Tractor Sizing Looking for a tractor...

gk527 · Jul 31, 2018

Hello everyone.

I’m looking for a tractor to do a few things. I’ve got a house on our family farm of approximately 140 acres. On a weekly basis I finish mow approximately 5 acres with a Kubota B2650 that has a 60 inch MMM. It’s a little rough riding which I suspect is due to the loader and loaded rear tires.

We are in a partnership with a guy down the road that does all the cutting and rolling of hay and has a batwing for the fields. So he’s got that covered.

What I’m wanting is a little bit larger tractor that I can lift a 5x6 hay roll up with by the loader and another by the 3 point hitch to take to the fields for the cattle, but not too large so that I can finish mow with it. I’d get a 72 inch rear discharge 3 point hitch finish mower.

I’d sell my B2650. I don’t have to get another Kubota, so I’m open minded to anything. I do have a couple models in mind, but would like to hear other opinions.

I will say I do not want a zero turn. I’ve tried them a few times and it’s just awkward to me.

Thanks!!

nybirdman · Jul 31, 2018

Approximate weight of your 5x6 bales?Maybe a L6060 Kubota or similar.Do you want or need HST?

gk527 · Jul 31, 2018

nybirdman said:
Approximate weight of your 5x6 bales?Maybe a L6060 Kubota or similar.Do you want or need HST?

The rolls weigh around 1400 pounds.

HST isn't needed.

jeff9366 · Jul 31, 2018

gk527 said:
The rolls weigh around 1400 pounds.

A Kubota L3560 with LA805 (1,750 pounds lift capacity) Loader will do it. I would outfit with optional soft-riding low pressure radial tractor tires to minimize ground pressure while retaining traction, with rear wheels set wide. ~~$28,000

(I have an L3560 with LA805 Loader but R4/industrial tires inflated with air.)

B2650 and L3560 have similar deluxe kit.

LENGTH: B2650 = 101" L3560 = 115" ~~~~~~ WIDTH: B2650 = 54" L3560 = 60"

BARE WEIGHT: B2650 = 1,786 pounds L3560 = 3,400 pounds

A heavier tractor with large diameter wheels/tires has more tractive power pulling ground contact implements, pushing a loader bucket into dirt or hay bale and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires mean more ground clearance, enabling a heavier tractor to bridge holes, ruts and downed tree limbs with less bucking, yielding a less disturbing passage over rough pastures and woodlands.

VIDEO: Kubota Standard L Series VS. Grand L Series - YouTube

Tractorable · Jul 31, 2018

Yea, a L3560 and LA805 loader with the multi trac turf tires would be a sweet setup.

LouNY · Jul 31, 2018

I am going to disagree with the previous recommendations,
Handling round bales especially 5x6s is not the best use of a compact tractor, if you have rough pastures and or get any frozen rough ground to maneuver on you need more tractor to safely handle those bales if you are carrying bales that routinely run 3/4s of your loaders max capacity you are overloading and stressing your loader and your tractors front axle.
Your loader shouldn't be carrying more then half of it's capacity if you expect to get a long and useful life from it.
Go heavier and stronger and don't even think about mowing lawn with a working tractor.
I know that many on here think the little compacts can do anything and they may for a little while but not for long.
Best of luck.

jeff9366 · Jul 31, 2018

gk527 said:
I’m looking for a tractor to do a few things. On a weekly basis I finish mow approximately 5 acres with a Kubota B2650 that has a 60 inch MMM. It’s a little rough riding which I suspect is due to the loaded and loaded rear tires.

If your tires are filled 100%, versus 75% or 50%, you have zero tractor suspension, liquids not being compressible.

If your tires are filled 100% consider decreasing fill to 75% or 50% which will improve ride quality with air introduction.

Larger wheels/tires will cross pasture more smoothly than small wheels/tires.

jeff9366 · Jul 31, 2018

LouNY said:
Handling round bales especially 5x6s is not the best use of a compact tractor, if you have rough pastures and or get any frozen rough ground to maneuver on you need more tractor to safely handle those bales if you are carrying bales that routinely run 3/4s of your loaders max capacity you are overloading and stressing your loader and your tractors front axle.
Your loader shouldn't be carrying more then half of it's capacity if you expect to get a long and useful life from it.
Go heavier and stronger and don't even think about mowing lawn with a working tractor.

gk527 said:
What I want is a little bit larger tractor that can lift a 5x6 hay roll up with by the loader and another by the 3 point hitch to take to the fields for the cattle, but not so large so that I can't finish mow with it.

We are in a partnership with a guy down the road that does all the cutting and rolling of hay and has a batwing for the fields.

Finish mowing is the OP's designated primary task.

Moving bales he will have one bale on the FEL and a second bale as counterbalance on the Three Point Hitch. No high lift specified.

Grand Ls have the potential for very wide rear tire spreads designed in, if OP desires same.

kthompson · Jul 31, 2018

How high do you need to reach with the bale? Be sure the loader has that height. Do not forget where the bale is on the fel when you are checking that. Most people I know using fel to move round bales come into the bale about half way it's height so you are loosing some of the height of the loader if you do that.

Your hay guy uses a batwing mower for hay cuttings? Does that work well? Know the cutting will cut well but the crop being cut short by a mower deck compared to a mower that cuts the stalk and does not recut is why I am asking. Not saying it does not work, just never seen it done.