Buying Advice TRACTOR SHOPPING-grrrrrrrrr

[tmarch]

I've been looking for a tractor to do some lite farming but mainly moving 1500-1800 pound hay bales with a 3 point &/or loader and some dirt work. Like to keep it small & stable enuff to handle my hills, and 4wd. I have a Bobcat toolcat and like it, but need something with more lifting capacity. But Bobcat tractors are too lite in the lifting capacity.
I mite mention that I hate mechanic work, and a crescent wrench and vise grips are my main tools. A grease gun is the devils invention IMHO but I can do it. Looking new for that reason.
Nearest dealer is Massey Ferguson and Bobcat, next dealer is either John Deere or New Holland. As far as the Kubota, Kioti, and whatever else nothing within 200 miles.
Thinking a JD 4720 or something close, any other suggestions?

 

[boggen]

will you be stacking round bails on top of each other for storage?

will ya be sticking one round bail on the front loader. and then one on back via 3pt hitch down the road?

will ya be sticking one round bail on the front. and pulling a trailer with round bails on back down the road?

dirt work... type of dirt work? grading? digging? leveling yard? plowing? dealing with manure / pulling a manure spreader?

cleaning out stalls?

any field work?

what other implements / attachments do yo currently have now?

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some of the other things you might want to do, might suggest a little larger size tractor. and above questions, are an attempt to get a better idea. so others that are more knowledgeable might be able to gear in on better choices for ya.

 

[Johno Geo]

I would go with the dealer you feel most comfortable with
The Deere 4720 is a nice machine and the ehydro is very" lawnmower-esque" to drive.
I would look at NH 4060 Boomer, probably a few $ less. The EHSS is fun to drive and feels more like a gear tractor.

I would try them first.
Most dealers would be pleased to let you give it a spin
Good Luck

 

[tmarch]

The biggest part of the bale handling will be unloading them off a truck. I've been having to get a chain mover to haul my hay in and it would be cheaper to get it on a flat bed truck. So I need something with high enuff lift and capacity for that.
The dirt work is mainly improving the trail roads I have and moving dirt to level the driveway etc.
Maybe a little discing or tilling, but not real farm work.
I have a grapple, mower, angle broom, bucket, forks and post hole digger for the toolcat so may be looking to get a bobtach head for the loader. But that's in the future.

 

[bigbull338]

you need a 75hp tractor to safely unload off off trailers an have the hight to reach the double stacked bales.

 

[jlsmith]

you need a 75hp tractor to safely unload off off trailers an have the hight to reach the double stacked bales.

I disagree. The MF2615L is 50hp and that is plenty big enough to unload and load hay on a trailer. I even have a customer loading and unloading with a MF1540L, granted he has to have a counter weight on the back.

 

[boggen]

not much help to ya. beyond, suggesting rear ballast. either filled tires, rear wheel weights, or 3 pt hitch ballast. if ya go with 3pt hitch, you mentioned trails. so a box blade with rocks, concrete, or extra metal stacked on top. for rear weight would be a good way to get weight. so when ya use the FEL with bail spikes on vs general duty bucket. you do not do a noise dive and roll over.

and box blade would help ya maintain trails, driveway.

i only mention above. because when ya lifting them round bails high. you are at much higher risk of rolling the tractor.

a larger tractor that has wider stance, and more weight is always helpful. but.... when ya doing the high lifting. try to move straight in and straight out and away. without need of turning at all. when bail is on the FEL. so there is less roll over chance.

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not use to the terms yet, but i would suggest "HST, power reverser" so you have a switch on dash to go from forward to reverse, a button on gear shift, and possibly a button on FEL to dump the clutch. vs need of a foot clutch. it saves time, and less physical work / stress on the body. it is a tad more on most models from various manufacturers. but man, it makes a difference.