New ranch - need help deciding on a tractor

[bigbull338]

ok with 325acs to tend to and work you need a min tractor of the 7060.it will move hay shredd and do some clean up of down tyrees if theres room to get it where the trees are.but a 9960 or 108 kubota with or with cabs would do the trick.the 6105d is a good choice as well if you like jd.we have a new 6105d cab 4x4 set up for fel but no fel on it.that we just use to bale hay with and thats all it does.the kubota does most of the work here its a 7040su 4x4 rops fel.we also have a jx80 4x4 fel that pulls the big shredder.a cab will hinder you if your going to work in trees alot.

 

[oosik]

Well - - Welcome to TBN. One of our most fun jobs - deciding how to spend other folks money <laughing>. Go to your Kubota dealer and JD dealer and ask for names, locations of farmers using their 100hp ++ type tractors. Talk to them, see what they say. In my humble opinion (IMHO) you may well be needing something in the 150 to 175 hp range. You may, at a later time, wish you had a bigger unit - - seldom have I ever heard of wishing for smaller.

Develop and refine a list of tasks - now & future - for your property. Post on one of the farming threads here on TBN. See what other farmers have to say. Time spent now on research will be rewarded in the future with appropriate equipment.

 

[fzybear]

Thanks for pulling my head out of the sand regarding choosing a tractor based on size of existing trailer. It was foolish of me to think that should dictate size/hp of tractor. If it needs service, the dealer can come get it or I can get a bigger trailer.

 

[C4Ranch]

Thanks for pulling my head out of the sand regarding choosing a tractor based on size of existing trailer. It was foolish of me to think that should dictate size/hp of tractor. If it needs service, the dealer can come get it or I can get a bigger trailer.

Good call. Another strong reason to find a good local dealer. I agree with others that a 90+ would be ideal. You may not want to get into working the ground or haying now but you may go there. But of coarse your budget has to guide your decision too.

 

[C4Ranch]

Duplicate post

 

[fzybear]

Wow, y'all are really amazing! I'm really humbled by all the great responses that are so thorough and genuine. You each have given me so much to think about. I know I'll be really busy these next few wknds trying to make the best decision possible. Based on everyone's answers, I'll sit down and make a short-term and long-term list of what the tractor's going to be doing throughout its life and then visit several dealers in Houston, Bay City and El Campo and get their input.

Though no plans to live there full time in the future, it will be an "every wknd" getaway from the big city. Starting in a month or so, we are building a 40'x80' metal building, of which half will be living quarters and half will be shop/barn storage.

Thanks, everyone!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Wow, y'all are really amazing! I'm really humbled by all the great responses that are so thorough and genuine. You each have given me so much to think about. I know I'll be really busy these next few wknds trying to make the best decision possible. Based on everyone's answers, I'll sit down and make a short-term and long-term list of what the tractor's going to be doing throughout its life and then visit several dealers in Houston, Bay City and El Campo and get their input.

Though no plans to live there full time in the future, it will be an "every wknd" getaway from the big city. Starting in a month or so, we are building a 40'x80' metal building, of which half will be living quarters and half will be shop/barn storage.

Thanks, everyone!

You might want to think about adding a few square feet to that building, like maybe 60'x100'. That 40'x80' is going to shrink down to a match box in front of your eyes as you build the living area and start putting some equipment in it.

Good luck with all of your up coming decisions.

 

[jeff9366]

If it needs service, the dealer can come get it or I can get a bigger trailer.

To me dealer proximity is important.

A dealer's cost to transport your tractor for service on a HD trailer, towed by an HD truck, driven by a mechanic/driver, covered by commercial insurance will be $1.50 per mile.

So, for service at a dealer 50 miles away…… 50 miles x 4 = 200 x $1.50 = $300 at cost.

Most dealers will not be content with cost for trailering.

Most new tractors require some "shakedown" service under warranty. Transportation for warranty service is on you.

 

[jeff9366]

Though no plans to live there full time in the future, it will be an "every wknd" getaway from the big city.

Be aware that as expensive as tractors are, there is no state nor federal registration of the chassis. Tractors are prone to theft. When stolen, tractors are seldom recovered.

Make sure your tractor is secure, inside, while you are away. I would have the dealer install a concealed engine kill switch and would cable tractor to a steel beam. Insure tractor, specifically, on your Homeowner's policy.


Design your building with a door tall enough for the tractor to enter with the ROPS up, including an allowance for a tractor canopy.

 

[flusher]

First, make a 5-year plan listing all the routine jobs and special projects you want to do around your place. Then figure out which tractor implements you will need. The size of your largest implement (weight, horsepower) and your time requirements (how quickly to you need to get your work done) will size your tractor.

If you don't want to do this exercise, then my advice is to buy as much horsepower as your budget allows.

Good luck.