Advice on 25 hp tractor purchase

[sea2summit]

My suggestion is look at the specs for the mower you want. It will tell you minimum PTO HP. The minimum is jut that, a minimum. That means you will experience times when HP is lacking. I would be looking at a being above the minimum.

Also, if you are at the minimum or just above that's where a gear vs HST is really going to make the very noticeable difference.

 

[jeff9366]

For the member who put out that I would be limited to a 5’ light duty brush hog, if that’s true that concerns me. I want a medium-heavy duty hog for small brush around my place and the occasional for-hire job.

"For-hire" you will not be offered easy jobs.

Rotary Cutter / Bush Hog Considerations for Compact Tractors

If you buy a Rotary Cutter too light it will visit the dealer yearly for $600 repair. NEW Rotary Cutters cut everything at first. As the light blades dull a light cutter undergoes increasing stress. 60" - 72" Rotary Cutters: 400/500 pounds = light duty = grass only. 600/700 pounds = medium...

www.tractorbynet.com

MORE: T-B-N ARCHIVE:
25 horsepower tractor and bush hog rotary cutter site:tractorbynet.com

 

[IndyJay]

Let me clarify, I will be using to clear underbrush, thicket and small trees. What is too big for the tractor, I’ll take with a saw and then work on working the stump out with the tractor. I will be getting a ratchet rake to assist with these task.

I realize going with a hydro I lose some hp in certain situations. For the member who put out there that I would be limited to a 5’ light duty brush hog, if that’s true that is concerning to me. I want a medium-heavy duty hog for small brush around my place and the occasional for-hire job. If I need more tractor, will a 30 hp allow this? Will it handle a 6’ Hog?

I had a Massey Ferguson 1250 with 34HP/27 at PTO. It managed to keep my field mowed with a 60" brush mower. If it got too high, it was slow going. When it came time for a new tractor, I got a 45 HP tractor with larger, heavier frame. Wish I had done that earlier.

 

[MiniDonkey22]

i have a Bobcat 2025 which i think is very similar to the kioti you mention. We loved the Bobcat vs all others because of the cab layout, fit and finish, metal fenders and hood, and dealer network in my area. I planned to get the 35hp version but on test drives found it to be much louder. I am perfectly happy with the 25 hp hyrdo and a 5 foot cutter. I am mowing field grass with small brush (finger width) as fast as I want on level ground. On hills I do lose RPM; some may find this underpowered. It is fine for me. I mow in mid range, only use high to get from one field to another. My neighbor has a much steeper field, feels his 39hp kubota is underpowered. All comes down to specific land conditions, and user expectations. I am at 42 hours on this first summer. Also added a trash fork which is perfect for grabbing brush and trees I dropped with chain saw. Enjoy the shopping!

 

[tjm1982]

I find my bobcat (kioti in white) really nice. Large easy on/off operator platform. It is a hydro and I use it for brush hog with no problems, except.......... i wish i could stand up on it to see what's coming up in front in the grass.

So, i ordered the cruise control kit for it. If one of your choices has that option, pick it.

Which model Bobcat did you purchase?

 

[tjm1982]

I know you have your reason for the 25 hp and I have a Kubota with 27 and I am so glad it has every one of those horses. Borrowed my friends Kubota BX with 23 hp if memory is correct with their rear tiller. Oh boy did it need more hp. Tiller was supposed to have been matched to that tractor by the dealer. Know they were bought together.

No idea on Branson as not aware have ever seen one but who makes them? Any issue on parts? As to buying the dealership, I recommend know who the next dealership is in case something happens to the one near you. I passed on a Yanmar for that very reason. Really like the dealership about thirty miles away but they had only been a dealer for about a year and no other was within 100 miles.

The Branson dealer said no issue with parts. If there was something which had a longer lead time, they would take it off a model which they have in their inventory. TYM owns Branson however they do not manufacture them.

 

[tjm1982]

Is there really any point on getting an implement much wider than the width of the tractor? As long as it covers the width of the tractor, it's good enough. Will the extra foot really make that much difference on the time it will take to mow a certain area versus the extra load/stress it will put on a tractor?

That's a good point.

 

[fried1765]

I had a Massey Ferguson 1250 with 34HP/27 at PTO. It managed to keep my field mowed with a 60" brush mower. If it got too high, it was slow going. When it came time for a new tractor, I got a 45 HP tractor with larger, heavier frame. Wish I had done that earlier.

As you now know: On the FIRST try,...... you should..... BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR!

 

[Doughknob]

Which model Bobcat did you purchase?

CT4045. As someone else said, buy big enough. Unless you have Really small acreage or are Really strapped for money, i'd go bigger.

 

[Have tractor did travel]

It seems most recommend more hp than 25. Regarding width of brush hog. Note the 5 hp per foot width recommendation, passed on by one member. But you don't have to use the full width of the brush hog. If you're just mowing weeds in a pasture, use the whole width of what you own. If you're hogging brush 4' high with saplings an inch thick, then only use 1/2 of the width of your brush hog. With implements, heavier is better. It's almost as is you can buy by the pound.