I'm looking to "replace" my dad's aging Ford 861. That's a 48 PTO HP tractor. I'm hoping to get 4wd, cab, loader. 4wd, because I have some wet ground, cab so the wife will drive i when I need her to and the loader for obvious reasons.
I currently pull 3-14" plows with the Ford in some heavy ground and run an aging baler, in addition to snow-blowing (did I mention a cab??), bush-hogging, secondary tillage, planting, etc etc etc.
My question is this: With 4wd, I can get more pull to the ground so do I really need a 48 (or more) hp tractor. Frankly, I've looked at everything from a NH TN75, to a MF 1547 and lotsa stuff in between, including AGCO GT series and the Montana 5740C. I'd actually like to go to a MF 5400 or comparable, but it's just too much money right now.
Also, has anyone dealt with leasing?
I currently pull 3-14" plows with the Ford in some heavy ground and run an aging baler, in addition to snow-blowing (did I mention a cab??), bush-hogging, secondary tillage, planting, etc etc etc.
My question is this: With 4wd, I can get more pull to the ground so do I really need a 48 (or more) hp tractor. Frankly, I've looked at everything from a NH TN75, to a MF 1547 and lotsa stuff in between, including AGCO GT series and the Montana 5740C. I'd actually like to go to a MF 5400 or comparable, but it's just too much money right now.
Also, has anyone dealt with leasing?