Tractor Sizing TRACTOR WEIGHT as ONE (1) CRITERION in TRACTOR SELECTION

[jeff9366]

This thread has evolved since February 2, 2018 under former title of GUIDE: Shopping/Sizing A Tractor.
T-B-N members have contributed 490 replies and criticisms to this focused thread, commencing its fourth iteration. I thank them. I believe content is well scrubbed.


My opinions developed while owning/operating a Deere 750 clutch and gear, a Kubota B3300SU/HST, a Kubota L3560/HST+, and operating two 50-horsepower, 2-WD John Deeres, one a Deere/Georgia shuttle shift, the second a Deere/India clutch and gear. A fairly diverse assortment of tractors, in weights often discussed on this site.


I have owned three tractors. The first a 1,900 pound subcompact "learner" without a Loader. The second a 2,200 pound tractor-loader package. The third, my 3,500 pound Kubota L3560, is tractor nirvana in my north Florida conditions. Had I early read a thread philosophizing on tractor weight it would have stimulated tractor weight research and I would have omitted purchase of tractor #2, which proved too light for my applications. I purchased tractor #2 seduced by the allure of increased horsepower.

Tractor neophytes should find this blurb especially stimulative.

 

[jeff9366]

Tractors are inherently unstable operating on sloped ground. Tractor rear wheel/tire spread, sometimes adjustable, is a critical factor increasing compact tractor stability working sloped or uneven ground. Rear axle is the tractor component on which rear wheels/tires mount. A 6" to 10" wider rear axle substantially decreases tractor rollover potential. Tractor width is an approximation of rear axle width.

Larger wheels and tires permit heavier tractors to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris permitting higher ground speed with less implement and operator perturbation

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

 

[jeff9366]

WORKING DRAFT (7.47)​

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Tractor capability is more closely correlated to tractor weight than any other single specification.

The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to first identify potential tractor applications, then, through consulataton, establish bare tractor weight necessary to safely accomplish your applications. Tractor dealers, experienced tractor owners and TractorByNet.com are sources for weight recommendations.

Bare tractor weight is a fundamental tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used. 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 which cuts through specification clutter. I have a column for cost per pound.

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 worse than depreciation on a tract

Neophyte tractor operators are often intimidated by instability of tractors with small front wheels and large rear wheels, therefore frequently purchase tractors too light, too small for long term satisfaction. ((Tractors seem to shrink after about twenty hours of operating experience.)) 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!

Subcompact and compact tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight operate in landscape, kitchen/commercial garden or hobby farm applications on one to ten flat acres.

Tractors are inherently unstable operating on sloped ground. Tractor rear wheel/tire spread, sometimes adjustable, is a critical factor increasing compact tractor stability working sloped or uneven ground. A 6" to 10" wider rear axle substantially decreases tractor rollover potential.

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

 

[jeff9366]

Why is tractor weight different than tire ballast or wheel weights?

Good question.

Tractor weight is a specification easily found in tractor catalogs and tractor web sites. From bare tractor weight customers option/customize tractor for customer's particular conditions and applications.

Tire ballast, wheel weights and cast iron wheel centers are options ordered by some, not others. Materials used and tire fill proportion vary combined options weight. Tire ballast (water, water-alcohol, beet juice, solid "foam"; 50%/75%/100% ~ foam) wheel weights (iron or concrete) and cast iron wheel centers contribute to Operating Weight. Note: I show bare and operating weight in my T-B-N TRACTOR PROFILE. My L3560 R4/industrial tires contain only air.

Bare tractor weight is a tractor spec with only slight measure variations between tractor brands.

 

[jeff9366]

Bare tractors have been built with a standard weight distribution of 40% front, 60% rear since the mid-1930s.

Add a Front End Loader and the weight distribution becomes 50% front, 50% rear. (+/-)

Fill the bucket and the weight moves forward, leveraged by low-forward position of a laden bucket.
Could be 60% front, 40% rear. (Tractor wheelbase affects weight distribution.)

Traction is reduced because weight has transferred away from the big rear wheels.
(Hence the need for rear axle ballast.)

Rear wheels may or may not lift from the ground at this moment, but they will certainly be "light" if bucket payload is wet.

Green tree trunk sections and laden pallets on pallet forks are often heavier than wet bucket loads. Laden pallets protrude forward. Weight distribution could be 70% front, 30% rear. Rear wheels will lift.

Suffecient Three Point Hitch counterbalance restores weight distribution to 40% front, 60% rear. (+/-)

Too much rear weight and the tractor front will lift when you move up a slope with the bucket empty.

 

[BrokenTrack]

This whole thread should just be deleted...

No one person here is smarter than all of us put together.

Jeff seems to think he is the authority on tractors when in honesty, many of us farmers have driven far more than three, and disagree with him on many, many points.

 

[coobie]

WOW, strange post?? Nebraska tractor tests might be in order..

 

[arlen4720]

This whole thread should just be deleted...

No one person here is smarter than all of us put together.

Jeff seems to think he is the authority on tractors when in honesty, many of us farmers have driven far more than three, and disagree with him on many, many points.

I think we could condense the thread down to 3 sentences. How is this....

Heavy tractors are good. If the tractor is light in back, then add weight to rear.
If tractor is light in front, then add weight to front.

 

[jeff9366]

I am shopping for my first tractor.

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

I have 20 acres total. 16 acres are Pensacola Bahai.
I lose a tree every once in a while and have to deal with it.
I will be running some cows followed by sheep chickens, turkeys and geese in the pasture. Will also have some hogs. I plan on starting an orchard so I will need something to drill holes for planting trees.

Not interested in doing hay.

Thinking I need a tractor with bucket, brush hog and box blade maybe a fork for lifting and an auger.

The Three Point Hitch tractor has been marketed in the USA since 1939. Patents on the Three Point Hitch and TPH hydraulic controls expired in 1955. Since 1955 (66 years) all traditional compact tractors have been designed and produced around the Ferguson Three Point Hitch, worldwide.

The traditional tractor design is generic.

For 16 acres of workable ground and the demands of animals I suggest at 4-WD tractor of 3,500 to 4,200 pounds bare tractor weight. This is the mid-weight of compact tractors, a high unit volume segment. Every tractor manufacturer offers at least two models, an economy and a deluxe tractor, in this weight range.. All offer HST. All are 66" wide, plus or minus a smidge. All will comfortably pick up 2,000 pounds with the loader. Horsepower options are 40-horsepower to 60-horsepower.

45-horsepower will adequately power a 72" medium duty Rotary Cutter / Bush Hog through tall grass.

A Box Blade is one implement most tractor owners use. Useful for grading, it is also excellent Three Point Hitch counterbalance to Loader lifts. A 700 pound or 800 pound Box Blade will keep tractor rear wheels on the ground.

I am uncertain if you refer to Pallet Forks or a Bale Spear. In either case order the attachment with SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) connection. I use 36" length Pallet Forks for tree work regularly. If you intend to move pallets, 44" or 48" Pallet Forks are better. However, the longer Pallet Forks are much less handy/maneuverable during tree work.

For planting trees with a 3,500 to 4,200 pound bare weight tractor it is hard to beat a $400 Bucket Spade attachment. Order an optional heavy duty FEL bucket if available.

Front-End Loader - BUCKET SPADE TODAY // FEL BUCKET ATTACHMENT

I am a fan of Bucket Solutions' clamp-on Bucket Spade. It is

www.tractorbynet.com

One of Kubota's MX series will be ample for your requirements.
If your budget allows, consider one of Kubota's "Grand L" tractors of 4,000 pounds bare weight and 66" width. Especially recommended for those 55 years of age and north.

Kubota web site:

Tractors - Utility - MX Series | Kubota

Browse through Kubota's MX Series Utility tractor inventory, filter search by features to find the best fit for you, or even build your own. Then find a dealer close by with your desired product!

www.kubotausa.com

Tractors - Compact - Grand L60 Series | Kubota

Browse through Kubota's Grand L60 Series Compact tractor inventory, filter search by features to find the best fit for you, or even build your own. Then find a dealer close by with your desired product!

www.kubotausa.com

 

[RickB]

WOW, strange post??

Just another exercise in self promotion by the author.
Revived today; apparently Jeff is feeling underappreciated after this drivel has lain dormant for over a year.