What tractor should I buy?

[scrimshaw33]

I have a 100 acre farm in NC. I'm not set on a JD but have been told by everyone I know to go with JD b/c they have had them for decades and with maintenance have had no problems.

80 acres of my property are wooded which I won't really be doing much work with.

20 acres are tillable which I planted in corn this year. Each and every year I'll probably plant some crop (either corn or soybeans) solely for deer hunting. I will slowly bushog the corn or soybeans during the hunting season.

Other than that, I will be using the tractor to maintain my gravel drive way (about 1/2 mile long), move brush and cut timber (plan on getting a FEL and 4WD by the way).

My question, which I have been debating for some time, is whether I can get by with a JD 4510 (39 engine hp, 35 PTO hp) or do I need to go to a 50 hp+ tractor?

I found a JD 4510 with 1500 hours for around $16,000 locally with a FEL and 4WD. If I go with a 50 hp tractor from what I've seen I'd have to spend more which if I have to I will but would rather not. Will the 39 hp be suitable for what I'm doing or do I need more hp?

 

[beenthere]

I think you can easily get by with a 39 hp tractor, and even less.

But can't make that decision for you.

 

[AKfish]

If I understand correctly.. every year you'll be working the ground on 20 acres of cropland that was planted with corn, soybeans, etc.

After the ground has been plowed, disced and ready to plant your gonna plant the 20 acres with a row-crop planter...

And you'll apply fertilizer and a herbicide treatment?

Instead of harvesting the crop you plan to "mulch it" with a bush hog mower for a hunting area.

And you want to do that with a 4510? Do you have a plow or a disc harrow? A cultivator? Sprayer? Planter? Bush hog mower?

Or you plan to hire out the work I just outlined?

Depending upon the answers you provide... the recommendation of a 4510 vs a 50hp tractor could be yes or it could be no.

AKfish

 

[whitedogone]

You need to know the size of your implements you'll be using. And the processes you'll be doing. How much mowing will you be doing? It could be you spend most of your seat time doing that. You might want to get into something that will handle a larger bush hog. Also, I wouldn't want to plant 20 ac with anything less than a 4 row planter. Although it can do it, that's a load for that tractor. You should be able to find a better deal than $16000 on a 1500 hr 40hp tractor.

 

[scrimshaw33]

Thanks for the info!

I'll be bushogging the 20 acres but will have those planted by someone else who has a large (30 ft?) planter. It took him like 5 or 6 hours to drill all 20 acres this year in corn. I also will hire out the spraying of herbicide treatments and fertilizer from a local coop like I did this year, each year.

So the only things I'll be doing is bushogging the 20 acres, "mulching it", maintaining the property (moving trees and brush, planting smaller 5 acres worth of food plots).

I am planning on getting a bushog, box blade and was going to get a Woods or Landspride rotary tiller instead of a disk and plow. Any recommendations on the size of implements I should get? I guess I was thinking of 6 foot implements. Thanks for the help.

 

[foggy1111]

I saw the post regarding the size tractor you want / need over on the QDMA site. Over there.....the folks kept telling you to go bigger and bigger. Of course they aint payiing the tractor bill either. :laughing: Also, those bigger implements are going to cost more too.

As said above......the first thing to consider is how big of implements do you need to operate?? If you can be happy with a five foot tiller and a five foot rotary cutter then a 25+ pto hp tractor is likely adequate to power em. Six foot stuff is going to take a heavier tractor and 30+ pto hp.

For me and my heavily wooded property I find a small tractor and five foot implements fills my bill and is more maneuverable in the trees....but I only till a few acres and do mostly trail maintenance.

 

[RoyJackson]

I saw the post regarding the size tractor you want / need over on the QDMA site. Over there.....the folks kept telling you to go bigger and bigger. Of course they aint payiing the tractor bill either.

As said above......the first thing to consider is how big of implements do you need to operate??

Yep, some folks sure like to spend other people's money!

As an addendum to Foggy's question about the size of the implement, how quickly do you need to do the work? If a "gentleman" farmer, I doubt you're in any rush. Your tasks sounds like you're setting up a hunting camp (mulching the crop, rather then harvesting).

Also, since you're hiring out the planting and spraying, you may want to consider hiring out the hogging too (since you're not going to harvest). The farmers doing the other work probably have a cutter that's big enough to knock out the hogging in a day or so (or less).

That would put you on a larger CUT rather then a full sized utility or farm tractor.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Rent a 45-55 hp machine for a weekend. Guaranteed it will make up your mind. I wouldn't be without mine. There is no substitute for HP when you need it. They sip fuel and work in tight spots with ease. For me NH worked out the best with your similar circumstances.

 

[Thomas]

If you don't mind taking extra pass or two..mowing,fel work etc. 39hp,maybe in future extra wooded land might have plans 50hp,and of coarse funds at hand..go w/gut feeling.

 

[scrimshaw33]

Thanks for all the help, hard to know what to get without having used one. Great idea in renting one. Wallet likes the idea of a 35-39 engine hp (35 pto), but if money weren't an issue I'd probably go with a 50+ hp compact.

 

[whitedogone]

I dought you need all 20 ac of standing corn/beans left to draw deer in season. I'd cash rent 15 of the 20 (for real low rent: maybe even free). And have them plant 20 and leave 5 standing close to the edges. BTW, you don't have or want to mow the corn down. Get a smaller tractor and do food plots in the tight places. You might want to have a dozer cut trails in your timber and also clear a 2-5 ac clearing in the middle of the timber for a plot. Then you'll have a smaller rig to maintain them. And you'll be money ahead. WDO

 

[scrimshaw33]

You're saying leave the corn standing? I paid to have it all planted so it's all mine. I went the rent out/lease route last year with soybeans and it just didn't work out really well for me with farmers coming in and out and harvesting during hunting season, etc. so I'm doing it all for the deer. I was told to bushog in strips as the season progressed but if you have any other tips let me know--my first year hunting corn and I know you Illinois hunters have a lot of it! What the deer don't eat by Feb or March I'll have harvested if it's still good.

 

[whitedogone]

Sounds like you're set for this year. My way of thinking was to keep you from having to work that 20 acres all the time. If you get a rig to work that; then it will be too big for a close quarters plot rig. I'd still try to work it out with the RIGHT farmer to have him work/plant/and pick that 20 while still leaving you plenty of plot (along with the small plots you do). If you would let him have it dirt cheap (or free) and work it out that he only picks and such during the midlle of the day during the week when no one is hunting. I can't imagine it would be a big deal. Heck, we can pick 15 acres in less than an hour. It will save you a BUNCH of work, time, and $$ on a bigger tractor.

 

[peter_vii]

If you want to be independent, buy a 65+HP tractor, this will let you plow, disc, cultivate, plant, harvest anything you like, maintain the driveway, haul the wood, work with a real BH etc. If you get lots of snow in your area, don't get anything less than 50HP. If your land has really wet spots in the spring, get 4WD to pull yourself out of trouble.

 

[scrimshaw33]

I'm looking b/t a Kubota MX5100 and a JD 5055 E each with FELs.

Any thoughts on what sort of deals I might get on a 5055E with FEL? Any other "must haves" on a 5055E I should get if getting made new?

 

[AKfish]

Did you get the "auction" tractor? Or are you still considering a new tractor? If you're gonna go with a new machine;

Here's what I'd want on a new 5055E -

The bigger tires - R1's. Also the axle extensions. I know you've got woods and trails - but wider is more stable and the bigger footprint will help with fieldwork.

Extendable draft links. Makes hooking up heavier 3pt attachments a little easier on the back..

Extra work light and the horn kit, too. Better to see and be seen and get that buck's attention when you honk at 'em! I use my horn quite a bit to get my less than attentive son to "pay attention"!

I'm a canopy lover! Get the canopy. I crawl thru woods and around trees all the time. And every now and again, I crawl up on the rear tires and pull branches off and sweep the leaves, etc. off with a broom, too!

But, I like having that stuff on the roof instead of in my lap!! Or down the back of my shirt!

Makes working outside on those days when it's not really raining - but it's a nice steady drizzle - much more bearable, too!

Get the right hand step and rail, too. I don't have one on my 110TLB and it's a PITA. I'm always going left and right off the tractor and I have to step on the front tire (slippery) or the loader, etc. Aggravating...

Rear wheel weights or have the tires filled. There's a never ending debate over what's better... but, no one argues that having added weight on the tractor is a bad idea!!

Best of luck with your decision.

AKfish

 

[RoyJackson]

Did you get the "auction" tractor? Or are you still considering a new tractor? If you're gonna go with a new machine...

Great post, AK!!

 

[scrimshaw33]

Thanks for the info. AK. I didn't get the auction tractor. They actually ended up selling presale and then replaced it with another small tractor, although it was 45 hp I wanted the 50 and above at least.