Used tractor recommendation for 40 acre property for $15-20k?

[searcyfarms]

if you dont have enough power/traction/comfort/safety it doesnt matter what speed you run the under rated tractor, it might be running WOT but the engine is lugged down running far less and trying to spin up a loaded up mower so its not turning any faster or moving physically, than a tractor running half to 3/4 throttle consistently on the PTO and engine/mph. Up/Down with speed of the engine and tractor absolutely wears you out - i rarely run my equipment WOT unless in a hurry - you will do yourself a favor over and over with fuel consumption/wear n tear/safety/comfort/I have even adapted the 1000rpm to 540 so i can run the mower at standard rpm and tractor engine at slower speed to save fuel/wear/all the stuff that reduces life things. Its well worth it in my book. I would always advise anyone to have more tractor than not enough.

 

[Streetcar]

7

Since no one else has brought it up-
Look a public auctions.
First a little background -
Most "public entities" have funding cycles and must budget for equipment maintenance, new equipment etc. And they sell the equipment they replace.
Occasionally what they are selling is totally run into the ground, but often it is not.

In 2013 I bought an M4700 w/1400 hrs for $11.5K
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Last year about the same thing came up again
Public Surplus: Auction #2152321

this time w 633 hours and sold for $12.7K.

These are good, well maintained but used 50 hp tractors.

If you have maintained cars for years the repairs I've had to do would seem simple - mostly replace a few hydraulic hoses and get a FEL cylinder rebuilt.

These bargains pop up all the time. In the DC area I've tracked about 50 since 2015.

It's worth looking into.

Not sure what part of Ohio op is in ,but in southern Ohio public tractors sell for a premium of several thousand. Also local tractors are Deere Kubota primarily

 

[Professor Marvel]

I suspect you will get your best useful value with a 4wd gear transmission tractor around 40-50 hp. I like a hydrostatic tractor much better but that convenience comes with a price. I would certainly go 4wd with the land you described. I have just found that there is a noticeable difference in price between hydro and gear drive. I don't think brand is that significant. Buying used i would stick with the better known ones. Kubota, NH/Ford, JD(probably paying a premium just for green), etc. New I think there are probably more solid choices available. You will rarely regret going larger than you think you need. 4wd makes a smaller tractor bigger.
Others have offered plenty of good advice

EDIT: if your price range does not include implements you should be able to get into a good hydro tractor at that price.

 

[MossRoad]

if you dont have enough power/traction/comfort/safety it doesnt matter what speed you run the under rated tractor, it might be running WOT but the engine is lugged down running far less and trying to spin up a loaded up mower so its not turning any faster or moving physically, than a tractor running half to 3/4 throttle consistently on the PTO and engine/mph. Up/Down with speed of the engine and tractor absolutely wears you out - i rarely run my equipment WOT unless in a hurry - you will do yourself a favor over and over with fuel consumption/wear n tear/safety/comfort/I have even adapted the 1000rpm to 540 so i can run the mower at standard rpm and tractor engine at slower speed to save fuel/wear/all the stuff that reduces life things. Its well worth it in my book. I would always advise anyone to have more tractor than not enough.

My late 70's IH2500b 50hp tractor loader manual specifically states to run the engine at PTO RPMS when operating PTO powered equipment, and it also specifically states to run the engine at that RPM or higher to maintain proper engine and transmission cooling and to provide maximum braking power through the transmission. You're not supposed to run it at lower RPMs when working. It also provides an audible and visual warning indicator if you lug the transmission. All you have to do is let off of the directional pedal to reduce load on the engine. Anyone that runs an engine at WOT and doesn't back off the load if it starts lugging should probably get a refresher course in machine operation.

It's not like the OP is going to get a mower that's larger than the rated capacity for his machine. Hopefully, he'd get a mower that's sized properly to his machine. Yes, it will take him longer to mow than a larger machine, but no, it won't be some unbearable burden on the machine.

 

[searcyfarms]

ive had more issues running things at WOT than at reduced speeds - maybe its just me - kind of like my dad told me when riding a horse - the faster you go the bigger the crash

 

[Turbys_1700]

I traded in a New Holland Workmaster 50 a couple years ago. IMHO it is the right size for a 50 acre property. It is a 5K pound machine. A new unit in this size will be more than your budget. I would look for a used machine in this size/weight/capacity within your budget. Look for extendable lower links, 3 point hitch adjustment from the rear of the tractor, and at the very least a shuttle shift with a couple of hydraulic rear remotes. It will not be easy but doable. You should be able to find something in the 2K hour range. If maintained well you will be good to go.

The easiest solution is to go new with warranty. You will get better financing than used but less capacity.

Keep us updated on your progress. A lot of good advise on here.

 

[MossRoad]

ive had more issues running things at WOT than at reduced speeds - maybe its just me - kind of like my dad told me when riding a horse - the faster you go the bigger the crash

PTO speed isn't WOT on most machines.