Looking for advice

[art]

The difference of a 48" to a 60" bush hog would be 1.5 acres an hour to 2 acres an hour at four miles an hour cutting 80 percent of total width.

I have heard of five foot hogs on BX's without the top link fastened, that would mean that it could also be done here. I would be sure of level ground and a loader on the front and if your worring about the horsepower step up to the larger one. The three range trans should be a big plus for putting the power out.

[art]

Originally Posted by IslandTractor

Art, we are in agreement for a change.

I still have difficulties trying to trade people down!

It's not the first time!

[IslandTractor]

Originally Posted by kcook

Both my local dealers suggested the larger tractor to use a larger Brush hog for faster cutting time.

KC

In that case I'd suggest a 75hp tractor with a 15ft batwing.

Yes, a larger mower will allow you to cut faster but you will not save that much time with a small plot like you are going to be mowing/bush hogging. A 20 something hp tractor is usually matched with a 48" bush hog and 60 inch finish mower. Add 12 inches plus a few hundred bucks to each implement if you go to a 30hp tractor. Remember that you will spend about 15 minutes before and after mowing with any size tractor just getting set up and closing things down. The time actually mowing would theoretically be about 15%-20% less but with one acre that will translate to about ten minutes. So, for an acre you might end up spending 70 minutes instead of 60 minutes with a larger tractor. Considering that you will pay more for the larger tractor, more for the larger implements, require more storage space etc etc, it really doesn't seem worth it for the acreage you are managing. It would make sense for a commercial operator where time is indeed money but for the rest of us it is an iffy proposition.

[kcook]

Originally Posted by IslandTractor

In that case I'd suggest a 75hp tractor with a 15ft batwing.

Yes, a larger mower will allow you to cut faster but you will not save that much time with a small plot like you are going to be mowing/bush hogging. A 20 something hp tractor is usually matched with a 48" bush hog and 60 inch finish mower. Add 12 inches plus a few hundred bucks to each implement if you go to a 30hp tractor. Remember that you will spend about 15 minutes before and after mowing with any size tractor just getting set up and closing things down. The time actually mowing would theoretically be about 15%-20% less but with one acre that will translate to about ten minutes. So, for an acre you might end up spending 70 minutes instead of 60 minutes with a larger tractor. Considering that you will pay more for the larger tractor, more for the larger implements, require more storage space etc etc, it really doesn't seem worth it for the acreage you are managing. It would make sense for a commercial operator where time is indeed money but for the rest of us it is an iffy proposition.

As I priced tractors I can get a nice 30 HP tractor for around 15500, some of the 20 hp tractors I priced around 14500+. So I can get 50% more tractor for about 1000 and move up to a larger size implement and stay in my price range.

Thanks

KC

[GPintheMitten]

For 4 acres, I agree with the smaller horse power models, around 20 HP should be more than adequate. The time savings in brush hogging an acre or so is not worth it. The implements cost more as well. Get a 4 foot rotary cutter, a 54 inch to 60 inch midmount mower and a 48 inch front end loader. You could also get a small rotartiller for the back and maybe a snowblower or blade.

Don't forget each implement is going to cost more as well. And your wife will probably like driving a little smaller unit as well.

I have an older Kubota B6200 HST 4wd with only 15 HP and it works great for me. It was built in 1983, yep 26 years old and still working fine. I wouldn't mind another 4 HP but I already own it and bought it used from my brother.

You might also look for 200 - 300 hour used equipment to save money and get more implements for less investment. With 4 acres, it will still last you a lifetime.

[GPintheMitten]

I just did a "Build Your Own" on Kubota's site.

You can get a B2320 4wd with HST with loader valve for $12,755.

This has 23 HP engine and 17 HP PTO. That will do what you need and you could be very proud and happy with it. Don't let the dealer sell you more than you need. Now if you had 15-20 acres, I could see a bigger tractor.

In the above tractor, you can add a loader, midmount mower and rotortiller and ballast box and get the whole thing for $20,500 and that's all retail, no dealing.

Up to you, of course, but you asked for advice.

[kcook]

Originally Posted by GPintheMitten

I just did a "Build Your Own" on Kubota's site.

You can get a B2320 4wd with HST with loader valve for $12,755.

This has 23 HP engine and 17 HP PTO. That will do what you need and you could be very proud and happy with it. Don't let the dealer sell you more than you need. Now if you had 15-20 acres, I could see a bigger tractor.

In the above tractor, you can add a loader, midmount mower and rotortiller and ballast box and get the whole thing for $20,500 and that's all retail, no dealing.

Up to you, of course, but you asked for advice.

15855 with a loader, my wife doens't like the SCUT, so we won't get one. With a deal Im sure my local dealer would be under 15800. When I walked in tto the Kubota dealer I asked about a 5' brush hog, he walked me over to a B3200 as a size to do the job.

KC

[GPintheMitten]

Completely up to you. I consider the BX line a SCUT and the B line a CUT. You don't need a 5 foot brush hog for 4 acres. But I have run a 5 foot brush hog with my B6200 once but don't recommend it. a 4 footer would do you fine. After I brush hogged the first time, I just mow with the mmm.

[IslandTractor]

Originally Posted by kcook

As I priced tractors I can get a nice 30 HP tractor for around 15500, some of the 20 hp tractors I priced around 14500+. So I can get 50% more tractor for about 1000 and move up to a larger size implement and stay in my price range.

Thanks

KC

It will cost you well over $1000 to get a bigger tractor with similar features etc. Usually to go from a 20 something hp machine to an equivalent brand 30-32 hp will cost about $2000-4000 more. Bigger implements cost more too.

[kcook]

Originally Posted by GPintheMitten

Completely up to you. I consider the BX line a SCUT and the B line a CUT. You don't need a 5 foot brush hog for 4 acres. But I have run a 5 foot brush hog with my B6200 once but don't recommend it. a 4 footer would do you fine. After I brush hogged the first time, I just mow with the mmm.

I will mow a small section with my lawn tractor the other 3 to 5 ackers with a brush hog once a couple of weeks.


"It will cost you well over $1000 to get a bigger tractor with similar features etc." I would agree with this. I plan on getting a rear blade only, then a brush hog down the road. I will use other implements from friends as needed. My thoughts are if I can get a larger tractor under my budget, get it.

KC