Tractor recommendations for hobby farm

[reconmarine]

With apologies to all who have been here before and already addressed the question of which tractor is the "best" for a given application, I need help. I am a retired Marine (not yet a farmer) and have just built a house on 30 ac. in north Georgia. I need a tractor to maintain a gravel road about 1/2 mile long, cut a 2 acre bermuda lawn, bush hog around pastures (hay is cut and baled by others on halves) etc. Primary usage will be lawn cutting and road maintenance but I have lots of clearing of understory and scrub to do in the wooded areas as well. I also have a river bottom pasture that stays pretty wet so I think a 4WD is necessary in any event. I have looked at a 50 HP Kioti but there are also Ford, Kubota, MF and JD dealers nearby. I would appreciate any suggestions/recommendations anyone might offer me.

 

[DavidH]

I had the same questions you did when I was looking for a tractor. I have 45 acres, 2500' of road, and fields. I was looking for a 50 hp tractor. Then I found this compact tractor site. It changed my perspective completely and convinced me that smaller was better. I got a Kubota 3710 with HST and loader and that's more than enough tractor without being too big. It is also the biggest Kubota with a mid mount PTO which would be good for your 2 acres if you decided on a mid mount mower. With 4 WD the 3710 is about perfect for 25-50 acres. Semper Fi!!

 

[MChalkley]

I'd have to agree with DavidH. You'd be hard pressed to find a more capable machine for your needs than a Kubota L3710HST. You at least ought to check it, and the competitive offerings in approximately that size, at the local dealers. I don't think you need anything bigger, and you could make do with something smaller, but the L3710HST is probably just right, if you need mid-mount mower compatibility - otherwise, I'd also check out the L4310HST.

 

[jinman]

I think you'd be plenty happy with your 50 hp Kioti if there is a dealer nearby to give you service. You also might want to step down to the DK45 and put the money you save toward a front-end-loader (FEL). I can't imagine having a tractor on 30 acres and not have a loader to help with the endless number of chores you will have. The only drawback with the Kioti is they don't have hydrostatic transmissions, but that's just my own personal preference and you might actually prefer the 12 speed with shuttle shift. I'd recommend you look at the New Holland TC45 and TN50-65 also. I have used a round bale spear on my TC45 and it handled it with ease. I'm not sure any Kubota 30-35 hp range tractor would handle a heavy round bale as well, but the L4610 surely could. Also, check out the John Deere 4600-4700 tractors and the 5000 series. I'll let someone who knows more about Massey give you a suggested model to check out.

I think you are starting off in the right spot by looking at all models and what they have to offer. I always figure that a large tractor can do small jobs, but a small tractor can't do big jobs. Having said that, lawn cutting is not something a big tractor does very well. You may have to make some tradeoffs to get the right fit for all your jobs. Good luck in your search and keep us posted.

 

[cowboydoc]

I've got a JD 4600 and that would be perfect for your application. It does everything you've asked and more. I can even run my 338 square baler with it. I can haul 2000 pound round bales on the front and back and anything in between. Tractor is easy to operate and maintain and the JD specific implements like loader, backhoe, forks etc. are very easy to get on and off. I'd highly recommend it. You will be set for today and if you decide to do a little farming in the future. I have yet to have even one regret over mine.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I don't see anything in the advice you have received so far that I can disagree with. There are a fair number of compact and "small" ag tractors that will do what you need. Since I just bought a Power Trac 1845, however, I can't resist a recommendation that you at least glance at their line at
www.Power-Trac.com
For the mowing you have, you will find their front mounted mowers easier than 3-point or belly mowers. I have a fair amount of time on all three, and the front mounts are the best. There have been a number of threads about loaders. You'll want one. With the Power Trac, you only need to buy the bucket, since the frame and hydraulics are standard.
I'm currently biased, of course, but I can't think of a better machine than the Power Trac for your application, but they don't look like Daddy's ol' tractor. You can get up to 60HP, but 30 or 45 is probably more than adequate.

 

[frank_f15]

you most deffinetly, want 4wd and hst . u can not beleive the diff. hst makes. u can creep and keep rpms up and 4wd is a must. remember tho that sometines 2 big is not good. consider the weight of the machine, also the physical size, will it be to heavy for your grass cutting? will it be to large to get between trees? u know your needs best. check out ALL your options.

 

[Boondox]

Semper fi, brother!

I'll echo the weight concerns. 50hp comes at a price when your land is partly wet and muddy. I ride a Kubota L3010 that works well for me, but in your case I might seriously consider the B2910 (or equivalent Boomer, etc) because you'd get roughly the same HP in a lot less weight. (I need the weight of the larger tractor since much of what I do involves lifting and moving heavy loads.) This also makes the 2910 a better climber, though you didn't mention if your property was hilly.

Is there one dealer you feel better about? If so, give his products serious consideration.

Pete (former DevilDoc)
1st Bn, 9th Marines
3rd Bn, 2nd Marines

 

[forestcreature]

i have no advice on the hobby farming, but i wanted to put in a Thanks for your efforts while you were in the Corps.

i worked with several marines while i was in the usaf [i was one of those comm rats working with the corps to provide better usaf <-> marine communication].

you marines do it right, i learned a lot and was able to teach a few things too about sat com.

 

[John_Mc]

I'd have to agree with the others here who expressed the sentiment that 50 HP may be overkill. If your 2 acres of Bermuda is actually lawn and not pasture or meadow, then I'd figure you'd have some serious problems with compaction and/or tearing up the lawn (most people don't get too bent out of shape over torn up grass in a pasture).

Also, since you do not envision haying or baling with this tractor (if I read your post correctly) then I'd say a 50 HP sized tractor/frame is definitely overkill.

I've done all of what you described with a TC33D, with FEL, 6 ft box blade, and 5 ft brush mower. I don't have a back hoe yet... it's been hard to justify with my limited needs (not to mention a friend with access to a mini excavator). I had considered the larger TC40D, but the weight for finish mowing might be a problem (especially in damp/wet ground conditions). Also, the larger frame would be a problem on the trails I'm constructing through the woods.

IF you are not looking at doing the haying/baling with this unit I'd recommend checking out the following in the "Big Three's" lineups:

On the smaller end of the scale (safer on the lawn, but takes a bit longer for some jobs) look at: New Holland TC29 / TC33 ("D" model if you want HST), John Deere 4300 (I've not seen the new 4310, don't even know if they've been released yet), Kubota L3010 / L3410 (possibly also the 2710 or 2910 models)

If you want to step up a size (Faster at most jobs, able to use larger implements, dig deeper, etc., but more of a danger to your lawn) Look at NH TC40 / TC45, JD 4500 / 4600 / 4700, Kubota L3710 / L4310 / L4610

You can find machines of similar capabilities in other brands. They'd be worth looking at if you've got a dealer in your area.

I think you will be suprised at what these tractors will do, and my guess is they will easily handle your needs, unless you plan to eventually get into the farming-tyoe uses you mentioned (haying, baling) where the extra horsepower is needed.

John

 

[RJohnson]

You might also want to rent an appropriately equipped tractor for a week and try it out on your place. A lot of dealers will apply the rent to the purchase of a new tractor if you decide to buy from them. Then again if your rental didn't fit your needs you have not tied up a great deal of money and can go on to another option.

Randy

 

[gerard]

Lot of good advice. I'd say first determine the size you need (30-40 would do what you need) then start shopping the big three and comparing apples to apples. As said I'd consider a loader a must, HST preferable (even though I have the gear!!) and then consider the mid mount vs the 3 pt finish mower. Now about the mowing - if you want to use a tractor that big on finish grass I hope you have wide open space and not a lot of trees to go around. If you do go with the mid mount - much more maneuverable. Downside is not easy to take on/off, can interfere with going "off road" due to clearances, expensive. Even a 3 pt finish mower is going to run you around $1500 for a 5 footer. You might want to consider compact for your big things and a separate lawn tractor for the finish grass - I went that way and paid less for a 42 inch hydro 18hp lawn tractor brand new than a 3 pt finish mower would have run me and I have better maneuverability. (I mow about 1.25 acres of finish grass)

 

[Anonymous Poster]

These pages are designed to assist first time tractor shoppers.
http://carverequipment.com/tips.htm
http://carverequipment.com/kubota.htm
http://carverequipment.com/used_cool_seasons.htm

Have fun.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I would agree with the majority that 50HP is too large for mowing a lawn. I purchased a JD 4500 two years ago with a rear mount finish mower that runs and works great. There clearly is some problem with compaction in the yard and turning if not careful, however overall I can mow my six acres of yard in less than two hours.

I also tried the separate mower for yard, tractor for other work, which was OK except that the time difference in mowing six acres was too much.

The issue of mid-mount versus rear mount mower was also considered. the mounting issue ended that. Secondly I decided to purchase a 8' heavy duty finish mower which could double as a pasture mower provided I raised the deck and mowed the pasture every 4-6 weeks which I do. The 4500 has plently of power to run the 8' mower and still mow at a acceptable speed.

I have nearly 300 hours on this rig, no problems, fun to use and the envy of my neighbors.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Add me to the list of folks suggesting a Kubota L3710 HST. I use it with a loader and run the midmount mower. Without the midmount mower, I run a trencher, a sickle bar mower, a logging winch, and a shredder. I also use it to bale hay pulling a NH 311 baler.

I was looking specifically for a hydrostatic tractor with no more than 30 pto hp to run the trencher. The trenchers I've seen restrict input to 30hp and require a hydrostatic trans to get the super slow ground speed you need. With the hydrostatic trans you can run the engine fast enough to maintain pto rpms and still crawl at a snail's pace.

I've got a quick disconnect on the loader so I can switch over to forks. I've picked stuff that Kubota wouldn't be happy with weight wise. I can't say enough about the machine. It's been superb. Last summer I used it to winch a 2 1/2 ton IH dump truck up a hill to remove earth for a cistern.

I've got a Ford 5600 (60hp) MFWD and I still prefer using the Kubota unless I'm towing really heavy loads. After looking at the other brands and reading the posts here, I knew the Kubota was going to be a problem free tractor.
I'm too far from a dealer to buy a tractor that's going to be a hassle.

Acreage wise, I cut hay on about thirty acres and mow about five acres. The only beef I can think of is that the midmount mower is not exactly easy to hookup or remove. That's working on grass. If you have a paved area it'd be simpler.

 

[berryhillfarms]

Gentleman- your comments have some age on them but have been very helpful me-- I'm a city. Girl who bought some acreage with flat ground & significant grades to climb- I got suckered into a 18 hp IH that wasn't as solid as I was lead to believe and it really CANT pull a 5 ft b hog and cut tall grass. If I want to brush hog with a front end loader and easily climb would a NH 4WD with 30 or 40 hp be enough? I am not bailing this but could later if I got bale equip. Will use to brush hog, move stuff w loader, plow? Or push snow w blade. I don't want new as I want 0 electronics on tractor but want diesel - the boomer looked appealing but looking for tried and true feedback. I live in SW Missouri and might ck out dealer in Arkansas - I need to find a home for this tired 18 hp IH....learning a lot! Thanks for any help you can offer, Sue

 

[Creamer]

I pull a 5' bush hog with my Ford 1710 4WD through grass as tall as the tractor at about 3 mph. The 1710 is 28 engine hp. I wouldn't want anything smaller than that and would recommend slightly larger so I would say the 30 hp is the minimum for you if you want a 5' bush hog. In general I find this tractor to be about the right size for many things I do with the bush hogging and loader work being the hardest things I do.

 

[Baby Grand]

Welcome to TBN, Sue!
Thanks for resurrecting an old thread - some will criticize, but I'm always fascinated to see the roll call of names that have come & gone and those that have held the course and still contribute. The advice from "back in the day" is still good advice. Really, the big question that you need to address is do you expect to hay with this machine? If no, then look for at least 25 PTO HP at whatever engine HP it takes to deliver that 25 PTO HP. Many will insist on the HST, but you might try a synchro shuttle and see if that fits your style, too. Less PTO HP lost to transmission inefficiency being the offset to a little more operator work load. For the type of jobs you describe and the terrain you have, I'd listen to the advice about getting 4WD & an FEL. Good luck and let us know what you end up getting.

Oh - the gang loves tractor pictures (hint, hint). Especially good is old iron and pictures of tractors at work. Old iron at work is a bonus!

 

[Gafn]

I don't want new as I want 0 electronics on tractor but want diesel - the boomer looked appealing but looking for tried and true feedback. I live in SW Missouri and might ck out dealer in Arkansas - I need to find a home for this tired 18 hp IH....learning a lot! Thanks for any help you can offer, Sue

Wow - way to revive an old thread....

Zero electronics on a diesel tractor.... Yanmar fits that bill. Any particular reason why?
I mean tractor have had low oil pressure sensors for ages... Since about 2000 diesel injectors have been electronic, so you will need to specify that you want mechanical injectors. Tachometers have been electronic for many years as well...

Saying Zero electronics is a bit vague... what do you really mean to say? Are you wanting a diesel that has no emissions on it? Or do you truly want a 100% mechanical tractor?

 

[Ultradog MN]

If you want a tractor without electronics look around for an older one.
My Ford 3000 diesel doesn't even need a battery if you roll it down a hill to start it.
Put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on it and you're good to go.
Look for a clean, low houred Ford 3600 or 4600 diesel.
They are out there and about 1/3 the cost of of a new 40-50 hp machine.