GreenWannabe
Platinum Member
A couple of observations I didn't see mentioned.
First, I would select the implement sizes and capacities you need to accomplish the most of your work (the 80% rule). My buddies convinced me last year to get a 6' brush hog to cut my 12 acres of former hay field, rather than the 5 footer I thought would do. They told me it would take me a long time to cut it with a five foot unit, and I decidd their arguments held merit. Twenty acres to mow is a lot more. How often do you want to mow it? If every month, you may want a wider unit My Kioti DK45SE is not recommended for more than six feet, nor is the DK50SE (same tractor, more horsepower but not more weight). These tractors are compact tractors, they are not like the same horsepower tractors from thirty years ago which weighed twice as much.
Second is FEL lift capacity. IIRC, the Kioti and Mahindra both are rated at the pivot point. Lifting a bale where the center of gravity is three feet forward of the pivot point reduces the lift capacity quite a bit. As an example, a loader rated at 2368 lbs at the pivot pin can only lift 1742 lbs if the load is centered about 20 inches forward of the pivot point. Three feet forward will reduce it much more. And for any really heavy lift like round bales, you need not only a counterweight on the three point hitch (a heavy one, like 800 lbs) but also filled rear tires, further adding to the weight of the tractor. I estimate the weight of my DK45SE to be about 7500 lbs, with filled tires and 810 lbs of counterweight. For round bales, I would want a lift capacity at the pivot pins at least 2 1/2 times the weight of the bale.
Once you know for sure what size cutter you want, and how heavy your bales are, they will pretty much dictate your tractor needs. Compact tractors are not meant to handle cutters much bigger than six foot models, and are probably marginal for large round bales. I would be looking at utility tractors in the 55 to 70 horsepower range, which should open up the used market for you considerably. There is a lot of value in many older tractors, but you do need someone who is knowledgeable to evaluate each one that you are interested in. You can always hire someone with a roll-off wrecker truck to bring it home for you.
A final note - my dealer tells me that he sends out his rolloff to bring tractors in for repair when they need it, but the owner can't bring it in. I do expect to pay for that service, but I know his rates are reasonable - not what a normal wrecker operator would charge, even though his equipment is larger than most wreckers. The reason he is my dealer is that in comparison to the other dealers in my area with tractors that eventually made my short list, he was ten grand cheaper for an equal configuration.
Please be aware that I am not trying to be a naysayer on a compact tractor in the 40-50 horsepower range, that's what worked for me. I am wanting you to be able to accomplish your tasks in a timely manner, with safety. Good luck with your search.
First, I would select the implement sizes and capacities you need to accomplish the most of your work (the 80% rule). My buddies convinced me last year to get a 6' brush hog to cut my 12 acres of former hay field, rather than the 5 footer I thought would do. They told me it would take me a long time to cut it with a five foot unit, and I decidd their arguments held merit. Twenty acres to mow is a lot more. How often do you want to mow it? If every month, you may want a wider unit My Kioti DK45SE is not recommended for more than six feet, nor is the DK50SE (same tractor, more horsepower but not more weight). These tractors are compact tractors, they are not like the same horsepower tractors from thirty years ago which weighed twice as much.
Second is FEL lift capacity. IIRC, the Kioti and Mahindra both are rated at the pivot point. Lifting a bale where the center of gravity is three feet forward of the pivot point reduces the lift capacity quite a bit. As an example, a loader rated at 2368 lbs at the pivot pin can only lift 1742 lbs if the load is centered about 20 inches forward of the pivot point. Three feet forward will reduce it much more. And for any really heavy lift like round bales, you need not only a counterweight on the three point hitch (a heavy one, like 800 lbs) but also filled rear tires, further adding to the weight of the tractor. I estimate the weight of my DK45SE to be about 7500 lbs, with filled tires and 810 lbs of counterweight. For round bales, I would want a lift capacity at the pivot pins at least 2 1/2 times the weight of the bale.
Once you know for sure what size cutter you want, and how heavy your bales are, they will pretty much dictate your tractor needs. Compact tractors are not meant to handle cutters much bigger than six foot models, and are probably marginal for large round bales. I would be looking at utility tractors in the 55 to 70 horsepower range, which should open up the used market for you considerably. There is a lot of value in many older tractors, but you do need someone who is knowledgeable to evaluate each one that you are interested in. You can always hire someone with a roll-off wrecker truck to bring it home for you.
A final note - my dealer tells me that he sends out his rolloff to bring tractors in for repair when they need it, but the owner can't bring it in. I do expect to pay for that service, but I know his rates are reasonable - not what a normal wrecker operator would charge, even though his equipment is larger than most wreckers. The reason he is my dealer is that in comparison to the other dealers in my area with tractors that eventually made my short list, he was ten grand cheaper for an equal configuration.
Please be aware that I am not trying to be a naysayer on a compact tractor in the 40-50 horsepower range, that's what worked for me. I am wanting you to be able to accomplish your tasks in a timely manner, with safety. Good luck with your search.
