new member, new farm, and looking

[IslandTractor]

Clearing your 30 acres is a one time job.

Yes, but keeping thirty acres mowed, even if just once or twice a year to control brush, is a pretty big job for a Farmall.

 

[Soundguy]

sounds like you have a good 25hp smallish CUT.. that's great. While small.. you might be able to get by with just that.. though mowing might be a chore. 50hp is a good place to look if you wanted a 2nd tractor. and might I sugest a slightly older utility/ag tractor as that second unit.. they are pennies ont he dollar for new.. even if you find a slightly 'expensive' one tht has been maintained an in mint condition.. it will be 1/2 to 1/4 the price of a new one.

perhaps something in the ford 4XXX series ( 3 cyl ).. and preferably diesel.. or the 5XXX series.

should be able to pull an 8' mower with a 4xxx and a 10' with a 5xxx. both those machines should be inthe 6000$ range.. perhaps a lil more for one already refurbished and in great condition... don't buy one with problems to say a few hundred bucks.. pay a lil more for one that's already 'good'.

soundguy

I have done a search and the things i come up with are pretty old, so i wanted some new information.

I have a new to me 30 acre farm. It hasn't been maintained in 5 years or so. I have already started bushhogging it with a 25hp Mahindra and a 5ft bushhog. Yea...its going to take forever, i have figured that out. The land was used for farming some years ago...so basically lots of grass and saplings to cut over and out right now.

Goal is to start using it for organic farming. So I will run a bushhog and a disc and I am not sure from there.

I am thinking the new tractor will need to be around 50hp, is that enough?

I really like the JD 5205 that i have found used for 14,500. I was hoping to spend under 15. I CAN spend anywhere from 10 to 20.

I am not above looking at any brand.... anyone ideas?

 

[flusher]

Yes, but keeping thirty acres mowed, even if just once or twice a year to control brush, is a pretty big job for a Farmall.

Agreed. I'd consider something like my 1964 MF135 diesel (45 hp engine, 37 hp pto) and a 6-ft brush hog for occasional field mowing. I paid $3600 for that 135 in July06.





If the OP is budgeting, this is one way to go that won't break the bank.

 

[jda1961]

kioti makes a fine tractor, they are just as capable as any of the other brands and are a heavy well made machine. here a pic of mine.

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

And you think that farmall is going to clear 30 acres? because i dont think so

Don't underestimate that little Farmall Super A. It could drag most of those imported 4wd hobby tractors all over the barnyard.

I would like to see some of the imports go thru a Nebraska HP test like those little Farmalls did. I am sure they all would have to adust their advertised HP ratings a bit. Older Farm tractors only advertised belt, PTO and drawbar HP. I notice the imports advertise engine HP and some PTO. But none reference an independent test. Nebraska had a law in order to sell a tractor in the state Nebraska it had to certified for HP by the University of Nebraska.

Farmalls were simple to work on, parts availibity is excellent and thay don't cost alot to own. It would work excellent on a truck patch. That was a favorite tractor for the commercial tomato farmers in our area. Probaly $1500 to $2500 will get you an excellent one. The "Supers" were a bit nicer than the standard "A" Farmall.

For between $10,000 and $15,000 you can get a really nice John Deere 3020 or 4020 that would have adjustable wheels (rack and pinion axles), Independent PTO (540 or 1000), 3 point with draft control, excellent clearence for crops and it is probaly the best row crop tractor ever built.
They have held their value well. They sell for what they did new 40 years ago. I would guess they will still sell for that price 40 years from today.

Good Luck and let us know what you choose.

 

[juddmyers]

Don't underestimate that little Farmall Super A. It could drag most of those imported 4wd hobby tractors all over the barnyard.

I would like to see some of the imports go thru a Nebraska HP test like those little Farmalls did. I am sure they all would have to adust their advertised HP ratings a bit. Older Farm tractors only advertised belt, PTO and drawbar HP. I notice the imports advertise engine HP and some PTO. But none reference an independent test. Nebraska had a law in order to sell a tractor in the state Nebraska it had to certified for HP by the University of Nebraska.

Farmalls were simple to work on, parts availibity is excellent and thay don't cost alot to own. It would work excellent on a truck patch. That was a favorite tractor for the commercial tomato farmers in our area. Probaly $1500 to $2500 will get you an excellent one. The "Supers" were a bit nicer than the standard "A" Farmall.

For between $10,000 and $15,000 you can get a really nice John Deere 3020 or 4020 that would have adjustable wheels (rack and pinion axles), Independent PTO (540 or 1000), 3 point with draft control, excellent clearence for crops and it is probaly the best row crop tractor ever built.
They have held their value well. They sell for what they did new 40 years ago. I would guess they will still sell for that price 40 years from today.

Good Luck and let us know what you choose.

Hoosier, I have prices the 4020's and looked at a lot of them. I do like them, my problem is paying 10K 12K for a 1960's tractor, when I can have a new tractor for 15K that is 20 to 30 years newer.

I just don't know if i can do that.

 

[juddmyers]

I forgot to add some more facts. I know some of you have said that you can't do some things with a bigger tractor that you can with a small. Just wanted to add that I have access to a 25hp mahindra, a 50hp JD and a 95hp Kubota. My grandads farm is right next to my new one. So If i needed to borrow a smaller tractor or even one a little bigger then I could.

 

[Soundguy]

if you own a 25, and can use a 50 or 95 anytime.. then.. I don't think you need to be buying another tractor...

soundguy

 

[juddmyers]

SoundGuy, not true. One doesn't need to spend their time working on the farm with equipment that is always borrowed. Better to tear up your own equipment, not someone else's. My grandad uses his everyday, so yea i can borrow it and use it if i needed it, but i can't be getting in his way everyday.

 

[Soundguy]

i think maybee you need to sit down and re-think exactly what you want to do with your operastion. You asked some general questions, told us about the tractor you had, nd then were told you may want larger for some tasks.. answerd back that you had access to larger.. now that access is rather limited.....

You either have access.. or you don't... If you don't have access.. then imho.. YOU NEED THE BIGGER MACHINE ON HAND. If ya got it on hand.. then ya don't need to borrow.

soundguy