Looking at 40-ish HP options

[vvanders]

Thanks for all the feedback, definitely some stuff to mull over. Couple things in no particular order:

1. Tractor is getting its own storage. We've already got two tractors(wife's Ferguson TE-20 and our Ford 1500) so we're planning some sort of structure to keep them out of the sun/rain and whatever we choose going to make sure it will fit it.

2. I may have over-emphasized helping neighbors/family. I'd like to have the *option* but completely understand turning down work if needed. If I go with a dealer that's 1hr+ away I also don't want to have to hassle them to come out and pick it up.

3. Plan to go open station. Weather is pretty nice where we'll be at 17" of rain a year and moderate temp so cab seems overkill.

Ended up kicking some tires soon that I thought and stopped by the local LS dealer in town. Pretty impressed overall with them and also added the XG3140 HST to the list. Been a bit of trouble tracking down prices for them online so was pretty impressed with the initial, non-haggled prices.

$26k for the XR4140, $22k for XG3140 HST. Loader capacity is pretty impressive, 2200 for XG3140, 2700 for XR4140.

XR4140 is definitely pretty large and may be too big for what we need, at least for being able to haul on a 7k trailer. Forgot to get a quote for an MT3 but liked the size, XR4140 is the only one that comes with remotes standard.

Next on the list is probably Kubota, going to have till we get up till we can look at Mahindra since there's no dealer close to where we're living now.

 

[vvanders]

I think you are looking for way more machine than you really need. You need more HP than you currently have, but a BX or 1 series can meet your HP requirement without added size.
All you really need size for is to lift a round bale; 1200lbs on the high end, so all you really need is about 1500lb capacity. Does that have to be with the loader, or could it be with a 3 point?

A Deere 3 series woould do all you want. the 30XXr tractors come in at 2900lbs with an open cab and a 1600lb loader capacity
Smaller than the L4060 with nearly the same loader strength.

I almost omitted the Deere dealership from my list, they're a part of a large corp chain that I haven't been that impressed with.

Back when we got the ford we stopped in a few times to look at implements and couldn't get a single sales person to help us. One person tried to look something up and then just walked off. After going there the 3rd time it became clear that SCUT/CUT owners are somewhat of a second class citizen and I'm a little concerned that getting work done would have to be around their schedule. I'd rather go with a brand where CUTs are their bread and butter. Combined with being an hour away and them not being close cost wise with other brands it'd have to be a serious deal for me to consider them.

 

[vvanders]

Tractors are spec'ed DRY. You need to allow for eight gallons combined of engine oil and transmission fluid plus ten gallons of diesel fuel.

The tractors you are considering are too tall to fit in your garage, even with ROPS folded.
Tractors are theft prone, especially in your case, as you are not far from an international boundary. Plan for tractor security.

How wide is your trailer? Tractors you are considering have rear tire spread of around 68" with R1/ag tires, around 72" wide with R4/industrial tires.

Operating width of implements is generally a tad wider than rear tire width. Overall width of implements varies but generally about 12" wider than implement operating width.


Your land is beautiful and the air looks pristine. In selecting a retirement location CLEAN AIR was at the top of my priority list and SMALL TOWN at the top of my wife's priorities. I think your location and site are wonderful. (I passed my first seventeen years in Seattle, then population 350,000.)

Good point on fluid weight. Our trailer is pretty wide, the ford has it's wheels turned out to widest width and still about a foot clearance on each side. It's a little hard to see from this angle but I think with ag tires I've got the clearance. Probably over the limit on weight though.

Def planning for storage + insurance.

We're really looking forward to getting up to Sequim. Going to have more family nearby, a lot less rain(82in vs 17in a year) and can't wait to get out and explore the Olympic National Park. Gotta finish the house first though. Thankfully we're in the final stages there.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Curious how you're going to fit pasture for 5 horses, a barn, a large orchard, and presumably some lawn for the house, on 5 acres. Not saying it can't be done; just trying to get the whole picture. Love your place BTW. Beautiful views!

My point is, sounds like your 5 horses are going to have a fairly small pasture, which means they'll keep it picked pretty clean; the lawn will be close-mowed, and the large orchard will be grass-free, so maybe your mowing tasks won't be very great.

 

[kenmac]

Good point on fluid weight. Our trailer is pretty wide, the ford has it's wheels turned out to widest width and still about a foot clearance on each side. It's a little hard to see from this angle but I think with ag tires I've got the clearance. Probably over the limit on weight though.

Def planning for storage + insurance.

We're really looking forward to getting up to Sequim. Going to have more family nearby, a lot less rain(82in vs 17in a year) and can't wait to get out and explore the Olympic National Park. Gotta finish the house first though. Thankfully we're in the final stages there.

what's the capacity of that trailer ?

 

[vvanders]

It's got two 3.5k axles and about 1500 lbs empty so got about 5.5k to work with. Truck is rated to 7.4k so no plans to change anything. Tows great though, when we hauled up the Ferguson got close to 20mpg.

We're going to figure out layout after we live there for a bit with some temporary fencing, we're on 2.5ac minus the orchard and it fits well so we'll see how we grow into the extra space.

 

[rngrrymd]

Vvanders,
looks like that XG3140H-40HP would be the ticket for your weight issue. 2,884 lbs for the tractor, 728 lbs for loader less bucket, add the bucket and say 4k lbs. 2,189 lb capacity of loader looks good. I was reading that the recommended size of property ratio for horses is 1 horse to 2 acres so you are going to definitely be handling round bales to make up feed demands of 5 horses.
Understand your thoughts on Deere dealer. Doesn't seem to be limited to one brand - I got negligible help at red, blue and green dealers alike.
Nice place up there, last time I was in your area was April 2012 - they just got the road open to Hurricane Ridge the week before. The snow up there was 20' high if I remember right.

 

[vvanders]

Yeah, it wasn't on my radar but seeing it in person definitely added it, still want to check out L4701 and L4060 plus whatever Mahindra options there are. Like I said at the start we're still probably a few months before actually picking anything up.

Luckily two of our equines are donkeys so they're a bit lighter on the feed side of things. Still on board with round bales, the price difference is just too big to pass up.

We're really happy with the land, wanted to get up to the pennisula to be near family, the acreage and view was a bonus.

 

[Tractorable]

You have a couple Yanmar dealers near you. They make really nice tractors and Yanmar builds the entire tractor including the engine in Japan. Check out the YT235 and YT347 while you’re comparison shopping.

 

[gladehound]

40hp can be had is basically two different frame sizes. I have and example of the larger frame size and I think this is too big for your truck / trailer combo.

I have a Kioti DS4510HS but they make a 40 hp version too. Dry weight is 3,500. But with fluids, my brush cage, filled rears, loader and forks it's 6,500 pounds.

Kioti also makes a 40hp tractor that is smaller in every dimension and lighter as well so you get the HP, a little less lift but in a more manageable package for trailering.

I only use Kioti as an example here because I know the line but I'm believe most manufacturers cross over frame size at around 40HP. Since you don't seem to need the lift of the larger frame models and you do need something small enough to trailer with what you have, a smaller framed 40HP seems to be the right choice.