12 acres tractor sizing

[JLudwig]

Hello everyone, the forums here are very helpful. I've just moved onto a property with 12 acres, 3 or so wooded, 3 manicure cut, and the rest overrun with brush (mostly multiflora rose, honeysuckle and sumac trees). The fields are in pretty bad shape, some of the rose bushes are 8-10 ft tall. I can't even get to my property lines in some locations. I am interested in keeping the fields clear and am confused as to what size tractor I would need to accomplish this.

Of the 4 local dealers, 2 suggested a 30-35hp tractor would suffice, while the other two suggested 45hp would be needed to spin a decent medium duty rotary mower that could handle the brush I have - that is, the light duty 1" rotary cutter the smaller tractors can power would choke on the stuff. Two of my hobby farming friends also think the larger tractor would be better, but it seems a little overkill to me for only 12 acres?

If I choose a smaller tractor, the Kubota B7800/B3030 looks good, for the larger I was considering a JD3720 or a Kubota L4400/L4240. My local green and orange colored dealers seemed to be the best, so I'd like to stick with those.

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[jeffinsgf]

35 HP John Deere is rated for the MX-5 which pretty easily handles 2 inch brush. I haven't met the MFR I can't eliminate in under a minute with mine.

3520 or 3720 ought to handle your needs well. I looked at trading up to a 4320 but it just isn't as maneuverable as the somewhat smaller frame tractor.

Significantly more money, too.

 

[Grizz]

TO THE SITE JEFF

You will find some very informed people on this site. I have a 40 hp John deere with plenty of power

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin JLudwig,
Welcome to TBN ! I have about the same sized property as you actually just slightly less and use a 32hp Massey CUT to maintain it. I would not suggest anything smaller than that, most of my property is open so a large portion of what I do with the tractor is rough mowing, along with maintaining 800 ft of driveway. If I had the money to get another tractor I would get something in the 40hp range, and at some point in time I probablly will. That size tractor will have the HP that you need and still be small enough to get in most spots that you need to ! IMO Im sure others will have additional advice !

 

[Syncro]

Mornin JLudwig,
Welcome to TBN ! I have about the same sized property as you actually just slightly less and use a 32hp Massey CUT to maintain it. I would not suggest anything smaller than that, most of my property is open so a large portion of what I do with the tractor is rough mowing, along with maintaining 800 ft of driveway. If I had the money to get another tractor I would get something in the 40hp range, and at some point in time I probablly will. That size tractor will have the HP that you need and still be small enough to get in most spots that you need to ! IMO Im sure others will have additional advice !

Thats my feelings too Scotty, I also have ~13 Ac and a MF 28 hp tractor, which is really great for most everything, except brush hogging heavy grass where another 15hp would be nice. A solution I'm considering is to keep the little MF and just buy an older used 2 WD tractor to use just for the heavy mowing, those can be found pretty cheap around here because most people want CUTS. I think that combo would be cheaper than buying a new 35hp machine and still leaves me with the smaller. more nimble 28 hp tractor.

 

[riptides]

I sized my B7800 for 5 acres of woods, 4 acres of brush and 1 acre of lawn.

It was nimble small enough to get into and out of the woods for trails and firewood.

It was powerfull enough to pull a 6 foot woods medium duty brushcutter and a 7 foot rear finishing mower. After two years the brushcutter sat and the rear mower took over the rest of the work with the "lawn".

The B now sees lawn duty only on a 57 acre parcel. But with a brushcutter because I let my pastures get high.

A very good machine for that sized lot, your acres. I am sure it will exceed your expectations should you decide to purchase.

Welcome to TBN and do some searching on B7800's in the Kubota section. I am sure others have positive reviews on the machine to use match.

-Mike Z.

 

[RedRocker]

I have a 30 HP tractor for 16 heavily wooded acres with lots of brush and dead fall. I run a 5' bush hog with no trouble knocking down some pretty nasty stuff.

 

[DAP]

Jeff ... here are my considerations for you. A B7800/B3030 will do the job with ease. So will the larger tractors. Here's the ultimate decision maker:

1. Larger Machine: the higher cost will yield your chores get down in less time.

2. The B Series or equivalent will STILL do the job VERY efficiently, plus you wil be able to get a BACKHOE! or OTHER toys you'd like with the cost differential.

Suffer - man Suffer ...

My dos centavos.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

From the description of your place and your needs, I think the recomendations you've gotten from several dealers makes sence. IMO you want to size your purchase for what most of your intended chores calls for. For the once in a lifetime/infrequent needs find an alternative i.e. rent, hire, etc.

I suspect that for a lot of the clean up chores needing attention now, a model in the 30-35 HP range can handle it but some things may need more than that sized tractor can handle. Once in shape, do you really need a 45 HP model to keep the grass cut?

My 24HP model handles a 5' mower and cuts the pasture with ease. One thing to watch out for in selecting a rotary mower is how well it is designed to discharge the cut grass/brush. My BIL's 30HP Kabota and JD mower struggles on my pasture and my slightly smaller tractor and different mower handles the same job without difficulty. The diff, the JD mower doesn't do a good job of clearing out the cut grass.

 

[Jay4200]

If I choose a smaller tractor, the Kubota B7800/B3030 looks good, for the larger I was considering a JD3720 or a Kubota L4400/L4240. My local green and orange colored dealers seemed to be the best, so I'd like to stick with those.

Rule of thumb - pick the biggest you think you'll need, then buy the next one bigger.

For what you describe, I'd choose the L4400. The initial cost difference between the 45HP Ls and the lil' B tractors really isn't all that much, and you won't have to worry about wishing you bought the bigger one a year down the road - upgrading is when things get expensive.

The only downside of a bigger machine is manuverability, but if you're primarily maintaing fields, that won't be a concern.

JayC

 

[Greyfields]

Since you will be doing a fair ammount of finish mowing, I think the JD 3X20 line makes sense. For the field mowing, I think you'd be happier in a step up to the 4X20 series.

As said above, pick the biggest tractor you think you'll need, then go up a level. Horesepower is cheap to buy with your tractor. Upgrading later means you'll be selling a depreciated machine to buy another new one.

 

[PBinWA]

Look to get a package deal and get a ZTR Mower for the 3 acres. Unless it is a big square field then you can do it with the tractor.

You have our permission too!

You've been given good advice above. If you intend to mow thick pasture then more HP is nice. But a bigger tractor may leave ruts and be less nimble in small spaces. You can mow with a 5 ft. Brushhog with a 24HP machine as long as it is heavy enough. Otherwise the brushog will bounce the lighter machine around too much. It will also bog down on thick wet grass and pasture.

Green or Orange - you can't go wrong.

 

[Soundguy]

Sounds like a couple of the dealers are feeding you a line of digested-cow-feed.

The 30hp range machine for 12c should be fine. A 35hp machine, for instance.. should spin a 5' rotary mower in just about any condition you can get the tractor thru.. and a 6' mower in most areas except extreme situations.

If it were me.. i think I'd hire the 6ac cut first.. then get a 6' rotary mower.. Or just get the 6' rotary mower.. and make 1/2 cut passes on the bad areas.. after that it will be a piece of cake to mow.. and with a 6' mower on 6ac you won't be out there more than 2.5-3 hrs mowing at a time.. depending on conditions.

( sure.. more HP is nice.. and lets you do more things. but is not always needed.. )

Soundguy

Hello everyone, the forums here are very helpful. I've just moved onto a property with 12 acres, 3 or so wooded, 3 manicure cut, and the rest overrun with brush (mostly multiflora rose, honeysuckle and sumac trees). The fields are in pretty bad shape, some of the rose bushes are 8-10 ft tall. I can't even get to my property lines in some locations. I am interested in keeping the fields clear and am confused as to what size tractor I would need to accomplish this.

Of the 4 local dealers, 2 suggested a 30-35hp tractor would suffice, while the other two suggested 45hp would be needed to spin a decent medium duty rotary mower that could handle the brush I have - that is, the light duty 1" rotary cutter the smaller tractors can power would choke on the stuff. Two of my hobby farming friends also think the larger tractor would be better, but it seems a little overkill to me for only 12 acres?

If I choose a smaller tractor, the Kubota B7800/B3030 looks good, for the larger I was considering a JD3720 or a Kubota L4400/L4240. My local green and orange colored dealers seemed to be the best, so I'd like to stick with those.

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[KaiB]

I'm agreeing with Soundguy. Hire the tough stuff out rather than sizing a tractor to it.

At that point, reevaluate your needs, determine which implements you need and spend the savings on other stuff you'll need, i.e. tools, string trimmers, a ZTR, fertilizer, hoses, fence, spray for the field, and, and...

 

[daTeacha]

I ran a B7100 on my hilly wooded ground for several years. I used to clean up tops for firewood after an Amish logging crew went through the place. I used it to make trails through the woods by simply mowing things with a 4' bush hog. I used it plow snow on my driveway, made a "longtooth" bar for the bucket to break up ice. I used it to clear the road and phone lines of downed trees during a bad winter storm in '05. I only sold it because the new place, just a bit up the road from the old one, is hillier and the tractor was tippy enough that I felt uncomfortable more often than comfortable driving it around.

I now have a Case DX29, about three times the size and 4 times the weight. There are times when I wish I still had the little B. I don't think you can go wrong with the 7800 or the 3030. The 7800 is probably a little more Ag, the 3030 a little more suburban, but either should be more than adequate.

You can get the multiflora out by running a steel cable around them like a lassoo and simply driving away. This will work best in the spring when the ground is soft. You could also dig them out with the FEL. I used some home made forks that stick out about 10" in front of the bucket to dig under them then curl the bucket back and lift them out by the roots. Or, if you like to feel like you're fighting them the hard way, my 4' Huskee (TSC house brand) bush hog eats them pretty easily when I raise it up and back over them then lower it down. Be careful if you try this since it is not in any way safe for persons or animals behind you, but it's real hard on the multiflora.

Or, as suggested previously, the cheaper machine might let you get a backhoe to dig the beasties out of the ground, which would be a whole lot of fun, too.

 

[john_bud]

Get a tractor in the 30-35 engine hp range. I wouldn't get one in the "B" series, as they won't have the loader lift or BH potential one from the "L" or Grand L series will have.

L3540 or L3940 would be about right for most any need you may have now and in the future. The L3540 has 28 pto hp and the L3940 has 31.5 pto. NOTE: only compare PTO HP. Anything else is marketing BS.

The small frame tractors like the B7800 have 20.0 pto hp and are about 1/2 the weight and 2/3 the physical size. That 8-11 pto hp is huge. It's the difference between taking slow half width passes in thick wet grass or medium speed full width passes. The fuel use isn't much different between them either, unless you are pulling a plow at full throttle. I tend to think that an engine running at less than full throttle to get the job done will last longer, break less and use less fuel than a smaller engine running at max all the time. But, that's just me.

If this is your first tractor, you will probably be thinking that you could never outgrow the B7800 (or similar) and that the Grand L's are just too large. But, I can offer you an iron bound guarantee*, in 6 months you will wish you had the larger tractor. Maybe not all the time, but when you can't lift a stump, can't push a snow bank, can't dig deep enough with a backhoe or have to slowly cut overgrown wet weeds, you will. This forum is filled with people that have been in your shoes and went big - and have been happy about it ever since. If it is your first tractor - HST is just about mandatory. It makes the tractor super easy to use and will turn you into a tractor pro in very little time at all.

(There are also some that are happy as happy can be with the smaller tractors, too. Go figure?)


Oh yeah - Welcome to TBN!

jb





* Guaranteed to be right or less than 1/2 your money back!

 

[Oleozz]

Hello everyone, the forums here are very helpful. I've just moved onto a property with 12 acres, 3 or so wooded, 3 manicure cut, and the rest overrun with brush (mostly multiflora rose, honeysuckle and sumac trees). The fields are in pretty bad shape, some of the rose bushes are 8-10 ft tall. I can't even get to my property lines in some locations. I am interested in keeping the fields clear and am confused as to what size tractor I would need to accomplish this.


Thanks!
Jeff

I mowed about 50 acres of the same type of cover you're describing with a 28 hp JD and a 5 ft Bush Hog with no problems. For the bigger multiflora rose bushes you will need either spray to kill it or a backhoe to dig it out. It is the nastiest stuff and spreads like wildfire. Many folks have suggested a 30 or 35 hp tractor and a 5 or 6 ft bush hog and I also think that setup would be ideal but would lean toward the 35 hp tractor. Good Luck.

 

[kevinj]

Get a tractor in the 30-35 engine hp range. I wouldn't get one in the "B" series, as they won't have the loader lift or BH potential one from the "L" or Grand L series will have.

L3540 or L3940 would be about right for most any need you may have now and in the future. The L3540 has 28 pto hp and the L3940 has 31.5 pto. NOTE: only compare PTO HP. Anything else is marketing BS.

And to think I have a GL3940 on 45 acres, how will I get by? When I was young we farmed 80 acres with an F-12 Farmall. Big equipment is not always needed. I do subscribe to the "rent the big stuff theory" and buy for 80% of my needs or take a bit more time to git er done.

 

[JHTFarmer]

I got 12 acres like you and 24 wooded. A couple of years ago when
I started as a HOWA (home owner with acerage) and
a neophyte to tractoring, my local JD dealer cautioned me about
a larger framed CUT. She said it would be cumbersome on the property.
However, I eventually went with a Case DX40 (NH TC40DA). It worked
out fine for me. Seemed somewhat large at first, but now perfect sized.
On the otherhand, probably would have been just as happy on a smaller DX34.

Are you talking about the Saucon Valley Hellertown? If so, I was born and
raised in that area. Used to be a small working class community for Beth Steel,
Now top-shelf bedroom community.Last time I was there, we were shocked by
the development. McMansions everywhere. You probably have one of the last
undeveloped parcels. Hope your not planning to cut it up.
Sad to see that land dissapear.

 

[john_bud]

And to think I have a GL3940 on 45 acres, how will I get by? When I was young we farmed 80 acres with an F-12 Farmall. Big equipment is not always needed. I do subscribe to the "rent the big stuff theory" and buy for 80% of my needs or take a bit more time to git er done.

Don't feel too bad, I'm sure you will be able to "get by" with your 3940. ;-) I use a GL3410 HST and have 294.6 acres. However, 280 of that is tree farm and smaller is better for most things I do. But, if you want to swap your 3940 for my 3410, I could be talked around. After all, it's used on more acres....

jb