SMALL AMOUNT OF PLOWING

mb25acres · Dec 2, 2004

I am still deciding between 3130, 3430, and 3830. I have 25 acres. I will be doing drive way, some dirt plowing, discing, and planting. Probably plowing and planting 18 acres pumpkins, and sweet corn. I have large hills, and creek. I have asked questions about the 3830, but am not sure if I need one that big. The 3130 seems very popular in these forums. would it be big enough for my needs. I am considering r4 tires, but am worried that I may not get enough traction for plowing, and might need ag tires. has anyone plowed with ind tires.
I have not decided if I will finish mow with it. I may get smaller dedicated finish mower. I will definatel get the 723 loader and quick disconnect, and am leaning towards the tnt. since I am getting the FEL am leaning towards the HST, but will it hold up if I use the cruise to plow, disk and plant.
want to get the right tractor, not just the biggest.
will the 3130 be big enough to plow or would I just tear it up.
Any help would be great.
Thanks Mike

btolle · Dec 2, 2004

Can't answer your question, but you can edit your post for up to 12 hours after you posted it which you might want to do since it appears you have your Caps Lock key on when you posted.

(His original post was in all caps).

Bill Tolle

Wannafish · Dec 2, 2004

If you plan on plowing, discing, and planting 18 acres of Pumpkins and Sweet corn my suggestion would be to get the biggest tractor of the sizes you listed. 18 acres doesn't sound like much, but I put in 10 acres of corn this year using a 95 h.p. tractor, a 4 bottom plow, 14 ft offset disc, and 4 row planter (tractor is a little overkill for the planter but it's what I have) after work and on weekends. Even though I had plenty of h.p. and traction it took more time than I expected - of course being a newbie to this farmin' stuff didn't help. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Got in more seat time than I expected but hey, that's what it's all about, ain't it? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

All I'm trying to say is go as big as you can in h.p. and weight (for traction) for the purpose you describe.

Best of luck to you!

mb25acres · Dec 2, 2004

I am just starting the farming thing. One more question that I forgot to ask is I ahve not gotten a planter yet an was thinking about an old 2 row , but jd 7000 seem to go pretty cheep at auction does anyone know if a 3130, 3430, or 3830 would run it.
thanks Mike

Wannafish · Dec 2, 2004

I started trying my hand at farming a year and a half ago so I'm new at it too.

As far as planters, I bought an old JD 494A 4 row planter for corn. It is ground driven (doesn't need PTO power) and works great, and I only paid ~$400 for it. Everything I read (here and on YesterdaysTractors.com) said it would be more accurate than using my grain drill. I since purchased a 2 row corn picker to follow the 494A and am very happy with the results. I think any of the tractors you listed would pull it easily.

Have you considered how you are going to pick 18 acres of corn? You better not have a ful time job if you plan on picking it by hand /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Again, I am purchasing what I can afford and learning as I go, so my experiences may not reflect yours. I hope you have as much fun as I have in the fields and learning on these boards.

rdln · Dec 2, 2004

You need the 3830 4wd with ag tires to make sure you can operate a 2-16 plow in all conditions, with that plow it will stil take 2 hours/acre. If you have only a few rocks I would suggest a 3pt tiller instead of disk and to ensure consistent seed placement and germ. I would suggest a soil finisher like drag harrow plus a cultipacker or small cultimulcher if you can find one.

My place is flat with clay, with last May's rain I could not get anything planted.

I am unfamiliar with jd 7000s, but I think they begin with 8 rows plus need hydraulic remotes to power transport wheels. Will they plant pumpkin seeds? I dont know if 3830 will pull it.

Search for recent planter discussions for 2 row info.

sanmigmike · Dec 2, 2004

Might talk to your dealer, the ones I have talked to, three Kubota, two Deere advise against using HST for a lot of ground engaging... But they didn't define "a lot". /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

But the Kubota guys did say that if we did plan to do a lot of that to go with the GST. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Not knowing anything but I would tend to think R-1's and as much hp as you can afford.

If only I had paid attention in my tractor and crop science classes years ago... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

DUMBDOG · Dec 2, 2004

I am no expert, however the hst should not be used for ground engagement equipment, it is ok for a tiller, but for a plow, disc, etc., go with the gst.

I ordered a 4630GST last week for my garden. It is 40 acres, a mixture of quite a few different varieties.

Are you sure you want 25 acres of corn and pumpkins? Do not know what you are planning to do with your production, we sold at the local farmers market, we had about 5 acres of corn and 3 acres of pumpkins. At the end of the year, we had to throw several thousand pumpkins as excess inventory. Of course each area is different.

mb25acres · Dec 4, 2004

My soil is not that great hilly, and lots of small rocks,75% is considered highly erodible buy dept of agriculture. I think that it might tear up a tiller.Sorry btolle for posting originally in all caps. All the computer work I do on the job has to be caps. I am looking for a two or four row ground driven planter as we speek. This year I planted 10 acres pumpkins by hand but did
not have a tractor, fertilizer or weed control, and therefore produced next to nothing.
So the goal is to have everything in place by spring. I will be planting gourds, sweet corn, indian corn, catalope, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and anything else I can get planted in time. I
want the kids 3 to learn a little about country life. I hope to sell them at roadside market and use the money to further enhance there college funds.
Mike

frank_f15 · Dec 4, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ordered a 4630GST last week for my garden. It is 40 acres, )</font>
nto sure 40 acres qualiffies as a GARDEN, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif BUT DID ORDER ONE NICE TRACTOR.