Tractor Sizing TRACTOR WEIGHT as a SINGLE CRITERION IN TRACTOR SELECTION

[Trillium Farm]

Note that some heavier tractors use more metal in their castings so that they can use a lower grade of metal, or poor structural design (where its easier to just add more metal to make it stronger).
Aaron Z

Well said!

 

[Atchuuu]

You are right, there are many & better way than a tractor to mow a lawn.
I prefer to be able to "alter" the weight of the tractor to suit my needs so the I don't have to carry all the xtra weight when it is not needed, this results in using less fuel and above al less soil compaction. If one uses the FEL all the time then one can add as much weight as needed to the rear wheels to counterbalance it, if the weigh is in the 3pt or plowing then one can add weights to the front and if field work like harrowing or cultivating where weight is not needed one can do without the xtra weight. All this presupposes that I started with a weight close to what may be needed for the majority of work and not for the odd task.

:thumbsup: I see your point.

 

[cathy liebchen]

"It takes much less than a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY! this thing is waaaay tooo bulky and unwieldy for my land". Don't buy too physically big or too heavy. Get the highest HP available in the size you need. You can usually do the same things with a smaller tractor as a larger one (may take longer), but not vice versa

 

[Trillium Farm]

" You can usually do the same things with a smaller tractor as a larger one (may take longer), but not vice versa

Not really in the agricultural tractors. Never heard of I got too much tractor, but heard plenty of I wish I had bought bigger.

It's true that you can plow 100 acres wing a 1 furrow plow, but who has the time to invest in such a task

 

[cathy liebchen]

Not really in the agricultural tractors. Never heard of I got too much tractor, but heard plenty of I wish I had bought bigger.

It's true that you can plow 100 acres wing a 1 furrow plow, but who has the time to invest in such a task

This is a compact tractor forum though, so ag tractor debates are on a different website. I hear plenty of people say they bought too big a unit

 

[Trillium Farm]

This is a compact tractor forum though, so ag tractor debates are on a different website. I hear plenty of people say they bought too big a unit

Who said that this is only a non agricultural forum? Where is it s stated? or perhaps it should be renamed "Small Tractor By Net!

 

[Bigpuddie]

Who said that this is only a non agricultural forum? Where is it s stated? or perhaps it should be renamed "Small Tractor By Net!

I agree. Tractors of all kinds...the more the merrier

 

[mred2]

While I want my heavier tractor for mowing the pasture and stacking hay, my wife wants my sons lighter tractor in the yard. There are some times that a heavy tractor is not wanted or needed.

 

[cathy liebchen]

Who said that this is only a non agricultural forum? Where is it s stated? or perhaps it should be renamed "Small Tractor By Net!

It is the entire premise of the website. From the TBN home page, first text:

Quote: "TractorByNet is the world's largest resource and community for compact tractors, featuring forums, news, reviews, photos, how-to information, and questions & answers.

This page contains latest news and articles from our site, as well as links to our popular forums for compact tractors. What's the best compact tractor for you? Find out in our popular tractor forum and get the answers on compact tractors, sub compact tractors, and used compact tractors"

 

[jeff9366]

WORKING DRAFT (7.44)​

The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to identify potential tractor applications first, then determine bare tractor weight necessary to safely accomplish your applications.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Heavier tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.

Within subcompact and compact tractor categories, a significant tractor capability increase requires a bare tractor weight increase of 50%. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range. I spreadsheet tractor and implement specs, often a revealing exercise. I have a column for cost per pound.

Most tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight operate in residential or hobby farm applications on one to ten flat acres.

Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling multiple light implements in order to buy heavier, wider implements for a new, heavier tractor requires a lot of time. Depreciation on implements is generally greater than depreciation on a tractor.

Heavier tractors are constructed on larger frames and longer wheelbases. Heavier tractors are built with thicker steel to withstand greater stress. Heavier tractors have larger diameter wheels/tires. Heavier tractors with large diameter wheels/tires have more tractive power pulling ground contact implements, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires permit heavier tractors to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris with less implement and operator perturbation.

Four wheel drive is essential on hillsides. Four wheel drive supplies increased traction and braking. When descending slopes 4-WD augments rear brakes as tractor weight shifts forward, decreasing rear tire grip.

Compact tractors optimized for hill work have liquid installed in the rear tires rather than air. "Loaded" tires are filled 50% with liquid, which lowers the tractor's center-of-gravity, increasing rollover resistance. "Loading" two compact tractor rear tires increases tractor weight 300 pounds to 800 pounds over weight of identical two tires inflated with air. Some prefer to ballast rear wheels with iron wheel weights rather than tire liquids.

When considering a tractor purchase, bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third, rear wheel ballast fourth.

(Usually, but sometimes not.)



A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after nine years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.​