Highsmith
Bronze Member
I've been reading on this forum for several days and learned a lot. I now know the difference between a 3 point hitch and a PTO. I was able to ask some reasonable questions when I visited the dealers. Thanks for the good information.
Here is my scenario:
500+ acres in South Central Texas. About 1/3 open for fields, the rest covered in mesquite. The terrain is pretty flat with the exception of a creek and some gulleys. The soil is sandy/red clay. Perimeter fenced for cattle, very little cross-fencing. I plan on using the tractor to
Implements that I think I will need (but what do I know?):
Dealers all in the same town 24 miles away: Massey Ferguson, New Holland, FarmTrac, John Deere, Kubota, and Case. I will visit these dealers and check with locals to determine if a tractor could be exempted from consideration due to a poor dealer reputation. I want to stick with the major brands due to my lack of experience with repairs. Also I am concerned about parts availability 10-20 years down the road. I would love to be convinced that brands such as Kioti or Mahindra are worthy of my trust, but the price would have to be significantly lower for me to take that risk.
The dealers I have talked to seem to get stuck on the 500 acres. Note: I will not farm the 500 acres, it will be used for livestock.
Based on what I've read here and my three dealer visits (MF/NH, Kubota, Kioti), the following is what I think will work for me. Please tear my list apart if you feel I am way off base.
Here are the models I have picked to choose from. I think these fall under the category of "Value".
Here is a question. Why the significant hitch lift differences? For example MF 533 is 2045, MF 543 is 2711 but JD 5103 is 5067. How much do I need to value this feature? (I got these numbers from various manufacturer websites, I hope they are accurate.)
Things of little value to me (but could come to regret???) Note, my wife does not plan to drive the tractor.
One of the most valuable things I learned here was that there is a price jump from 6' to 7' implements. So I would like to stay on the 5'-6' side of things. Please note that this will be a full-time, rest-of-my-life venture. I don't need to worry about enough HP to get things done fast, also I don't mind renting or hiring out big jobs like tank/pond maintenance, BH work or haying.
A big concern I have is mesquite tree thorns. Can I put small R1's on the front of a 2wd for added puncture protection? There are so many other things I am ignorant about, such as the value of an extra PTO, remote hydraulics, loader capacity, value of hitch lift capacity, gallons per hour, etc.
My wife and kids are very excited about the direction our life is headed. I will be laid off from a semiconductor company in November. I am glad to have the option of returning to a farm. The right tractor will be essential to helping us make a good transition.
Best Regards,
Highsmith
Here is my scenario:
500+ acres in South Central Texas. About 1/3 open for fields, the rest covered in mesquite. The terrain is pretty flat with the exception of a creek and some gulleys. The soil is sandy/red clay. Perimeter fenced for cattle, very little cross-fencing. I plan on using the tractor to
- Move small round bales of hay
- I will NOT grow my own hay
- Raise meat goats and steers
- Mow along fence rows to prepare for fence upgrades
- A lot of post hole digging
- 5 acres for garden and cash crop watermelons and pumpkins, (this could increase to 10-20 acres, but that is years down the road)
- Loader work to move 60 years of junk, i.e., half buried appliances, 2 old homesites
- Maintain drives across the acreage
- Clear small mesquites
- Explore the dark side of the moon
Implements that I think I will need (but what do I know?):
- Loader
- Rough cut mower
- Auger
- Bale spear
- Box blade
- Tiller
- Chipper/Shredder
- Wheel weights
Dealers all in the same town 24 miles away: Massey Ferguson, New Holland, FarmTrac, John Deere, Kubota, and Case. I will visit these dealers and check with locals to determine if a tractor could be exempted from consideration due to a poor dealer reputation. I want to stick with the major brands due to my lack of experience with repairs. Also I am concerned about parts availability 10-20 years down the road. I would love to be convinced that brands such as Kioti or Mahindra are worthy of my trust, but the price would have to be significantly lower for me to take that risk.
The dealers I have talked to seem to get stuck on the 500 acres. Note: I will not farm the 500 acres, it will be used for livestock.
Based on what I've read here and my three dealer visits (MF/NH, Kubota, Kioti), the following is what I think will work for me. Please tear my list apart if you feel I am way off base.
- 45-55 HP engine, 42-47 PTO HP
- Live or Independent PTO
- 2wd
- A heavier tractor due to loader work and 2wd
- I don't think I need 4wd as my grandfather farmed this land his whole life with a 2wd JD, but no loader work
Here are the models I have picked to choose from. I think these fall under the category of "Value".
- Massey Ferguson 533 or 543
- New Holland TT60A
- FarmTrac 555
- JD 5103 or 5105
- Kubota M4800, M4900, M5000su
- Case JX60
Here is a question. Why the significant hitch lift differences? For example MF 533 is 2045, MF 543 is 2711 but JD 5103 is 5067. How much do I need to value this feature? (I got these numbers from various manufacturer websites, I hope they are accurate.)
Things of little value to me (but could come to regret???) Note, my wife does not plan to drive the tractor.
- Fancy schmancy hydraulics
- Fancy, schmancy transmissions
- Fancy, schmancy digital displays
- Financing options (this will be a cash deal)
- Saving a few thousand. I don't mind spending more if I am confident it is a wise decision.
One of the most valuable things I learned here was that there is a price jump from 6' to 7' implements. So I would like to stay on the 5'-6' side of things. Please note that this will be a full-time, rest-of-my-life venture. I don't need to worry about enough HP to get things done fast, also I don't mind renting or hiring out big jobs like tank/pond maintenance, BH work or haying.
A big concern I have is mesquite tree thorns. Can I put small R1's on the front of a 2wd for added puncture protection? There are so many other things I am ignorant about, such as the value of an extra PTO, remote hydraulics, loader capacity, value of hitch lift capacity, gallons per hour, etc.
My wife and kids are very excited about the direction our life is headed. I will be laid off from a semiconductor company in November. I am glad to have the option of returning to a farm. The right tractor will be essential to helping us make a good transition.
Best Regards,
Highsmith