Tractor size for 17 acres?

[BlakeJ]

Hello all, new member here. I own 17 acres and am in the market for a tractor, but I would like to get some advice on what size to get. I know I want a loader and hydrostatic but other than that I'm open to suggestions.

I'll be shredding a few times a year, not a ton because we sell hay off most of our place. I also have a couple of acres of food plots that I will need to till up twice a year (with a possibility of an additional 2.5 acre plot for a buddy). I'd rather have a tiller than a disc for this.

Also, I'll eventually be putting in a small orchard. So I'll probably need an auger one day.

I've found some deals on 25 hp models, but I'm just not sure if that will be big enough.

Thoughts? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[xring100]

Probably be happy with around 40hp.
25hp in a modern 4wd is probably going to be too small. Neighbor upgraded from jd 2305 to a 40hp Branson for his 10 acres. Ive got an 85hp for my 10. Its too big for some chores but just right for much of the work i do.

40hp is a pretty good balance loaders are half way descent will turn most implements.

 

[WVH1977]

How much money are you looking to spend? Also, are you looking at used or new or both?

 

[BlakeJ]

How much money are you looking to spend? Also, are you looking at used or new or both?

I'm kinda up in the air on how much I want to spend, also on new vs used.

But honestly, if I had a choice, I'd like to keep this purchase as cheap as possible. I'm leaning towards a smaller used tractor to see if it'll do. And if I don't like it I could sell it and upgrade.

 

[sandman2234]

Bigger used over smaller new would be my thought... as long as fixing a few things as they break isn't beyond your capabilities.
David from jax

 

[newbury]

Ok, we really need to know the lay of your land, what you think the value of your time is and how much you want to spend to advise you.

Temple Tx tells me pretty flat for the most part, but there are some places near the lakes that have some terrain.
You probably have little need for carrying big trees and although I have spent time in the snow at Hood it was rare and shallow.
Unless you have some "size limits", like has to fit through a 5' wide gate or go over a bridge that only will support 5,000 lbs, a 40HP tractor will usually do the job quicker, but a 25HP will probably do the jobs you mentioned. If you have to lift a ton with the FEL (think round bales) a 25HP won't do.

So assuming your shredding fairly flat and not real swampy or thick the 25HP choice would probably run a 5 foot shredder with ease. A 40HP should handle 7 foot plus. Similar with the tiller, and most PHD's will work on both.

Just pulling some new equipment numbers from Everything Attachments a 5' Fred Cain cutter runs about $1,500, a 7' about $3,000. A 5' KK tiller about $2K, a 7' KK tiller about $3K.

/edit

And while I was writing:

I'm kinda up in the air on how much I want to spend, also on new vs used.

But honestly, if I had a choice, I'd like to keep this purchase as cheap as possible. I'm leaning towards a smaller used tractor to see if it'll do. And if I don't like it I could sell it and upgrade.

Make up a list of MUST have implements and start looking at CL immediately for tractors and implements. And try to steer away from buying "cheap". "Cheap" breaks down. Think "inexpensive".

For example there is a 1997 L2900 Kubota Tractor - $12000 (Bertram, TX), with shredder on CL.

 

[Texasmark]

Hello all, new member here. I own 17 acres and am in the market for a tractor, but I would like to get some advice on what size to get. I know I want a loader and hydrostatic but other than that I'm open to suggestions.

I'll be shredding a few times a year, not a ton because we sell hay off most of our place. I also have a couple of acres of food plots that I will need to till up twice a year (with a possibility of an additional 2.5 acre plot for a buddy). I'd rather have a tiller than a disc for this.

Also, I'll eventually be putting in a small orchard. So I'll probably need an auger one day.

I've found some deals on 25 hp models, but I'm just not sure if that will be big enough.

Thoughts? Any advice is appreciated.

You need to get the 3 pt up off the ground. Small tractors sit too close for a lot of 3 pt chores. I'd recommend at least a 30 and a 35 would be better, and a 40 is getting warm. You don't know what you will want to do later on. If you get a bigger tractor now, you will tend to be happy with it and not look for a second, or trade and buy up later, loosing your investment in the current one. Remember what money you spend for what you buy is gone forever.....a forgotten memory. What's left is what you bought. You have the rest of your life to think about that. Food for thought!

 

[DeereWimberley]

I live on a rocky, cedar infested, 15 acres in Wimberley. My decision to buy a 3032e a year ago was based in part on the physical size of the tractor. With tons of trees to navigate, I could not go much larger. I am happy so far. I have a bucket, grapple, and will take delivery on a pallet fork tomorrow.

 

[rustyshakelford]

If time is more important than money that can change your thought process. We only have 13 acres but have a 100hp and 15' batwing. I take care of my neighbors 23 acres too and can't spend two days mowing. For me it was worth the money to get into a more ag minded tractor than my previous 5055e that was plagued with problems. I can mow 23 acres in 4-4.5 hrs. I'm picking up a track ho in the am to reset some culverts and dig some trees that's been in my way mowing. Should be able to knock out my place real quick. I enjoy tractor time as much as the next guy but I'm forced to try and be as efficient as possible.

Brett

 

[BlakeJ]

Pretty flat terrain, river bottom land with soft soil and no rocks.

I know I'm no expert, but I really can't see the need for a 40 horse. I'll keep looking though, I've got time to find a deal.

Do dealers run specials at certain times of the year?