Want to upgrade tractor; 160 acres in KY

[exiled cheesehead]

Hello,

I have been following posts on TBN for a little while now and need advice on what tractor would be a good fit for my property. I currently have a JD2020 (1968 model; no FEL; 50 hp gas) that I pull a 5' bushhog with, 7'-3pt pickup disc, 6' boxblade, and a few other small implements. I have 160 acres which is composed of about 60 acres rented to a "real" farmer for corn/beans, 80 acres of woods, and the remainder in grass. The land has 2 creeks on it with multiple ridges so parts are flat (creek bottoms; hilltops) while other parts are quite steep. I am planning on bush hogging, skidding trees (with a logging winch), clearing fencelines, trees, and brush (with a grapple), plowing/disking wildlife food plots (already own an old, heavy JD 8' disc that is built like a tank), and generally maintain my property with the new tractor. I have been getting by with the JD2020 so far, but I definitely need to upgrade as it currently takes between 4-5 days just to bush hog around the crop fields, trails through the woods, and grassland. Plus, I will be purchasing the grapple and winch for some light logging and land clearing activity (firewood, maintain fences etc.), along with a bigger bushhog for mowing, and need a different tractor with some more hp. The JD disc mentioned above is too heavy for the JD2020, and was purchased to open up one 20 acre field for crop production that was overgrown when I bought the property. I rented a neighbor's 90+ hp Zetor and used it with the disc (the Zetor pulled the disk well). Since then the disk has been sitting in the shed just waiting to be used again.

So, my thought is to sell the JD 2020 and smaller implements and purchase something with more than 50 hp, ROPS, with a FEL and a bigger bush hog right away. I would then add the logging winch and grapple at a later date. As I want to use the heavy JD disk again, I do believe the tractor should really be more than 75 hp as I was told when I bought it that the previous owner used a 2WD 75 hp to pull it, but only barely. I have looked on the web at all the major manufacturer's choices for tractors in the 50-100 hp range and am wondering what do I really need and how much do I really need to spend? I think many of the CUT manufacturers make excellent machines, but I am concerned with the weight of their tractors. For example the 90 hp+ Kubota 9540 (ROPS) is listed at 5,510 pounds while my little 50 hp JD 2020 is around 5,200 pounds. The old JD is basically all steel while the newer tractors have a lot of plastic, so I understand the weight difference, but know from experience and TBN posts that ground engaging activities go better with a heavier tractor. So, is a lighter weight Kubota (or other manufacturer) going to pull my old heavy JD disk or large oak trees/logs as well as a say a Farmall 95U (Case IH) of 95 hp which is listed at 7,496 pounds with ROPS? However, I do know that I don't want too big (length, height, width) of a tractor as it will need to be used in the woods for skidding trees and maintaining roads/trails.

So, I welcome your comments/suggestions based on your experiences and am especially interested in what weight and hp of tractor I should get so I can do everything with one machine.

My apologies for the length of this post, but I wanted to explain my situation as best as possible.

Thanks

 

[Dargo]

Yup, sounds like you need weight and power. I have a JD 5525 4x4 cab tractor with FEL and a set of loaded tires. With my Brown 7' rotary cutter on the machine I'm well over 11,000 pounds. I've pulled a similar disc successfully without issue. However, a friend bought a 81 hp Foton 4x4 cab tractor from Rural King a couple of years ago and has been very pleased with it. He flushed the fluids a couple times right after he got it because it had nasty stuff in it from China but with it's Perkins based engine and plenty of weight, it's been a relatively inexpensive workhorse for him and he loves working in a cab.

 

[RPW]

If you want to stay with JD you might want to look at the 6230 series (75pto) or 6330 series (85pto). You can get these in either 2wd or 4wd. both have plenty of ballasting options and well as control station options. You also might want to consider keeping the smaller tractor for those two small or restricted access jobs.

Good Luck.

 

[IslandTractor]

Remember that you can add ballast to a tractor so initial weight is not the only consideration. Also, 4wd (or assist) is helpful for ground engaging activities and might make a lighter tractor work more like a heavier 2wd version in terms of traction.

Kubota tractors are generally light compared to others. Heavier "brands" with models in the 50+hp range include Mahindra, Kioti and of course various models from JD, NH, MF, Case.

Other than the disc you are pulling, many of the other tasks mentioned involve FEL work so looking for a strong loader rather than just weight and HP would be an important consideration too.

 

[piller]

I have a similar property in East TN. I've got the Kubota 8540 with hydraulic shuttle which is the same as the 9540 except it has 10 less horsepower and the standard wheels/tires are smaller. The 5510 lbs you quoted is the base weight for an open station 4wd unit. By the way, if you go to a 4wd tractor, which I hightly recommend, you gain something like 20% more pulling power.

You mentioned the Kubota M9540 and the Case 95U. I looked at both tractors and found that the Case was more expensive. Even the Farmall 95 was more expensive. You might want to consider the Kubota M96S or M108S which are bigger and weigh more and you get the 16 or 32 speed power shift and the price is good.

OK, back to weight. My 8540HD ROPS with filled rear tires, FEL and bucket weighs about 9100 lbs. You can get wheel weights or cast iron rear wheel centers to add more weight. Add a cab and you have more weight. Add the front weight bumper and some front weights for more weight. However, if you buy the 9540 and add all this weight you might be better off to just start off with the 96S or 108S.

I cut my pasture with a HD 10' pull behind Woods rotary cutter. When I use this I take off the FEL and it works great. It's got the power to do the job, and does not weigh too much and tear up the ground. If I need more weight I put on the FEL and bucket and instantly gain 2300 lbs. This arrangement works for me. I do not spend a large percentage of my tractor time doing heavy ground engaging tasks.

 

[EdinLa]

I'm in a similar situation and looking for an upgrade in the future. I now use a 52 pto hp tractor that can do most everything, but is agonizingly slow. ...It just feels like I am thrashing it to get some of my work done.

I have been researching a lot of tractors and have settled on two previously mentioned here. The Kubota M9540 is an intriguing option. The most trustworthy dealer in my area sells them, and the tractor/FEL unit will certainly do all I want it to. It is reasonable compared to the bigger names, but I do want to make the best deal I can.

...That is why I have spent so much time researching the Foton 824. I do believe this tractor best fits my needs, and my only reservation is the lack of a dealer in my area. It is an 8600 lb tractor that is delivered with an additional 1500 pounds of weights, but the most intriguing part for me is the lack of computer systems operating the tractor. It is one that can still be 'sorted out' by a diligent buyer, and it is sturdy. ..It doesn't have the hydraulics of the Kubota, with a three point lift capacity of only 3200 vs 4600 for the Kubota. If hydraulics are an issue, the vote swings to the Kubota, but otherwise I do feel the value and build of the Foton make it a much better buy. Prices are rising steadily, but recent quotes have had the Foton about $12,000 less expensive than a similarly equipped Kubota. ....I'm just 'kicking tires' at the moment, but either of these tractors would likely fit my needs. ...In a perfect world, I would be able to get one of each, and still have not spent what John Deere thinks their heavy tractors are worth.

~

 

[bake321]

Cheeshead

I'm also new to Kentucky east of Scottsvile, on 122 acres that sound similar to yours. I did a year of research and ended up buying a Kubota 9540. It is open cab, 4wd, loader, cast iron rear wheel and loaded tires. I was told that it goes well over 10k equipped the way it is. I use a grapple on it to clear up my bottom land and run a 10 foot bush hog. Hope to get some haying equipment. What sold me on the tractor was my neighbors who bleed "Old Blue" said Kubota was the way to go. I would also suggest you contact Barlow's in Somerset. Their price was great.

Cary

 

[Dargo]

Cheeshead

I'm also new to Kentucky east of Scottsvile, on 122 acres that sound similar to yours. I did a year of research and ended up buying a Kubota 9540. It is open cab, 4wd, loader, cast iron rear wheel and loaded tires. I was told that it goes well over 10k equipped the way it is. I use a grapple on it to clear up my bottom land and run a 10 foot bush hog. Hope to get some haying equipment. What sold me on the tractor was my neighbors who bleed "Old Blue" said Kubota was the way to go. I would also suggest you contact Barlow's in Somerset. Their price was great.

Cary

Even though I currently am running a JD tractor, I only moved away from Kubota because I preferred the larger cab, and 2nd seat, in the JD tractors. I've absolutely pounded both Kubota and JD tractors in the past and have found them to be extremely durable and dependable. I earlier mentioned a Foton tractor for the 'best buy' for a powerful tractor with a lot of power and weight but is certainly an 'old technology' tractor; not that there is anything wrong with that. For premium tractors I lean more towards Kubota and John Deere pretty evenly.

 

[Diamondpilot]

When it comes to pulling weight is first, HP is second. That is to a point. For what you are wanting to do you need a heavy tractor. Heck, my 28 HP Jinma with FEL and BH on the back weighs 5,200#. I do have the tires loaded along with wheel weights and 4 suit case weights on the front. I could not imagine skidding trees with anything lighter.

Chris

 

[Ken45101]

I'm kind of confused. You have 160 acres, 60 of which is rented out to someone else and 80 acres of woods. That leaves 20 acres to bushog, plus trails, etc.

You don't need more HP to bushhog. 50 hp (pto) would support an 8-10' mower. A big tractor and mower probably won't fit well on your trails unless your "trails" are road sized.

FWIW, I just bought a Kubota M9540. With Rimguard in the rear tires (800# each) and 800# in front weights, that tractor weighs over 8000# without cab or loader. I got it with a 15' batwing mower and it does quite well, but the tractor won't fit on my trails in the woods.

You may need to keep your existing tractor for work in the woods.

Ken

 

[exiled cheesehead]

Thanks to everyone that have posted their opinions so far. I appreciate the feedback as a few points have been brought up that I hadn't thought of yet. In regards to the hp needed to bushhog, I have been told by 2 dealers (one JD and other Case IH) that if one wants to go to a 15' batwing, one should have 95 hp at the pto, while 75 hp at the pto should be sufficient to run a 10' pull behind (JD MX10 etc.). As I really want to get away from bushhogging for 4-5 straight days at a time with my little 5 ft 3-pt model, I assume I should get at least 75 hp. I do agree with the post that if one gets too big of a tractor, it will be more difficult to use it in the woods. So, I am looking for something more compact than lets say a Farmall 70 (Case IH), which is a nice tractor, but is quite tall and would mean I would have to expand my trails in the woods (which are really logging roads not trails) so it wouldn't be constantly be hitting low overhanging limbs.

I view the purchase of this tractor as something I will do once (maybe twice if I'm lucky or win the lottery) in my lifetime, so I am trying to get it "right" and get one that will cover all my needs.

So, again thanks for the all the posts and keep them coming as I will be spending some time making this decision and the more information I can digest, the better.

 

[Ken45101]

The general rule of thumb is 5 pto hp minimum per foot of rotary cutter. I think 50 pto hp would be okay for most situations with a 10' cutter, and certainly enough for an 8'.

Of course it depends on how thick the stuff is that you are mowing and how fast you want to go, or how far you are willing to gear down. I have a 15' batwing Bush Hog on a Kubota M9540 and it does fine in heavy grass and 8' weeds, but I am down to running in 2nd or 3rd gear for the really heavy stuff. But my plan with the new 15' cutter is to be able to get to the fields before they get 8' high! It zips along as fast as I want to go when the grass is only 1-2' high.

However....just this afternoon I was out with the M9540 and 15' cutter doing some of my trails. I had to cut down a few trees to get through, even with the wings raised. A 3 pt cutter moves to the outside of a turn, letting you get around obstacles more easily. A tow behind cutter wants to cut all the turns short and therefore needs a lot straighter or wider trails.

The batwing is great for taking care of the weeds that hang over a trail. But it's not really a good cutter for in the woods work. I'll be going out with my M5040 and 6' cutter to finish up.

Ken

Thanks to everyone that have posted their opinions so far. I appreciate the feedback as a few points have been brought up that I hadn't thought of yet. In regards to the hp needed to bushhog, I have been told by 2 dealers (one JD and other Case IH) that if one wants to go to a 15' batwing, one should have 95 hp at the pto, while 75 hp at the pto should be sufficient to run a 10' pull behind (JD MX10 etc.). As I really want to get away from bushhogging for 4-5 straight days at a time with my little 5 ft 3-pt model, I assume I should get at least 75 hp. I do agree with the post that if one gets too big of a tractor, it will be more difficult to use it in the woods. So, I am looking for something more compact than lets say a Farmall 70 (Case IH), which is a nice tractor, but is quite tall and would mean I would have to expand my trails in the woods (which are really logging roads not trails) so it wouldn't be constantly be hitting low overhanging limbs.

I view the purchase of this tractor as something I will do once (maybe twice if I'm lucky or win the lottery) in my lifetime, so I am trying to get it "right" and get one that will cover all my needs.

So, again thanks for the all the posts and keep them coming as I will be spending some time making this decision and the more information I can digest, the better.

 

[exiled cheesehead]

Thanks to everyone for their posts on what tractor to buy for my 160 acres.

It took me over 6 months to pull the trigger, but I finally did earlier this month. I now have a new JD 5525 ROPs, 4WD, with 563 loader (with 3rd function mid-mount SCV installed, plumbed, and ready to go) sitting in the shed. I started looking around my area earlier this year and found a dealer with this new 2008 JD sitting on his lot. He was ready to deal as he had been paying interest on this machine for about 2 years. After the dust settled from the negotiations over several days, I purchased the tractor/loader in a cash deal for 75% of MSRP. So, I do believe I got a good price. The tractor now has 14 hours on it after a couple of weeks of use.

I have used the tractor with my heavy bog disk and it pulls it without much effort. The dealer told me that the tractor/loader with the filled reared tires should be around 9,200 lbs, so it has the weight for ground engaging work.

Now, I am getting ready to buy all the other "toys" to go with it: Grapple, bush hog, logging winch.

I am pleased.

Pics will follow.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

That is nice. You are ready to hit the ground running it sounds.

 

[jenkinsph]

Sounds like a good tractor at a good price.:thumbsup:
I would do some looking for good used cat 2 implements as they seem to be a better price point than cat 1 implements. Probably because the demand is high for the smaller stuff. At any rate this tractor is large enough to get some work done, enjoy it.