I'm still lost on what size tractor I need.

[jjp8182]

Sounds like quite the opportunity. I think another question worth considering is how much time do you want to spend doing the work? Given implements can be found to fit almost every size of tractor to do most types of work that is really a large driver for the size of tractor to buy.

Given the size of what you want to till vs. how much land needs to be maintained, it might be worth leasing out the land (or hiring out the work) on any potential hay fields. The other thing to consider is that (as others have noted) with the clarification on legality of hemp, more large farms will likely start getting involved in hemp production (through coworkers and their family members I already know of some rather large farms that are already involved and working with some very large corporations). So the current profitability of hemp production drop drastically once it's viable to machine harvest large areas (either from new machinery or more machine harvesting tolerant varieties of hemp).

On that note, I'd say when it comes to farming diversification can be a good thing (much like financial investments ...which is basically what a crop raised for sale is), the other thing to consider is whatever path you take, it's worth keeping farmland in production as nature can reclaim land pretty quickly and that can introduce a whole host of other things to deal with when/if you ever want use it for farming.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

I would get an mx series for 10-15 acres and something like a 6060 for 100+, at the minimum.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

These two suggestions are functionally equal in weight.

Both pull the same implements, only slightly wider than rear tire width.

The M6060 is a quite bigger longer and heavier machine. It's too big for what I have, so I got my mx5200. I like the bigger size for bigger land though, I just couldn't afford it nor did I need it, but my mx5200 would feel really small on a 100 acres.

 

[jeff9366]

I would get an mx series for 10-15 acres and something like a 6060 for 100+, at the minimum.

Kubota makes an L6060 and an M6060. When you post imprecise information you potentially confuse the OP and everyone else.

 

[fried1765]

Kubota makes an L6060 and an M6060. When you post imprecise information you potentially confuse the OP and everyone else.

Stated in such a considerate way.

 

[Imold]

Seems like this has been long debated but what I read is for 100 acres anything in the 50 to 80 hp would be ok to keep cost down, I read several different threads on this topic and not one could come up with THE BEST tractor size for 100 acres just because everybody has their own opinion on it.
All I know is I just bought a GC1705 22.5 hp to use on my 12.7 acres, around 6 is mowed, 330 foot driveway and the rest is just up keep type of stuff.


https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/313955-tractor-100-acres.html

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

Heck for just 6 acres I got a 45hp 485di

And some times I wish I had more weight or hp.

Loader height was nice this week working on roofs

 

[Tennsawdust]

Hey, I have just recently taken up farming and am currently growing some hemp on about a 1/4 acre. Everything was planted by hand, but I am fortunate enough to have some land in my family that no one in the family uses. They lease it out to a guy for pennies on the dollar and he is getting a little too old to lease it anymore so I have an opportunity to take over and basically care for 130 acres of mostly flat land. Probably 100 acres are tillable and good. Next year I would like to care for the land and I am undecided if I should find someone to mow the native grass hay for us or if I should do it myself, but I do want to plow and disc about 8-10 acres of land and use a water wheel transplanter and possibly a plastic mulch laying machine. At first, I was looking at the L2501 and figured it would be enough but after some reading, I am getting the impression that 25hp will not be enough at all. So, I come here looking for some advice on what kind of tractor I need and also maybe some necessary implements I will need to manage and till some of this land. I live near a popular metropolitan so I am assuming most brands are within 100 miles with Kubota and John Deere being the two most common dealers I have been able to google. I honestly don't care if I get new or used as long as I can find something that is reliable and trustworthy and that I can get a loan from my bank and I was hoping to spend no more than 20k, but I might be able to push to 30k, but most of that depends on what the bank will loan me. All of this farming stuff is new to me so any useful information or trips is always going to be appreciated


Thanks for reading and have a good day!

I'm sure you could find someone who is looking for hay to cut, so I wouldn't get too excited about jumping into that right away. That is a whole other level of expense and you need to make sure it is worthwhile before taking it on. Are you doing this as a side job? That makes a big difference. Your decisions will be different depending on how much time you have to invest and how much you are depending on it for income.

One thing you didn't mention is your terrain. That plays a role. If you can use a traditional 2WD utility tractor (might be appropriate for the row crops you are talking about) then those can be had for fairly reasonable prices. As for new, there are a number of dealers in your area. The Kioti dealer there in Murfreesboro is one of the biggest in the country. There is also a good Branson dealer up near Springfield. Make sure you shop around.

One other piece of advice: If you haven't yet, you need to be working toward getting your TN farm card. You need two years of farm income reported on your taxes to file for it. With that you don't pay sales tax (which as you know is high in TN because we don't have income or personal property taxes that other states have). 9.75% adds a lot to the price of a tractor and equipment! You might want to consider something like a Ford 4000 or MF 255/265 to get things done until you get things squared away for a big new beast. You'll probably end up keeping it if you decide to do hay because that seems to be a multi tractor type operation.

 

[Egon]

In the past many farms of 640 acres were farmed by tractors of less than fifty horsepower. So — consider the equipment you will need and match a tractor to it.

Some of those under fifty horsepower tractors weighed in at around 7000 lb’s

 

[Will_C]

I worked for a very successful local farmer 35 years ago during summers. He had a 90hp JD-2wd, fairly new, and a JD 55hp tractor that was 18-20 years old at the time. He grew 80 acres of corn and cut 100+ acres of hay with that equipment, with the help of his 12 year old son and me and my brother during haying season-small square bales.

His son is successful farmer today, using just slightly larger equipment.