Recommendations for amount of PTO HP needed?

[Mattmonn]

Hi, my parents own a plot of mostly wooded land, and I want to farm it, we started cutting down trees already, and right now I'm trying to figure out what size tractor to buy, and I could also use an idea for how big the tiller. I am planning on growing mostly root crops, and the ground is almost pure clay, so it's going to need some amending. Right now I was looking at the Kubota B2320, with 17 to 18 PTO horsepower, and using a 40" rotary tiller. Is that going to be enough to cut up the sod and the tree roots? would it be worth it buying the 50", or would I need an even larger tractor then? Tilling would be the tractor's main job, for right now at least.

 

[IslandTractor]

How much land are you working? A B2320 would be appropriate for under 5 acres or so but even that estimate depends on the specific tasks you have in mind. A 40" tiller will till an acre but it will take a long time to do it. If you are cutting trees and moving branches etc you may benefit from a grapple but the B2320 is pretty small for grapple work with trees.

Again, the amount of acreage is critical but in general based on what you have already told us I would recommend something bigger than a 2320 and would look at the 30hp range with 5 foot implements. B3200, B3030, Kioti CK30/35 etc etc. Lots of good tractors out there so take your time working out the size requirements and specific tasks you need in addition to tilling. Also remember that if you are cutting trees and planning to till the land you will need to remove stumps. That generally involves a backhoe unless you are talking about very small trees (saplings). You might think about renting a backhoe or TLB with a bigger tiller and then maintaining the land with something smaller like a B2320.

 

[Mattmonn]

Okay, thanks, it's 3 acres, that's my dad had said too, to rent a larger tractor to remove stumps and break up the sod. I was also looking at the B3200, it's not that much more, so you are saying that one would be more useful? I'm going to use it to pull small wagons, but other then tilling and pulling that's all I figure I need it for, so I don't want to pay for more then what I need you know?

 

[yelbike]

I have a jd2320 which I believe is essentially the same tractor capabilities with different paint. I run a 60" tiller which is totally maxed out(slightly oversized). It works great for the maintenance part. I would recommend a little bigger tractor if the funds are available because tilling is probably one of the largest horsepower loads on a tractor(mine anyways).
For the stump removal and land clearing, I'd recommend renting or asking a local farmer for help. It's a one time job not really worth the extra investment if your trying to minimize costs. Jmho. Good luck.

 

[flusher]

3 acres--sure you can do the rototilling, but you'll log plenty of seat time. More hp = less time per job.

My first tractor was a 2005 Kubota B7510HST with the LA302 FEL (4-ft wide bucket). I bought a used Yanmar RS1200 rototiller (4-ft wide) to do landscape work around my new house on my 10-acre place (flat pasture). Never used it for field work, but it would work OK there. I found that running a middle buster plow through the soil and then rototilling made the job easier and quicker.

Good luck.

 

[IslandTractor]

Okay, thanks, it's 3 acres, that's my dad had said too, to rent a larger tractor to remove stumps and break up the sod. I was also looking at the B3200, it's not that much more, so you are saying that one would be more useful? I'm going to use it to pull small wagons, but other then tilling and pulling that's all I figure I need it for, so I don't want to pay for more then what I need you know?

Any tractor from 20-30hp would be fine for the general maintenance tasks you would be doing. I did similar work with a 20hp Kioti CK20 and loved the little beast. I would personally just rent a backhoe to get stumps out (or better yet just use the BH to cut the roots and push the whole tree over, MUCH easier and faster than cutting then digging). You would probably want a 48-60" tiller and I like the idea of using a middle buster plow or just a subsoiler to break up the turf a bit before tilling. The tiller will do it but will be slow going in sod.

If you are not going to be doing lawn care with the tractor I'd suggest you get R4 tires rather than Turf tires which are commonly mounted on smaller tractors.

 

[yelbike]

Any tractor from 20-30hp would be fine for the general maintenance tasks you would be doing. I did similar work with a 20hp Kioti CK20 and loved the little beast. I would personally just rent a backhoe to get stumps out (or better yet just use the BH to cut the roots and push the whole tree over, MUCH easier and faster than cutting then digging). You would probably want a 48-60" tiller and I like the idea of using a middle buster plow or just a subsoiler to break up the turf a bit before tilling. The tiller will do it but will be slow going in sod.

If you are not going to be doing lawn care with the tractor I'd suggest you get R4 tires rather than Turf tires which are commonly mounted on smaller tractors.

I agree with r4 or maybe even the r1 tires if your only doing field work. Keep in mind r3(turfs) perform best (imo) doing snow removal if that's a consideration.

 

[newbury]

If you are going to be doing any "tree work" you are going to be lifting mass. Figure a 10' log 18" in diameter weighs about 1200 lbs. A cord weighs about 5,000 pounds.

The 1200 lbs is about the limit of the B2320's 3pt. It's FEL does about 600lbs. It's about the same size as my B7610

Ground engagement is a bear, especially in clay. I'd strongly recommend at least a 30HP machine. You put your location as York, PA so I also expect you will need to handle snow some time.

Don't be to hesitant about buying a good used tractor slightly larger. Kubota's hold up well and you've got Messicks not too far away.

 

[jeff9366]

I recommend having a farmer PLOW your three acres NOW, then let winter freeze/thaw cycle reduce the clods.

In the Spring have the farmer Disc Harrow the ground and you should be about ready to seed.

With a 30+ horsepower tractor with four wheel drive you could buy a 60" Disc Harrow that would be <$1,000 new, adequate and low maintenance.

DISC HARROW LINK:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/296476-considerations-disc-harrow-selection-18-a.html

 

[Mattmonn]

I did not even consider moving the fire wood with the tractor, I was just planning on throwing in the back of a truck when the ground froze. I think I am going to take everyone's advice and go for a bigger model at least 30hp, and bust up the land with a plow then till it. Thanks for everyone's advice!