Tractor Sizing Tractor size advice needed

/ Tractor size advice needed #1  

jb15426

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I'm new to tractors so I need some good advice on tractor size. I need a tractor for digging post holes, brush hog for mowing & clearing, lifting or moving round bales, rototiller for garden, and plow snow. Thanks in advance.

JohnB
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #2  
30hp is a good all around size.
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #3  
Depends on the size and weight of the round bales. Heavier tractor is probably safer for round bales. HP and weight do not always go together.
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #4  
Welcome, John. Essentially all of the modern 4x4 compact tractors will happily do your most of your work, but there's a tradeoff involving how much time you want to spend mowing, clearing snow, etc., that you need to figure out. If you only have 2 or 3 acres, even the smaller machines should have you well covered. More acres means more and larger chores, of course, so your equipment budget will need to increase.

Moving your round bales is one chore you mention that complicates your decision. You'll need a tractor large and heavy enough to handle the job safely, and how much tractor you need will depend on whether you're just moving the bales about using a rear 3 point attachment or, alternately, you'll need to use a tractor mounted front-end loader (FEL) to lift the bales to/from stacks, trailers, etc. Round bales come in different sizes, generally from 600 lbs to 1500 lbs. It takes a serious tractor to safely lift and stack a 1500 lb bale with the FEL.

When evaluating tractors, you can't just go by horsepower alone; you have to consider the dimensions and weight of the tractor also to assess its capability.

You'll probably get more specific comments if you can provide more details about your plans.
 
/ Tractor size advice needed
  • Thread Starter
#5  
The home we're buying is on 20 acres with about 10 ac in pasture. I need to fence/cross fence the pastures. If round bales are too much to handle I can always stack square bales for winter I guess. Our driveway may be 200 feet long.
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #6  
A mid-30 horsepower large frame compact would be a decent benchmark as you begin looking at equipment for that acreage. That size tractor would readily move round bales on the back, for example. If your bank account can handle it, having equipment that is somewhat larger would give you a margin for unexpected situations. OTOH, using small square bales would allow you to go smaller, realizing chores such as mowing and snow removal would take longer.
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #7  
Get a tractor that is big enough for the work you need it to do changing your plan say to square bales instead of round bales. I would stay with original plan and buy a larger stronger tractor it's a big purchase you don't want to get a lesser unit and be unhappy with it. do it right the first time. good luck
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #8  
If you restrict your round bale moving to the 3 point hitch, a 3,000 lb tractor should do what you need. Hydro trans., loader and 4 wheel drive are very nice.You won't believe how much you will use your loader. I would not be that concerned with HP. More is better, but around 30hp should be enough.
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #9  
look at your future plans too. also consider something that could accommodate expanded workloads for the future. it's amazing just how much choice is out there in kubota alone along these lines. some would rather spend extra on the grand L series...from my own pt of view, i'd rather spend it on extra hp/fel capacity but without going too big. the 40-50 hp L series hst, or even the MX would be my personal candidate in this situation. best of luck, smart to post in this forum, members are never lacking in their opinions :stirthepot:
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #10  
I'm new to tractors so I need some good advice on tractor size. I need a tractor for digging post holes, brush hog for mowing & clearing, lifting or moving round bales, rototiller for garden, and plow snow. Thanks in advance.

JohnB
Does it have to be a tractor?

Here is a machine that costs more than tractors its size, but will do more and is great for plowing or blowing snow.

It has independent suspension, 4 wheel steer, 4 wheel drive, cab with heat, air conditioning and a passenger seat. It is 5' wide, Skid Steer Quick Attach (SSQA), 3 point and PTO.

The 7' brush hog.
PA270001.JPG PA270002.JPG PC190005.JPG P9250008.JPG

My wife setting out a 5x6 round bale and it will carry one on the back also.
P1060002.JPG P1060001.JPG P5240031.JPG P5240035.JPG

The 6' wide, one cubic yard bucket.
P7280001.JPG P7080023.JPG P5210003.JPG P5210001.JPG

It has a receiver mounted drawbar, rated to tow 4,000 pounds.

I have used my neighbors post hole digger on the PTO, but didn't take any pictures.of it.

If you need down pressure, you can use a hydraulic post hole digger on the front.

More info and pictures here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/toolcat/270965-toolcat-5610-series-f-pictures.html?highlight=
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #11  
Okay Faxman how much???
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #12  
I have learned that you should get the biggest toy....er tractor.... that will fit in your parking spot and go through your gates. It does not hurt to have excess capacity or lift power, but it really suxs to fall even a little short.

I have a 37hp Kubota and it does everything I need, but I have found a few tasks that could have been easier with more loader lift capacity (trees and logs to be pushed around). I was able to push and pull just fine, but could not carry a few things.
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #13  
Okay Faxman how much???
Copied from the price quote from Bobcat.

Product Quotation
Quotation Number: 9089D010053
Date: 2012-12-05 10:38:48

Factory Installed 29 x 10.5, 8 PR Trac Tires M1003-R05-C04 1 $250.00

Description Part No Qty. Price Ea. Total
ToolCat 5610 F-Series M1003 1 $59,040.00

Total of Items Quoted $59,290.00
Discount Winter Savings Discount ($2,913.00)
Discount In Lieu of Finance Attachment Rebate ($1,000.00)
Sales total before Taxes and Trades $55,377.00
Taxes: Exempt $0.00
Quote Total - US dollars $55,377.00

How much does a tractor with 4x4, cabbed with heat and air, that will lift 3,000 pounds at the FEL pins, cost?

Sure am glad that my wife bought the Toolcat to help with the pasture mowing! :D



 
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/ Tractor size advice needed #14  
Get a tractor that is big enough for the work you need it to do changing your plan say to square bales instead of round bales. I would stay with original plan and buy a larger stronger tractor it's a big purchase you don't want to get a lesser unit and be unhappy with it. do it right the first time. good luck

:thumbsup: i agree -if you want to be able to move round bales , get a tractor with loader that will do the job.
We move round bales with both tractors loaders, even the old 40 hp 2 wheel drive tractors like the 3000 ford will move 1100lbs. bales and lift them to full height if necessary. Mahindra, Kioti, and LS have models (before going to a utility sized machine) CUTs that can handle mid sized round bales.

I also agree with some others that when moving heavy objects with the loader- tractor weight is your friend- there are new CUTs that will do the job.

Starting with a utility sized machine can also be a very good way to go , sometimes the prices are close for a slightly used full size machine, some of these new scuts and cuts are sold at a premium. jmo

Good Luck in your search
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #15  
I'm new to tractors so I need some good advice on tractor size. I need a tractor for digging post holes, brush hog for mowing & clearing, lifting or moving round bales, rototiller for garden, and plow snow. Thanks in advance.

JohnB

How may acres?
What's your budget?
New or used tractor?
If used, will you do the maintenance yourself or at the dealer's shop?
 
/ Tractor size advice needed
  • Thread Starter
#16  
How may acres?
What's your budget?
New or used tractor?
If used, will you do the maintenance yourself or at the dealer's shop?

We have 20 acres with about 10 acres in pasture. Based on advice from others I think I'll go for a low hours used tractor a bit bigger than I think I need. I'll do what maintenance I can because of convenience. I do have one more question. How much better are post hole diggers with a slip clutch instead of shear pins?

JohnB
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #17  
Something like a JD 2240, 2150, or 2155 would fit your needs perfect. $8 to $11K with a front end loader and you could sell for what you paid for it.
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #18  
I have learned that you should get the biggest toy....er tractor.... that will fit in your parking spot and go through your gates. It does not hurt to have excess capacity or lift power, but it really suxs to fall even a little short.

10418352_10203177481337394_4190415185555105571_n.jpg
 
/ Tractor size advice needed
  • Thread Starter
#19  

I stopped by the local Kubota dealer and got the following quote:
2014 L3901HST, Land Pride PD25 post hole digger 9", Armstrong RB2000i Hay spear, Armstrong RTA6 blade,Land Pride RCR1260 5' mower for $23,490, minus $1000 if I pay cash. We were talking about a front loader but I don't see it in the quote so I have to assume it's not there. A TWF 20 ft trailer is $2500.

Opinions?

JohnB
 
/ Tractor size advice needed #20  
Get the front loader with the tractor purchase. The post hole,hay spear, and blade are better bought used . The scuffed up paint is usually the only difference between new and used. If the mower is not beat up it too is a good buy used. The lobster red from Walmart will make your used look new. Thank you who posted about the paint.
 

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