Advice re: New Holland/Mahindra/Deere

[birdseye]

Actually, one of the reasons I went with the R4s is the lower profile. Our property has a good deal of slope. I wanted to have as low a center of gravity as I could.

[Soundguy]

I'm with the others. Bigger. While the 30hp range will get the smaller tasks done.. probably easier.. like mowing.. etc.. the big logging.. needs a big tractor.

96ac is a big piece. Even if it is in timber now.. will it always be? 30hp is not alot of hp to spread around on 96 ac.

I'd think more in the 40hp range minimum.. like a NH tc 45/48 That still gives you some maneuverability.. but has decent hp. Now.. mowing 2-3 ac is going to be different with a large tractor vs a small one.

You may even consider that nice shiny new 30hp, and a used larger trractor for the big work. Lots of big utility and ag tractor go for pennies and dimes on the dollar after a a decade or two.. A mid-late 80's ag or utility may be as cheap as 4-5k$ and be 50-110 hp....

Soundguy

Originally Posted by birdseye

I'm planning on becoming a first time tractor owner. We have a 96 acre forest property much of which is steep terrain. My plans for the tractor are mowing a 2-3 acre meadow and both sides of a .5 mile driveway, moving rocks around the property, maintaining the driveway and some logging roads, winching and transporting logs (probably with a Farmi winch) and moving some dirt around.


The three alternatives that I've looked at are:

New Holland TC 30 - $12,695 (like the price but am concerned about it being heavy duty enough)

Mahindra 3215 HST - $17,995

John Deere 990 - $19,800

All include a front end loader.

I would greatly appreciate any thoughts from the voices of experience out there. Thanks in advance!

[birdseye]

Thanks Soundguy! The JD 4120 I bought has 43 hp. I think it will work fine for my needs based on the brief time I've had it. I'm enjoying it!

[machmeter62]

Originally Posted by knute_m

Whoa! I'm glad some of my friends don't know that. My next door neighbor has a Case 580K loader/backhoe and a Case skid steer. Poor devil doesn't even have a mower for either one and they've both got what appear to be R4s.

For where we live, in the mountains of West Virginia, I find that the industrial tires do a much better job in the woods than ags. Where I'm at we have a lot more sandy loam and rock, than we have clay. Your terrain doesn't sound that much different from ours. They don't tear things up as bad. For loader work and for grading they are just fine too. And they certainly don't tear up the lawn like ags.

Back on subject ... the seat time that others talked about is probably the very most important thing in determining which tractor to go with. If you are going to be using it in the woods, get down on your hands and knees and look hard at the underside. Look especially at the front-end to make sure the axle is sturdy, and the steering arms, ball joints, etc., are well protected.

For what you described as far as mowing, grading, moving rocks, etc., a 30 hp tractor certainly would be very adequate. I skid a lot of pretty good size logs with a little 20 hp - without a skidding winch (I use a modified carry-all, and when necessary, a come-along). Before that, I was using a 17 hp 4wd machine with very aggressive ags. For the few things I can't handle, I've got neighbors, and it seems like I am frequently a storage lot for tractors in transition.

Good luck,
Knute

If you are building an "INTERSTATE HIGHWAY," the 580K Case with 17,000# and R-4's is a great choice, but in Oregon's wet weather on logging roads is a poor choice. R-1's are much better with an Ag type tractor. I lived in the NW for 18 yrs, and mud is a problem!

[Big_Cajun]

Very nice birdseye. I hope you have lots of fun and get alot done with your new JD.

BC

[kossetx]

Birdseye, I took care of 161 acres for many years with a 25 engine hp tractor and only felt I needed a bigger tractor once and a while. When I did get a newer tractor it was for the fel and rops. Good luck with your tractor. Your choice was fine.

[wolc123]

Great purchase birdseye. I think you ended up with the best machine out there for your jobs. I looked at the same tractors you looked at a year ago, ended up with the same one, and have no regrets. Well, almost the same except I have R1 tires and gear trans because my tractor is mostly used for ag work. For your jobs, hydro and R4's were the way to go. Not only does this tractor outspec the competition in most categories, but it also comes from a true American company and is assembled in the US. Sure it has some foreign components but this enables it to be priced competitevely.

[Soundguy]

Originally Posted by birdseye

Thanks Soundguy! The JD 4120 I bought has 43 hp. I think it will work fine for my needs based on the brief time I've had it. I'm enjoying it!

Great choice.. good company!

Soundguy