Z-Michigan
Veteran Member
I pretty much concur with all the other advice so far. Sounds like the 4720 and 110 are too small for your purposes - great that you got to find that out without buying one first. I think the 5xxx series from Deere or the Mxxxx series from Kubota are good ones to look at. I own Deere and like it a bit better, but Kubota makes a good tractor also. I think you need to balance the pros of big size with cons - the bigger tractors won't be good in the woods and won't be maneuverable inside smaller pastures (approx. 2 acres but it depends on shape and what you're trying to do).
I own a JD 5105 and think it's a great tractor, but in your case I would be looking at more power, like the JD 5325/5425 or the Kubota M7040 or M8540. I wouldn't jump into the next size class above that (Kubota M95 or Deere 6xxx series) because it will probably be too big for some tasks, and then you have to start looking at buying 2 tractors up front.
I would be looking at 7' medium or heavy duty mowers or maybe 8-10' pull type mowers for your fields.
I have my first tractor and while I didn't want to think about the $$ at the time of purchase, I'm already thinking a cab would have been nice - and I'm only working on 20 acres and in Michigan where the winters aren't as cold. I think you should seriously consider a cab, if you can afford it. The JD 5603 does look like a screaming good deal right now - list price with a 542 FEL is about $49,000, I think, and selling price would hopefully be $45k or a bit less.
If there is a Kioti dealer reasonably close, I think their products are good quality also, and the DK65 with cab would probably be a good deal. It would be at the small end of what I think you should be looking at, though, and it's Kioti's largest tractor right now.
I own a JD 5105 and think it's a great tractor, but in your case I would be looking at more power, like the JD 5325/5425 or the Kubota M7040 or M8540. I wouldn't jump into the next size class above that (Kubota M95 or Deere 6xxx series) because it will probably be too big for some tasks, and then you have to start looking at buying 2 tractors up front.
I would be looking at 7' medium or heavy duty mowers or maybe 8-10' pull type mowers for your fields.
I have my first tractor and while I didn't want to think about the $$ at the time of purchase, I'm already thinking a cab would have been nice - and I'm only working on 20 acres and in Michigan where the winters aren't as cold. I think you should seriously consider a cab, if you can afford it. The JD 5603 does look like a screaming good deal right now - list price with a 542 FEL is about $49,000, I think, and selling price would hopefully be $45k or a bit less.
If there is a Kioti dealer reasonably close, I think their products are good quality also, and the DK65 with cab would probably be a good deal. It would be at the small end of what I think you should be looking at, though, and it's Kioti's largest tractor right now.