New land... need a tractor!!

[GManBart]

I was thinking about the shuttle versus HST thing more. And while I don't care at all, if my wife were wanting to use the tractor, the HST would be the way to go.

It pays to keep the wife happy! My wife didn't mind running my LS with HST, and even though she drives a truck with a manual transmission, doesn't want to run a gear tractor. She drove my backhoe, but that's a power shuttle with no clutch, so pretty similar to HST.

 

[paulfun9]

Most brands there is about $1500-2500 difference between shuttle and HST. That isn't enough to get you "a lot more tractor"....might get you the next bump in HP rating, but not really more tractor.

Actually I found it was more of a difference then just a little HP bump. Buy looking at a more Utility based tractor with a shuttle it seemed you get way more HP and a bigger frame meaning a lot more tractor and the difference between a HST with 35 to 40 HP and a Utility with 50+ HP will be night and day when large properties are concerned.

 

[ishiboo]

Congratulations on the property!

I believe you'll be disappointed in what $20k will buy in a new or slightly used tractor.

I would lean towards a utility tractor for the size place and tasks you have.

I will completely disagree here... you should be able to get a very nice lightly used CUT for $20k.

 

[DT86]

I will completely disagree here... you should be able to get a very nice lightly used CUT for $20k.

Just can not imagine tending to 200 acres with what $20k will buy "slightly used".

 

[jenkinsph]

I was thinking about the shuttle versus HST thing more. And while I don't care at all, if my wife were wanting to use the tractor, the HST would be the way to go.

At one time I might have agreed with you, but having had both direction reverser, straight gear and hst I much prefer the hst now. This is based on a lot of close maneuvering being a large part of the daily work done. For only field work I can see benefits to a gear, shuttle shift and full power shift, the issue is unless you have several tractors you need one that is easy to use for a variety of jobs. The hst is better suited for a variety of tasks I expect you will have.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Go get in a shuttle shift/power reverser and drive it arround a full dealer lot. Then get on an HST. See which you feel more in control with.
Then imagine trees, your house, or a drop off where rollover is a real possibility.

 

[GManBart]

Actually I found it was more of a difference then just a little HP bump. Buy looking at a more Utility based tractor with a shuttle it seemed you get way more HP and a bigger frame meaning a lot more tractor and the difference between a HST with 35 to 40 HP and a Utility with 50+ HP will be night and day when large properties are concerned.

That's a different topic really. A Utility machine with a shuttle is normally going to cost more than a CUT with HST, so he'd be getting more tractor, but he'd also be paying more for it. If a Utility tractor with a shuttle was cheaper than a CUT with HST, things would be different.

Don't get me wrong, I think it sounds like a Utility machine is reasonable for the OP, I was just saying it's not like he's going to spend less and get more tractor...he'd spend more and get more tractor.

 

[gladehound]

That's a different topic really. A Utility machine with a shuttle is normally going to cost more than a CUT with HST, so he'd be getting more tractor, but he'd also be paying more for it. If a Utility tractor with a shuttle was cheaper than a CUT with HST, things would be different.

Don't get me wrong, I think it sounds like a Utility machine is reasonable for the OP, I was just saying it's not like he's going to spend less and get more tractor...he'd spend more and get more tractor.

Is this really true? That you pay more for a shuttle UT than an HST CUT? I know the JD 5055E with power reverser (UT) is less expensive than the JD 4000 series (large CUT) with HST where I live. Looking at Kioti's... is an RX really more expensive than an NX HST? They seem to be the same price. I'd agree that when HST and shuttle are offered as choices on the same model tractor, the price difference is not that much. But there are shuttles on models that you can't get with HST and these models are typically a great value compared to models with HST as an option. I don't want to derail this thread with the HST vs shuttle debate. I only wanted the OP to know that for about the same money, you can go up a frame size on a model that does not come with an HST option.

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks for the responses. I'm thinking my budget will need to be more flexible. We can work on that. As far as storage. There is a barn already on the property that I can park the tractor in and lock. Not temp or humidity controlled, but certainly out of the weather.

I have run tractors before, so geared doesn't bother me. I used to mow with a farmall cub when I was younger.

Trying to find that balance of not too big for the woods yet stable for the hills is the challenge.

I don't plan any cash crops. 25 of the 60 acres is in CREP which pays a little. But it is under contract for 9 more years. Food plots will take up some. There is other acreage too steep to do much with.

I think I'll go without a cab for the woods work. I can bundle up for winter.

Keep the comments coming.

I have 170 acres. 60 acres of very steep timber. I maintain 80 acres of CRP and grassland.

I started with a Kubota L4400 (44hp) with FEL. It was too small for the FEL tasks required. I worked the snot out of that tractor and didn't see it having a long life without serious damage/repairs.

I bought a Kubota M9540 (95hp) with FEL. It is actually more stable in the timber than my 44hp tractor was. The FEL has a lot of power and with a Grapple I have carried hundreds if not thousands of tons of timber material.

Last year I bought a Ford 3910FWD (47hp) without FEL. That gives me the flexibility to change projects/jobs without changing attachments on the tractors.

I use the large tractor for FEL and AG type work. Heavy tillage, hauling dirt with a 5 yard scraper, brush cutting with a 3pt 10ft cutter. I use the smaller Ford for light duty 3pt work.

Neither of my tractors have a cab. I'm in the timber too much for that.

I'm not saying you need two tractors. But what I am saying is if you are only going to buy one, you need a heavy duty utility tractor. Initially you might be satisfied with a mid range utility (40-60) hp. But then in a couple years you'll be on here talking about getting a larger tractor. So, go larger first, then add a smaller second tractor if needed. Those of us that have larger tractors have already been down that road.

 

[ovrszd]

Just can not imagine tending to 200 acres with what $20k will buy "slightly used".

Me neither. But we are further down this tractor path than the OP.