100 acres ,,need advice

[meadowlarkponds]

This is a really interesting thread and is a perfect example of "no wrong answers". The answers to your questions depend on you.....how fast you want the work done, how much you enjoy the work, your finances, etc, etc.

I've had about 200 acres for over 30 years and most of that time was spent as a weekend farmer/rancher.

To me, the hard work is its own reward. I relish it and am so thankful to be able to do the hard work. I know some day that will end, as all things do.

I've had to clear 70 acres of the worst, clearcut re-growth you could imagine. My view is that I would have significantly cheated myself if I had hired that work done. Yes, it would have been done much faster, yes, probably even cheaper in the long run, but my attitude is that hard work has its own rewards. No way I would trade that experience, no way.

My equipment is modest...until recently 55 hp was the largest tractor with a 6 foot mower. A small dozer and a small backhoe and a small garden tractor round out my holdings. I've recently stepped up to a 15 ft batwing and 80 hp tractor to help reduce the time spent on mowing, but I could have easily continued the 55 hp tractor forever.

I have 5 ponds, four of which I was an active participant in building. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

So, in summary, the answers to you questions depend on a lot of variables and are unique to your situation.

For me, the joy and satisfaction of making something out of nothing myself, of overcoming adversity, perservering when things get tough, transends money and most of the other things most people in our world worry about.

The journey is what it is all about. Enjoy the journey and don't worry so much about the destination and how long it may take to get there...that is my view.

 

[bigbull338]

a 15ft batwing shredder take at let a 75hp tractor to pull it.if i was looking at shredding alot thats the size tractor id use for batwing bare min.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Picked up a 2004 400 hr JD 5105 with MFWD and a FEL for the lawn and small brush cutting. I think its big enough for the little jobs, I get to play farmer and leave the real work to the real farmers. Will get something in the 100 to 125hp (with a cab) later for any real work.

In regards to the 5105 , Im thinking a 8 ft flail for the lawns and property perimeter and rough fields. 7 ft tiller and when we get a house on the property and want nice lawns , get a 10 to 12 ft finish.

Will a little tractor like this handle a 8 ft Box blade or is that too big ??

Are my sizes right or should I go bigger or smaller on the implements??

The ponds....hire a contractor....

Again I really appreciate the good advice

Congrats on the JD 5105, it's a really good solid tractor. I bought a new one about 10 months ago.

If you can find an 8' flail mower and are willing to pay for it, I bet it would be great. I think the 5105 would have enough power for that, but flail prices I've seen have scared me away. If that turns out to be the case, consider an 8' double spindle (two 4' in a housing) brush hog. Like I said, I run a 6' hog behind my 5105 and have way more power than I need. I think 8' would be right to never be underpowered but also be able to use most of the hp.

A 10' finish mower should be fine, again if price isn't an issue.

Ummm... 7' tiller.... not sure I've ever seen a tiller that big. Assuming they do exist, did you notice that your 5105 only has 8 forward speeds, and the slowest one gives you about 1.8mph at rated engine speed (2300 rpm)? I haven't tried using a tiller on my 5105 but I think you would be asking for trouble trying to go that fast while tilling, especially with a huge 7' model. Before you buy any tiller, look at options for a plow and disk set. I have a 6.5' disk harrow, moderately heavy (880lbs) and it works great for turning over the top few inches and smoothing. We do use it for our garden plot - I make a couple passes with it, and the end result is great. Not practical in a really small area, but I think you would find a tiller frustrating with the limited speed options on the 5105. Our disk is the Farm Force "heavy duty" model purchased at TSC, and while I generally am skeptical of the TSC stuff it was only about 60% the price of a top name brand and so far has worked perfectly, literally our only trouble-free implement (with all others being nicer brands). If I wanted a nicer brand I would recommend the Town and Country "Freedom Line" from Unverferth, which I have seen at an ag expo and looked extremely well made.

If you also want a plow, best bet would be a used 3 or 4 bottom plow from a top ag maker - probably be >30 years old and found at an auction. To buy new, the TSC Farm Force 2-bottom might be worth looking at, though it won't be as well set up as the older ag stuff. Based on experience with disking and scarifying I think a 3 bottom would be fine and a 4 bottom might work behind the 5105.

I don't currently have a box blade but based on using other implements I would recommend a heavy duty 7' box blade. The 8' is awfully big, and the 5105 might be marginal on operating that. A quality 8' box will also be $3000 or more, and if it's not top quality it will be a pretzel in no time. You should be able to get a quality HD 7' box, no hydraulic fancy stuff, more in the $1500 range. With a 6' box it probably wouldn't cover the last few inches of your tire tracks, and that's a no-no. 6'6" would also work fine, I think. Whenever I get around to buying a box blade I will be buying Woods; I would also consider Cammond and a couple other super high quality brands. I have had a bad experience with a Landpride implement I bought. The 5105 has a lot of pull with MFWD engaged and ag tires, and I think it would destroy a King Kutter or similar box in no time. The 5105 will easily bend Category 1 draft link pins if an implement gets stuck and you are running above 2/3 power with MFWD engaged, based on repeated experience for me (I do have filled R1 tires, FWIW). I actually run some implements in 2wd mode to reduce the chance of damaging them.

Yes, hire out the ponds, or rent heavy equipment if you want to play with it. The 5105 is a great tractor but is not a D9 nor an excavator.

 

[dgl24087]

Kuhn builds a 6' 11" tiller rated for 42 PTO HP minimum. Model EL 62-210, it may be a bit light duty. Tillage

 

[Pfm1011]

I picked up a Kuhn ( nobili) BNE210 (7 ft ) flail which is only 4 years old with a couple hundred hours for $600. Its like new. Landscaper was going bankrupt after his uninsured tractor was stolen. Tossed in a Bobcat zt600 61 inch zeroturn with 350 hours for a couple hundred as he lost his storage. Needed a new battery and a seat. Now the wife has something to play with..

Z-michigan In regards to the tiller , I was thinking something like the Frontier RT1180 which is 83 inch . Claims to need 30 to 80 horse to run. As you said I was warned that the 5105 is too fast in low for a large tiller. I was thinking just till at 4 inches and then repeat at 8. Since you know this machine do you think that will work or will the tractor still be too fast? I really want the soil turned nicely as I want a large chunk of the land to be "estate lawns" . Its been 20 years since the soil has been touched and really needs working so Im thinking that a disc wont do the trick or am I being an idiot and should I just go for the harrow? Money isnt a huge consideration as I dont mind paying for the right equipment to do the job right. I also take good care of my toys so they will outlast me. Therefore a grand or two more today is better then getting the wrong tool and then having to fork out later for the right one.

Another problem is I am trying to get the attachments on the larger size as I expect to grab a 75 to 100 horse tractor later and dont want to have to scrap the attachments. ( plus if the attachment is on the "little too big" side for the 5105 I can con my wife into letting me get a bigger machine , Always plan ahead, Let her till a field in the august sun and I will have a TN75 with a cab in no time)

In regards to the box, Im thinking a rear blade would be more useful for some grading, ditching etc I need to do. What is the max size rear blade that the 5105 can handle ?


Sorry for all the questions, I really appreciate the help you guys have given me. I used to fly heavy jets so this whole 1.8 MPH and 50 versus 60 horse is a whole new world to me and I am lost. ( Im sure the local farmers will set up lawn chairs , get a few beers and watch the entertainment when I get out on the acreage in the spring. Should be better then a scene from Green acres)

 

[Egon]

Not to fear, you are not alone. In the area where I play farm and log the locals refer to "The crazy old man on the hill"

Bothers me not. I'm enjoying myself!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Pfm1011, not sure of all your conditions, but at my place after I have disked the same ground a few times it is just as fluffy as if it was done with a tiller, 9" deep. It can be done with a disk if the conditions are right.