Tractor Sizing TRACTOR WEIGHT as ONE (1) CRITERION in TRACTOR SELECTION

[LouNY]

Yep, or go crazy with an aluminum 427.

 

[MossRoad]

I have heard people say their tractor weighs too little or is too heavy. I can't recall anyone saying their tractor had too much horsepower in the 20+ years I've been reading this site.

 

[MossRoad]

Yep, or go crazy with an aluminum 427.

Yenko 427 Nova! Rarest of rare.

 

[IndyJay]

And if I had my choice of a 69 Nova I'd get a 396 over a 350.

Why not a Yenko 427?

Go big or stay home!

 

[MossRoad]

Why not a Yenko 427?

Go big or stay home!

See the above post.

 

[IndyJay]

See the above post.

Yep, saw that after I posted. They took away my "Delete" button.

 

[MossRoad]

35 tons pulling 44 bottom plow.

 

[MossRoad]

Yep, saw that after I posted. They took away my "Delete" button.

Gotta get special clearance.

 

[jeff9366]

etpm​

February 8, 2023​

Veteran Member​

I have about 10 acres with a bunch of trails made with a Struck mini dozer. My property is pretty hilly with lots of trees. My tractor is a Yanmar YM2310 and is an excellent machine. I have used it on my trails to remove wood using the FEL. Doing this it gets stuck often. Even though my tractor is an excellent machine it is not 4WD and this, along with too little weight in the rear, is why it it keeps getting stuck. Loading up the bucket makes the rear end light and so the tractor loses traction.

The tractor is set up now to be as wide as possible, which is 60 inches. Before setting it up this way it was about 10 inches narrower and felt tippy. At 5 feet wide it is much less tippy feeling. I am going to put liquid in the rear tires for extra traction.

My tractor is 42 years old and is still an excellent machine. Yanmar has a good reputation for making good tractors and I love mine. If I was buying a tractor today I would only consider one with 4WD. I just didn't know when I bought my tractor how useful 4WD is. I only paid $2500.00 for my tractor so I'm not complaining.

My tractor has 23 HP available at the PTO and this is plenty. If I was shopping for a tractor today with a $10,000 budget I would look for the heaviest 4WD tractor with an FEL I could find that is the approximate size as my YM2310. I wouldn't worry about the horsepower. I would also only consider tractors that have a reputation for being reliable and for which parts are available. My tractor size is considered a CUT, a Compact Utility Tractor. So it may help you in your search to tell folks you are looking for a tractor in the CUT size range.
Eric




Yanmar YM2310

Dimensions
Length:	113 inches 287 cm
Width:	50 inches 127 cm
Height:	73 inches 185 cm
2WD Weight:	1984 lbs 899 kg
4WD Weight:	2130 lbs 966 kg

Engine Detail
Yanmar 3T84H
diesel
3-cylinder
liquid-cooled
Displacement:	87.2 ci 1.4 L
Bore/Stroke:	3.31x3.39 inches 84 x 86 mm
Power:	22.7 hp 16.9 kW

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[jeff9366]

Tractors have a long life expectancy if not abused. If you spread out the additional cost of a heavier/wider tractor over 10 years, relative to a lighter, less capable, less robust tractor, you can get much more tractor for not that much more money if you are comfortable with the - - - - - - brand, dealer support and parts availability.