Tractor Sizing How much HP do I really need?

[4570Man]

I disagree! Our 24HP (18PTO) tractor has enough power to do EVERYTHING we need it to do, I would be VERY displeased if we had a 32 HP tractor because it would actually be too large for mowing and use a LOT more fuel - both completely unnecessarily.

The fuel consumption of a 24 and 32 hp engine producing equal output is quite similar.

 

[Roger66]

You might want to look at the PTO HP requirements of the implements you are planning on and let that be your guide. It's power at the PTO more than overall HP that's more important sometimes. With only 1.5 acres to worry about the 1526 is likely adequate and it will drive most of the smaller chippers out there.

I think I'm convinced a 25 HP tractor will have enough HP for me. If I get a chipper, i'll be chipping smaller stuff. Anything 3" or thicker is firewood. Post Hole digger and 60" snow blower should also be fine. It seems all think it's plenty of HP for for towing, lugging, Dragging stuff at least at low speed. and with 1.5 acres I don't need speed!

Thanks all for your help!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I think I'm convinced a 25 HP tractor will have enough HP for me. If I get a chipper, i'll be chipping smaller stuff. Anything 3" or thicker is firewood. Post Hole digger and 60" snow blower should also be fine. It seems all think it's plenty of HP for for towing, lugging, Dragging stuff at least at low speed. and with 1.5 acres I don't need speed!

Thanks all for your help!

Roger66, I have had occasions where I have driven tractors from the local Mahindra dealer to my place 2 miles away. I have a short (200 yards)fairly steep road that I have to drive up to get to my place. I have driven a 49HP 3550 up that hill and it would not go up it in high range, just would not do it, had to drop to mid range and then no issues. I have driven a 1526 here also, it had no issues going up that same hill in high range.

My point being is that other than high PTO HP requirements, the 1526 will be great for HP-weight ratio for the majority of your needs. :thumbsup:

 

[Roger66]

If you guys want a laugh check out my current "tractor" cobbled together from spare parts. It might be "slightly" over powered with a Ford 300 CI 6 Cylinder engine on it.

Backhoe attachment - YouTube
Homemade Self-Propelled Log Splitter - YouTube
Home made log splitter with 6 way head - YouTube

 

[ericm979]

That's cool! Very creative.

 

[4570Man]

I like your little tractor. How do you like that wedge on the splitter?

 

[Roger66]

I like your little tractor. How do you like that wedge on the splitter?

The wedge is the Key! It breaks the bottom slice in 5 pieces. The top slice remains on top for another hit. Because the top is flat. It doesn't fall off. I suspect my blade angles could be optimized as it kind of extrudes the wood. I made the head so it's pinned to the beam so I can try different designs, but It's worked so well I haven't made others. I have just 2 splitting heads the one in the video and a single wedge which I never use. The single wedge is also reversible and doubles as a press.

 

[arrow]

The wedge is the Key! It breaks the bottom slice in 5 pieces. The top slice remains on top for another hit. Because the top is flat. It doesn't fall off. I suspect my blade angles could be optimized as it kind of extrudes the wood. I made the head so it's pinned to the beam so I can try different designs, but It's worked so well I haven't made others. I have just 2 splitting heads the one in the video and a single wedge which I never use. The single wedge is also reversible and doubles as a press.

Your wedge puts the 4 way to shame. Love to see a close-up of it.

 

[arrow]

If you guys want a laugh check out my current "tractor" cobbled together from spare parts. It might be "slightly" over powered with a Ford 300 CI 6 Cylinder engine on it.

Backhoe attachment - YouTube
Homemade Self-Propelled Log Splitter - YouTube
Home made log splitter with 6 way head - YouTube

This is a great freakin machine. Put a snow plow on it and I wouldn't even worry about getting a tractor. With 40" tires it could double as a log skidder.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I would say think of ANY attachment and implement you would ever possibly want to run off the tractor and take that into consideration.

Look down the road 10-20 years, what are your plans for the tractor? What could those plans potentially progress to? What do you have in the back of your mind you might want to do if you had a big enough tractor and the money? Do you plan to stay at your place for a long time?

Mine was cattle and custom brush hog work, I based my tractor on the ability to lift round bales on the FEL (800-1200lbs).

I was about to sign on the dotted line for a 1533 or 1538, one thing to keep in mind is Mahindra doesn't have a DPF filter or additives to worry about, the scary tier 4 jump isn't so bad with Mahindra's direct injection engine.

A 1500 series frame is a good one to be in, the 1526 is a tad bit smaller than the 1533 but not by much.

I personally think a 1526 would move a large trailer, I moved a 1500lb 6x12 single axel garden trailer a lot with my dads 21hp 455 JD garden tractor, a 1500 series tractor I would hook a 2800lb tandem trailer to all day long to move it, 5mph max I would say in mid to low range no prob. Let's say I would be VERY surprised if it couldn't handle it.