Tractor Sizing Four (4) Considerations in Tractor Selection

[jeff9366]

MossRoad - June 2021:

There's a balance between bare weight, additional weight, weight distribution, traction, flotation, soil conditions, etc.

Too much emphasis on bare weight, in my opinion.

OK:

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

 

[MechanicalGuy]

Brand name went heavily into my criteria due to the fact that I wanted a solid product with a solid reputation.

 

[IndyJay]

I created a spread sheet with the most critical specs and prices. I started out with more manufacturers and models but removed some as I whittled them down. Had pretty much settled on Massey until a neighbor suggested that I look at Kioti. After researching, much of it on this forum, I decided on the DK4510. Not shown are the John Deere offerings as well as other Kubotas and NH as they were eliminated.

 

[sea2summit]

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

Depends on the use. For example PTO power is often under rated as a screening criteria, even by folks who think a primary use for the machine will be brush hogging. The spreadsheet above gives a great example with the heaviest tractor giving (potentially) the lowest PTO output compared even to smaller engine HP units. I wish people thought more about that when considering HST/gear options but it's rarely used as a consideration.

I think FEL capacity is also over and under rated as a screening criteria. Also a good example above with on tractor advertising a FEL with a capacity that is more than 3/4 of the bare tractor weight, hardly a good idea. On the other hand the 1,000# FEL capacity is kind of a threshold a lot of folks view as what you need to handle round bales, sure it might lift a 7-800# bale but do you really want to be carrying around 80% of your capacity for the majority of the time you use it? Probably not, I like to keep the loads below 50% if I can just to be easy on all the pins.

I like to think about ballast as a stability bonus not necessarily as a tractor weight bonus (as it applies to lifting things, for ground engaging use it's absolutely a great way to get more capabilities but so few folks seem to do real ground engaging work with the smaller tractors).

 

[jeff9366]

I created a spread sheet with the most critical specs and prices. I started out with more manufacturers and models but removed some as I whittled them down.

A clear exposition. Others would less often trade in 100 engine hour tractors for replacement tractors more in line with their needs if they went to the trouble of spreadsheeting.

"GOOD POST" accolade from moi.

 

[LouNY]

Everyone is going to have different specs which to them are "most" important.
Some of that will depend on their location and intended usage.
When I'm browsing around tractors I'm looking at several items,
one of my primary concerns is does it have room for tire chains,
also the tires sizes the taller the better as far as I'm concerned.
Then there is the quality of the 3 point arms and how study they and the attaching points seem to be.
Then it's how much room in the operators station and how easy to access it.

Heck I haven't even considered HP or weight, then hydraulic capacity comes in early also

 

[RickB]

Everyone is going to have different specs which to them are "most" important.
Some of that will depend on their location and intended usage.
When I'm browsing around tractors I'm looking at several items,
one of my primary concerns is does it have room for tire chains,
also the tires sizes the taller the better as far as I'm concerned.
Then there is the quality of the 3 point arms and how study they and the attaching points seem to be.
Then it's how much room in the operators station and how easy to access it.

Heck I haven't even considered HP or weight, then hydraulic capacity comes in early also

Absolutely. The OP has beaten this topic to a pulp in another thread that everyone has tired of and here we go again.
He is entitled to his opinions but expecting them to be universally adopted and followed is a ridiculous presumption.

 

[jeff9366]

The OP has beaten this topic to a pulp in another thread that everyone has tired of and here we go again.

Yes. The Buying/Pricing/Comparisons forum with 14,300 threads is only of interest to a few.

 

[the old grind]

Yes. The Buying/Pricing/Comparisons forum is only of interest to a few.

Not for everyone, but available to all and optional to anyone. But don't we post our opinions as food for thought at best?

 

[workinonit]

Wanna talk about over thinking something, well here it is. Just my opinion. I had a 55 HP JD tractor and wanted a bigger tractor with a cab so I bought a 100 HP JD tractor with a cab.