Buying Advice What size tractor do I "REALLY" need?

[TSO]

GManBart,

I am narrowing down my search to the Mahindra 5035 (4939 lbs), the New Holland Workmaster 55 (4078 lbs), and the Case Farmall 55A (4078 lbs). Thoughts?

That Case & NH are the same tractor, FYI. Are you wanting HST or gear transmission?

FYI, the Case 50b & NH Boomer 50 Are the same also. They are both made by LS (they are the LS R4047).

Also look at an LS U5020 & 5030 ... both strong tractors & very affordable

 

[dickedm]

That Case & NH are the same tractor, FYI. Are you wanting HST or gear transmission?

FYI, the Case 50b & NH Boomer 50 Are the same also. They are both made by LS (they are the LS R4047).

Also look at an LS U5020 & 5030 ... both strong tractors & very affordable

I noticed that they are nearly identical. I am now leaning towards the Mahindra 5035. Thoughts?

 

[bdog]

How much do those large round bales weigh - 2000lbs? maybe the tractor will do it I don't know but moving 4000lb of hay at once with a 4900lb tractor doesn't seem like a good idea?

Some of the most frustrating "tractoring" moments I have had over the years have been trying to do things where my tractor was just not big enough. It takes forever, doesn't work right, and is very hard on your tractor to be working it at its maximum capability.

I went from a 47hp, to a 90hp, and now have 135 hp. Do I really need that big of a tractor? No but it does what I ask of it easily and faster. Even though I bought it used I think I will get more life out of it working it well below the capacity than using a smaller tractor maxed out.

I would not be set on new. Buy something used and you will get a lot more for your dollar. I have owned 4 tractors and my least favorite (and the one that gave me the most problems) was the one I bought new.

It sounds like you are going to be doing some bigger chores and not the typical compact tractor stuff so you would benefit from something larger.

What does that Mahindra cost - close to 30k? I am not knocking it but you could buy a heck of a lot more in a used tractor for that much.

 

[sd455dan]

How much do those large round bales weigh - 2000lbs? maybe the tractor will do it I don't know but moving 4000lb of hay at once with a 4900lb tractor doesn't seem like a good idea?

Some of the most frustrating "tractoring" moments I have had over the years have been trying to do things where my tractor was just not big enough. It takes forever, doesn't work right, and is very hard on your tractor to be working it at its maximum capability.

I went from a 47hp, to a 90hp, and now have 135 hp. Do I really need that big of a tractor? No but it does what I ask of it easily and faster. Even though I bought it used I think I will get more life out of it working it well below the capacity than using a smaller tractor maxed out.

I would not be set on new. Buy something used and you will get a lot more for your dollar. I have owned 4 tractors and my least favorite (and the one that gave me the most problems) was the one I bought new.

It sounds like you are going to be doing some bigger chores and not the typical compact tractor stuff so you would benefit from something larger.

What does that Mahindra cost - close to 30k? I am not knocking it but you could buy a heck of a lot more in a used tractor for that much.

^^^ This may be my favorite post I have read on TBN

I would say that if the round bales the OP is considering moving two of, are like the ones we buy (950-1100#s) each- then the Mahindra 5030 should be fine, but as suggested above maybe looking at a larger used Mahindra or other brand may be a better choice than buying a new smaller machine that may be operating near its limits... my:2cents:

 

[ksbrdmkr]

I have moved two bales on my DK 45SE and NH TN 55. The TN series handles the bales much easier and with a longer wheel base. The DK 45 does the job but I go slower and watch much closer on the bumps and terraces. Both are FWD and on slick or frozen ground it is needed.

 

[bdog]

I have moved a lot of hay and have never seen a 6 or 7' bale as OP mentions. They can't be light. The 1000lb ones are what 4' maybe 5?

 

[arlen4720]

I have moved a lot of hay and have never seen a 6 or 7' bale as OP mentions. They can't be light. The 1000lb ones are what 4' maybe 5?

The big round ones are anywhere from 1500 to 2000 pounds. The small 5 foot round bales are 800-1000 pounds

 

[GManBart]

I noticed that they are nearly identical. I am now leaning towards the Mahindra 5035. Thoughts?

Aside from paint, the Case and NH are the exact same machine....remember it's now CNH, so anything they source for one, they seem to be sourcing for the other, with different paint.

Compared to the Mahindra, the pluses and minuses pretty much cancel each other out when you look at straight performance statistics. If you don't have any one particular requirement that heavily outweighs the others, it should come down to the one that feels the best to you, and has the fewest things that you dislike (none are perfect).

Have you gotten any ballpark quotes on any of them yet?

 

[TnAndy]

What size tractor do I "really" need?

Probably bigger than you think......

I started with a 22hp Yanmar in 80's, graduated to a 33hp New Holland late 90's and I'm up to a 41hp Yanmar in 2012. I 'think' I've finally hit the right size.

 

[namyessam]

GManBart,

I am narrowing down my search to the Mahindra 5035 (4939 lbs), the New Holland Workmaster 55 (4078 lbs), and the Case Farmall 55A (4078 lbs). Thoughts?

IMHO, I still think, if you are serious about moving two round bales of at least 1500 lbs apiece at the same time the Mahindra 5035 is still too small to be safe. Look at the Mahindra 7060 or the 8560 and on the website it shows pictures of the tractor with a round bale on the loader and one on the TPH and it looks good. The tractor seems to look big enough to handle the size of the bales. You don't see pictures of the 5035 carrying two bales at a time. In fact you don't see them carrying any bales. All you see is the tractor with a mower, box blade and tiller. If the manufacturer thought it was capable of carrying two bales at a time I would darn sure think they would be pushing that.

I was always taught that "the bitterness of poor quality (or being undersized on this) far outlasts the sweetness of a good price". Pay the extra money and buy a tractor that will do the job correctly and safely. You don't want to get hurt or killed because the tractor was too small and tipped over.

I'm not trying to be nasty,just trying to be honest.