hp. The numerous hours I've spent online doing research suggest 35 hp, although less hp can run the attachments, the tractor tends to wear out sooner. Now I've discovered PTO. What is the difference, pros/cons between the different types? My husband is set on a Deere. The 4005 has continuous live PTO, the 4105 has independent PTO at a considerable price increase.
Any input would be extremely appreciated.

 

[greenmule]

Well,you don't need a 35 hp tractor,20-25 would work just fine,course 30 would to,as well as 27 or 40-45.

You probably want what they call live pto,on mine its got a two stage clutch,push it in part way,tractor stops,pto keeps turning,push it in all the way,pto stops too.

And look at several brands,I got a 30hp kioti.[unless you just need one that says deere on it for some reason]

 

[MFRED]

Depending on how much you will use th PTO the independent would be worth the extra for me. The live is a 2-stage clutch I'm guessing. If you have'nt run one before it could take some more getting used to. It will surely do the job, I've just spent too much time on tractors with 2-stages to like them.

 

[Soundguy]

Live pto means you can clutch the drivetrain and keep the pto going.. Many times live pto is via a 2-stage clutch.. press half way and the wheels stop getting power... press all the way and the pto stops as well.

independent pto is live pto, plus it is a clutch 'independent' of the drivetran clutch.. IE.. your main clutch stops the wheels.. and your pto engage lever is independent of that.

hydrostatic tractors come in alot of varities.. some have independent pto.. some still curiously use a clutch.. depends on make and model.

I'm not familiar with deer;s nomenclature .. so can't comment onthe specific machines except to say that if you get some sort of live or independent pto.. you will be getting a better option that non live or tranny driven pto's.

35hp and a loader, and perhaps 4wd will be a decent machine for that acerage. sure yo could go bigger or smaller.. etc.. the bigger you get tends to get real expen$ive since you want a laoder and 4wd.. etc.... smaller will make you work more hours doing the same tasks.

i'd say anything in the 30-40hp range will serve you nicely.

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would not own a tractor without a "independent" PTO. Especially if you are a beginner. There are ways around it like with a aftermarket overrun clutch but and non "indepnedent" PTO can be very dangerous for many reasons.

Get a tractor with a 2 stage clutch or a "independent" PTO. As for HP I use a 28HP tractor and it does everything I need on about the same land. A FEL and 4x4 are a must for most work. Don't just look at Deere. There are many good brands out there and much more bang for the buck and any tractor 45HP or so or less is built overseas, no matter who name is on it.

Chris

 

[SilverHawk]

Am I to guess correctly that the newer tractors are stronger than the older ones w/ the same hp?

 

[SilverHawk]

At this point, the tractor will be used for mowing, post hole digging and digging trenches for one possibly two leach fields. We'll be putting in a garden next spring so a tiller will be used also. I'm used to driving the Jeep which is a manual. I can see myself accidentally stopping the PTO on a regualar basis so I'll look into a tractor w/ an independent PTO. I know of a JD dealer that is 30 miles from us, so I'll look into who else is in the area. We won't be moving until June, so I have a little time to do more research. I appreciate all of the input! Thanks.

 

[MDM]

Sounds like you are new to tractoring. That said, I think most would recommend a hydrostat transmission over gears. They are so much easier and safer to operate with a beginner. My wife had zero tractor experience, but she will jump on the hydrostat and go, but won't touch the geared tractor.

 

[RickB]

Am I to guess correctly that the newer tractors are stronger than the older ones w/ the same hp?

Absolutely not. In fact, often the reverse is true.

 

[RWolf]

There are several brands out there and most of them are good. Here's my order in which to determine what tractor you need.
1. Dealer support. If you're mechanically inclined then it may not matter as much.
2. HP, 25-40 would put you in the ballpark.
3. Transmission. Here's where the HST and gearheads differ. You choose, drive both.
4. PTO. Again you're going to find people differing on this. This is my take I like the independent on my Deere. It has come in real hand during post hole digging. I can get setup for the dig, put the tractor in park, turn around in the seat, set my rpm and with one hand control engaging/disengaging the PTO and with the other hand control the lift/drop of the auger. No twisting of the neck, no fumbling with the clutch etc.

Biggest thing is to try some brands/models and see what you feel comfortable about. If they'll let you try it for a weekend great.