3.5 acres new orchard which tractor

[markanth]

I am going to plant aproximately 3 1/2 acres of mandarins this fall on my 5 acre parcel that does have a hill. The remainder of the property contains a house, backyard, frontyard and a lawn. I will be landscaping the backyard soon. I will also maintain the lawn in the backyard I will have. I need to run a rock rake, and a rear mower or flail mower, and spray rig.

Currently, I have removed almost all the trees but have many rocks on my 3.5 plantable acres. I will need to also brush cut prior to lining up my mandarins and putting in irrigation. Then I will need to manage the weeds and the grass/brush as it grows. I also own a Bobcat 863 with a front end loader.

I would like to go with a Kubota tractor. I have looked at the B, L, and L40 series.

I would love to go with a 3940 as many dealers have these as rental returns. However, I run up against quite a few fences on my property and it seems to be quite big for my property.

I have looked at the 3400 but it seems that it might be tough sleeding for a 84" squeeler rear mower with small 9" offset. Looks like the manual says 30 to 50 hp while the brochure says 35 to 50 pto required. However, I would prefer an offset flail mower. The 3400 has no mid pto so no mid mower.

I have alsolooked at the b7800 and would go in that direction if it had enough horsepower and pto. I wonder if I could use the mid mount mower as my 72" mower 4" mow height max on this unit. This would allow me to directly go over anything I want to mow rather than have something to mow that trails me. However, I do have the rocks and the ground will be variable and bumpy with peaks and valleys.

I can get away with not getting a fel and just use front weights as I have the bobcat. However, any hope of have a rear backo is eliminated because I would need the fel as support for the backo. Thuse, It is not worth 7 to 10k for me to bacco.
I want the power but I need the mobility. What should I get?
Thanks, Mark

 

[big bubba]

Have you considered the "narrow" model versions? go to Kubota.com, tractors, M series, then specialty narrow versions recommended for applications like orchards. the m40 narrows would be gems, but maybe too much for the budget. the older 5700 narrows might be had for a good price. OTOH conventional might hold better resale value just a thought bb

 

[Egon]

3.5 acres may get cramped for a large tractor.

I'd suggest a preliminary work over of the site to level it out to make mowing easier. The go with a MM mower.

 

[MarkV]

I agree with Egon that an L series tractor would get pretty big for 3.5 acres planted with vines. Sounds like the B3030 with remotes and the 6 foot flail mower with hydraulic side shift being discussed in the Attachment section of the forum would meet the needs mentioned.

MarkV

 

[Buster57]

B7800 is great for 3.5 to 5 acres on a steep hill. I use a 60" MMM and 60" Land Pride 1860 with no problem. I also use an Agric (UGLY!) 54" rototiller-and it works fine.

I think the best tractor for your application no longer exists-the JD955 (27.5 HP at the PTO same weight), but #2 is probably the B7800.

I love mine!

 

[Apples]

markanth, How wide will your rows be? What type of sprayer will you be using? Will you be putting down herbicide under the trees? How big do these trees get? These are a couple things to consider before you buy your tractor, or mower.

 

[markanth]

row spacing 16 or 18 feet diamond pattern

my cousins tell me that eventually the trees could even touch even at 18 feet

definitely using herbicides and peticides

sprayer-haven't decided which implement to buy yet-could have a 3 point hitch mounted or a trailer rig

Don't know with all the bumpiness and rocks around if a MMM would work. I know I could get closer to the the weeds around the trees with a MMM. I wish they made a brush cutter mmm. I am also interested in an offset or hydr. adjustable flail mower- need the hp.

L3400 is about 106" and weighs in at 2600. However, I do not know if this is without tires.

looked at the John Deere site- have new product 4105 40 hp with 32.5 pto with turbo. Shipping weight is 2987 with I believe tires. Don't know the length on this tractor.

Thanks, Mark

 

[Buster57]

What is your budget?

 

[markanth]

I'm open as to price. I want to be able to pull a 7' flail mower. I have Kubota-being the largest with inventory on-site, and some small New Holland and Deere close bye.

I am looking at the Deere 4105-40 hp, Kubota L3400 34 hp, and New Holland t1520 35 hp. Size wise the Kubota and New Holland appear to fit. However, a 7' flail might need 40 hp. I don't know about the size of the 4105....might be too big like the L4400 and Grand L40series.

I don't mind scratches ala rental return.
What do I buy?

Mark

 

[rbargeron]

As a former hobby apple grower (3500 bu) I can tell you that as your trees grow, tending the crop will be a bigger focus than mowing etc. Do mandarins require any spray materials that are applied full dilute? What concentrations can you use? My guess is you'll want at least a 100-gallon spray rig (3 or 4 fillups even at 3x to do 3.5 acres). The sprayer may be the item to pick out first, then a tractor that can handle it. Sprayer callibration is tied to accurate ground speed. Getting the dose right with HST is tricky - gear drive is best for a pto sprayer. Check out your state university extension service for equipment info and recommendations by crop type. My guess is you'll want about a 40 hp tractor. A 3-point 100 gallon sprayer weighs about half a ton - so even a L4400 will feel better with some weight on the front (like an FEL) - I started with a Ford 8n - then went to a Kubota 34 hp - both were on the small side. Stay away from the little rigs - orchard tractors need to be compact but also need some power and weight. As always, prompt cheeerfull refund if info is bogus - take care, Dick B