3016 HST. Enough HP?

[Dsimonl]

New member. My property is 65 acres of mixed pasture/woods. There is 100' elevation gain. Tractor would be used for pulling logs up the hill out of the woods, food plots, mowing, tilling, general farm work. The local dealer has one 3016 FEL HST left for $18.5k. He can get a 3616 FEL HST from another dealer for $22.5k plus freight. Will I regret not paying the (highway robbery!) $4k for more power, or will the 3016 be suitable?

 

[Sysop]

I'd go with the larger one to prevent both regrets and breaking things.

 

[SDiver40]

I cant suggest which way to go. BUT my 3016 has done everything i have asked of it. The 3616 looks to have 6 more PTO HP than the 3016. That may give you a little extra power or width on a cutter.
IF I had 65 acres and could afford it, I would look at a 50 hp tractor even if I had to go used.

 

[AchingBack]

New member. My property is 65 acres of mixed pasture/woods. There is 100' elevation gain. Tractor would be used for pulling logs up the hill out of the woods, food plots, mowing, tilling, general farm work. The local dealer has one 3016 FEL HST left for $18.5k. He can get a 3616 FEL HST from another dealer for $22.5k plus freight. Will I regret not paying the (highway robbery!) $4k for more power, or will the 3016 be suitable?

If you really think you'd be robbed by getting a more powerful machine, then don't buy it.

 

[Dsimonl]

This would be my first utility tractor, so I'm still a 'newbie'. Does HP affect the pulling power, hill climbing ability, or just implement width? If the latter, I can live with that. I won't get wider than 5' implements.

 

[SDiver40]

HP does matter for pulling but the weight of the tractor plays a big roll in it too. I can get in a lower gear with the 3016 and it has the power to spin the tires. Only because it doesnt have the weight to hold traction. And in the lower gear your not going any place fast. IF your only going with 5ft implements then either tractor will serve you well. IF your going to mow ( Rotary Cutter ) more than a few acres, you will wish you had a larger mower before it's said and done. 5ft for the 3016 and 6 ft. with the 3616. Neither one is going to like a baler if you decide to make hay.

 

[Dsimonl]

That was very helpful, thanks. The dealer recommends filling the rear tires, and I concur. He also recommends installing the rear remote ($1000). Have you needed one for your general usage?

 

[SDiver40]

No I havent needed a rear remote. I have a gas powered log splitter and for me thats the only reason I would need one. I do wish I had a 3rd function on the front end so I could use a grapple if I ever get one. But for now I cant justify that.

 

[oldpilgrim]

If you're considering something larger, remember that the larger you go the more you limit yourself in maneuverability in the woods.

My 3016 is perfect for woods work, I think. I spend a lot of time in the woods and, even though I've never tried pulling a giant sequoia, it's worked great for me. I've never had an issue with pulling any trees and I work with 18-24 inch pines. I put the thing in 4WD low range in the tough spots, and if I run into soft ground where the wheels want to spin, I step in the diff lock and out she comes. Most of the time it's in M range.

I tried it with unloaded tires and later with loaded tires and the load makes a HUGE difference.

What SDiver40 says is right on.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

My neighbor has a 35hp open station tractor (a Bobcat 337, if I recall the model correctly) that is one frame size down from my 60hp Kioti. His tractor is pretty capable but it does everything including transporting material slower. More hp not only adds beefier bits, but speed as well.