Do I need a tractor?

[arlen4720]

Ok back to tractors....
Anyone ever run a generator off your tractor? Is it practical? How big of s generator can you run?

They work great for emergencies. One less engine to maintain every year. I think 2 PTO horsepower per KW is a good rull of thumb.
There is going to be allot of different opinions on this.

 

[k0ua]

They work great for emergencies. One less engine to maintain every year. I think 2 PTO horsepower per KW is a good rull of thumb.
There is going to be allot of different opinions on this.

That rule of thumb is about what I thought too. So a 13kw generator (a common size) To run at full load would need about 26 PTO horsepower.

 

[dave1949]

Hi Cardiologist from a native Toledoan.

I've been lurking here on your thread a while. I think you are accustomed to assimilating large amounts of data and facts and creating a coherent whole from them. I'm not sure that is the best way to approach this tractor idea.

Given your career and related activities, kids to raise, and family to think about, I think a tractor would most likely fall into the hobby category for you. I would choose one or two things you would like to do well, and focus on what is needed to do that. Taken too far, you are only making more busy work for yourself, perhaps.

Take the PTO generator for example. It will be useless to your family if you are not there to hook it up and connect it to your power. If you happen to be low on diesel fuel, that's another chore. If some other implement is mounted on the 3-pt hitch, that has to come off first of all. If the generator has migrated to back in some corner, that's more work to get it out. If you get it going, leave for work and the utility power returns, your wife isn't likely to know, or want to know if she is anything like my wife , how to switch back over. There are much better residential generator solutions that are hands-off, automatic operations.

You could rent a small tractor-loader-backhoe (TLB) like a Deere 110 to dig stumps. You would have the satisfaction of having done it yourself without sizing your tractor to backhoe requirements, or storing the backhoe attachment 99% of the time while it is idle. If you don't have an equipment shed, the weather and exposure will kill it eventually while it sits in any case.

I guess a tractor and some outdoor activity would be therapeutic after repeatedly telling over-weight middle aged guys to get some exercise and stop smoking. :laughing: But, I would try to focus on maximizing your enjoyment, and minimizing your hassles.

BTW, you have to rank among the world's worst gardeners :laughing: if you cannot grow tomatoes and peppers in Toledo, or you just cannot commit the time needed to tend them to maturity. That could be a clue, but only you know.

Sorry for butting in, but it is germane to your original question. Good luck and have fun.

 

[traveling fisher]

We have 6 acres with pond, woods long drive 2 acres of mowing. Fro 20 years we used a JD garden tractor. First a 316, then a 445 with MMM. Carts to haul stuff. Last year I got a used 2305 with loader. Have added pallet forks, ballast box, rear blade and landscape rake. My ability to perform work has increased dramatically without increasing the stress on my aging body. Should have done it years ago. The pallet forks make moving brush, trimmings and such easy. Trees are cut into manageable lengths for the forks or dragged with a log chain. The 2305 is light enough to use on the lawn area without damage, maneuverable enough to work in close quarters and capable enough to plow and maintain 800 ft of gravel drive. It could function as my only mower, but I kept the 445 which is almost perfect and my wife likes to mow with it. Bigger is always more fun, but the SCUT does everything I need. Good luck.

 

[Don87]

And to the OP...........While bigger is usually better in tractors..........I think you should start small. That way you can get the feel for it without being overwhelmed.

 

[newbury]

To the Doctor -
PTO generators are one of those things that can be handy and can be trouble. If you need to know about generators on a tractor forum we've had many long winded threads.
I own 3 generators and am constantly looking for number 4.
Where I live in Va. power rarely goes out for long. Mississippi will be different.
I've a little Harbor Freight $80 cheapy, for camping etc.
I've a 6KW+ Home Depot with a Honda engine. Bought it 10 years ago shortly after Hurricane Isabel. Used it ONCE about 2 months ago for a power outage that went over 4 hours.
And I've the 12KW PTO generator in my sig that I got off Craigs List for $600.
I'm looking to buy a 20KW diesel to run the house with A/C in Mississippi.

If you think you need a generator a lot depends on how you are going to use it and fuel availability. I wanted a PTO generator so I can carry it with me.

 

[cardiologist]

Back to tractors, I've had a gun for many years.

Is there a huge difference in size and maneuverability between the Kubota bx series and B series (the next step up)? If so, how big of a difference? I certainly want more horse power, but do those bigger ones move around as well and get into tight spaces in woods?

 

[Cbrown9064]

How did this post get so far off track?

Cardiologist...I think you need a trip to a couple local dealers and sit on/look at/drive some models. Go on Craigslist and visit a couple guys with interesting tractors for sale like that Ford 3910.

At this points, only you can answer some of these questions...

 

[newbury]

Back to tractors, I've had a gun for many years.

Is there a huge difference in size and maneuverability between the Kubota bx series and B series (the next step up)? If so, how big of a difference? I certainly want more horse power, but do those bigger ones move around as well and get into tight spaces in woods?

Although I've only owned the B and the M my reason for getting the B7610 was maneuverability in the woods. The BX's are built much lower to the ground and they used to have an unshrouded HST fan that would frequently get torn off. Compare similar models at Tractordata, TractorData.com Kubota BX2660 tractor dimensions information. A BX clears 8.7", a B 12" plus, an L is around 13"+, when you move up to an M your looking at 15" plus. Thus the big jump in ground clearance is BX to B.

My B7610 is just under 5' wide. For a while I had a Satoh that was only slightly larger and it was easy to maneuver in the woods. My M4700 is going to be a pain, I'll need a lot more vertical (above my head) and horizontal clearance.

Go sit on and demo both. Before I bought my B7610 I was thinking a BX would do - until I sat on one and felt I was on a glorified lawn mower.

 

[Don87]

Although I've only owned the B and the M my reason for getting the B7610 was maneuverability in the woods. The BX's are built much lower to the ground and they used to have an unshrouded HST fan that would frequently get torn off. Compare similar models at Tractordata, TractorData.com Kubota BX2660 tractor dimensions information. A BX clears 8.7", a B 12" plus, an L is around 13"+, when you move up to an M your looking at 15" plus. Thus the big jump in ground clearance is BX to B.

My B7610 is just under 5' wide. For a while I had a Satoh that was only slightly larger and it was easy to maneuver in the woods. My M4700 is going to be a pain, I'll need a lot more vertical (above my head) and horizontal clearance.

Go sit on and demo both. Before I bought my B7610 I was thinking a BX would do - until I sat on one and felt I was on a glorified lawn mower.

That is exactly what they feel like.

But the power available in that small package of a subcompact is quite impressive.

The bad part is the ground clearance for woods work. They can be used, but care must be taken to remove all obstacles that may interfere with the undercarriage. I have mine in my woods all the time and(knocking on wood)haven't had any problems yet and I have turf tires.

EDIT: Although with that said, I think the OP would be better off with a small 'B' series(or equivalent) in other brands.