What do I need for mowing and plowing?

[wingshot]

My situation: I live in the Middle Tennessee area.

I have 5 acres that I mow. The land is mostly flat with some slight inclines. So, I need to pull a finish mower.

I need to plow a garden that's maybe 200 feet long by 100 feet wide. I'm thinking a 2 or 3 bottom plow?

I need a front end loader for hauling landscaping material on occasion and odd jobs.

I'm leaning toward Kubota L3901 or L4600 or L4701 (whatever the difference is between the 4600 and the 4701).

In other words, I'm thinking a 38-46 horsepower tractor will pull that plow? Some tractors have a hydrostatic transmission option? Is this just something else that can go wrong down the road or is it worth getting?

Any opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
josh

 

[texas42]

I'll offer a few suggestions - sounds like your main use is mowing, so a tractor that would handle a 60 to 72 inch mower would be a starting point. Your plowing work is a small once or twice a year project that is secondary. Not knowing your soil type/conditions have you considered a tiller for the tractor. Would get a garden ready to plant much faster than plowing, disking etc.
Then consider your FELD needs as to size of tractor.
With mowing being primary and if your FELD needs are not heavy, a 25 horsepower machine may be adequate.
Don't be afraid of hydrostatic transmissions, as the modern ones are pretty bulletproof.

 

[jeff9366]

Moldboard Plows are increasingly hard to find and very hard to find 'wear' parts for.

Some parts of Tennessee have a lot of rocks in the soil.

Consider a Disc Plow, which is NOT a Disc Harrow:

Agriculture TDP Disc Plows - Monroe Tufline


Front End Loaders (FEL) are the most popular of tractor option. As you have a garden you will surely want an FEL and R4/Industrial tires.



"HST vs Gear" is one of the most common questions here.

There are over 11,000 threads on this topic in the T-B-N archive. Read away:

https://www.google.com/search?clien...tractorbynet.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gws_rd=ssl

 

[the old grind]

The 20hp/bottom rule of thumb stands up pretty well, tho' cutting depth, soil type, and whether breaking new ground (pasture to garden) often skews the numbers. IMO in loose-enough soils a disc may do all that's required seasonally, once the garden is in. Even two bottoms may be 'pushing it' with any but the >2.0L if breaking existing sod.

Mowing frequency will bear upon how many hp per foot of deck width you'll need, but keep soil makeup (seasonally soft?) and tire footprint (R4 or turf vs R1 in mind) when you consider o'all weight. I'd too would focus on the mowing, with plowing done so much less often. You might want to have a specific width mower in mind ($$ too) as a starting point. IMO Kubota stands tall for such tasks due to its high hp/weight ratio, tops if mowing will account for a majority of seat time. L3901 should have enough grunt for a 6' FM or 5' BH once a routine is established. (always pay attention to what rpm 540 pto speeds will be reached, as these demand all of that for mowing/BH-ing, if you'd 'be there' a lot)

Don't fear the 'hp loss' of HST for general work. Selecting a lower range will have most 4WDs spinning tires from time to time anyway, and High range is for traveling unloaded. Bigger usually means thirstier, with fuel use between 1.8L and 2.4L perhaps varying quite a bit, tho' as with trucks or boats how hard you work the engine can matter as much as displacement. (see above par.) Loaders are sized to git er done and keep you out of trouble, so what's offered by the mfr/dealer will be spot-on.

Don't forget to post pics when you get 'er home. (To start a real p__ing contest, add 'cab or not' to the question. )

 

[Soundguy]

i'd go 2 bottom plow unless i had near 50 hp....

 

[newbury]

If you are mowing 5 acres think of getting a ZTR and hire out the plowing.
I've 2 properties down in northeast Mississippi that I mow, and during the season they need to be mowed AT LEAST every two weeks.

 

[oldballs]

It sounds like you need the biggest "B" or the smallest "L" for your chores. I'd forget that 2-3 bottom plow, unless you might plan on expanding garden quite a bit. Based on the rear finish mower size the "L" could be the best choice. I use a single 12 inch mold board plow on my 50-100 ft garden and it doesn't take that long to get'er done. My 50 inch tiller is the real time saver. I use the Kubota brand since it's the only one I'm familiar with.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[bigbull338]

the new mx5200 4x4 fel will fit your needs to a T.itll pull 2 bottom plow with ease.and do everything you want.but id consider a 3pt 5ft tiller for your garden.

 

[TSO]

I agree that for just 5 acres, with mostly mowing and misc chores, you definitely don't need 40+ HP. Something around 25-35 would be more than adequate.

If you have an LS dealer near you, check out a G3033/3038. Excellent machine for the price. Or the xr3032 would have more features.

However, even those might be overkill for your situation.

Also keep in mind, tractors are much much heavier than dedicated mowers, and will rut your lawn much more than any mower.

Another good option that someone mentioned, get a ZTR (zero turn) mower, something around 52" would be good for 5 acres & under, and will mow circles around a tractor-mower. Seriously. No comparison. You can get a nice commercial grade ZTR for around $5-6k, then get a small tractor to suit your needs.

Oh and get HST ... Only reason to have a gear transmission anymore is if you are doing constant heavy ground engaging work like plowing big fields.

Good luck

 

[Daver1963]

For what its worth, I'm in West Tennessee and have about the same sized area both mowing and garden. I've got an L2800 (30hp) and mow with a 6ft finish mower. For the garden I have a two bottom (12") Ferguson plow and a 48" tiller. I have R4 tires and the tractor pulls the plow pretty good unless its wet. I also run a 5ft bush hog.