Tractor Sizing Tractor for ~ 100 acres

[motownbrowne]

I'm surprised that no one else has mentioned this yet, but for that many acres and that diversified of a task list, I think it would be a mistake to buy one tractor.

You mentioned baling hay, are you planning on pulling the rake with a 80-135 HP tractor??

I don't know the exact configuration that would be best, but I'd think something like a big grand l, or other brand equivalent (hst and enough weight to move bales, small enough to blow snow, etc not too much overkill for pulling a rake but big enough for some field work) AND something bigger for making round bales, pulling big implements, etc. Maybe a IH 1066, 1086, JD 4020, 4320, etc. I think you could get both of those for what a 135gx costs.

Again, I don't know the exact configuration that would be best, and there's plenty of combos that'd do the job, but with 2 tractors (or 3) you'll have more ttools at your disposal. Each will be better suited to different tasks, and you'll be really happy the first time you use one to get the other unstuck.

Personally, I'd never have less than 2 even for 20 acres, and I don't think I've ever been to a farm with only one tractor. You could probably get by with one, but you'll have to compromise quite a bit to make it versatile enough to do everything you want.

 

[C4Ranch]

Do you mean this one:

Skid Steer HD Hay Spear Attachment with Pallet Forks Capacity 4,000 lbs

How easy it to convert to one or another function? I guess no tools required. Do you like it? Not sure that I can get it here.

The forks slide right off and the hay spear has a single nut on the end. Using my battery powered ryobi impact wrench I can swap out in under 5 min.

I also have their 3pt spear. Same setup.

 

[flusher]

What size implements do you plan to use on your hayfields? This will size your tractor. For example, a neighbor hay farms about 150 acres (oats, wheat, forage mix). For primary tillage he uses a 15-ft wide offset disc and pulls it with a Steiger Super Wildcat.



He uses a smaller IH tractor in the 70-80 hp range for secondary tillage with a tandem disc and spike harrow combination. For planting he uses a 70 hp Kubota. He mows with a self-propelled swather with a 12-ft wide head. He pulls his NH baler (3-twine, 100-120 lb bales) with the Kubota.

Farming is his 2nd shift/weekend job so he uses large equipment to get the job done quickly. He paid about $9K for that Steiger.

Good luck

 

[motownbrowne]

Exactly, 9k for the steiger, probably 8-10 for the IH (if it's nice) and that leaves quite a bit for the 70 HP Kubota and implements. Another benefit to multiple tractors is that you don't need to buy them all at once.

 

[nwind]

Which 70 HP Kubota is?
7040 isn with cab?

 

[flusher]

Which 70 HP Kubota is?
7040 isn with cab?

Don't know. I'll see if I can find out.
Forgot to mention that my neighbor clears his field with nice pre-owned NH self-propelled bale stacker (I don't know which model).

 

[nwind]

Probably in my case and speaking about just one tractor new Kubota M8560 with FEL, loaded tires, etc. will be the best choice.
It's not crazy big and should be OK for all around work but heavy enough to safely perform other tasks and do most of the field work perhaps with smaller implements.
I was trying to find good low hours used tractor for the past two weeks and it's almost impossible. I can't go across half of country just to check one and nothing really appealing available locally.
All your feedback guys is really valuable and giving me good ideas.
Thanks

 

[TripleR]

We have an M8540 on our ~100 acre property, it replaced our Case CX80 and really like it, so an M8560 should work well. The ideal situation is two or three tractors, but $$$.

 

[bucktaker]

I have a L5740 and have fed a few round bales with it but I dont think it has the weight or traction to due much tillage work. Why not keep the little kubota for tasks it does well and get a large used cab tractor for the times the kubota isnt the right choice? Lots of large cabbed tractors all vendors on tractorhouse.
A mid 80's jd 4440 comes to mind

 

[nwind]

We have an M8540 on our ~100 acre property, it replaced our Case CX80 and really like it, so an M8560 should work well. The ideal situation is two or three tractors, but $$$.

That's right $$$ is always a consideration

 

[nwind]

I have a L5740 and have fed a few round bales with it but I dont think it has the weight or traction to due much tillage work. Why not keep the little kubota for tasks it does well and get a large used cab tractor for the times the kubota isnt the right choice? Lots of large cabbed tractors all vendors on tractorhouse.
A mid 80's jd 4440 comes to mind

This the reason why I'm inclined to M8560. It's heavy enough (if necessary with an extra weight) to do some serious stuff and not to gigantic to clean snow and do some yard work (I know compromises
I like my L3800 and it's very nice and almost new but this winter it was brutal without cab and heat (I guess we all still remember what was the last winter in NA
US used marked obviously has more choices than Canada one but it's easier to have a local deal than fly half continent to just see a used machine. Plus extra delivery and border paperwork is another hassle.

 

[nwind]

I guess my choices are narrowed down to:

New M8560 (fender kit, cab, 12 speed, radio, AC, front/rear wiper, rear defrost + M36 self-leveling loader)
or
One year old still on warranty with just 86hrs
M9960 (cab, 12 speed, radio, AC, front/rear wiper, rear defrost + M46 self-leveling loader, 3rd function, soft drive and 2 sets of tires (AG cast centers & turf + weight))

 

[johndeerelover4230]

If you want a bigger tractor, I suggest getting a John Deere 4230. We do almost all of the haying things with it except the 4020 has the bale sphere and pulls the transport wagon. It has good horsepower and most of the time great soundguard caps with A/C and all of that. The going average auction price is about $12,500 bucks. That is just my 2 cents.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Boy, I'd jump on a used 2012 5083E cab on if I had to get an inexpensive utility gear tractor. They were selling with low hours below 40K with a loader earlier in the year.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/list.aspx?ETID=1&catid=1110&Manu=JOHN+DEERE&Mdltxt=5083E&mdlx=exact

 

[wmonroe]

I guess my choices are narrowed down to: New M8560 (fender kit, cab, 12 speed, radio, AC, front/rear wiper, rear defrost + M36 self-leveling loader) or One year old still on warranty with just 86hrs M9960 (cab, 12 speed, radio, AC, front/rear wiper, rear defrost + M46 self-leveling loader, 3rd function, soft drive and 2 sets of tires (AG cast centers & turf + weight))

From those two choices I would go with the 9960, more hp, bigger loader, 3rd function. What is soft drive? Do you want the turf tires?

 

[TripleR]

I would go with the M9960 also. You'll never need the extra HP, but the third function is really nice as is a more powerful loader and extra tires/centers. We wanted cast centers, but couldn't wait six weeks for delivery. To get full benefit from the FEL, you really need some weight on the back, we filled our tires and put a box scraper with added weight on the back.

 

[nwind]

This particular M9960 is my preferable choice too.
I should get it to try next week.

Soft drive is one of the loader options:

Products: M Loaders Kubota Canada Ltd.

See M35 loader

" SoftDrive-

When it comes to your comfort, there may be no limits. You can稚 see it, but you notice it. Cleverly located inside the cross tube, the new SoftDrive reduces stress, both on the loader and subframe as well as the tractor and driver. Above all, however, you lose neither valuable loads nor your concentration when at work. SoftDrive`s location provides full protection and is out of sightlines to prevent impaired visibility."

 

[TripleR]

I think you will like the KSR, not a big problem without, but if we could have waited we would have had it added along with air ride and the easy hydraulic hose hookups.

 

[nwind]

Guy decide not to sell his M9960 now (maybe in a month so I'm back to square one

 

[nwind]

Since I can't get tractor which I was about to buy (one year old kubota M9960 w. FEL) because owner in the last moment decide to keep it I would appreciate your opinion with some possible options and they real value for the new one which most likely I'm going to get.

I went to another dealership looking for used one and they offered me more attractive prices for new machines than my previous quote. Either M8560 or M9960 (Price difference is ~ $6000).

Thread is here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...314617-some-tractors-options.html#post3800607