Buying Advice What size?

jvictory15 · Sep 20, 2017

Hey guys, Im new here, so hopefully Im posting in the correct area...

I grew up on around 12 acres of open pasture land, we basically shared land with my grandparents, which is every kids dream. My grandpa had/has a ford utility tractor. I know how to operate everything on that tractor with all sorts of attachments; but I couldn't tell you what kind of tractor it is, what model it was, HP, anything. As a kid I never paid attention to that stuff, I just wanted to ride with my grandpa and as I got older I wanted to do it myself.

All that to say, I know how to operate for the most part, but I have no "book" knowledge on tractors.

Well, now married with kids of my own, we are in the process of purchasing an 18 acre piece of property, pretty flat terrain; 15 of these acres will be open pasture land, the other three is heavy wooded (I don't plan on doing anything with these 3 acres). So I am looking at purchasing a tractor but really have no idea where to start.

The main uses I will need is mowing. Im guessing 5 of those acres will be more finished mowed every week, and the remaining 10 will be bush hogged a few times a year. This will be 95% of what I will use it for. I don't even have in mind what the remaining 5% will be used for but Im sure I can find something

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Im not sure if a small compact tractor could handle this, 25hp or 35hp, or if I need to go up to a utility tractor with 50+hp. If someone could at least point me in the right direction that would be great! Thanks!

Thall303 · Sep 21, 2017

We have 10 acres and a John Deere 5045D (45 hp) on the PTO.

I am no expert, but love this size tractor.

Anything smaller, I don't really consider a tractor!

jeff9366 · Sep 21, 2017

It takes a minimum 45-horsepower tractor engine to operate a SIX FOOT wide Rotary Cutter, which is the minimum I would want for your stated mowing needs.

You can get by with a less powerful tractor and smaller Rotary Cutter but mowing will take you longer. Mowing, with the dust, pollen and mould, is not my favorite tractor task. I like most tractor seat time, with the exception of mowing.

Finish mowers have rubber V-belt drive to the two or more spindles. Worthless in grass over 4" tall. Consider just a Rotary Cutter. If the blades are kept sharp and even, which mean forgoing mowing saplings, Rotary Mowers can give a nice cut, once you learn how to adjust for the cut you desire.

As you have kids, plan on an HST tractor transmission.

If you will build a home on this land you will want a Front End Loader (FEL).

KUBOTA LINKS (2):
http://www.kubota.com/product/LSeries.aspx
http://www.kubota.com/product/MX4800/MX4800.aspx

paulfun9 · Sep 21, 2017

Judging by the description

I would be looking between 40 to 50HP nothing smaller than 40.
If its flat open land with few obstacles I would be looking at a rear finish mower opposed to any mid mount mower.
I would also prefer a Shuttle shift over a HST. Even with Kids growing up and wanting to drive it, remember you grew into your grandfathers machine so there is no reason why your kids couldn't learn to operate a gear or shuttle like you did.

LD1 · Sep 21, 2017

If you keep the pasture maintained, cutting should never be difficult. A 30 PTO HP tractor will handle a 6 foot mower at 4 mph without much effort in a pasture that is cut twice a year. That will put you around a 4-hour job each mowing.

I'd size for that and really consider a cab.

But mowing twice a year being 95% of your use....I think that will soon change as you realize just how handy a modern tractor is.

And have you considered letting someone bale hay off the pasture?

Phillip w · Sep 21, 2017

I would not recommend a 30 hp tractor. I have a little 1531 massey ferguson and it can't handle a 5 ft brush hog in heavy conditions. I would recommend at least 40-50 hp. I think these engineers tell you it will handle 5 ft brush hog in light ankle high grass and it will. But can't do the job if it is knee high and heavy grass and weeds. A far as your pasture, ever think about fencing it off sand running a few light weight yearning calves in there. Might save you a dollar mowing it and accidently fool around and make a buck. Just my thoughts.

LD1 · Sep 21, 2017

Phillip w said:
I would not recommend a 30 hp tractor. I have a little 1531 massey ferguson and it can't handle a 5 ft brush hog in heavy conditions. I would recommend at least 40-50 hp. I think these engineers tell you it will handle 5 ft brush hog in light ankle high grass and it will. But can't do the job if it is knee high and heavy grass and weeds. A far as your pasture, ever think about fencing it off sand running a few light weight yearning calves in there. Might save you a dollar mowing it and accidently fool around and make a buck. Just my thoughts.

Why dont you think it will handle it.

I mow 250-300 acres per year commercially. And bits of everything. Ankle high grass from accounts that get mowed monthly to lots that havent been touched in 10+ years and everything in between. Did that for 5+ years with a L3400 kubota and a 6' Bushhog 306. Handled it just fine.

So I have a very hard time believing a 1531 wont handle even a 5' cutter.

How fast are you trying to mow? Because until you run out of power in your lowest gear....claiming that "it wont handle it" is a load of bull. SLOW DOWN.

Hear it on hear all the time and it gets pretty old. Why people seem to think that IF a tractor cant pull a bushhog through untouched 5-year old CRP ground at 5 MPH, then it "cant handle it".......thats nonsense. Learn how to utilize the equipment properly.

airbiscuit · Sep 21, 2017

I've had 15hp, a 24hp, a 33hp and 40hp tractors. I like the 40hp the best, but I liked em all. I think 40hp is the sweet spot for your property, but if that's not in your budget, a 30-35hp tractor is pretty sweet. I ran a 5' rough cut mower with my 24hp tractor with no problem.

I cut trails through 8' brush with my little 15hp, and with no advance clearing. I just walked it first, and then plunged right through it!

Streetcar · Sep 21, 2017

+1 on 30 hp. A bigger tractor can run bigger equipment, but smaller is more maneuverable and does less damage. I had 100 acre cattle farm with only 30 hp tractor for a couple of years.

jvictory15 · Sep 21, 2017

Thanks guys. I appreciate all this information! The plan is that we will be building a future homesite in 2-3 years on this property so I would definitely want a loader eventually. I obviously would want more HP, but unfortunately price is something that we have to take into consideration given the recent purchase of the property and future construction loan coming.
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