Tractor Sizing Tractor for 20-50 acres

[TripleR]

Advice on TBN is almost always more more more horsepower etc. Maybe we need a new subforum for "small is beautiful" tractors.

20hp is plenty to get a lot of work done so long as there is no critical time element.

Actually there have been times when I have counseled for smaller tractors. On one occasion my wife went shopping and came back with a smaller tractor than we thought we needed and once we came back with a bigger one.

I didn't come up with this, but use it a lot, "Bigger isn't always better, sometimes it's just bigger."

We have tractors from 23 to 85 HP and each is used regularly, depending on the need.

 

[Bluegill2]

Advice on TBN is almost always more more more horsepower etc. Maybe we need a new subforum for "small is beautiful" tractors.

20hp is plenty to get a lot of work done so long as there is no critical time element.

Pretty much the same with guns, trucks, boats, chainsaws, etc... LOL

Nice photos, ya got yourself a very nice little workhorse there!

 

[NeedMoreTractor]

The size if the trees is about 20 in. diameter and 15' to 20' long, although you could cut it in half.

 

[Bluegill2]

The size if the trees is about 20 in. diameter and 15' to 20' long, although you could cut it in half.

We clamp a cant hook on the big end, lift with the 3-point hitch and drag the logs out. Have a set of forks on the L3750, 45hp that we load them on a trailer with. Easily handles 20-24"+ dia logs. I believe the L3800 would handle logs up to 20" dia and 12' long, maybe larger with no problems, but have not tried it yet.

Like I said earlier, my brother is skidding logs with a small Massey 2300 (23hp), which is very similar to the small B Kubotas, actually it looks like Kubota built the thing.

A 38-50hp tractor will do fine for ya.

 

[mbradey]

The size if the trees is about 20 in. diameter and 15' to 20' long, although you could cut it in half.

With a 39HP Tractor I can just pick it up and drive it home. I did need someone standing on the snowblower as it was light in the back end.

 

[rsewill]

With a 39HP Tractor I can just pick it up and drive it home. I did need someone standing on the snowblower as it was light in the back end.

LOL, might need a pilot car for that wide load.

 

[newbury]

Couple of points -
Look at my link to Woodweb to figure out weights.
For the size tree your talking about 30HP w/ a log arch may do, w/o it won't.
About 15 minutes ago I got back from trying to haul a 12' chunk of oak about 16" DBH.

30 hp Satoh, no can do. Lift it w/ 3 pt, front end leaves the ground. Sure I could load the tires, add weight etc. but it's near the limit. I figured it would be close.

Time to get a better method or bigger tractor.

Buying new or used - Your not to far from Barlow's a great source of used AND new. I bought my Kubota used from Craigslist in 2009, and today could get the same tractor for about $2,000 more.

 

[charleyfarmall]

Actually there have been times when I have counseled for smaller tractors. On one occasion my wife went shopping and came back with a smaller tractor than we thought we needed and once we came back with a bigger one.

I didn't come up with this, but use it a lot, "Bigger isn't always better, sometimes it's just bigger."

We have tractors from 23 to 85 HP and each is used regularly, depending on the need.

Well Said!

 

[NeedMoreTractor]

Where exactly is Barlows?

 

[gwdixon]

Where exactly is Barlows?

Barlow Equipment - Home of the Kubota Tractor Package Builder