Tractor newbie

[charles dare]

Hello,
I'm new to the world of tractors and have joined to find out what kind of tractor I should buy to run a 4-foot brush hog. Horsepower? Type of transmission/ pto speed and h.p., etc.

My S.W. Washington 'farm' is TINY.....2 acres, and about 1/3 in trees. I have blackberry cane I want to clear, and some weeds. The ground is mostly clay and VERY wet, at least usually, in winter. There are some pretty interesting tractors on Craigs List locally but I haven't the 1st clue where to start. Can anyone out there help. I can't afford anything new right now.

I'm listed as having an AC tractor but I'm not even sure that's the brand........anyway the engine locked up some time ago for some unknown reason. Does anyone need parts for an unknown tractor???

Thanks,

Charles

Charles

 

[Papasmirf]

My first suggestion would be go to several dealerships on a day off and spend time with tractors of approximately 25 - 28 hp. Slot of people like hydrostatic transmissions. I prefer standard ones. A front end loader and four wheel drive are mandatory for me. I've had tractors of 8N fords to 90 hp. I now have owned since 2007 a NH TC30 tractor and it's one of the best I've ever owned. Just get out there and talk to the dealers and test their equipment. You will soon figure out what's best for you. Good luck and any questions ... Just ask.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[charles dare]

Thanks Papa

 

[mguitas]

:welcome:

 

[Papasmirf]

I'd like to add several items to watch out for.
1) a tractor and related equipment are not toys for kids to play on. I have been on tractors since I was a very small boy and safety was always taught and safety came first. Period
2) the better you maintain your equipment the better it will perform and the longer it will last. If you will just follow the manufacturer's recommendations then they will work for you.
3) if you are uncomfortable or feel frightened then don't do it. I know your a big tough guy, but your family doesn't need you dead and your fears are trying to tell you something.
4) learn the correct way to operate your tractor and equipment. It is NOT a car or truck and does not operate the same or do the same jobs.
5) ask all the request ions you have whenever you have them. Only an unasked question is a stupid question.
6) thru 400) safety safety safety or a tractor and equipment will KILL you. Period.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site... and try tractordata.com to assist in determining the model of your (possible) AC.

Good luck.

 

[Gary Fowler]

A 4 foot bush hog can be easily pulled with a tractor like a JD 750 as far as PTO HP goes. Traction may be another issue and may require 4 WD especially in wet conditions. The first tractor we had was a JD 750 (19HP)with turf tires. It powered a 4 foot BH in weeds so high you couldn't see the tractor most of the time, but with 2 WD and turf tires, it would get stuck on wet grass on even a small slope so we did have to man up later with a 4 WD tractor to get to the sloughs feed by spring flow. I never thought I would need a 4 WD but after owning 3 of my own and one for BIL, I wouldn't have anything else, especially if it has a FEL on it.
For your 2 acres and 4 foot hog, you wont need much over 20-25 HP tractor with FEL to do all you need to do.

 

[jeff9366]

My first suggestion would be go to several dealerships on a day off and spend time with tractors of approximately 25 - 28 hp. Slot of people like hydrostatic transmissions. I prefer standard ones. A front end loader and four wheel drive are mandatory for me.

Probably the two most controversial operating issues on T-B-N are tractor transmissions and filling, or not filling, rear tires.

I like an Hydrostatic Transmission for operating a Rotary Cutter / Bush Hog. Operating requires a lot of forward and back, which is most easily accomplished by rocking an HST direction pedal. Also, when cutting through jungle, fact that HST develops highest torque at low throttle can be a significant advantage. HST is the easiest tractor transmission to "learn".

An FEL is useful to "probe" before your tractor in jungle so neither tractor nor implement encounter a "surprise". About the worst surprise for a Rotary Cutteer is barbed wire hiding on the ground. Rocks, car parts, discarded tools and construction debris are other surprises.

I am another who started with a Deere/Yanmar 750. I am operating tractor #3 now.