What size tractor can we get by with?

[C79]

If it's any help, I had 25 and 30 hp Mahindra for 18 years. They did what I wanted them to do with a few exceptions. Two years ago I upgraded to a 55 hp and there is pretty much nothing I can't do with it. It might be good to make a list of what you want to do and what you might want to do after that so are only buying a new machine once instead of only going up 5 or 10hp to find out you still don't have enough tractor. Weight and ballast means a lot for certain things but if you need to limit height for barn cleaning you might want to just keep what you have and add another.

 

[DougMahindra2545]

My rule of thumb is 1HP per acre. I have a heavy 45HP Mahindra for my 46 acres, and I think it's been perfect. And the mechanically simple and power efficient shuttle shift is my preference.

 

[Stormy873]

If it's any help, I had 25 and 30 hp Mahindra for 18 years. They did what I wanted them to do with a few exceptions. Two years ago I upgraded to a 55 hp and there is pretty much nothing I can't do with it. It might be good to make a list of what you want to do and what you might want to do after that so are only buying a new machine once instead of only going up 5 or 10hp to find out you still don't have enough tractor. Weight and ballast means a lot for certain things but if you need to limit height for barn cleaning you might want to just keep what you have and add another.

 

[Stormy873]

I think i may have given people the incorrect impression I am looking for an excuse to buy a new tractor…actually, the purchase of a new tractor is about last on my list but we can really get ourselves in trouble if we can’t manage “dependable” with our existing tractor…so, I want to be educated about what it takes to get certain jobs done…just in case that’s the only answer.

Due to our age we hate to get over zealous about buying a tractor because well, it’s cutting into our budget to buy another place better suited to our long Term goals.

 

[Stormy873]

Where are you located?

I’m in the Cascade foothills of Oregon.

 

[Stormy873]

BIG mistake not considering a hydrostatic,, especially for your type work.
i have both,,
I let my novice son-in-law use the hydrostatic anytime he wants it,,
The pic is his first ever attempt at using a landscape rake, after an excavator took out a bunch of trees,,

BUT,,
he NEVER gets near my gear drives.

Hydro is just so much easier to do work with,,

You will have fewer mechanical failures if you have a hydro,,
especially if you use a loader,,
Loaders are hard on gear drive tractors.

 

[Stormy873]

I had to chuckle about the gear drive…we are old school. I refused to buy a new 4 runner for years because it had an automatic transmission. I barely tolerate the automatic but I drew the line at CVT and it just seemed to me that the hydrostatic is kind if the tractor equivalent of a CVT.

 

[Eagle1]

Hydrostatic drive is essentially a hydraulic motor with a variable drive pump controlling the output and distinct gear ratios. While I dislike CVT (on ATV/Golf cart) it works but I am very comfortable with hydraulic motors, been around a long time and just works.

 

[2manyrocks]

HST which relies on pumping hydraulic fluid isn't the equivalent of a CVT relying on a variable belt and pulley transmission by a long shot.

5030 brought up the hydraulic shuttle shift which is a good transmission, but I'm not sure it is available on the smaller tractors. However, there is a case to be made for buying a larger tractor that will be less stressed in operation than trying to economize by buying a smaller tractor to save money, but that won't hold up as well as the larger tractor.

 

[rScotty]

I think i may have given people the incorrect impression I am looking for an excuse to buy a new tractor…actually, the purchase of a new tractor is about last on my list but we can really get ourselves in trouble if we can’t manage “dependable” with our existing tractor…so, I want to be educated about what it takes to get certain jobs done…just in case that’s the only answer.

Due to our age we hate to get over zealous about buying a tractor because well, it’s cutting into our budget to buy another place better suited to our long Term goals.

A used tractor can do a person just fine, but there are caveats:

Most small tractor dealers don't have the level of mechanical expertise to deal with troubleshooting even the very common old Kubotas - and all those older tractors were pretty much identical for 20 years except for size. But the person in the shop today is different from 20 years ago. He is now a technician - not a mechanic - and does his troubleshooting with software. His hands-on wrench work tends to be more as a parts changer than as a diagnostician. Expecting today's tech to to diagnose a subtle problem in a pre-computer model tractor is simply asking for a skill that no longer is common in the homeowner size tractor business.

Luckily for all of us, tractors are still built to last, and even with old tractors most problems are minor. But to successfully enjoy an older tractor - or a new one after the warranty - means that the tractor owner needs to expect to study up and be capable of doing his own simple maintenance and troubleshooting. Or have a neigbor who does. That means becoming conversant with hoses, belts, switches, batteries, filter, and fluids ... things like that. Those things will eat your budget up with no value to you if the dealer does them.

Let the dealer do tires once a decade. You get to do the rest. Or buy a new machine as so many would rather do today.

rScotty - getting old is a mixed blessing with or without a tractor - but better with.