Looking for most economical tractor to meet needs

[Bob_Skurka]

You will probably not find a suitable tractor new for under $15K with a FEL that is strong enough to lift round bales and a mower deck. You may find a tractor & FEL for that price, but not with the mower deck.

Be very careful when you look at loader specs. For a detailed explination on loader capacities take a look at this thread: Loader capacity/bucket capacity thread. The thread starts off talking about bucket capacity versus loader capacity but changes into a discussion of loader rating, and how they are measured.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

You will probably not find a suitable tractor new for under $15K with a FEL that is strong enough to lift round bales and a mower deck. You may find a tractor & FEL for that price, but not with the mower deck.

Be very careful when you look at loader specs. For a detailed explination on loader capacities take a look at this thread: Loader capacity/bucket capacity thread. The thread starts off talking about bucket capacity versus loader capacity but changes into a discussion of loader rating, and how they are measured.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( look at the kioti CK25 ~1200 lb fel lift)</font>

That lift capacity is actually 1155 lbs (according to Kioti's website), and that is measured at the 'pivot points' so if you correct for the roughly 30% overstatement that the 'pivot point' measurement includes, the realistic capacity of the loader is going to be right about 810# (70% of 1155#). So while it will lift an 800# bale, it will be stressed to the max to do so.

As I pointed out in my prior post, you have to be very careful when you look at loader specs. Different manufacturers rate their loaders at different point of measurements, and those different points yield RADICALLY different claims in capacity.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( look at the kioti CK25 ~1200 lb fel lift)</font>

That lift capacity is actually 1155 lbs (according to Kioti's website), and that is measured at the 'pivot points' so if you correct for the roughly 30% overstatement that the 'pivot point' measurement includes, the realistic capacity of the loader is going to be right about 810# (70% of 1155#). So while it will lift an 800# bale, it will be stressed to the max to do so.

As I pointed out in my prior post, you have to be very careful when you look at loader specs. Different manufacturers rate their loaders at different point of measurements, and those different points yield RADICALLY different claims in capacity.

 

[albmn10]

All tractors carry pivot point ratings. Some brands also add other lift points but if you compare the common point all use it will give you a good idea of how they compare. If you were interested in the Kioti ck25 you could always go with a aftermarket loader for around the same price and easily obtain your desired lift capacity of 800lbs. Woods, bushhog and Rhino are common loaders used with Kiotis and will give you all the performance youll need in a 25hp tractor. You should easily be able to do this around 15k , and also get a 4yr warranty. Not sure what other brands will carry the capacities you are looking for, im sure others will chime in and help you.. Good luck

 

[albmn10]

All tractors carry pivot point ratings. Some brands also add other lift points but if you compare the common point all use it will give you a good idea of how they compare. If you were interested in the Kioti ck25 you could always go with a aftermarket loader for around the same price and easily obtain your desired lift capacity of 800lbs. Woods, bushhog and Rhino are common loaders used with Kiotis and will give you all the performance youll need in a 25hp tractor. You should easily be able to do this around 15k , and also get a 4yr warranty. Not sure what other brands will carry the capacities you are looking for, im sure others will chime in and help you.. Good luck

 

[john_bud]

Crittersitter,

You can get a late '60's thru the 70's Ford 2000, 3000, 4000 or 5000 with a loader that will easily do all of your tasks. The numbers are the series and there is a LOT of variation within the series, but in general the bigger the number the bigger the tractor. All are able to meet your needs and all will be in the $5000-10,000 range.

Nice thing about used, you can often get some attachments with the tractor and save more $$.
jb

 

[john_bud]

Crittersitter,

You can get a late '60's thru the 70's Ford 2000, 3000, 4000 or 5000 with a loader that will easily do all of your tasks. The numbers are the series and there is a LOT of variation within the series, but in general the bigger the number the bigger the tractor. All are able to meet your needs and all will be in the $5000-10,000 range.

Nice thing about used, you can often get some attachments with the tractor and save more $$.
jb

 

[aesanders]

Can you move the bales with the three point hitch or are they stacked? If they are not stacked and you can use the three point hitch to move the bales that you need, then that opens up a ton of different options. I would feel much more secure moving round bales around with the three point hitch than the loader on a small compact tractor.

 

[aesanders]

Can you move the bales with the three point hitch or are they stacked? If they are not stacked and you can use the three point hitch to move the bales that you need, then that opens up a ton of different options. I would feel much more secure moving round bales around with the three point hitch than the loader on a small compact tractor.