Tractor Sizing Need sizing advice

[RLWATSO1]

Wife and I purchased 30 acres in Ohio with intent to build on in the next couple of years. Having trouble sizing a tractor as I would prefer to have one that will take care of land as well as mow around the house until funds are available to get a zero turn, etc.

About 10 acres are flat which would be getting finish mowed, about 10 acres are gently sloped which would prob also be finish mowed and about 10 acres are pretty steep which would probably be brush hogged once or twice a year. Very little trees as this area was striped for coal 30 or so years ago. I will also have a 1500 ft drive to maintain part of which will be hilly.

I do not need a cab but HST would be really nice if possible and I also require a FEL. It would be nice to get an 8ft pull behind mower but I'm worried I would have to get something so heavy that I wouldn't be able to use it around the house pulling a smaller mower.

Budget in the 30k range

What do you guys think?

 

[RLWATSO1]

I forgot to mention that we have JD, New Holland, Kubota pretty close and mahindra and MF a little farther away. Dad always had New Holland stuff but I'm good with any brand

 

[motownbrowne]

Welcome aboard!

Are you really going to finish mow 20 acres?!

Since you don't list any front end loader (FEL) use in your post, I'm assuming you don't need a real heavy tractor for lifting logs or pallets, etc. If your primary use is finish mowing, and some bush hogging, I'd go with something like an L3901 from Kubota. I'm not familiar with the other brands' lineups, other than Kioti, which I think would be the ck4010.

Since you're mostly mowing, weight isn't a big concern for you (other than not wanting to be too heavy). You need enough weight not to be pushed around but any extra won't help you.

The only reason to get a bigger heavier higher HP tractor (unless you're not telling is something) would be to do your mowing in less time. If that's the case, you'll want to look at something like the Kubota MX 5800. It's got more Hi, so you can mow more area faster, but both the tractor and the appropriate sized mower will be considerably more expensive.

 

[RLWATSO1]

Welcome aboard!

Are you really going to finish mow 20 acres?!

Since you don't list any front end loader (FEL) use in your post, I'm assuming you don't need a real heavy tractor for lifting logs or pallets, etc. If your primary use is finish mowing, and some bush hogging, I'd go with something like an L3901 from Kubota. I'm not familiar with the other brands' lineups, other than Kioti, which I think would be the ck4010.

Since you're mostly mowing, weight isn't a big concern for you (other than not wanting to be too heavy). You need enough weight not to be pushed around but any extra won't help you.

The only reason to get a bigger heavier higher HP tractor (unless you're not telling is something) would be to do your mowing in less time. If that's the case, you'll want to look at something like the Kubota MX 5800. It's got more Hi, so you can mow more area faster, but both the tractor and the appropriate sized mower will be considerably more expensive.

Thanks for the response! I will definitely need a FEL to take care of the drive in the winter as well as regular property maintenance. But yeah definitely finish mow the 10 acres and beyond that at least have a decent cut with a brush hog on the other 10 haha, I hate the long grass look

 

[Budweiser John]

My "estate" tractor is a 15 year old NH TC45D with a FEL, pallet forks, grapple, sub frame BH, and other assorted 3PH tools.
IT's a perfect size for day to day and seasonal chores, EZ to operate and dependable. I have a friend with the same series tractor but about 15 less horsepower. It's a great little tractor but a little lite in the loufers.
The 40 to 50 HP catigory would seem like a perfect size for your application.
B. John

 

[motownbrowne]

Yeah, I didn't say it, but I assumed you were looking at tractors with FELs. If I only had one tractor, it'd definitely have to have a FEL.

In my case, the l3901 (l3800 at the time) would have worked fine for me except for the loader capacity. I like to move large logs around, and wanted be able to lift pallets of feed off a semi trailer. So, I had to move up a size to the MX 4700.

 

[RLWATSO1]

Would you guys definitely recommend 4wd?

 

[Budweiser John]

Would you guys definitely recommend 4wd?

ABSOLUTY

 

[LD1]

You might want to consider something else to do with the land instead of finish mowing 20 acres. Even 10 is alot, but depending on obsticals, ~3 hours on a 84" Zero-turn.

Anyone around there that can make hay? Just how hilly is it? Could it be farmed....beans and corn?

IF those dont work......I'd be looking at something like mowing ~5 acres around the house with a finish mower, and do the rest with a bushhog monthly. Grass dont get real bad after a month. Especially on an area that large. But what are your intended uses with the 30 acres other than to mow.

Here is what waiting a month, and mowing at ~4" height looks like with a bushhog. (and this was mowed way faster than any finish mower would have done it)


IF you want it finished mowed.....you are gonna have to do it every week.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I used a 28 HP NH 1720 for 10 years finish mowing around 3 acres and other chores. It was not too heavy at 3300# with loaded rears and AG tires. Perfect size for what you are wanting to do. With a 30K budget anything in the 40-50 HP range will do the job. I would look for a unit that would run at least a 6 foot cutter. Any of the major brands will serve you well. Everyone has their favorites.

 

[RLWATSO1]

You might want to consider something else to do with the land instead of finish mowing 20 acres. Even 10 is alot, but depending on obsticals, ~3 hours on a 84" Zero-turn.

Anyone around there that can make hay? Just how hilly is it? Could it be farmed....beans and corn?

IF those dont work......I'd be looking at something like mowing ~5 acres around the house with a finish mower, and do the rest with a bushhog monthly. Grass dont get real bad after a month. Especially on an area that large. But what are your intended uses with the 30 acres other than to mow.

Here is what waiting a month, and mowing at ~4" height looks like with a bushhog. (and this was mowed way faster than any finish mower would have done it)
View attachment 481811

IF you want it finished mowed.....you are gonna have to do it every week.

I'm definitely starting to like the brush hog idea. I do not know of anyone who can make hay or farm it but I'm sure it is possible.

Here is a pic of the front part of the property. House will eventually be on top of that hill.



The neighbors on both sides are mowing it now, they both hated the overgrown look from the previous owner.

I'm going to take a look at several used tractors in the 45 +/- range and see where I get from there

 

[LD1]

I would not be finish mowing all of that.

 

[Threepoint]

OP, suggest you add Kioti to the mix of brands you're considering. From their website it looks like there's a dealer in Dover, OH less than six miles from New Philadelphia, OH.

 

[RLWATSO1]

OP, suggest you add Kioti to the mix of brands you're considering. From their website it looks like there's a dealer in Dover, OH less than six miles from New Philadelphia, OH.

Threepoint, I am definitely going to take one for a test drive. I never really considered Kioti before but our county fair is going on this week and that dealer had a setup so I was able to at least look a couple models over. Do you have much experience with the brand? I'll admit I'm a little weary cause it's not one of the major brands but that dealer has been in business for quite a long time. It definitely seems like prices are much better than John Deere

 

[LD1]

Kioti is a pretty major brand. I would have no worries, especially if the dealer has been in business for a long time

 

[DieselBound]

While it's therapeutic to mow, if you have a lot to do that therapy can get derailed: you find yourself getting behind and then before you know it it's a real chore. I'd suggest one other thing to do with that grass- animals (grazers)! I'm SLOWLY pushing in this direction (and the more pasture area I open up the more I realize that this is the only way to go, for me).

Kioti seems like a viable tractor to consider: I just purchased one; soon I'll find out how reality maps out.

 

[Threepoint]

Threepoint, I am definitely going to take one for a test drive. I never really considered Kioti before but our county fair is going on this week and that dealer had a setup so I was able to at least look a couple models over. Do you have much experience with the brand? I'll admit I'm a little weary cause it's not one of the major brands but that dealer has been in business for quite a long time. It definitely seems like prices are much better than John Deere

I've been a Kubota guy for 23 years, and hadn't even heard of Kioti until three years ago, when I started thinking of adding a larger tractor. So I know what you mean about being wary. :laughing: I was about to stroke a check for a Kubota Grand L4760 HST Cab, but then thought to consider Kioti. Once I started researching, I was very impressed. Now that I've had an NX4510HST Cab for 2-1/2 yrs, I'm even more impressed. The South Koreans are producing a good product. They've actually been in the U.S. tractor market for 30 yrs. When I bought my first Kubota in 1993, Kubota had only been in the U.S. for 20 years, and I decided to take a chance on those guys. Things seem to have worked out for Kubota.

You are fortunate to have so many dealers with excellent brands near you. I don't think you'd go wrong with any of the ones you're considering. Take your time, pour over specs, test drive different models. Very important to consider how each tractor suits you ergonomically. As well as whoever else will be using it. Sounds like you'll be getting a lot of seat time with whatever you choose. Lots of good info on TBN, and the search function works well.

 

[RLWATSO1]

Thank you all for the feedback!!! Now the test driving begins!

 

[newbury]

Wife and I purchased 30 acres in Ohio with intent to build on in the next couple of years. Having trouble sizing a tractor as I would prefer to have one that will take care of land as well as mow around the house until funds are available to get a zero turn, etc.

About 10 acres are flat which would be getting finish mowed, about 10 acres are gently sloped which would prob also be finish mowed and about 10 acres are pretty steep which would probably be brush hogged once or twice a year. Very little trees as this area was striped for coal 30 or so years ago. I will also have a 1500 ft drive to maintain part of which will be hilly.<snip>

IF you are really going to mow 20 acres (for some unknown reason) and maintain a 1500 ft drive get a zero-turn and a truck with a snow plow.

If I knew I wasn't going to raise something that ate grass I'd stake off an acre or two around the house plot then start planting trees.

Maybe you want to put in a 9 hole golf course?

As far as tractors most any one in the 30HP plus range should do.

Oh - and note Kubota is about the only mfg that builds only their own tractors. Many source their engines etc out to others.

 

[MESSMAKER]

You might want to consider something else to do with the land instead of finish mowing 20 acres. Even 10 is alot, but depending on obsticals, ~3 hours on a 84" Zero-turn.

Anyone around there that can make hay? Just how hilly is it? Could it be farmed....beans and corn?

IF those dont work......I'd be looking at something like mowing ~5 acres around the house with a finish mower, and do the rest with a bushhog monthly. Grass dont get real bad after a month. Especially on an area that large. But what are your intended uses with the 30 acres other than to mow.

Here is what waiting a month, and mowing at ~4" height looks like with a bushhog. (and this was mowed way faster than any finish mower would have done it)
View attachment 481811

IF you want it finished mowed.....you are gonna have to do it every week.

Good advise.