Buying First Tractor & Looking For Suggestions On Size.

[willysmb]

In the next couple months I will be purchasing my first tractor. I am looking for some advice on choosing the size tractor that I should look for.

I have been looking at several different brands and mainly considering LS, Mahindra, Kubota, and JD. I have access to pretty much any brand within an hour's drive and in most cases multiple dealers for the same brand. I will likely end up choosing a brand based on actual test drive/fit feel of the tractor, tractor specs, price & financing, and dealership experience.

At this point what I really need help with is not what brand or specific tractor but rather what size of tractor I should look for. I know I continuously read to "buy the biggest you can afford" and to get a cab if you can afford it.

We live on 3 acres and have a 23 acre hunting property about 45 minutes away. The usage will be pretty wide spread. At home we will use it for you every day homeowner types usages: Snow, Landscaping, potentially some mowing, plowing/tilling for smaller garden .5-1 acre, firewood, etc. I also hope to at some point build a root cellar as well.

For the hunting property I plan to haul the tractor up there to do firewood, food plots (multiple .5-1.5 acre plots), smooth out an area for a shed/cabin, possible dig some watering holes, clear some trails, etc.

Once I get more experienced I have access to multiple fields that I could plant or hay if I chose too. These would be 10-20 acre fields. This is not a requirement but just something to keep in mind.

There is two different ways I have considered going.

Option 1) Get a smaller compact tractor without a cab that I would use for the yard work, small stuff, FEL, etc. I could then get an older tractor for doing the heavy pulling work. This would probably cost less up front (20kish total) and I could always get a second larger tractor down the road.

Option 2) Get as much tractor w/cab that I can afford from the start. Something like the LS XU series or Kubota 5200. My max budget would be around 40K for this.

I am leaning towards option 2 but my major fear is would the tractor be to big for doing household type chores? I understand that this is still not a BIG tractor but the larger it is clearly the harder its going to be to handle the smaller tasks around the house.

Once I can figure out my strategy, I will be able to better look at what I can afford and go from there.

Thanks!

 

[flusher]

$40K would get something in the 60 hp (pto) range, which would be overkill for 3 acres and the smaller work around the house.

Aim your search at tractors in the 35-45 hp (pto) range with hydrostatic tranny, 4WD, power steering, ag or turf tires filled with liquid, double rear hydraulic remotes, 6-ft wide front end loader with the skid steer attach option. Ag tires are better for high traction. Turf tires are better for work around the house (less damage to the grass). Your cost would be in the $25-30K range.

Good luck

 

[willysmb]

Would this be to small for working the larger acreage? What are your thoughts on a cab for my usage?

 

[willysmb]

I am not much worried about it being overkill unless it is simply to big to do the work. Overkill gives me room to have it be useful for other larger operations as well in the future.

 

[Gary Fowler]

It sounds like you need 2 tractors like in option 1. I would look at something similar to a Kubota 2650 in size or maybe even a BX size for around the house and then look for a used old iron row crop tractor for haying or disking at your offsite areas. One tractor isn't going to be right for either job because for your 3 acre home 40 HP is leaning on the too large size and 40 HP for haying is going to be too small.

I have a B26 which is the same size as the B 26XX or 29XX series of Kubota and it is about as big as I would want to work around the house. I use the backhoe all the time even though most TBN members say it is too costly and better to rent when needed. Every time I have to use a shovel for something, I get down in my back for several days so the backhoe comes out for most digging issues. You may not have need for a backhoe but the B series Kubotas or BX series will be just about all you will need to keep your 3 acres tip-top.
I also have utility tractor (P7010) which would be good for haying but I sure don't run it around the house any more than absolutely necessary which is why I think you would be best off looking at 2 tractors that work for each task rather than one that might do both jobs halfaxxed.

 

[willysmb]

It sounds like you need 2 tractors like in option 1. I would look at something similar to a Kubota 2650 in size or maybe even a BX size for around the house and then look for a used old iron row crop tractor for haying or disking at your offsite areas. One tractor isn't going to be right for either job because for your 3 acre home 40 HP is leaning on the too large size and 40 HP for haying is going to be too small.

I have a B26 which is the same size as the B 26XX or 29XX series of Kubota and it is about as big as I would want to work around the house. I use the backhoe all the time even though most TBN members say it is too costly and better to rent when needed. Every time I have to use a shovel for something, I get down in my back for several days so the backhoe comes out for most digging issues. You may not have need for a backhoe but the B series Kubotas or BX series will be just about all you will need to keep your 3 acres tip-top.
I also have utility tractor (P7010) which would be good for haying but I sure don't run it around the house any more than absolutely necessary which is why I think you would be best off looking at 2 tractors that work for each task rather than one that might do both jobs halfaxxed.

Great info! Honestly with LS prices I could see getting into one of their smaller ones right away and then buying one of their larger tractors within a couple years. How do you like the LS tractor that you have? Do you feel it is a step down in quality from your kubota? LS is probably my top choice but I haven't driven one yet so I can't say its a for sure. Obviously the price is attractive but I won't buy anything that feels cheap to me. The one thing I don't like is that their back hoes dont have the flip around seat. One thing that I could see that would put me in the kubota is the 0% financing. Interest rates can kill the savings on an LS pretty quick.

 

[KennyG]

I would be looking at a 25-30 hp tractor from what I see in your plans. You don't have a lot of heavy work indicated. The food plots aren't that big. You didn't say what you have in the way of a truck and trailer, but if you go much past 30 hp you will be into a 10K or 12K trailer and a 3/4 ton truck. Smaller tractors will be OK with a 7K trailer.

I don't think you need a cab for summer work. My solution was to get a soft cab (less than $1000) for winter use and that's worked out well.

 

[willysmb]

I would be looking at a 25-30 hp tractor from what I see in your plans. You don't have a lot of heavy work indicated. The food plots aren't that big. You didn't say what you have in the way of a truck and trailer, but if you go much past 30 hp you will be into a 10K or 12K trailer and a 3/4 ton truck. Smaller tractors will be OK with a 7K trailer.

I don't think you need a cab for summer work. My solution was to get a soft cab (less than $1000) for winter use and that's worked out well.

Truck and trailer is not any issue. I have considered the soft cab too. My main desire for a cab is bees. My kid is allergic so it would be nice to know were safe if we decide to go do some work on the property or something

 

[ch1ch2]

I have 33hp, 58hp, 90hp tractors. I think anything between 30 and 50 hp will work for you. I have used the 33hp on my 30 acres without any problems. It is nice to have the 90hp on the acres, but only the 33hp works good on my 2 acre lake front.

 

[willysmb]

I am considering the Kubota L47. I would then get an older 2WD tractor to do most of the field work. Curious if anyone has any opinions/thoughts on that plan.