Tractor time...

[Mark A]

It looks like we are finally going to be closing on a small piece of land in a couple of weeks...

 

Of course as a red blooded 'murican male I claim as my birthright the necessity of owning a tractor.

 

Looking at something around 39 HP in 4wd (probably a Kubota) It will have a small bucket on the front and a detachable back hoe on the back.

 

My question is what size to get. This is probably the only chance I get to buy one so I need to make it count. I won't be moving around a bunch of hay. Mostly general farm chores. There will be a fair amount of trenching and other backhoe work to be done in the next 5 years.

 

What size does everyone think I need to get? I would appreciate any and all info and suggestions.

 

Thanks, Mark

[Dolomite_supafly]

As big as you can afford.

[jtmaze]

^this JTM We the People of the United States, in order to form a more Perfect Union......

[Mark A]

As big as you can afford.

Kind of what I was afraid would be the answer...

[gregintenn]

I'll be contrary and say as small as you can comfortably get by with. I have a 32 hp Kubota. It'll handle a 6' bushhog, 6' box blade, single bottom plow, one row cultivator, and a 6' finish mower with power to spare. Unless I had a lot of acreage and was farming for a living, I can't see a need for a larger one for my needs.

[McGarrett]

As big as you can afford.

I think that puts me in this price range; http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/john-deerereg%3B-1%3A1-monster-treads-tractor-wagon

 

Another thing to take into consideration are parts & service support. Do some research on parts pricing and availability and see what others are saying about the model of tractor you're considering. There are some good used ones out there you just don't want to buy one with inherent problems.

 

I do a lot of research online about tractors but I just don't currently have the funds. Maybe one day i will.

Edited July 12, 2014 by McGarrett

[Dane]

[quote name="gregintenn" post="1167835" timestamp="1405173275"]I'll be contrary and say as small as you can comfortably get by with. I have a 32 hp Kubota. It'll handle a 6' bushhog, 6' box blade, single bottom plow, one row cultivator, and a 6' finish mower with power to spare. Unless I had a lot of acreage and was farming for a living, I can't see a need for a larger one for my needs.[/quote] I would agree with this. There is such a thing as too big when it comes to tractors. Getting in and out of spaces with a large tractor sucks. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Chris]

I have to agree about not buying too much tractor. I've got a beast and frankly it's more machine than I need.

Cumberland Tractor here in Nashville is a great outfit if you are looking for a dealer.

[billyscott]

If you're looking at Kubota you might want to look through this site.

 

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/

[Chazmr]

It all depends on what you plan to use it for.  I bought a 27 hp Ford/New Holland new back in 1994 and it is the perfect size for what I need with about 7 acres.  It has a cat 1 3 pt hitch and I pull a 5 ft bushhog, 5 ft finishing mower, or a 5 ft box blade without any problems.  The 5 ft mower is almost exactly the same width as the rear wheels, so that works real well.  The only thing I didn't get that I wish now I had, was a front bucket.  At the time I didn't think I would use it so I passed.  I've got a pond scoop I can put on the back, but it's not nearly as useful as a front bucket would be.

 

Whatever you decide, a tractor is a mighty useful tool/toy if you have a few acres.  I can't imagine being without one now that I'm used to having it available. 

Edited July 12, 2014 by Chazmr

[frankmako]

I got three tractors on the farm, two Fords and a Yanmar.  The two Fords (3910 and 4610) are used for hay baling twice a year and sometimes for other chores.  But they are big and heavy, front end loaders and loaded rear tires adds lots of weight.  When it is wet you can sink them in the low areas.  So the Yanmar 1601D gets the call 90 percent of the time.  Nice little 19 hp 4x4 tractor.  It can run a 4 foot bush hog and a 5 foot finishing mower with ease.  The Yanmar can get into places that the other two can not wet or dry.  Yes bigger is better when you are farming, but if you are not putting up several hundred rounds bails a year you just don't need it.  You need to be able to get into the hard spots to get the work done.  Now the question is what brand and new or used.  Mahindra, Branson, New Holland have some of the best.  Do you want gear or hydro drive.  For real farm work gear is the only way to go.  For gentlemen farming then hydro drive.  The Ford tractors made in the 1980's that were made in England are some of the best used tractors going.   Four wheel drive is not really needed unless you are a major farmer.  Two wheel drive will do all you need it to do.  I don't use it with my Yanmar, just never have needed it.  Been in deep before and the two wheel drive just kept on moving.  Most 4x4 on a tractor is one back wheel and one front wheel pulling when in 4X4.  Look for a tractor with a rear wheel lock so you can make both back wheels pulls at the same time. 

[gregintenn]

If you get a gear drive, an option called "shuttle shift" is wonderful. If you aren't familiar with it, it is a stick on the steering column with three positions; forward, neutral, and reverse. It'll run the same speed backward as forward, depending on what gear you're in.

[daveW]

I was faced with the same dilemma back in the spring-went with a Kubota 3300 and have been quite happy. The only complaint is -it's a little light. It's got adequate power but spins the wheels sometimes. I'd go larger just for the weight.

[eRay]

About 8 years ago, I bought a new 50 HP John Deere. Did not take long to realize it was more tractor than I needed. I have owned 7 new tractors from 17 to 50 HP. Four years ago I bought a new John Deere 3032E 32 hp with hydrostatic transmission, four wheel drive, and a front end loader. $16,000 and 0% financing. It is my favorite tractor so far and I have owned New Hollands, Massey Fergusons, Kubotas and Deeres. It works great with a 5 ft bush hog. The front end loader digs in and breaks up hard ground better than my full size New Holland LB75b backhoes front loader. I can pull it with my half ton truck and it just barely fits under a standard garage door. Best $16,000 I ever spent.

[lshel]

I have a Kubota L2350, 23 hp, 4 or 2 wheel drive option. I use a 5 ft bush hog and have a LB400 front loader. It lets me do anything I want to do on 7 acres of woods.

I bought it used with less than 200 hrs.Shoparound on LSN (Local Sales Network).

[owejia]

If you're going with a front end loader, get the 4 wheel drive. Also look at a grapple for the front end loader, makes cleaning up brush and storm damage much easier. Cab and air also. If this is one time deal do it right and never look back.

[Miltech]

I have a Kubota L3200, 4wd, hydrostatic drive with loader, the 4wd is essential on this tractor because you can lose traction on the rear wheels with a full loader even with weight on the rear.

 

I really like the utility if this tractor (2012 model). The main drawbacks are it is relatively light and also narrow making rollovers on slopes more likely than on my old 3000 Ford. 

 

The hydro drive and the power steering with R4 tires make this an easy tractor to operate, I chose Kubota after looking closely at JD and others. I  bought it with the skid steer quick detach feature on the loader and use it with qd pallet forks to save a lot of heavy lifting.

[Dad03]

We got a place with 5 acres last November. I got a new 2013 Kubota L32000 HST 4wd with the FEL. I previously had an older Kubota B6000. The L3200 has been awesome. It is a little light weight wise but in moving trees, dirt, rock I have yet come up short on power.
With that said I would go with a L3800 if it's priced right. Trouble you may have now is all the 2014 tractors have to have the new EPA emissions crap in it. The non emission 2013 may be hard to find or marked up. I heard the 2014s have had some problems.

If you go Kubota and don't mind the drive to Huntsville AL check out Huntsville Tractor. Sales tax in AL is only 2.5% vs 9% here in TN.

I just got finished clearing a spot and building a berm for my pistol range. This fall when the leaves drop I'll be taking some trees down to get a100yd rifle range. Freakin awesome! Edited July 13, 2014 by Dad03

[Mark A]

Well, thanks for all the help and advice. I'm still out looking around and reading on the net. Just a little over a week until we close so I will have to make up my mind soon...

Mark

[oldogy]

One thing not mentioned is lift height of the FEL.  I have a Deere 4300 HST 4WDA and a Deere 420 loader. The loader just does not lift as far as I could use. Great little unit, otherwise.

A root bar on the loader is quite handy.

[seez52]

sometimes the compact size tractor is more expensive than ones a little larger.

[Richard995]

As big as you can afford.

I agree.

 

I have a small tractor and am looking at a bigger one.  Everyone I know say the same thing.  What ever you have you want a bigger one. 

[Hershmeister]

[quote name="Richard995" post="1168689" timestamp="1405423715"]I agree. I have a small tractor and am looking at a bigger one. Everyone I know say the same thing. What ever you have you want a bigger one. [/quote] Thats what she said!

[CLC]

I have just bought 25 acres and I have been reading about "ATV FARMING". Does anyone have any experience in this area? Not sure that I can handle a big tractor myself.

[Omega]

I have just bought 25 acres and I have been reading about "ATV FARMING". Does anyone have any experience in this area? Not sure that I can handle a big tractor myself.

ATVs can do alot with the right implements...but, I would not recommend them. I bought a little 18 horse tractor, a Kubota BX1870, because I don't need anything bigger. I run a 4' bush hog and a 4' box blade to work around 2 acres of food plots. Since you have many more acres than I do I would recommend a bigger one. You WANT a 3-point hitch, it makes many of the farm chores a breeze with the multitude of available implements. I use my 1870's belly mower for around the house and the hog for all the brush out on my little plot of land, suits me perfectly.