5025N for horse farm

[mbnotl]

Hello,

I need to upgrade my 3320 Open station to a bigger cab equiped tractor. I find the 4720 a tad on the small side and the 5225 too large physically despite liking the power output.

I live on 40 acres with lot's of snow removal and loader work to do. In the next year we will be building a barn to accommodate 6 horses, therefore I'm planning for a tractor that will evolve with my needs.

My dealer recommends a 5025N which would be physically smaller than the 5225. Is such a narrow tractor recommendable for loader and hay bails moving ? Otherwise I'm considering a Massey Ferguson 1560 which is just the right size but doesn't have a cab as well finished as the JDs....any ideas or inputs appreciated.

Cheers from the Niagara region.

[Robert_in_NY]

If your only option is the narrow version then you can make due with it for loader use but they are not as stable as a standard tractor.

Also, have you been in a 5025N cab tractor yet? The cab is very narrow and isn't a flat deck and the sight line out of the back is terrible. The cab doesn't have as high of a tranny hump in it compared to the CNH TN-FA models which is nice. But if you are going to use this tractor any amount I would look at a standard tractor with cab and set it up as narrow as possible.

Also, the JD N series has a terrible turn radius and the only way to make it turn sharper is to widen the front wheels out which then makes them wider then the rears.

Overall the N series is a nice tractor but is a specialty tractor designed for working in narrow, flat rows. For your needs I don't think you will be happy with it compared to a standard tractor. The 5225 will cost you less then the N version, be more comfortable to use and see out of and be more stable for loader work. When you build your barn design it for the standard size utility tractor and have no worries.

If you haven't yet, definitely hop in the 4720, 5225 and the N version and drive them around. If you feel the N will work for you best after running it then go for it. But I would take a standard tractor over a narrow tractor for everyday use unless you have an application where only a narrow tractor will work (like a vineyard or orchard).

[mark.r]

I'm having a hard time understanding why a dealer would recommend and "N" model tractor, as Robert stated, a specialty tractor, for a horse operation. Especially one that involved considerable loader work. I run a small horse operation (4-10 at any time). I don't have the acreage you have but do much of the same task you do and my 45hp tractor is more than enough. I don't have a cab and sometimes wish I did. Other times it would be an hinderance because I would be able to do stall work unless I had and even smaller machine or did it all by hand.

Now that said, we are in the market for much larger tractor in the next year or so as we are expanding into the haymaking area. I am looking MF as well. I was at the dealer a few weeks ago looking at a MF3645. They had a 1540/1547 on the lot with cab and at the time I wasn't aware of the model so I had to check their site when I got home. Surprising to me I found that those were only 40/47hp tractors respectively, the same as my current model. With their cabs they look like much larger tractors. Not that they didn't look solid but they looked not far of from the 3645 which is a 91hp tractor. So you looking at a 1560 which would be the same tractor as the 1540/1547 physicall but with more hp, that would be a good choice with a loader. You also have you choice of HST tranny which is not a bad choice for a horse operation.

[mbnotl]

Thanks for the advice. Incidentally, I did call the former rep at JD I use to work with (he has since move to a vineyard equipment dealer) and who I though was always very knowledgeable having working at JD's head office for a few years...he did mention that the "N" tractor was a terrible recommendation !!!??? He recommended going with a regular 5225 if I was concerned about the size of the 4720. I do have a Gator, ATVs, small lawn tractor etc around if I need to get into a tight spot.

Haven't heard much about Massey's...don't know where they come out when comparing to JDs.

[mark.r]

Originally Posted by mbnotl

Thanks for the advice. Incidentally, I did call the former rep at JD I use to work with (he has since move to a vineyard equipment dealer) and who I though was always very knowledgeable having working at JD's head office for a few years...he did mention that the "N" tractor was a terrible recommendation !!!??? He recommended going with a regular 5225 if I was concerned about the size of the 4720. I do have a Gator, ATVs, small lawn tractor etc around if I need to get into a tight spot.

Haven't heard much about Massey's...don't know where they come out when comparing to JDs.

I agree with you friend . . . terrible recommendation for what you want. Not bad tractors for what their intended for though. The 5225, nothing wrong with it that I know of. Should serve you well if you go that route. As far as MF, nothing wrong with them either. They would serve you just as well as the JD. Lots of choices out there these days. Good, but can be brain wracking at the same time.

[RollingsFarms]

are the 5225 and 5325 of the same size(minus hp ofcourse). such things ans height, wheel width, height to ROPS, etc?

[mbnotl]

I "think" they are, I left my brochure home but by memory I think they are.

[RollingsFarms]

Originally Posted by mbnotl

I "think" they are, I left my brochure home but by memory I think they are.

i also lost the brouchure i had on them, dunno where that thing went to. the reason i asked was because height and width of the tractor was a factor for me, and i wanted to make sure they were within the width and height standads i needed should i go the 5025 route. if i were to buy a 5225 or 5325, i would opt for the largest rear tires i could get on them. there's a used 5320 i've been keeping my eye on though.

[tjkadar]

The 5225 and 5325 are the same size dimensionally.

[kiwiroo]

Not sure if it's financially an option, but you could keep the 3320 for smaller jobs like dragging the arena, working in barn etc. and use the 5xxx for the larger tasks- It sounded like you were worried a little about the size of the 5xxx, this would be one way to cover yourself for large and small jobs, and have more tractors