What a difference a large tractor makes!

[BrokenTrack]

In all the farming articles I have read, they say the best economy is to double the size of the tractor.

So while it does not make sense for me too because of other reasons, I should go from my 27 hp tractor to a 35 hp tractor. However, it would make sense for me to double the size, so to jump to a 55 HP or 60 HP tractor.

What I have found is; I use my 27 HP Kubota for about 95% of what I do. Yes it may take a bit longer, but it can do 95% of the work. For the stuff it just cannot do, I just rent, and I rent specific equipment like bulldozers or excavators that really are made for the work needed to get done.

 

[Hay Dude]

I learned the financial lessons of buying too small to try to get by in both HP and frame size. Took a few hits when selling ones that I bought for a great deal, but sold for less to buy bigger.
I’m a little small for the large square baler I want right now. Looking at a Case IH 5250 or a Ford/NH 8970 to make it easier, but even we’ll used, they’re expensive (cheap compared to these little compact tractors though....
My advice is to try to think ahead if your operation will be expanding, then buy accordingly. Never buy for your current conditions unless youre locked into retirement or youre operation size will not change.
Decisions, decisions.

 

[chim]

Large is fun, and extra large is really fun. Back in the 90's we had a big snowstorm and they were short-handed at one of the inlaw's farms so I bagged work. They had a number of chicken houses (layers) and were getting several tractor trailer loads of new birds. They were able to open up just enough to get the trucks in, but there was no place for them to turn around. My job was to take the big Massey and drag the empty trucks through the field in a big circle and get them pointed back out in the right direction. That tractor was the most powerful piece of equipment I've ever used. Wherever it went, the tractor trailers followed along like pull toys. This is one of the few pictures of the Massey I can find. The row of equipment is what they sold off when they sold that farm in the early 2000's.

The second Case is one that I borrowed to clear snow when the Ford 1210 was down one time. Wish I had a picture of that. With my 5' rear blade all bushed down to fit it resembled the picture Lou posted. I always cleared the driveway for an old couple across the road. Standard procedure was when the heard the tractor they'd raise the garage door so I could drop the rear blade inside the garage and pull snow away from it. Then we'd wave HI at each other and I'd clear the snow. The old guy was expecting the little Ford as usual and was quite taken aback.

 

[Industrial Toys]

An old seasoned woodsman and jack of all trades once advised my Father. When you go into the BUSH, you take the biggest tractor you got.

 

[hosspuller]

sometimes;
View attachment 648336

Lou ...It's not the tractor... It's the spreader that's too small. :laughing:

 

[RalphVa]

In all the farming articles I have read, they say the best economy is to double the size of the tractor.

So while it does not make sense for me too because of other reasons, I should go from my 27 hp tractor to a 35 hp tractor. However, it would make sense for me to double the size, so to jump to a 55 HP or 60 HP tractor.

What I have found is; I use my 27 HP Kubota for about 95% of what I do. Yes it may take a bit longer, but it can do 95% of the work. For the stuff it just cannot do, I just rent, and I rent specific equipment like bulldozers or excavators that really are made for the work needed to get done.

If you're an advocate of the heavy tractor thing, go to something like the L2501, not just more hp. If you have any hills to run it up or down, you'll spend a bunch more fuel to do so then.

I've found that the 18.5 hp in my first 4wd tractor, a 4010 (like a 2019E now), is enough for what I need.

If I need more, I'll hire it done or rent a bigger tractor. Doesn't makes sense to lug around a very heavy or high hp thing for the 5% or less time when you need that weight or hp.

Ralph

 

[BrokenTrack]

If you're an advocate of the heavy tractor thing, go to something like the L2501, not just more hp.

Yep...that is just what I have too! :thumbsup:

Mine is a 1999 Kubota, so it is the 2500L, but the same thing as a 2501L. They only made the 2500L for two years before they changed the model a bit.

 

[Richard]

I have another neighbor with an old International agricultural tractor, sorry I don't know the model but it's about twice the physical size of my tractor. I called him up, he brought his two-wheel drive tractor over, hooked up a long chain and putt-putt-putt, my truck came out of the hole. Now I'm wanting a big tractor, darn it! There's one sitting in a barn up the road that hasn't moved in years. I wonder if the owner will let it go cheap.....

Howdy Neighbor! (side question.... do you know anyone in TCRS?)

Aside from that.... if your tractor suffices your needs, you can also look into something like an industrial backhoe/loader for more toys. I've used my backhoe to so something very similar to what you did with the big tractor but in my case, it was also the tractor that was stuck and backhoe pulled it out.

Tractor was International 866 (if I have the correct number), was a cab version and had a 10' heavy duty Rhino mower behind it and it was stuck to the axle in mud. Backhoe & chain yanked it right out.

Bigger toys can always do bigger things.

Used to take (literally) half to all of summer to cut the farm here.... farm owned International 444 with a 5' mower behind it (which was stupid nuts). I finally stopped. I've bought my own tractor (International 1066) and now with a 15' mower, could cut the entire place in a long hard day.

Heck, there is a hill I used to cut in low range, 1st gear and the 444 would struggle at times. Now, with the 1066, I CAN cut in high range, but I CHOOSE to cut in low range, 4th gear up the same hill and it just purrs along..... so I'm cutting much faster ground speed and three times as wide.

Yeah, size can help.

 

[Richard]

Big tractors use a lot less fuel too.

My little 25 HP Kubota would take about 10 gallons of fuel, to till this 10 acre field, pulling its 8 foot harrow, and took all day.

The bigger 400 HP New Holland takes about 7 gallons of fuel, to till this same 10 acre field with its 32 foot disk, and takes 20 minutes.

On 1600 acres of corn, we averaged 3/4 of a gallon of fuel, per acre.

That's an awesome pic!! Love it (and your point is well taken!!!!)

 

[Hay Dude]

Another thought: If you have a choice, buy a bigger/heavier tractor even if it has lower HP rather than a smaller tractor with high HP (unless it’s a yard chore tractor or where compaction is a concern). Take it from a farmer, weight IS power and bigger IS generally safer & more stable than smaller. Other pluses of bigger tractors is bigger tires, which pull and ride better because larger diameter. With low range and gearing, you don’t usually run out of power. You usually (not always) run out of traction or weight before power.