Do I need 4wd and/or loader?

[RPW]

2WD and a FEL, Been using mine (JD5103 2wd) for about 2 years. Running it on 25ac mostly flat. Move large rounds, pulled Cedars (2 - 4 in.) mow, use a boxblade etc. I think so far I've only wished for 4wd once. And that was in winter and very muddy. What you lack in features you can make up for in brains. Is there an advantage with 4wd? Yes. Can you get by without it? Yes. Should you have bought the FEL with the tractor? YES,YES,YES. Easy way is to trade up to the tractor you think you need or learn what you have and make a decision based on what you find works for you.

Good luck.

 

[schmism]

Yes :thumbsup:

 

[LBrown59]

The laoder will be handydandy..
you'll sell your wheel barrow soon after getting it. 4wd? sounds like you don't need it on your flat area.soundguy

I didn't .
Of course I have never owned a wheelbarrow.
Maybe that's got something to do with it .

 

[stravis]

Not sure where in GA you are or what kind of soil you have, but here in middle Georgia, I would definitely want 4wd if I was farming. The more you harrow or till the soil, the more loose it is. With the rain we've been getting this year, I wouldn't be able to drive across my land without 4wd if I had harrowed it. If you're moving hay at all, a loader would be a must for me. I hate moving hay with a 3ph spear. It's awkward and you can't stack nor load onto a trailer. (Unless you have a scissor type spear, which is even more awkward). I use my loader more often than any other implement (not more hours, but more often). I wouldn't be without either.

Can you get by without 4wd and a loader, of course. Would life be easier with both, absolutely. Is it worth the cost, that's up to you.

 

[jed1894]

Man! The response is incredible. Thanks for all the information. This site is full of information on every topic.

Just an update, I was out tractor shopping today......Stopped at the Kubota, NH and Deere stores. Got to look and sit on each brand. I'm kinda hooked/attached to the Deere products because my good buddy is a Deere salesman and the Deere mechanic lives across the road (next farm) from me. That's very nice for a new farmer. Call him over for a beer and let him work on the tractor....

So, John Deere is the way I'm going at this point. But, I had to look a the MX5100 and some others just to say I did. By-the-way, the nearest Kubota and NH dealers are about 45 min away.

I went out and looked at the 5045E, 5055E and 5065E. My buddy is working up some numbers for each. I'm going to eat some trade in money trading out of the 2wd (with under 10 hours) but that's my fault for buying it in the first place. Haven't made a decision yet but my choices are simply: put a loader on the 2wd or trade up to the 4wd. Cost difference after trade will be between 14k (for 5045E) and 17K (5055E and/or 5065E). Got some thinking to do:

However, I need advice one more time: my Deere buddy has a used 5045E with 300 hours that was rented to a peanut company who only used it to tow peanut carts around. The PTO and 3 pt hitch has never been used. He'll need to add a loader to it, but I think I can get it for about $2000 less than a new 5045E. It will come with a new warranty (I think he said 2000 hours and 2 years) and I can also buy an extended warranty like a new one. Should I consider this? Should I ask for more off? Any suggestions?

Once again....thanks for the information.

jed

 

[jed1894]

Another thing I noticed today.....just in case I decide to go with a new tractor:

One of the 5055Es had huge, wide tires on the back compared to another 5055E next to it. I did not get the numbers, but they seemed almost twice as wide. The cost difference was $800 if I understood the dealer correctly. To me, the larger tires would be an asset, correct? When I mentioned putting the larger tires on my 2wd for better traction and added weight, the dealer said I would be better off with the 4wd version. I guess he was thinking that $800 from the factory is one thing, but buying two more tires and rims would jack up the cost.

Would larger tires make that much difference?

jed

 

[jed1894]

Forgot to add one other thing:

When I mentioned pulling up stumps, I meant very small ones like bamboo, very small trees, etc. nothing more than about 3 or 4 inches wide.

jed

 

[LBrown59]

One of the 5055Es had huge, wide tires on the back compared to another 5055E next to it. I did not get the numbers, but they seemed almost twice as wide.
The cost difference was $800 if I understood the dealer correctly.
To me, the larger tires would be an asset, correct?
When I mentioned putting the larger tires on my 2wd for better traction and added weight, the dealer said I would be better off with the 4wd version. I guess he was thinking that $800 from the factory is one thing, but buying two more tires and rims would jack up the cost.
Would larger tires make that much difference?
jed[/quote]
Not necessarly.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree whole heartedly. I worked a dairy farm for years with nothing but 2wd tractors and never really had too much trouble. For farm work the 4wd gets you a little further before you get stuck but your still stuck. I can't think of 1 time when the 2wd got stuck but a 4wd would not. The one place I really liked the 4wd when we finally got one was when moving wrapped round bales on ice in the winter, then I think a crawler may be the cats meow.

Ditto that. Only tractor I've ever been stuck on was 4wd..

soudnguy

 

[Soundguy]

Forgot to add one other thing:

When I mentioned pulling up stumps, I meant very small ones like bamboo, very small trees, etc. nothing more than about 3 or 4 inches wide.

jed

You'd be surprised what under the ground on a 4" stump..

soundguy

 

[jed1894]

Forgot to add one other thing:

I'm going to take about a $1100 trade-in hit trading out of the 2wd for a tractor I've only had about 4 months with 10 hours. Bad, huh? Hard lesson and waste of money. Almost makes me think twice about the whole trading thing at this point.

Maybe I should keep the tractor a while and try to sell on my own......I guess a loader added to the 2wd would increase the value as well so I wouldn't loose any money by adding the loader. Decisions, decisions....

thanks, jed

 

[michellesc7]

Jed
Consider the following - address the amount of hours and the type of work you are doing now and in the future (dream work). The 2wd is a good tractor for basic farming not FEL work unless it is light duty work. I have a 2wd and a 4wd tractor both have loaders. I cannot push much with the 2wd loader tractor but it makes a good pushing downed brush and farming tractor. Consider your soil type - if it is south GA sand than if you envision only light duty loader work - just put the loader on your 2wd.

I use my heavier 4wd tractor loader for low hours heavy loader work. I use my 2wd tractor for general farm work. If you have alot of box blade scraping 4wd is best also.

Secret is to consider the hours. Also consider the plastic hoods on the John Deere tractors-don't push over trees with it. I have 2 all steel Mahindras and one older JD. If you need 4wd after you examine your needs, then sell the 2wd JD tractor outright- they have a great resale value.

Hope this helps.
Michelle

 

[JIGBUILDER]

Never heard a 2wd tractor couldn't handle a loader unless it wasn't designed for one.

I have 40 acres but I don't farm. No more than you can plow on 40 acres a 40-60 hp tractor with a loader would do anything you'll need done.

My 50 hp 2wd has a loader and I have no use for a 4wd tractor. A tractor without a loader would be usless for me.

Put a loader on your 2wd tractor and put it to work.

 

[jed1894]

Jed
Consider the following - address the amount of hours and the type of work you are doing now and in the future (dream work). The 2wd is a good tractor for basic farming not FEL work unless it is light duty work. I have a 2wd and a 4wd tractor both have loaders. I cannot push much with the 2wd loader tractor but it makes a good pushing downed brush and farming tractor. Consider your soil type - if it is south GA sand than if you envision only light duty loader work - just put the loader on your 2wd.

I use my heavier 4wd tractor loader for low hours heavy loader work. I use my 2wd tractor for general farm work. If you have alot of box blade scraping 4wd is best also.

Secret is to consider the hours. Also consider the plastic hoods on the John Deere tractors-don't push over trees with it. I have 2 all steel Mahindras and one older JD. If you need 4wd after you examine your needs, then sell the 2wd JD tractor outright- they have a great resale value.

Hope this helps.
Michelle

Thanks Michelle....good advice. I don't really know what I'll actually use the loader for (with except to what I've said so far) yet. Pushing dead trees, moving hay bails around, pushing over small treess and bushes, dragging off stumps, moving heavy things around, who knows.....

Can't think of why I would want to move much dirt, but I'm new to this farming stuff. I'll probably keep the 2wd drive. The more I think about just throwing away $1100 the less I like it. ---- payment cheaper too.

thanks, jed

 

[jed1894]

Never heard a 2wd tractor couldn't handle a loader unless it wasn't designed for one.

I have 40 acres but I don't farm. No more than you can plow on 40 acres a 40-60 hp tractor with a loader would do anything you'll need done.

My 50 hp 2wd has a loader and I have no use for a 4wd tractor. A tractor without a loader would be usless for me.

Put a loader on your 2wd tractor and put it to work.

Also good advice......thanks, jed

 

[Typhoon]

I too have 40 acres. I think a good guideline to follow if you are just going to use your tractor to do general maintenance, is match your hp to your acreage.. i.e. 40 acres, 40hp should suffice. That being said, when I bought my tractor, I came here for advice, and 99% of the feedback I got was get a loader, and get 4wd. I can't imagine life without either of those. Horsepower is useless unless you can put it to the ground. You can do alot of things to improve traction with a 2wd... tires, weight, etc.. but it in no way compares to 4wd. Also, like some others have said, when using the loader, the 4wd really shines... for example, pushing into a pile, you are applying alot of down force to the front wheels. If you are in 4wd they REALLY grab! That is just one example. Just my opinion.

 

[texasjohn]

Don't be afraid of a few hours on a used tractor... bought mine with around 300 hrs on it and remaining warranty. Absolutely no problem...and buy in cost was less at the time...resale prices in your area may vary. All else being equal, local dealer and expertise is very useful.... have you looked around for a used, low hour, 4wd, loader JD tractor??

Yep, tough to move to different tractor from what you have..more $$ hurts.. perhaps you could borrow a 4wd/loader tractor from someone local for a short time to get personal experience on your place.

Fundamentally, tractor size and implements is realistically determined by the maximum you really need to do with a tractor (pulling power, FEL lift weight, etc) not the average/typical thing. If you target the average/typical, then much of the time you are fighting to get stuff done because you are underpowered or do not have the right attachment, or that extra hydraulic port, etc....

I fought thru several tractors (2wd, less hp than needed, no loader) and MADE them work, beat my body up, just didn't do some things, etc .... It is absolutely amazing how many more things I get done with MUCH less tear on my body now. Fundamentally, I moved from 35hp to 50 plus 4wd plus loader and matching equipment.

With 40 acres and part time, you will be astounded how diverse the tasks are you will seek to do....always more to do than you have time for...your tractor and attachments is the only time and work multiplier you can obtain. The pages of TBN are filled with the benefits of 4wd and usefulness of a loader. If you could step ahead 5 to 10 years and look back over the accomplishments with your current tractor versus a 4wd/loader tractor, the difference would be quite obvious. My boys frequently tell me, and rightly so, that I should have gotten my current tractor years and years ago.

So, all said and done, it's your $$ and only you know what else is tugging at your funds.....but if at all you can swing it, I'd hunt for a way to start out on your 40 acres with a tractor that has more power, function and features than you now think you need...you will DEFINITELY find ways to use all that and find a need for more.... almost everybody on TBN has had this experience, although some would argue the point.

You purchased the land to do things with it and shape it to match your dreams....the single tool most capable of making your vision come thru is your tractor and implements....matched with your vision and skill.

I wish you all the best, and continued contributions to TBN:thumbsup:

 

[jed1894]

Thanks to everyone for the advice.....this site is full of very useful information of which I'm barely scratching the surface.

I'm going to do some more research while shopping and thinking, etc. ......I'm not sure what I need exactly but what I have now with harrow and plant my field. I probably won't trade because of the loss of money unless the deal is real good. The used 4wd is probably the only option at this time as far as a trade and I don't think Deere is going to come down anymore than $2000 off the regular price. Neighbor and best friend has 2 4wd Kubotas I can borrow so there is no rush.

One other option I'm thinking about is buying a used Ford 5600 2wd with loader for around $6500. Seems like a good tractor and I can probably get rid of it pretty easy. That will give me a taste of what I need. I will be looking at it closely on Friday. Got a farmer buddy who says he'll buy the Ford to use around his shop if I don't want it.....can't go wrong there.

Once again....thanks to everyone. I am very well informed now.

jed

 

[RPW]

You're getting a lot of great advice and it sounds like you're listening to some very experienced people on the boards. The only mistake IMO you made when purchasing was not getting the loader....Oh well..... As someone said get the loader installed on your existing tractor and put it to work. If....after a few years you will know more about what your needs are and then either upgrade or pick up something to fill the need. That's pretty much what I'm doing. As I've said I have the 5103 with FEL and the 14.9x24 rear tires. So far I has done everything I've asked of it. If I was to do it over only two things I'd change. I'd have gone with more HP (only because I'd want it) and the wider 16.9x24 tires for better traction and less compaction. I'm in the process of moving to a larger piece of property myself (40ac) and it has a spring that runs through the center of the property. For the task of redirecting the water flow to allow more of the property to dry out I'll use either my boxblade and if that doesn't work I'll rent a backhoe for a week (although I want a bachoe of my own ).

Good luck.

 

[RobertN]

Getting a tractor with 300 hours is something like getting a used car with only 20,000 miles on it.

There was an old thread here about this; it kind of listed out the equivalent of hours in what would be miles on a car/pickup.

EDIT: This thread had some infor about hours. Not the one I was looking for, but on subject

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/24055-hours.html

Don't be afraid of a few hours on a used tractor... bought mine with around 300 hrs on it