Where to start?

[jeff9366]

Thank you, you've made some great points! Is there a weight minimum that you recommend?

MX = 3,700 pounds bare tractor. 'M' begins at 5,000 pounds bare tractor.

Two 3,700 - 4,000 pound bare weight tractors. One economy model, one deluxe model.

 

[wyogal57]

As far as dealers go we have the following brands within an hour of us.

• Kubota
• LS
• TYM
• KIOTI
• Massey Ferguson
• John Deere

I know that a lot depends on the dealer and their willingness to help, but should I stay away from any of these brands? Thanks again for all the help y'all, I'm definitely feeling like I have a better idea of where to start with everything.

 

[oosik]

You need a knowledgeable, trusted friend. Somebody that understands what your plans are. That can help you get exactly what you need. I would suggest 4500 to 5500 pounds - bare tractor weight. This will be in the 55 to 70 hp range. A cab, fluid loaded rear tires( Rim Guard, RV antifreeze or windshield washer fluid ), 4WD, front end loader, large, heavy duty rear blade.

 

[jeff9366]

As far as dealers go we have the following brands within an hour of us.

• Kubota
• LS
• TYM
• KIOTI
• Massey Ferguson
• John Deere

I know that a lot depends on the dealer and their willingness to help, but should I stay away from any of these brands? Thanks again for all the help y'all, I'm definitely feeling like I have a better idea of where to start with everything.

Start with the nearest dealer and work out.

Transporting a tractor for service is expensive and inconvenient, whether you trailer it or the dealer trailers it.


CREDIT: 'FELIXEDO'

"It has been touched on a couple of times, but not directly as a buying factor.

Every major make has a machine that will do the job(s) you want. Check out your nearby dealers, and go with one you have confidence in.

A great machine with no support nearby is a hassle to repair and maintain.

And a good machine can't make a lousy dealer into a good dealer."

 

[jeff9366]

Tractors are versatile.

You will find far more applications for a tractor after it is on your property than you considered while shopping.

TRACTOR IMPLEMENTS:

https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/system/e/6/6/e/e66ed13be4f5a5216aa214276e14dacb/pub2917tractorimplements1.pdf

 

[azbinder]

When I was selling tractors, I had a couple come in looking for a tractor to use around their horses. After talking with them, I showed them 2 different ones. A Kubota "L" series and "B" series. I let both drive one around and then had them switch and try the other. After they were done, I asked them which one and the wife looked at the "L" and said "that one". I asked why and she said that she could see around that tractor better, and since she would be operating it more that her husband, they chose the "L". That said, make sure that you both have some seat time before making any decision.

 

[rScotty]

You need a knowledgeable, trusted friend. Somebody that understands what your plans are. That can help you get exactly what you need. I would suggest 4500 to 5500 pounds - bare tractor weight. This will be in the 55 to 70 hp range. A cab, fluid loaded rear tires( Rim Guard, RV antifreeze or windshield washer fluid ), 4WD, front end loader, large, heavy duty rear blade.

That's about the kind of tractor you should be looking at, except I would pass on the loaded tires until you have tried it for a season without. There are some downsides to loading tires.

As for weight-handling ability the manufacturer's spec on how much it will lift can be way different from how much it is comfortable lifting and carrying. Just as a rule of thumb, look for twice the lift capability if you are wanting to carry and place a load. What you want is one that can lift twice the weight so that it can handle that much weight comfortably.

We used to have horses, and found that most of our work was lifting, carrying, placing loads, and moving dirt and manure around.... often it involved heavy loads on side slopes or slippery ground. So for us, a TLB with more muscle and a lot of weight down low on industrial tread tires rather than lugs was a better fit than a tractor. We chose the Kubota M59 (now M62) because it was heavier and better built for those purposes than an Ag tractor with attachments mounted on both ends - though it is sure hard to beat an Ag tractor for versatility at a reasonable price.

Try out as many as you can before buying, and if you can lease something for awhile that might be money well spent. Even if it was a used one you lease; tractors don't change much.
good luck,
rScotty

 

[Looking4new]

IF you do decide to 'load' the rear tires, specify that you want Rim-Gard. It is basically beet juice and weighs in at 12.3 lbs/gallon. It won't freeze in winter and IF you do have a leak it won't destroy the crops in the ground, the rims or your horses hooves like calcium chloride will. Calcium chloride is very corrosive and will eat steel and will rot hooves.

 

[mred2]

In checking on the size of tractor. Frame size, weight, not HP. Some people stack hay bales that weigh over 1600 lbs. This is one factor, the other is how high. I can only stack two high, but that is ok due to the height of the hay barn. If you can stack higher, make sure that your tractor can go that high. Talk to local dealers and test drive and then test drive again. Look at their service shop. I always recommend loading at least the back tires when transporting heavy loads on the front. The only other thing you can do is to put ballast on the rear of the tractor. You haven't said the size of the property or other tasks that you will be doing, as maintaining gravel drive, mowing pasture ( size of pasture ), breaking ground, etc. The bigger, the faster things can get done. But the bigger, the more fuel and harder to get around. I can't take my 50hp around the house as it packs the ground too much. Manure spreading can be done with an ATV on a small scale. I have almost as much money in my attachments as I do my tractor.

 

[peterlindsay]

I am a horse guy but in canada. 60 hp and 4 wd with a pto will provide the good basics of a tractor that will prob do everything you need safely. Buy something reliable so you can just get the job done with out all the fixing of a 40 year old machine. Although you maybe handy but not handsome .