What do you think I need?

[coronelli]

Well I about ready to buy a tractor and I found this site while researching my proposed purchase. I'd love any advice your willing to give.

I own 50 acres about 45 minutes North of Austin. It's mildly hilly, with quite a bit of rock and a whole lot of cedars. I don't farm but I do quite a bit of wildlife food plot planting. What I am looking for is a machine to clear cedars (35 acres heavily grown), maintain 1 mile of dirt roads, plant 5-10 acres of food plots twice yearly and build/maintain a whole lot of berms. Earthwork is definitely a major requirement as is the cedar clearing. If the machine is strong enough (even if I have to clear slower) it can replace a lot of clearing costs and large machine rental time.

I use my fathers Kubota 3010 currently, but I need my own and I find is a bit small and underpowered. It's easy to drive with the HST but it just does not have the muscle for earthwork or cedar clearing.

My biggest question is how much tractor do I need. I was looking at 45 HP; 2wd which is almost double the Kubota. I like the 4wd of the Kubota but am not sure I need it.

I've looked around and I am zeroing in on Mahindra. They seem to have solid machines, good pricing and a dealer 4.5 miles from my place.

I was set on the 4500 model
2wd 42 HP(37@pto)
8 & reverse speed partial synchro
Constant PTO @ 540 RPM
Lift capacity 2500 pounds with a 15 CF bucket

Now I'm wondering if I should super size a bit and go for a larger 4wd model.

The 55004wd has
4wd 54HP (44 @ pto)
8 speed with shuttle shift
Independent PTO with 2 speeds
Lift capacity of 2800 pounds with an 18 CF bucket.

The main differences are:
2wd vs. 4wd
Regular shift versus shuttle shift
Continuous PTO vs. independent PTO
42 vs. 54HP
4900 pounds versus 6200 pound
2500 vs. 2800 lift capacity

What I do not know is how much difference these items make. Is 4wd really needed and is the shuttle shifter worth it. The 4500 is roughly $16,000 with bucket while the 5500 4wd model is roughly $21,500. I don't want to spend more money but I do not want to spend $16,000 and regret it either.

I'm sorry for the long post but I would appreciate any advice or recommendations. What I need is the voice of experience. Am I in the right size range and should I be looking at other models/makers? I can compare stats, but all of my time has been spent on smaller machines, so I don't know how big is big enough.

 

[BotaGuy]

I think 4wd is a must for any serious earth moving. A heavy 2wd does not equal a light 4wd.

 

[GerardC]

I agree with BotaGuy. I myself wouldn't get a tractor without 4 wheel drive. Better to have it and not use it than it is to need it and not have it. G

 

[Woodbeef]

One word if you are getting a loader.........SHUTTLE........Yes,without it you'll be cussing yourself for years!!

 

[Egon]

For your requirments are you sure the 45 HP machine will be large enough??

Four wheel drive and shuttle would almost be considered a necessity for the type of work described.

Egon

 

[Bird]

I agree with the other guys. I think you'll regret it if you don't go for the bigger tractor and 4WD.

 

[Glenn9643]

I agree that you probably need 4wd and shuttle shift. Sounds to me like you need a toothbar on your FEL bucket and dual rear remotes with top-n-tilt for boxblade work also.

 

[coronelli]

Well, these are the opinions I wanted to hear. All night I've been leaning towards the larger tractor. I just don't have that much experience at the work I'm trying to do. I had 6 acres of cleared land before and now I have 50 of rough land. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but it's quite a bit of work and something I'm not used to. My gut too tells me better safe then sorry and another $5,000 isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. You guys certainly like to help a newbie part with his money /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I'm going to go over and drive a 4500 4wd with shuttle to see how I like it. If I do I'll probably have them get me a 55004wd model. I thinking that the 54HP will be enough, the next jump up isn't a big change for the money.


Thanks for the opinions, considering everyone I've talked to has said go bigger I'd say it's a no brainer.

 

[carluman]

I talked with a Mahindra when I was looking for a tractor and he said that he though that the 4500 was a little underpowered for that size of tractor. I would say go for the 5500 4wd as well. If you want to keep the cost down and have a Branson/Century(now Zetor) dealer near I would say checkout the 45hp 4wd. From what you described I would ask the dealer if you could use the tractor for a couple hours doing the work you are talking about before buying (just to make sure what you get isn't to small).

Have a great one
Carl

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

Chorus: You only want to buy a tractor once. Buy it right the first time.

You asked should you look at other manufactures. Yes. (repeat chorus)

You asked if you need 4 wheel drive. If it has a FEL, YES. (repeat chorus)

You asked if you need the bigger tractor. Yes. (repeat chorus)

You asker if you need a shuttle shift. For clearing ceader and moving dirt, YES. (repeat chorus)

In conclusion, the lighter 2 wheel drive tractor will be stopped by a large ceader. The larger 4 wheel drive will push them into a pile. (repeat chorus)

 

[IrTxRx]

Coronelli,

I am in the same boat you are in (35 acres in the hill country of Texas, lots of cedar and slopes). I would also suggest you look at century and branson to save significant dollars over kubota. I would also suggest you take a look at the power-trac brand of tractors. Cost more than a century/branson/mahindra about the same as Kubota/NH/JD.

BTW - who is the mahindra dealer around Austin, the closest one to me on their dealer locator is about 90 miles away /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

Also, I don't own a tractor and haven't used one in 18 years, so any advice I could offer you is just slightly less than worthless /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Just wanted to let you know there are kindred spirits in your part of Texas /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Good luck

 

[coronelli]

Bill's tractors from San Antonio opened a branch here in Liberty Hill. It really is just 5 miles from my driveway. I could drive the bloody thing in for service. I like our Kubota but think they are a bit overpriced, as are the Deere's. Most of the other tractor dealers are down south, 35 miles away through the city /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif There are some in Georgetown but nothing I have seen I like. It doesn't hurt that Mahindra has 0% for 3 years either.

Where are you located in Central TX? I'm happy to get worthless advice, central Texans have to stick together /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I like your tune!

 

[coronelli]

Well it's done, I bought a Mahindra 5500 4wd today, it should arrive late tomorrow. I test drove the 6500 model (same frame, just a bigger engine) and it was heads and tails above the 4500. This thing is a bloody tank. I think the extra weight will really help in cedar clearing and dirt work. The bucket is powerful enough that it should allow me to do most of my own work.

The shuttle shifter is a huge plus , it makes everything easier and the 4wd always helps. The machine is suprisingly nimble for it's size and it was very easy to drive.

I just purchased it with a FEL and a 7' blade for now as I have access to most of the other impliments I need. I'll take lots of pictures when it comes in, don't worry /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks to everyone for there info and advice. I had done quite a bit of research but first hand experience is much more useful. I'll be around here now more often, trying to learn how to correctly use this monster. Wish me luck /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Mark4510]

Congratulations!
I might have missed it but if you have not already you might want to think about spending a bit more and get a toothbar.

Other than that keep up with the maintenance, have fun and be safe.

Oh....and like you said.....post pictures.
mark

 

[Egon]

Have fun with the new tractor.
Egon

 

[KiotiJohn]

congratulations Coronelli. That's a good tractor and will give you plenty of good seat time. I agree with Mark4510, you should get a toothbar for your bucket. You'll be amazed at how much more efficient your loader will work with one. They just bolt on and off when you need them. It will help with carrying loads and breaking up hard packed dirt as well. Woods has one under their skid steer attachments, EZtoothbar is another. I think there's one from Paynes that there have been some post about lately. I believe they're all in the same price range. John

 

[coronelli]

I will look into a toothbar. I assume if they bolt on you just have to drill mounting holes in teh bucket?

 

[KiotiJohn]

Yes, Coronelli, one on each end of the bucket is most common. You will drill 1/2", 3/4" or 1" holes depending on the maker. Mine has 3/4" grade 8 bolts. I got mine from Woods through my dealer. If you contact him, I'm sure he'll give you a good price, and have it shipped right to your door from Woods. Just tell him I sent you. www.bigtractorsupply.com measure the bucket inside just behind the cutting edge, and tell him if it has a bolt on cutting edge or if it's the welded type. Bolt on cutting edges require the heavy duty toothbar for the Woods product. John