Tractor advise for 90 acre farm

[cdb2]

Hi, I'm a new member looking for some advise on a first tractor.

We recently bought a farm of about 90 acres with 60 or so in fields and the rest wooded. There's a lot of clean up and maintenance work to do in the fields and woods; stuff like fence repair, fixing the gravel driveways, clearing trees and brush, landscaping around the house, some trenching, lifting/moving with the loader, etc... From what I've read it sounds that a compact tractor is a good fit that kind of work. But I'd also like to be able to mow the fields a couple of times a year so we can stop contracting that job out. I have a ZTR so I don't need to be able to mow around the house.

I'm not sure what tractor would work best for the maintenance work we'll be doing most of the time but still be able to occasionally mow the fields. I'd prefer used and like to be under $15K, but would consider going a bit higher for a great deal on a new tractor with favorable financing.

I'd love to hear the opinions of folks who do a mix of work like this on what size I need or anything other advise you have.

Thanks!

 

[Rmart30]

I would be looking at a 50hp or larger. 60 acres of field is a lot of cutting. With a lot of clean up and maintenance you are probably going to want a loader, and have the ability to use a grapple (huge back and time saver).
How is the terrain? will 4x4 be required?

 

[cdb2]

Gentle hills, this a picture of one of the fields. The only terrain much steeper than that is back in the woods farther than I think I would try to go with a tractor anyways. Not real sure if I need 4x4 or not.

 

[Ortimber]

If you plan on using a front loader, I would highly recommend a 4wd machine. Backing up in 2wd with even light loads on the front loader can hinder your efforts. 50+ Hp is a good choice.

 

[Rmart30]

Very nice looking property. If its mostly like that and no low areas that would be soft you could probably get away with a 2wd. That would be easier to find used around the price range you mentioned. I think if you added 5k to it, it would open up your options more. Ck craigslist and all the local sales papers. Also , dont overlook dealers used lots. I have seen a few nice deals come off of them.
Do people do much hay growing up that way? we have quite a few people down this way with larger fields that local hay cutters will "rent" or upkeep just for the hay off them. So that would be less for you to keep cut.

 

[EarPlug]

Why does the field need to be mowed? Look great the way it is.

Mowing and Wildlife

 

[Rmart30]

Why does the field need to be mowed? Look great the way it is.

Mowing and Wildlife

if it would stay that way , but stuff has a tendency to grow.

 

[cdb2]

If you plan on using a front loader, I would highly recommend a 4wd machine. Backing up in 2wd with even light loads on the front loader can hinder your efforts. 50+ Hp is a good choice.

I figure that we'll be using the loader one way or another for most of what we need to do.

 

[jeff9366]

Hi, I'm a new member seeking advice on a first tractor.

We recently bought a farm of about 90 acres with 60 acres in fields, the rest wooded.

I want to mow the fields a couple of times a year so we can stop contracting that job out.

I'm not sure what tractor would work best for the maintenance work we'll be doing most of the time but still be able to occasionally mow the fields. I'd prefer used and like to be under $15K, but would consider going a bit higher for a great deal on a new tractor with favorable financing.

Mowing is the most demanding tractor work you have specified. Plan your tractor purchase around mowing sixty acres.

Here is a mowing calculator. Plug in numbers until the calculated time you will spend mowing is acceptable. Inform us of the acceptable mowing time and we will recommend tractor and Rotary Cutter specifications that will allow you to mow within your acceptable time.

Consider if you want an open station or cab equipped tractor for mowing. Cabs on new tractors add about $7,000 to tractor cost, include heat and air conditioning.

Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour?

Fields are normally rough. Two cuts per year equates to grass 36" - 60" tall and slow mowing speed.

Heavier tractors are built on larger frames with larger wheels/tires. Heavier tractors with large diameter tires have more tractive power pulling ground contact implements, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires increase ground clearance, enabling a heavier tractor to bridge holes, ruts and downed tree limbs with less bucking and disturbance when passing over rough pasture and woodland.

A tractor weighing 4,000 pounds bare, with minimum 45-horsepower, can pull a 72" Rotary Cutter at 4 mph to 8 mph, depending on field condition and length of grass. A tractor weighing 4,000 pounds bare will have a Loader capable of lifting ~~1,800 to 2,200 pounds,~~ independent of horsepower.

Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new or used.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Almost every tractor is delivered with a glitch or two that requires correction. Dealer proximity is less important to those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform tractor maintenance. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment.


Here are examples of utilitarian, open station Kubota models around 4,000 pounds bare:
https://www.kubotausa.com/products/tractors/economy-utility

Earlier MX models are available used.



You should be able to find someone who will mow sixty acres for you on shares, taking the grass for hay.

 

[jeff9366]

Here are 22 previously owned tractors for sale near Richmond, Virginia:

Tractors | eBay



This $19,000 Deere 5400 seems suitable:
VERY CLEAN 1997 JOHN DEERE 54 4X4 UTILITY TRACTOR W/ LOADER 68HP DIESEL | eBay


John Deere 5400

1992 - 1997 5000 Utility Series
Utility tractor
Next model: John Deere 5410
Series next: John Deere 5500
Series back: John Deere 5300

Manufacturer: John Deere
Factory: Augusta, Georgia, USA


John Deere 5400 Engine:
John Deere 2.9L 3-cyl diesel
John Deere 5400 Power:
Engine: 68.4 hp [51.0 kW]
PTO (claimed): 60 hp [44.7 kW]
Drawbar (tested): 52.61 hp [39.2 kW]
PTO (tested): 62.56 hp [46.7 kW]

Capacity:
Fuel: 18 gal [68.1 L]

3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: I / II
Control: position control with top-link draft sensing
Rear lift (at 24"/610mm): 3,374 lbs [1530 kg]

Power Take-off (PTO):
Rear PTO: independent
Rear RPM: 540

Dimensions & Tires:
Wheelbase: 80.7 inches [204 cm]
Weight: 5118 to 8000 pounds
Front tire: 7.50-16
Rear tire: 16.9-30 (2WD)

John Deere 5400 attachments:
front-end loader

5400 Serial Numbers:
Location: On main right side of main tractor frame, near front axle.
1992: 130000
1993: 240000
1994: ------
1995: 440274
1996: 540001
1997: 640000

Mechanical:
Chassis: 4x2 2WD
4x4 MFWD 4WD (optional)
Differential lock: mechanical standard
Steering: hydrostatic power
Brakes: differential hydraulic wet disc
Cab: Two-post folding ROPS. Cab optional with air-conditioning.

Hydraulics:
Type: open center
Pressure: 2750 psi [189.6 bar]
Valves: 1 to 3
Pump flow: 11.4 gpm [43.1 lpm]
Total flow: 18.2 gpm [68.9 lpm]
Steering flow: 6.8 gpm [25.7 lpm]

Page information:
Last update: April 19, 2014
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Contact: Peter@TractorData.com