Will 10 Horsepower actually matter on the same size tractor?

[DerpDerp]

I’m a little confused. The OP only has three acres, if I read right, and will primarily use the tractor for fork work and snow blowing, with some driveway maintenance.

Fork work is definitely not a high power application. Strictly loader capability and tractor weight. Power just isn’t a factor.

Road maintenance is a similar situation. After a certain point, traction, which is analogous to tractor weight is the most important factor.

Snow blowing can be a power hog. Having said that, my 40hp Kioti CK4010 handles our 300” of annual snowfall quite nicely.

Bush hogging deep grass on 100 acres, or plowing virgin prairie would take massive power, but come on guys, he has three acres.

My recommendation would be that, for the property and work profile he described, he take a look at the slightly smaller DK series, and consider maybe going to one of the middle power ratings on that frame.

My only real issue on my CK 4010 is that the slight hump on the floor is a little unfriendly. A bigger tractor comes with a flat floor on the cab models.

Also, don’t even think about not getting a HST for the type of work the OP described.

I hear what you are saying, and I personally thought the NX4510 would be fine. For what the plans are in the foreseeable future, 45 hp seems fine. It was always going to be a NX because of the slightly better loader.
But I have also asked everyone I know, including my other half, and here, and the consensus seems to be if you can swing the price, get more power / get the bigger tractor. I am also a regret factory, and I didnt want to say down the line, I should have gotten the better model. Factoring all of this in we decided on the NX5510. (But I still think the NX4510 would have been a good fit for us)

 

[DerpDerp]

Now my next topic of "over debate"...I was going to get R4's and groove them. Sounds like they suck in the snow if you dont. (And if anyone didnt read all the posts, we get ALOT of snow here).
But I seen you can get R14's now and I have read good things about them in the snow. So I went with the R14's.
But I cant help but wonder if I made the right call there.
Given our circumstances and uses, what do you guys think?

 

[murphy1244]

Now my next topic of "over debate"...I was going to get R4's and groove them. Sounds like they suck in the snow if you dont. (And if anyone didnt read all the posts, we get ALOT of snow here).
But I seen you can get R14's now and I have read good things about them in the snow. So I went with the R14's.
But I cant help but wonder if I made the right call there.
Given our circumstances and uses, what do you guys think?

Where is here

 

[LD1]

Since you already are getting it with R14s....and you don't want regrets....I wouldn't even second guess it. They will be fine

 

[DerpDerp]

Where is here

NY and elevation is high enough to get more snow than normal.

FWIW, Driveway and lots are gravel. Right now the lots are in need of more gravel so can get loose/ a bit muddy in spots. I also have been plowing 2 strips of our yard to get to the barns from the house, so thats just grass under.

 

[DerpDerp]

Since you already are getting it with R14s....and you don't want regrets....I wouldn't even second guess it. They will be fine

Well, I could probably swap. Its going to be at least a couple weeks before its all here and set. But I hear what your saying, thanks for that.
Just wish there was more long term info out there. I seen a smaller set of r14's at the dealer. Nice looking tires. I see how they should be better in the snow and mud than r4.

 

[rScotty]

NY and elevation is high enough to get more snow than normal.

FWIW, Driveway and lots are gravel. Right now the lots are in need of more gravel so can get loose/ a bit muddy in spots. I also have been plowing 2 strips of our yard to get to the barns from the house, so thats just grass under.

There is so much variation in snow and freeze/thaw that I wouldn't even try to guess R4 vs R14. But I think with either one you are in the right ball park.

In the '90s we got so much snow I left rear chains on one tractor all season for several winters. But for the last 15 years we haven't had a use for chains at all - the R4 industrials are good enough. So what if they slip a little? At least they don't dig down like the ag tires did.

I found that for our weather in Colorado mountains, R4s all around with a set of not very aggressive FRONT chains - made from an old set of heavy automotive chains - gave the best combination of convenience, low cost, and enough additional traction. Easy to put on fronts by simply lowering the loader bucket enough to raise the front end.
rScotty

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

IF you went to a race track and told the drivers, "I can get you 10 more HP every time you race this car", how many would say, "naaaa I don't want it".

SR

He just asked if one had 10 more than the other. Not every time.

 

[DerpDerp]

There is so much variation in snow and freeze/thaw that I wouldn't even try to guess R4 vs R14. But I think with either one you are in the right ball park.

In the '90s we got so much snow I left rear chains on one tractor all season for several winters. But for the last 15 years we haven't had a use for chains at all - the R4 industrials are good enough. So what if they slip a little? At least they don't dig down like the ag tires did.

I found that for our weather in Colorado mountains, R4s all around with a set of not very aggressive FRONT chains - made from an old set of heavy automotive chains - gave the best combination of convenience, low cost, and enough additional traction. Easy to put on fronts by simply lowering the loader bucket enough to raise the front end.
rScotty

Have you grooved your r4's? Sounds like it's a nice difference.
That's a great idea to put the front chains on

 

[npalen]

Haven't read all the posts so someone may have already alluded to this: It seems there will be, if not already, a market for tuning services or kits to take the "same tractor" from, say, 30 to 40 HP. This is very common in the larger tractor and truck arena where chips are available to accomplish.