3.5 acres new orchard which tractor
- Thread starter markanth
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Robert_in_NY
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- Silver Creek, NY
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- Case-IH Farmall 45A, Kubota M8540 Narrow, New Holland TN 65, Bobcat 331, Ford 1920, 1952 John Deere M, Allis Chalmers B, Bombardier Traxter XT, Massey Harris 81RC and a John Deere 3300 combine, Cub Cadet GT1554
Deere has the new F series out that would work well in low orchards but I would recommend you try out a cab model first as I felt they are extremely cramped.
New Holland has the TN-FA line which is an exceptional tractor with a great cab. Case-IH has the JX1075N and JX1095N which are the TN-FA's in red paint. The only difference besides paint is the lack of the Supersteer front axle on FWA models.
You would want to put on roughly 100 gallons of water per acre for spraying so a 100 gallon rig would work well for you and would keep you manuverable. If you go with a tractor like the TN-FA or JXN line you could jump up to a 150 gallon 3pt rig and cut out one fillup. A new 150 gallon rig will run you over $7k if I recall right. And if you are going to buy a sprayer, buy a new one. There are reasons the used sprayers are being sold. If they worked well and were reliable they wouldn't be for sale. A new pump for a air blast sprayer will run you over $2k easy.
I have a tenative deal on a new Case-IH JX1075N as I have expanded my vineyard and have outgrown my old 100 gallon 3pt sprayer. I run a 400 gallon sprayer right now behind a Ford 1920 but I only fill it half full till I get the new tractor. At 200 gallons that sprayer is more then the 1920 (around 30 hp) wants to handle.
So as has been said, decide on what size sprayer you are going to use and buy a tractor that can handle it.
New Holland has the TN-FA line which is an exceptional tractor with a great cab. Case-IH has the JX1075N and JX1095N which are the TN-FA's in red paint. The only difference besides paint is the lack of the Supersteer front axle on FWA models.
You would want to put on roughly 100 gallons of water per acre for spraying so a 100 gallon rig would work well for you and would keep you manuverable. If you go with a tractor like the TN-FA or JXN line you could jump up to a 150 gallon 3pt rig and cut out one fillup. A new 150 gallon rig will run you over $7k if I recall right. And if you are going to buy a sprayer, buy a new one. There are reasons the used sprayers are being sold. If they worked well and were reliable they wouldn't be for sale. A new pump for a air blast sprayer will run you over $2k easy.
I have a tenative deal on a new Case-IH JX1075N as I have expanded my vineyard and have outgrown my old 100 gallon 3pt sprayer. I run a 400 gallon sprayer right now behind a Ford 1920 but I only fill it half full till I get the new tractor. At 200 gallons that sprayer is more then the 1920 (around 30 hp) wants to handle.
So as has been said, decide on what size sprayer you are going to use and buy a tractor that can handle it.
I'm worried-I only have 5 acres total of which 3.5 acres will be a mandarin orchard.
about the 3pt lifting capacity of the 3400 hst (about 2700 lbs. ) as I hoped to run 6' flail such at the Caroni and 100-150 gal sprayer on the 3pt and the horsepower of pulling these implements up a hill. Obviously, the fel and 3pt. do not come close to the 3940
if I choose the bigger tractor the 3940 ( about 3620 lbs)hst of which they are willing to deal more because of it being old inventory- well I eventually might have some trees touch each other, and the larger tractor will be another foot in length, taller-which would of course hit more branches. It just won't be nearly as mobile.
The local kubota dealer -3 miles quoted-looked at l3400hst w fel r4s and l3940hst w fel r4's rental return and the price difference is 3291 more for the 3940. I could go elsewhere to purchase a rental return 3400 hst for 1000 dollars less but it is 90 miles away.
Wondering if the 3940 is too big for my 3.5 acre orchard on my 5 acres.
I have looked at the 3520 and 4105 of John Deere.. weighing in at 2927 lbs.... larger than the 3400 but smaller than the 3940. They have higher hydraulic capabilities-lift and 3 point than the 3400. They are turbo. Don't know if this means more diesal usage than aspiration or not. However, no real dealer around here locally... probably 30 to 40 miles away.
What do I do?
Thanks, Mark
about the 3pt lifting capacity of the 3400 hst (about 2700 lbs. ) as I hoped to run 6' flail such at the Caroni and 100-150 gal sprayer on the 3pt and the horsepower of pulling these implements up a hill. Obviously, the fel and 3pt. do not come close to the 3940
if I choose the bigger tractor the 3940 ( about 3620 lbs)hst of which they are willing to deal more because of it being old inventory- well I eventually might have some trees touch each other, and the larger tractor will be another foot in length, taller-which would of course hit more branches. It just won't be nearly as mobile.
The local kubota dealer -3 miles quoted-looked at l3400hst w fel r4s and l3940hst w fel r4's rental return and the price difference is 3291 more for the 3940. I could go elsewhere to purchase a rental return 3400 hst for 1000 dollars less but it is 90 miles away.
Wondering if the 3940 is too big for my 3.5 acre orchard on my 5 acres.
I have looked at the 3520 and 4105 of John Deere.. weighing in at 2927 lbs.... larger than the 3400 but smaller than the 3940. They have higher hydraulic capabilities-lift and 3 point than the 3400. They are turbo. Don't know if this means more diesal usage than aspiration or not. However, no real dealer around here locally... probably 30 to 40 miles away.
What do I do?
Thanks, Mark
I'm not sure how this translates into mandrins, but here's my take on orchards from a pecan point of vew:
For grass cutting: Get rid of all the rocks you can and get a zero turn mower. You'll save time and money.
For spraying: Build or buy a trailer setup for spraying. This way you'll be able to cope with a smaller size tractor without the lift capacity of the limb breakers.
General: Go with the smallest physical size tractor that will tow your spray/harvest equipment. Cabs and canopies are made to be broken by limbs. Gears are easier to keep at constant speed while giving more PTO HP vs HST.
I fold down the ROPS on my MX5100 and close trim with a zero turn in my pecan orchard (at least until I get it into decent shape). My trees are about 40' apart. I coudln't imagine trying much of what I do with 18' tree spacing.
For grass cutting: Get rid of all the rocks you can and get a zero turn mower. You'll save time and money.
For spraying: Build or buy a trailer setup for spraying. This way you'll be able to cope with a smaller size tractor without the lift capacity of the limb breakers.
General: Go with the smallest physical size tractor that will tow your spray/harvest equipment. Cabs and canopies are made to be broken by limbs. Gears are easier to keep at constant speed while giving more PTO HP vs HST.
I fold down the ROPS on my MX5100 and close trim with a zero turn in my pecan orchard (at least until I get it into decent shape). My trees are about 40' apart. I coudln't imagine trying much of what I do with 18' tree spacing.
downslope
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Be sure the hst is OK for spraying. You want to keep a constant speed and you mention a hill(s) on the property. I agree with others that have cautioned hst can be a problem with spraying. You talk about a 7' flail mower and a 150 gal sprayer. These are heavy items, 150 gal of water alone is 1200 lb. I don't think a 3400 will like a 150 gal 3-pt sprayer, you will have to use a trailer or be satisfied with smaller tank or don't fill all the way up. Trailer takes a little more room to maneuver at row ends. I bought a 150 gal 3-pt and was only able to fill to 90 until I got a larger tractor.markanth said:
Good luck with the grove.
