Goplay
New member
OK, I have been lurking for awhile. Great forum. I have 250+ acres, some flat, some rolling, some steep terrain. I don't have to farm for a living (thank goodness I might starve!) but I am pretty good at picking things up and have used my engineering background to resolve differences between the "experts" involved in some of the projects I have going on here. We will be doing some planting, but there is lots of property maintenance/forestry work that I want to do and not "outsource".
Anyhow, when I first bought the property this year, I got a couple of used (<200 hours) JD 4520, ROPS, that were used to simply pull the grape wagons around here. Great price, almost new and I equipped them similarily with FEL and hydraulics and additional rear hydraulic circuits. Since then, I have bought a Kubota mini-ex and compact track loader, and have put them to lots of work. I now never use the backhoe I have on one of the JD as the mini-ex is so much more effective. Knowing what I know now, I would have never bought a backhoe for a tractor (easily my worst purchase).
Surprise, surprise, I am thinking of upgrading one of the tractors. I want to dedicate it to field duties: tilling, lime spreading, mowing, box scraping, etc. Keep the other JD for generic roles.
Definitely want a full cab. So should I stick with a compact tractor but bigger engine, say a Kubota L6060, or jump up to the next size with a M9960 or JD5085?
The problem I find is that the utility sized tractors have all the conveniences like fender mounted 3 point hitch control, but you get complications like losing the easy-to-use HST. Also, they do seem a lot bigger! That said, I like the power I have experienced from the U55 and SVL90, and the 4520 seem lacking now.
Are there other technical functions I should be thinking about that differ between the two frame sizes?
I am not at all concerned about Tier 4, as the mini-ex and CTL are tier 4 and have been awesome. Heck, I love my Ford F350 with DEF!
Anyhow, I would appreciate any and all comments. I learn at least a little from everyone's input. Thanks in advance!
Anyhow, when I first bought the property this year, I got a couple of used (<200 hours) JD 4520, ROPS, that were used to simply pull the grape wagons around here. Great price, almost new and I equipped them similarily with FEL and hydraulics and additional rear hydraulic circuits. Since then, I have bought a Kubota mini-ex and compact track loader, and have put them to lots of work. I now never use the backhoe I have on one of the JD as the mini-ex is so much more effective. Knowing what I know now, I would have never bought a backhoe for a tractor (easily my worst purchase).
Surprise, surprise, I am thinking of upgrading one of the tractors. I want to dedicate it to field duties: tilling, lime spreading, mowing, box scraping, etc. Keep the other JD for generic roles.
Definitely want a full cab. So should I stick with a compact tractor but bigger engine, say a Kubota L6060, or jump up to the next size with a M9960 or JD5085?
The problem I find is that the utility sized tractors have all the conveniences like fender mounted 3 point hitch control, but you get complications like losing the easy-to-use HST. Also, they do seem a lot bigger! That said, I like the power I have experienced from the U55 and SVL90, and the 4520 seem lacking now.
Are there other technical functions I should be thinking about that differ between the two frame sizes?
I am not at all concerned about Tier 4, as the mini-ex and CTL are tier 4 and have been awesome. Heck, I love my Ford F350 with DEF!
Anyhow, I would appreciate any and all comments. I learn at least a little from everyone's input. Thanks in advance!