Tractor Sizing tractor sizing question

[jmh1783]

Jeff9366: Thanks. Very insightful. That exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Teachu2]

Anyone want to make the argument that Tractor A's 29 PTO HP is enough to run a six foot flail mower? Anyone running one with that much or less PTO HP?

Maybe - but mine's only 68". Running with a rated PTO of 27.6hp. No issues at all. I would think that 4" more flail and 1.4 more hourses would not affect that performance greatly.

 

[jeff9366]

Jeff9366: Thanks. Very insightful. That exactly what I was looking for.

As you liked that, here is FARMWITHJUNK's succinct version:

"A flail mower is what you use to make your mowing job take longer, use more fuel to get less done, and keep the parts man and mechanics busy, all the while emptying your wallet at an incredible pace".


There are three kinds of men;
1.) The ones that learn by reading
2.) The few who learn by observation
3.) The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.

 

[RSKY]

Back in the 60's & 70's we farmed 150 acres with a single 48-hp, 2-wd gas powered tractor. That is why I laugh when people talk about seat time. They have never spent 12-16 hours a day in the seat of a tractor. It also amuses me to see people spend so much money buying a tractor large enough to run a farm and use it for 10-15 acres. If you have the money to spend by all means go ahead and buy one of those large tractors. If you are short on time and can afford it go ahead and buy the larger tractor and implements. As for myself, I am one that goes for the cheapest way to get the job done correctly. For 11 acres I would get a smaller tractor, light duty rotary mower (you're not clearing ground), and a zero turn for mowing. I cannot see mowing a yard with a 4000-lb tractor. Can you say ruts? Maybe your soil type would allow it but here in KY with our soil it would be a disaster. The people who have tried to use even 25-30-hp tractors to mow end up getting rid of the finish mowers and buying a machine actually designed for mowing grass. They simply screw up the yards BAD. So why spend the money on a tractor finish mower?

So, since I am spending your money I would get a smaller tractor and use the money saved to get more implements. Then I would get a GOOD zero-turn mowed DESIGNED TO MOW YARDS and use it for....mowing the yard. Your yard will be easier to take care of. You will mow more often (Can't mow the yard today honey, the tiller is on the tractor!). I have no experience with a flail mower. I am sure they are good for some applications but I do know they take more hp and the tractor moves slower. If you mow the pasture once a month a 25-30-hp with a 6' rotary mower will do the job more efficiently and quicker. Why spend the money? Have mowed some of our 20-acre pastures with my 22-hp Kioti and a 5' mower when the big tractor was down. Slow but got the job done.

Just my 2 cents from somebody who likes efficiency and saving money.

RSKY

 

[varmint]

Or, to steal another's quip, "the second happiest day of man's life is the day is when he takes delivery of his new flail mower, and the happiest day is when he sells it".

 

[jmh1783]

I didn't realize flail mowers were such a pita. Looks like I'll be getting a brush cutter and a finish mower instead.

RSKY: Well, you're right. I'm just playing at the farming thing compared to someone like you. 11 acres of open land and 5.5 more of woods isn't that much. That being said I do have more money than time. I would like to get one machine to serve most of my needs. Going with a SCUT, I lose the mowing and lifting ability. Then I would have to buy a new bigger zero turn which would be another 8-10K. The SCUT should still handle my plowing needs as we don't get big snows often here. I'm leaning towards tractor B because as you point out my yard doesn't need the extra 1000 lbs. I only have about 2 acres of open hill to deal with which I only intend to mow (not going to use it for other stuff). I do have a 48" zero turn which I intend to use for the area around the house (let's call it an acre maybe 1.5). Thanks for your input. I appreciate your experience.

 

[RSKY]

Well if you can afford it, go for it. I would like a larger tractor but cannot justify the price. If I got one then I would need all new implements. Oh the pain, having to shop around.......never mind. I don't need it.

I haven't really farmed in years and then it was helping somebody else. We rent most of the land and I mow about forty acres yearly. Mow some more every other year that is in gov't contract. Really just playing.

We had the Ford 641 when I was a kid I remember the hard metal seat shaped to fit your butt. Then Dad came home with a padded cover to fit on it. We were uptown!! Dang, I went to school and bragged about it. Funny how time changes your perceptions.

I still wouldn't try to mow a nice yard with a tractor.

RSKY

 

[redshirt]

If a tractor and flail mower was the best for mowing option for ideal mowing every golf course would have 10 of them.

 

[whizdbiz2]

Those are all lots of tractor (and $$$) for mowing. Any reason you are wanting to use a fail mower vs a bush hog? We maintain 30 acre of similar land (horse pasture) with 27hp and a bush hog. I have a finish mower that I have used 4 times in 8 years.

I've stopped using the "bush hog" type in favor of a finish mower for pasture mowing. Does a much better job for me.

 

[jmh1783]

whizdbiz2: I've seen mixed reviews on using a finish mower for pasture. How tall do you let it get before you mow? How much PTO HP do you have and how wide a mower? It would be nice to get away with not having to buy a brush cutter...since I really don't have any brush, just pasture.