Tractor Sizing Now I stepped in it, I need everything

[Number15]

So my wife and I are moving to Tennessee. As many have done lately it seems. Problem is we went from .7 acre to 80 acres if the deal works out

There is absolutely no equipment at the property now so I have a large portion of my move budget earmarked for a tractor and related items. Problem is I am pretty much a beginner as far as these things go. I have no brand or color preferences and I realize that all the companies make decent stuff.

My problem is sizing, I have no idea what is going to be adequate. I need to cut grass but also plan on planting some trees, not an orchard but some fruit/decorative and maybe more. I also in the future may try my hand at a .5 acre garden (or more who knows). I also have plans to do a meadow and wildflowers if possible, also in the future after I get more experience.

Most of the land is cleared but there are some wooded areas, also some of the acreage has the possibility of getting wet.

It is outside of Chattanooga for reference.

 

[KennyG]

That looks beautiful. With that much acreage to keep in check, I'm guessing you will be using a rotary cutter. I think you are definitely in the 50+ HP area.

Can you check with the current owner and find out what he has been using?

 

[jeff9366]

I had no idea there was any flat land anywhere near Chattanooga, TN.

You need to tell us what use you will make of your land by segment, totaling 80 acres. Tell us about hills in each segment.

If all of your 80 acres were going to crops I would recommend a bare tractor weight of 6,000 pounds and 70 to 100 horsepower. This is out of the Compact category and in the Utility category. ($42,000++)

My problem is sizing, I have no idea what is going to be adequate. I need to cut grass but also plan on planting some trees, not an orchard but some fruit/decorative and maybe more. I also in the future may try my hand at a .5 acre garden (or more who knows). I also have plans to do a meadow and wildflowers.

Most of the land is cleared but there are some wooded areas, also some of the acreage has the possibility of getting wet.

For just above applications, a Compact tractor of 2,000 pounds to 3,000 pounds bare weight and 26 horsepower might be adequate.
($22,000)

Adding a cab with heat and air conditioning to the tractor increases base cost $6,000.

"Cut grass" ~~ lawn/turf? ~~ or pasture grass in less than smooth fields??





The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Sufficient 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. When considering a tractor purchase, bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, tractor width third, rear wheel ballast fourth.

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.

Within compact tractor category, 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 worse than depreciation on a tractor.

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 eight years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.​

 

[Tractorable]

Wow! Beautiful!

Cab tractor, definitely a cab tractor, with plenty of HP to turn a bat wing mower.

You’re going to be mowing, a lot!

 

[TxMN]

I am converting property from Ag to wildlife, not difficult in Texas. Many don’t convert as I am for fear of record keeping. This is my 2nd time to do this, both times on roughly 30 acres. If you use a qualified wildlife consultant for guidance, it make a world of difference. It does not have to be an administrative monster, for me, as I am a Texas Certified Master Naturalist, it allows my wife and I the opportunity to do all the things you listed as possibilities for your property, plus the enjoyment of having deer, turkeys, and extensive birds on our property.

As far as tractor advice, I see Jeff has responded to your thread. He is a very valuable resource to myself and many others on this forum. He has a lot of practical knowledge and has shared it with the forum. Just search for his threads and be prepared to take notes and have plenty of paper in your printer.

This is a great group, many levels of experience, both tractor/implement and just good old life experience in rural life.

 

[jeff9366]

VIDEO: Kubota BX-B-L-MX-M | What series is right for you? - YouTube

 

[Number15]

Thanks guys, I appreciate you not making me feel like a dumb a** for doing this.

I can say for sure I will not be growing crops or at least what I imagine to be rows and rows of corn, plants etc.
At least 10 acres will be horse pasture for 1 horse.
There is about 20 acres that right now I would like to let it go back to nature. Understanding that does not mean just letting it go but actively encouraging the right species of plants. I will reach out to those more knowledgeable than me once I am local.

I will want to keep about 30 acres grass and will need to mow. So that leaves the rest and those pieces are yet undetermined and something I need to think about. I do want to encourage wildlife and there will be no hunting. Also I want to grow some different trees, they would not necessarily be for "crops" but if I could get some fruit trees that would be bonus. Also as I said I might have a small vegetable garden.

All of this of course is if this plan is reasonable which really can only be figured out once I talk to local people coop extension etc.

All I know at this point is there is a lot to mow. I will be reading this forum I guess for the next few weeks to "learn up"

 

[Budweiser John]

Coming to TBN is a great start as there is a world of seasoned information waiting to be discovered on this sight.
Congratulations on your property purchase, the pictures look like it has been well maintained and offers some great potential.

As far as your future equipment needs/wants I would start with a new (or newer) hydrostatic drive tractor with 4 wheel drive in the 50 HP range. Add a step in step out front end loader with quick attach capability’s, a third function hydraulic system, and independent PTO. This unit becomes the backbone of a your material handling needs, depending on future attachments, from dirt and gravel to pallet forks and log handling with a grapple. Rear end (three point) attachments become more job and seasonal specific from rototillers to snow blowers and beyond.

Not sure what buildings came with your new property but after 50 years of rural living, I could not exist with out a well inventoried and year around farm shop. Equipping said shop is a very personal experience and continues as your inventory of equipment grows and no one ever said my shop is too big.

Looking back and reminiscing about our 50 years adventure of rural living starting with virtually nothing but a few bucks from selling our city house, buying 80 acres or undeveloped land working full time off the farm while building the first edition of our current home to raising two now successful adult children,
I can not think of a better way to have spent the last 50 years of my life.

B. John

 

[Diggin It]

There is about 20 acres that right now I would like to let it go back to nature. Understanding that does not mean just letting it go but actively encouraging the right species of plants. I will reach out to those more knowledgeable than me once I am local.

You'll have to be very, very careful there. Work with the local Ag or Extension offices. If you let trees take root, you may regret it 10 or 15 years from now. Consider managing for bees and other pollinators, but keep everything low growing and not woody in case you want to plant other crops there later.

Don't plan on getting a giant tractor, field cutters and related tools now. Look at having a someone nearby lease some of the acreage for a few years and let them do that until you get the homestead area under control.

.

 

[jeff9366]

I will not be growing crops.

At least 10 acres will be horse pasture for 1 horse.
There is about 20 acres that right now I would like to let it go back to nature. Understanding that does not mean just letting it go but actively encouraging the right species of plants. I will reach out to those more knowledgeable than me once I am local.

I will want to keep about 30 acres grass and will need to mow.

So that leaves the rest and those pieces are yet undetermined and something I need to think about. I do want to encourage wildlife and there will be no hunting.

I want to grow some different trees, they would not necessarily be for "crops" but if I could get some fruit trees that would be bonus. Also as I said I might have a small vegetable garden.

All of this of course is if this plan is reasonable which really can only be figured out once I talk to local people coop extension etc.

All I know at this point is there is a lot to mow.

Here is a mowing calculator. Mowing four times per year, tractor speed can be 5-6 mph if the field(s) are not too rough. Mowing once per year will require a tractor speed of around 4-mph. Mowing every second year will limit tractor speed to 3-mph due to density of vegetation.

Mowing once per year will require 40 - 45 tractor horsepower to operate a 60" HD bush hog = 2 acres per hour.

Mowing once per year will require at least 50 tractor horsepower to operate a 72" HD bush hog = 2-1/2 acres per hour.


Mowing Calcuator: Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour



Tennessee has a lot of hills in parts, which strongly influences tractor width required for tractor stability.

Do you have hills to tractor? Are your fields on a slope?


Tractors are inherently unstable operating on sloped ground. Tractor rear wheel/tire spread, adjustable on the MX series, 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.

I suggest a cabbed Kubota MX5400 tractor of 4,250 pounds weight including 600 pounds for cab, 53-horsepower net, 66" width, capable of pulling a 72" heavy duty Rotary Cutter weighing 1,100 pounds through tall grass, tall weeds and brush.

Cabbed Kubota MX5400 tractor/'SSQA' Loader/4-WD/HST transmission = $42,000.
Land Pride by Kubota HD 72" Rotary Cutter/RCR2672 = $4,000.

Every tractor producer has models with above specs. This is a high sales volume category.

John Deere pricing for equivalent equipment will be the same to 5% more expensive. Other tractor brands such as very fine Kioti, LS and Branson, all three produced in Korea, are available for 5% to 15% less than Kubota. Kioti, LS and Branson share perhaps 5% of compact tractor sales and are somewhat regional in penetration. All three are growing rapidly. Be sure to select a stable dealer.

KUBOTA LINK: *New* Kubota MX6 & MX54 Utility-Compact Tractor - YouTube

If your finances are especially sound, Kubota makes a series of deLuxe tractors in the same weights as basic MX series, the Kubota 'Grand L' models. Grand L tractors are tractor nirvana.

A $400 Bucket Spade is a very fine tractor tool for planting five to fifty trees. PHOTO