dieselscout80
Veteran Member
How many acres are you having to cut?
How much time do you have t mow the property?
How much time do you have t mow the property?
Horse farm needs tractor
- Thread starter Horsetime
- Start date
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rScotty
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
- Messages
- 9,549
- Location
- Rural mountains - Colorado
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, JD530, JD310SG. Restoring Yanmar YM165D
There's a reason why Kubota is so popular. The L2501 will surprise you with what it can do....but mostly you are going to be surpised how comfortable any new tractors are to run compared with their predecessors. Tractors really have become a "low to no maintenance", "grab it and use it" kind of tool.
Sounds like you have reasonable expectations.
If you don't mind a few questions, How do you feel about manual shift? Does it have to be new? Does it bother you that since 2014, anything larger than the 25hp tractors prefer or even require to be run at higer RPM instead of just idling around...? BTW, you are going to love the 4wd & power steering...
Back to the transmission question, most people today like HST transmissions and foot treadle control, but the L2501 you mentioned is manual like the Massey. You may not know that many manufacturers also offer the glideshift/shuttle shift optional transmission that has column shift and fingertip controls instead of so much foot work. Less $$ & saves a few HP over HST, too.
We've had horses a long time and tractors too. If I was doing what you are - and was concerned with budget - I'd take a checkbook down to your favorite local Kubota dealer and tell him you are looking for a recent trade in. It should be an immaculate pre-2014 kubota in the L or M models in the 30 to 48 hp range. Bs are a litte to light for your work. It needs to have a loader and a 60 day warranty and less than 800 hours. You will consider other transmissions than HST. All of these except the transmission are premium features, so he will ask too much...but you'll have the last laugh.
Still at the dealer, ask your wife for a sanity check, and drive it to buy it on the spot. If anything at all bothers you about the deal, pivot to looking at new ones.
There will always be new tractors available, and it appears that other than in California, there will always a solid market for the pre-2014 models as well.
Luck,
rScotty
Sounds like you have reasonable expectations.
If you don't mind a few questions, How do you feel about manual shift? Does it have to be new? Does it bother you that since 2014, anything larger than the 25hp tractors prefer or even require to be run at higer RPM instead of just idling around...? BTW, you are going to love the 4wd & power steering...
Back to the transmission question, most people today like HST transmissions and foot treadle control, but the L2501 you mentioned is manual like the Massey. You may not know that many manufacturers also offer the glideshift/shuttle shift optional transmission that has column shift and fingertip controls instead of so much foot work. Less $$ & saves a few HP over HST, too.
We've had horses a long time and tractors too. If I was doing what you are - and was concerned with budget - I'd take a checkbook down to your favorite local Kubota dealer and tell him you are looking for a recent trade in. It should be an immaculate pre-2014 kubota in the L or M models in the 30 to 48 hp range. Bs are a litte to light for your work. It needs to have a loader and a 60 day warranty and less than 800 hours. You will consider other transmissions than HST. All of these except the transmission are premium features, so he will ask too much...but you'll have the last laugh.
Still at the dealer, ask your wife for a sanity check, and drive it to buy it on the spot. If anything at all bothers you about the deal, pivot to looking at new ones.
There will always be new tractors available, and it appears that other than in California, there will always a solid market for the pre-2014 models as well.
Luck,
rScotty
Wagtail
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2013
- Messages
- 12,647
- Location
- St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
- Tractor
- JD 4105 / JD Z355E (48" deck)
G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.
I, also, have a small 'horse property' and the recommendations for a 40+hp tractor are spot-on for what you need now and into the future, especially when it comes to handling (safely) round bales.
Enjoy the site from wherever in the world you are.
I, also, have a small 'horse property' and the recommendations for a 40+hp tractor are spot-on for what you need now and into the future, especially when it comes to handling (safely) round bales.
Enjoy the site from wherever in the world you are.
I think
Any of those will run a 5' cutter for clipping pasture. Maybe not for clearing heavy brush.
None have DPF or DEF emissions eqpt. Check me on this.
None of them will handle big bales.
You definitely want 4WD.
You definitely want independent PTO. This takes you away from the basic L2501, I think. Kubota has updated this model to the L2502HST
scootr
Super Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2022
- Messages
- 5,051
- Location
- Temecula California
- Tractor
- Kubota MX5200 HST, 773 Bobcat, Cat forklift
We need a budget.
Without it I'm suggesting a $50k cabbed super tractor with stereo and air conditioning.
Our little horse ranch has an open cab slightly used late model 52hp Kubota that I can say anybody doing fair weather work would be happy with
Without it I'm suggesting a $50k cabbed super tractor with stereo and air conditioning.
Our little horse ranch has an open cab slightly used late model 52hp Kubota that I can say anybody doing fair weather work would be happy with
Peter 315
Super Member
No just a blank check....
scootr
Super Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2022
- Messages
- 5,051
- Location
- Temecula California
- Tractor
- Kubota MX5200 HST, 773 Bobcat, Cat forklift
Nice - He's getting a top of the line tractor with chauffer
arrow
Super Member
Had horses for 25 yrs. Had no more than 5 of them at any one time.
Made do with a 19 hp JD 750. After fel and loaded tires, it was lucky to weigh in at 3000lbs.
Only did rectangular bales. It did everything I needed to do and everything you stated you need to do.. It even built a riding ring that required 300 yds of material
Round bales can be trouble for horses as interior temps formulate mold on these bales in storage causing all kinds of colicky conditions, with some leading to death. Fine for cows however.
To be clear, I am not suggesting you find a JD 750 as parts are scarce for these.
What your needs are, are rather easy for a tractor.
Any brand will do and you'll get used to anything you buy whether manual, hydrostatic or shuttle.
As previously noted, weight is more important for a tractor in the "push/pull" category. HP allows larger pto implements the higher the hp thus faster the completion.
Grooming a paddock or ring or cutting a field is puppy poop for a tractor.
At my bil's horse farm in Kentucky, he has a 5000 series 2wd JD with an 8 ft brush hog to cut his fields. A used one of these is a good bet as brand new 15 yrs ago, he paid less than 12K for this tractor. I can cut a 5 acre paddock in about 30-40 minutes with this set up.
He pulls his manure wagon into the stable and throws the stable dressing right into the wagon from the muck bucket..
He has as many as 15 of the beasts at any one time.
As you probably have read between the lines, the size of your tractor is dependent on the size of your operation.
Made do with a 19 hp JD 750. After fel and loaded tires, it was lucky to weigh in at 3000lbs.
Only did rectangular bales. It did everything I needed to do and everything you stated you need to do.. It even built a riding ring that required 300 yds of material
Round bales can be trouble for horses as interior temps formulate mold on these bales in storage causing all kinds of colicky conditions, with some leading to death. Fine for cows however.
To be clear, I am not suggesting you find a JD 750 as parts are scarce for these.
What your needs are, are rather easy for a tractor.
Any brand will do and you'll get used to anything you buy whether manual, hydrostatic or shuttle.
As previously noted, weight is more important for a tractor in the "push/pull" category. HP allows larger pto implements the higher the hp thus faster the completion.
Grooming a paddock or ring or cutting a field is puppy poop for a tractor.
At my bil's horse farm in Kentucky, he has a 5000 series 2wd JD with an 8 ft brush hog to cut his fields. A used one of these is a good bet as brand new 15 yrs ago, he paid less than 12K for this tractor. I can cut a 5 acre paddock in about 30-40 minutes with this set up.
He pulls his manure wagon into the stable and throws the stable dressing right into the wagon from the muck bucket..
He has as many as 15 of the beasts at any one time.
As you probably have read between the lines, the size of your tractor is dependent on the size of your operation.
Last edited:
scratchpad
Bronze Member
If all your looking to do is arena drag, mow and manure those 25hp machines are perfect, IMO. Also in & out of tight areas, smaller gates, stalls etc. I wouldnt count out the compact MF or Yanmar. Personally, i wouldnt go with the Korean brands. Based on your list only, Kubota. You could always mow with what you got and get a quad or kubota diesel RTV for the arena drag/manure. We love the hell out of our RTV
I was in similar situation when considering tractors. I am glad i went bigger with a MF 2705E. In the last 3-4 years ive had it, had i went with a 25hp machine, i wouldve beat one of those machines to DEATH already. I am even limited in what i can do with the 2705E. I can comfortably pick 1000lb grain bins off my truck, stack 8-100lb+ bales of alfalfa on the forks to move around, and pick a 1250lb alfalfa cube tote all with considerable counterweight. With a small compact i dont think thats possible. On a 1ton pallet of bagged cubes i have to chuck quite a few bags off before lift off.
Depends on needs and budget. If i could afford it id get a compact track loader in addition to the tractor.
I was in similar situation when considering tractors. I am glad i went bigger with a MF 2705E. In the last 3-4 years ive had it, had i went with a 25hp machine, i wouldve beat one of those machines to DEATH already. I am even limited in what i can do with the 2705E. I can comfortably pick 1000lb grain bins off my truck, stack 8-100lb+ bales of alfalfa on the forks to move around, and pick a 1250lb alfalfa cube tote all with considerable counterweight. With a small compact i dont think thats possible. On a 1ton pallet of bagged cubes i have to chuck quite a few bags off before lift off.
Depends on needs and budget. If i could afford it id get a compact track loader in addition to the tractor.
