What are 80 to 120 hp tractors used for?

[jadk]

Hi,

I'm a grad student working on a research project focused on the north american tractor industry (with no previous experience in this area). I'm trying to break down the types of farms and the tasks that require tractors with 80 to 120 engine horsepower.

For example, operating a horse farm includes hay baling and a specific tractor for that task. What I want to be able to do is produce a table that indicates the tractor horsepower (in the 80 to 120 range) that would be needed for a specific task on a specific farm type.

Any help?

Thanks,
Jad

Note - I know that I should be looking at PTO horsepower which is less than engine horsepower. As long as I don't go outside the 80 to 120 engine horsepower range, I'm fine.

 

[Mark Page]

There is very little that a 45 horsepower tractor can't do that a 120 hp tractor can do, only on a smaller and less efficient scale.
80 to 120 horse power tractors can efficienly:
Pull a 6 bottom rollover plow, although not many farmers plow any more.
Pull 15ft. disc harrow.
Cut hay and straw
Windrow hay and straw
Bale hay and stray
Make big round bales of hay and move then with a front end loader
Plant row crops such as corn and soy beans
Harvest row crops although this job is best left to combines
Drive a large PTO generator
Move deep snow
Pull a five hundred gallon sprayer
Pull it's way through soft ground
Load a tall silo
Handle large quantities of manure
Pull an 18 foot bush hog
Pull a large manure spreader
Some times the manuverability of a smaller machine is adventageous. Cleaning out a horse barn or milking parler would, in most cases, be impossible with a large machine. Using a post hole digger with a smaller machine gives you greater visibility. Pulling a 6 foot bush hog or finish mower is efficiently accomplished with a 30 to 45 horse tractor. Tilling a vegetable garden with a 3pt rotatiller is easier.
You've really opened up a can of worms here. Farmers in different parts of the country have different ways of doing things. In the mid west they use very large machines with very large implements. I'm sure you've seen the pictures of 5 combines, one next to and one behind the other 5 across harvesting 1,000's of acres of wheat. Here on the east coast such a set up would be a waste.
We have a 20 acre hobby farm and breed horses. A 45hp machine does everything we need with out hitch.
This is really a loaded question, I'm sure you'll get numerous replies.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Hi,

I'm a grad student working on a research project focused on the north american tractor industry (with no previous experience in this area). I'm trying to break down the types of farms and the tasks that require tractors with 80 to 120 engine horsepower.

For example, operating a horse farm includes hay baling and a specific tractor for that task. What I want to be able to do is produce a table that indicates the tractor horsepower (in the 80 to 120 range) that would be needed for a specific task on a specific farm type.

Any help?

Thanks,
Jad

Note - I know that I should be looking at PTO horsepower which is less than engine horsepower. As long as I don't go outside the 80 to 120 engine horsepower range, I'm fine.

Tractors in this horsepower range are often used on ranches for mowing, conditioning, and round baling hay, moving large round bales with loaders, feeding the bales, snow removal, and smaller tillage operations.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. bigger tractors.. bigger implements... my 95hp pulls a 15' mower.. etc.


soundguy

 

[Egon]

A lot variables to play with.

In many cases the tractor is chosen for that job requiring the most HP. It may be used for many less demanding jobs.

In many areas the HP. being researched would not be considered as a viable tractor.

 

[super55]

I would try to include this point for the 80-120. This class of tractor is almost used exclusively for the person that makes a living off the land. Why do they use these things? Because Farmers are always pressed for time during planting and harvesting.

Look at it this way. When you work 1000-2000 acres (many farms are much larger now) and your livelihood depends on getting a seed in the ground. You can't control the weather for ideal planting but you can control the rate you get it in when the conditions are ideal. The same goes for harvesting, If grain moisture is low and prices are up these farmers are doing everything in there power to get the crop off the fields. A lot of times you will see these large tractors (I'm including combines as tractors) running 24/7 until all the planting or harvesting is done if the farmers' know inclement weather is coming.

Having a crop get in a month late due to wet conditions or having to run the dryers on crops such as corn to get the moisture at an acceptable level can cost a farmer thousands easily in there overall profit so it makes sense to try and run the largest tractor possible within his/her means. Farming is a tough occupation it always seems it's either too dry or too wet. Can you do a lot of the same tasks with a smaller tractor? Absolutely, but when time is of the essence you want to be able to use the largest implement available to get the job done.

Good luck on your paper you hit the right spot for resources. :thumbsup:

 

[Groo]

An 80 hp tractor will do anything a 60 hp tractor will do, but do it faster and or easier, plus haul heavier loads.

It is sort of like asking what can a V10 truck do? Anything a V8 can do (and quicker) and then a little more. I felt like I was killing my 1/2 ton V8 hauling a heavy trailer across the state, that the new 1 ton V10 did with ease while burning about the same amount of gas doing it.

 

[jinman]

Hi,

I'm a grad student working on a research project focused on the north american tractor industry (with no previous experience in this area). I'm trying to break down the types of farms and the tasks that require tractors with 80 to 120 engine horsepower.

Any help?

Thanks,
Jad

Surely, you can give us more info than you provided. What type of graduate degree would require you to get statistical data of this type of equipment with ZERO experience? That sounds absolutely bonkers to me.:confused2: As a matter of fact, I'd expect such an off-the-wall project to come from some government bean counter who was trying to cut costs and find justification for his austerity measures. Instead of throwing out a broad range of tractor horsepower with no info on use or configuration, you need to ask a better question. You will never get good definitive info with your method. Everyone has their opinion based on their own particular usage and configuration. For example, are you aware that most tractors used in construction fall within those specs?

I'm just asking that you clarify what graduate program you are in, the purpose of your research, and give us a specific task related to these tractors. The answer to your question is far too wide ranging for a detailed analysis here. If you have a specific question relating to a specific farm job, it would make sense. For example, you could ask about haying and what specific jobs might cause a farmer to upgrade from an 80 hp to a 120 hp tractor. That would be a reasonable question in my opinion. For someone who knows nothing about farming to ask a broad polling question is a sign that you don't know the issues or don't care. Please don't take offense, but rather clarify your needs.

 

[Groo]

Surely, you can give us more info than you provided. What type of graduate degree would require you to get statistical data of this type of equipment with ZERO experience? That sounds absolutely bonkers to me.:confused2: As a matter of fact, I'd expect such an off-the-wall project to come from some government bean counter who was trying to cut costs and find justification for his austerity measures. Instead of throwing out a broad range of tractor horsepower with no info on use or configuration, you need to ask a better question. You will never get good definitive info with your method. Everyone has their opinion based on their own particular usage and configuration. For example, are you aware that most tractors used in construction fall within those specs?

I'm just asking that you clarify what graduate program you are in, the purpose of your research, and give us a specific task related to these tractors. The answer to your question is far too wide ranging for a detailed analysis here. If you have a specific question relating to a specific farm job, it would make sense. For example, you could ask about haying and what specific jobs might cause a farmer to upgrade from an 80 hp to a 120 hp tractor. That would be a reasonable question in my opinion. For someone who knows nothing about farming to ask a broad polling question is a sign that you don't know the issues or don't care. Please don't take offense, but rather clarify your needs.

People do graduate programs to learn. not to tell people what they know.

 

[rsewill]

Surely, you can give us more info than you provided. What type of graduate degree would require you to get statistical data of this type of equipment with ZERO experience? That sounds absolutely bonkers to me.:confused2: As a matter of fact, I'd expect such an off-the-wall project to come from some government bean counter who was trying to cut costs and find justification for his austerity measures. Instead of throwing out a broad range of tractor horsepower with no info on use or configuration, you need to ask a better question. You will never get good definitive info with your method. Everyone has their opinion based on their own particular usage and configuration. For example, are you aware that most tractors used in construction fall within those specs?

I'm just asking that you clarify what graduate program you are in, the purpose of your research, and give us a specific task related to these tractors. The answer to your question is far too wide ranging for a detailed analysis here. If you have a specific question relating to a specific farm job, it would make sense. For example, you could ask about haying and what specific jobs might cause a farmer to upgrade from an 80 hp to a 120 hp tractor. That would be a reasonable question in my opinion. For someone who knows nothing about farming to ask a broad polling question is a sign that you don't know the issues or don't care. Please don't take offense, but rather clarify your needs.

Perhaps Jad is not from this hemisphere so s/he is trying to gather basic information on the type of tractors we use for the type of farming we do. Jad could have asked about 300+ HP tractors...

 

[slowzuki]

That size range on a farm is sort of a multi purpose machine. On a large farm it would be the yard or chore tractor and have a loader fitted and be used for all kinds of tasks except the actual heavy work of working the hundreds or thousands of acres. Its too small to pull modern and large no-till planters, tillage equipment or harvesting equipment.

On smaller farms this size tractor might be the only tractor and would do all of the tasks on the farm. Dairies, beef feed lots, mixed arable, etc would use this size for every task as long as their arable acres aren't too big. Recently the size of the big tractor on this type of farm has been creeping up to 160-180 hp as equipment like big square balers become more popular.

In part time farms like my own, we have this sized machine for one reason mainly, to run the discbine. Its handy for plowing and other work, but not required.

 

[Martian]

There are way to many variables to list. For some people that size tractor could be their main machine and do everything from planting to harvesting on a 100 acre farm. Other people, who own thousands of acres will use them as a 'four wheeler' for their 'little' chores.

Surely, you can give us more info than you provided. What type of graduate degree would require you to get statistical data of this type of equipment with ZERO experience? That sounds absolutely bonkers to me.:confused2: As a matter of fact, I'd expect such an off-the-wall project to come from some government bean counter who was trying to cut costs and find justification for his austerity measures. Instead of throwing out a broad range of tractor horsepower with no info on use or configuration, you need to ask a better question. You will never get good definitive info with your method. Everyone has their opinion based on their own particular usage and configuration. For example, are you aware that most tractors used in construction fall within those specs?

I'm just asking that you clarify what graduate program you are in, the purpose of your research, and give us a specific task related to these tractors. The answer to your question is far too wide ranging for a detailed analysis here. If you have a specific question relating to a specific farm job, it would make sense. For example, you could ask about haying and what specific jobs might cause a farmer to upgrade from an 80 hp to a 120 hp tractor. That would be a reasonable question in my opinion. For someone who knows nothing about farming to ask a broad polling question is a sign that you don't know the issues or don't care. Please don't take offense, but rather clarify your needs.

I would expect better responses if you did provide a little more information, as well as I'm interested in what this is about. Being a little more specific will give us information on what the project will be and we will be more than glad to help - heck, some of us might even want to do it for you:thumbsup:

 

[Ken]

Maybe travel to the mid part of the country and spend some time on a farm helping the Farmer. these smaller tractors are usually connected to a weed sprayer for the fence rows. or attached to a bush hog.
ken

 

[mdelmarcelle]

Surely, you can give us more info than you provided. What type of graduate degree would require you to get statistical data of this type of equipment with ZERO experience? That sounds absolutely bonkers to me.:confused2: As a matter of fact, I'd expect such an off-the-wall project to come from some government bean counter who was trying to cut costs and find justification for his austerity measures. Instead of throwing out a broad range of tractor horsepower with no info on use or configuration, you need to ask a better question. You will never get good definitive info with your method. Everyone has their opinion based on their own particular usage and configuration. For example, are you aware that most tractors used in construction fall within those specs?

I'm just asking that you clarify what graduate program you are in, the purpose of your research, and give us a specific task related to these tractors. The answer to your question is far too wide ranging for a detailed analysis here. If you have a specific question relating to a specific farm job, it would make sense. For example, you could ask about haying and what specific jobs might cause a farmer to upgrade from an 80 hp to a 120 hp tractor. That would be a reasonable question in my opinion. For someone who knows nothing about farming to ask a broad polling question is a sign that you don't know the issues or don't care. Please don't take offense, but rather clarify your needs.

Yeah, seems like this guy is trying to get at our secret tractor information. :laughing:

Although, I do agree, seems like a very unusual paper to have to write. Not exactly the type of topic that requires really deep thought or anything. Just go to the local John Deere dealer and read the catalogs for the 5000 and 6000 series tractors. What you see those tractors doing in the pictures in the catalogs are what those tractors are used for.

I would say that hp range is generally a high power utility range. It's not really meant for larger row crop work, but not so small that you use it for minor chores. Generally, that size puts tractors in the 50,000 plus price range too.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I'd recommend a trip to a couple dozen major brand--JD, Case-IH, etc.--dealers. Get a bunch of catalogs. Or better yet, call ahead, speak to a manager and make an appointment. Sit and ask.

I also like the comment about go out and help the farmers, which might be hard in MA, but is a good idea for pure research.

 

[rambler]

Without any farm tractor experience, I think you might be asking a question that doesn't quite relate to us farmers.

'Horse farm' itelf is really just a recreational thing, not a productive farm that produces grain, meat, milk.

So I think many of us will be missing what it is you are trying to get ahold of?

Back in the early 1970's, an 80-120 hp tractor was the big horse, did all the tillage, was really something.

Today they have 400-500 hp tractors to do that work, and the 100 hp tractor is the 'little' tractor to pull seed wagons around and other small chores.

But then there are smaller sized farms, like mine, still out there. My 'big' tractor is a 140hp, only barely bigger than you list.

My 84 hp tractor used to be the 'big guy' on this farm, and plowed, field cultivated, hauled wagons, picked corn, pulled the planter.

Still have it, now it mostly pulls wagons, blows snow, moves round bales, and runs the round baler. If it is hooked to one of these things, my 60 hp tractor can actually handle all of these jobs as well. OH, corn stalk chopping, and mower-conditioner hay cutting, disking with my small disk, pulling the herbicide sprayer.

The 140hp tractor does the plowing and field cultivating, I actually got a smaller 60hp tractor to pull the planter.

Farming is such a wide open thing, we can't define it like a production line and apply certain power standards.

I've pulled my planter with the 28 hp tractor, the 84 hp tractor, and the 60hp tractor. All worked, the small one I drove slower so didn't get as much work done but the corn was planted better; the 84 hp is a little big but works fine, I preferthe 60hp tractor but it doesn't have a cab if the weather is real bad....

80-120 hp tractors are very very popular for loader tractors, as well.

It's just all over the place, I don't think we will be answering your question quite right?

--->Paul

 

[texasjohn]

Jinman is right.

Jad, welcome to TBN...you have done 1 post so far...need to come back and expand per Jinman's comments, else we'll be suspicious of your intentions. What university??

Then, READ a WHOLE LOT of TBN existing threads....this is mandatory research to fill out your non existent information re farming and tractor use.

 

[texasjohn]

Jinman is right.

Jad, welcome to TBN...you have done 1 post so far...need to come back and expand per Jinman's comments, else we'll be suspicious of your intentions. What university??

Then, READ a WHOLE LOT of TBN existing threads....this is mandatory research to fill out your non existent expertise re farming and tractor use.

 

[Qapla]

...I'm a grad student working on a research project focused on the north American tractor industry ... I want to be able to produce a table that indicates the tractor horsepower (in the 80 to 120 range) that would be needed for a specific task on a specific farm type.

I agree that more info on a subject like this would be interesting. However, he provided enough to get answers ... if you have a tractor in this power range, just post what you do with it. If you don't have one in that range, post what you know others are doing with one of that range. If you don't know the answer because you either don't have one or don't know anyone who does ... don't be so critical of his question ... just pass on posting.

Around here, many tractors that size are being used to spray crops and are fitted with spray setups that are not removed. The booms reach 25' in both directions allowing them to spray a 50' path each pass. They leave the spray rigs on and only use them for this purpose.