TuckR
Member
Hello everyone,
I was very glad to stumble onto this forum, I've already saved some great information. Hoping you guys can help me with some traction recommendations. I've owned a 20 acre parcel for a couple years now and I'm just getting around to preparing to build on it. I'll have about a six acre fenced area that will mostly be used for horses, and a large (1acre) garden for my wife. I also have a 300yd gravel driveway I'll need to maintain and plow in the winter. On top of all this, I have a bad back so the tractor will see a lot of use with very light projects, things you may normally just muscle around or use a wheel barrow for. I realize these are subjective questions, but I appreciate the opinions of folks who operate the equipment, I haven't felt like I've got straight talk from the dealership. I plan on using a front end loader, mower, rake, and probably a box blade. Maybe a dedicated snow plow.
1) How much horsepower do I need? A relative has told me I shouldn't go any smaller than 40hp. I don't see myself doing much in the way of dirt work, is 40hp more than I need?
2) I've been encouraged to primarily shop for John Deere or Kubota. I see a lot of LS, Mahindra, Yanmar, Kioti, etc. sitting in my neighbors fields. I don't mind paying more when the quality is superior, but for a consumer like me am I going to realize the benefits of the big two brands there?
3) Any special considerations when purchasing used over new? I haven't decided which way to go here, will probably depend on "how much tractor" I end up deciding that I need.
4) HST vs gear drive?
Thanks in advance - Tucker
I was very glad to stumble onto this forum, I've already saved some great information. Hoping you guys can help me with some traction recommendations. I've owned a 20 acre parcel for a couple years now and I'm just getting around to preparing to build on it. I'll have about a six acre fenced area that will mostly be used for horses, and a large (1acre) garden for my wife. I also have a 300yd gravel driveway I'll need to maintain and plow in the winter. On top of all this, I have a bad back so the tractor will see a lot of use with very light projects, things you may normally just muscle around or use a wheel barrow for. I realize these are subjective questions, but I appreciate the opinions of folks who operate the equipment, I haven't felt like I've got straight talk from the dealership. I plan on using a front end loader, mower, rake, and probably a box blade. Maybe a dedicated snow plow.
1) How much horsepower do I need? A relative has told me I shouldn't go any smaller than 40hp. I don't see myself doing much in the way of dirt work, is 40hp more than I need?
2) I've been encouraged to primarily shop for John Deere or Kubota. I see a lot of LS, Mahindra, Yanmar, Kioti, etc. sitting in my neighbors fields. I don't mind paying more when the quality is superior, but for a consumer like me am I going to realize the benefits of the big two brands there?
3) Any special considerations when purchasing used over new? I haven't decided which way to go here, will probably depend on "how much tractor" I end up deciding that I need.
4) HST vs gear drive?
Thanks in advance - Tucker