Tractor Sizing Tractor buying advice for 47 acres at 8600 ft

[2ndhalf]

UPDATE:
Tractors mentioned and being evaluated:
1. Yanmar YT359C (Ht: 89.5", Wt: 4442lb, 4WD, Nat Aspiration, Base MSRP: $43k, dealer NOT close)
2. Kubota L6060HTSC (Ht: 92.5", Wt: 4376lb, 4WD, TC, Base MSRP: $44.8K, dealer close)
3. Kioti NX 6010 HST Cab (Ht: 94", Wt: 4520lb, 4WD, TC, Base MSRP: $ ?? dealer close)


Thanks so much!
Jeff

If I were to buy new I would be looking at the three you have listed with MF (Iseki/Mitsubishi) listed also. I'm a big fan of Iseki; though some of the larger MFs have mitsubishi engines.

Yanmar Jap
MF Jap
Kubota Jap
Kioti Kor
LS Kor

But I don't have the elevation issue.

 

[Jchonline]

The tractor Three Point Hitch come in various sizes, which in tractorspeak are identified as categories.

The Kubota L6060 has a dual Category I/II Three Point Hitch.

Category I implements fit tractors with a Category I Three Point Hitch worldwide.

Category II implements fit tractors with a Category II Three Point Hitch worldwide.

A Kubota L6060 can operate all Category I and Category II implements.

Brand compatibility is not an issue with the Three Point Hitch.

Thanks Jeff. How easy is it to swap attachments? Probably the most common for me will be front loader, log grapple, and snow removal (haven't decided on blower or plow yet).

 

[Jchonline]

Rent a mini-excavator for 12"+ stump removal. Do not beat up your tractor with this task.

Perhaps I can forgo getting a backhoe attachment? They are quite expensive and look to have a very limited horizontal radius. The trackhoe seems superior, and if I can get one per hour up in Red Feather Lakes it would be awesome. Great suggestion Jeff!

 

[Jchonline]

If I were to buy new I would be looking at the three you have listed with MF (Iseki/Mitsubishi) listed also. I'm a big fan of Iseki; though some of the larger MFs have mitsubishi engines.

Yanmar Jap
MF Jap
Kubota Jap
Kioti Kor
LS Kor

But I don't have the elevation issue.

MF1758 looks very nice, added to my list. Turbocharged, great price (38k new delivered no tax with loader, and that is before I start dealing)

 

[ericm979]

Get the skid steer quick attach loader. With that you can use any standard skid steer-compatible loader attachment, such as a grapple from Everything Attachments. Does Kubota still not have SSQA standard? Most other brands come with SSQA.

65 miles is not far. If you do your own maintenance you only need to take the tractor to the dealer if you have a serious problem. Tractors are fairly simple to work on. If you can change oil and do tune ups on cars and trucks you can do the regular maintenance on tractors.

 

[Jchonline]

Questions for everyone:

1. HST vs geared transmission, preference or am I missing something big not having a manual transmission in my conditions?
2. Anything valuable for mid-PTO use besides an under carriage mower? Looks like a few references to certain snow blowers, which might peak my interest.
3. Is there a difference between PTO in a gear (ie manual) vs HST? I drove tractors growing up on our farm, but back then I think they were all geared.
4. 12.8 vs 11.6 gpm implement flow? Should I be concerned about having 12.8 vs 11.6? I believe this is probably based on the attachment being used, but wondering if there is some cutoff value that is important to have.

 

[Jchonline]

Get the skid steer quick attach loader. With that you can use any standard skid steer-compatible loader attachment, such as a grapple from Everything Attachments. Does Kubota still not have SSQA standard? Most other brands come with SSQA.

65 miles is not far. If you do your own maintenance you only need to take the tractor to the dealer if you have a serious problem. Tractors are fairly simple to work on. If you can change oil and do tune ups on cars and trucks you can do the regular maintenance on tractors.

Sounds great. Yes I can do my own vehicle maintenance. I dont mind working on tractors at all. On the Kubota it looks like there are 2 different SSQAs in their offering. Mechanical SSQA is standard, Hydraulic SSQA is optional.

 

[4570Man]

If the tractor is going to be spending most of this time hooked to a plow gears is the clear winner. Otherwise it's a personal preference issue that usually turns into nasty debates. I'm in the HST camp. Swapping implements with SSQA only takes about a minute if the hoses don't cause problems.

 

[Jchonline]

If the tractor is going to be spending most of this time hooked to a plow gears is the clear winner. Otherwise it's a personal preference issue that usually turns into nasty debates. I'm in the HST camp. Swapping implements with SSQA only takes about a minute if the hoses don't cause problems.

When you say plows do you mean a snow plow or a field plow? I only grow snow at 8600ft

 

[Old Red]

When you say plows do you mean a snow plow or a field plow? I only grow snow at 8600ft

Must be talking about a field plow....although not many people use an old plow anymore. For snow an HST is really nice.