40 HP vs 55 HP in the same tractor

[Cataclysm]

So what would you think about a Mahindra with 49 hp but it weighs about 800 lbs more than the xr4155?

I looked closely at Mahindra. Specifically the 2555 hst cab. I saw nothing wrong with the Mahindra, the LS was just cost way less.

But to answer your question, The 800 pound tractor can do more work like push into a pile further, pull a larger chisel or plow, carry a larger item on the FEL ect. Many people load their rear tires (800lbs?) and report a major stability increase with FEL use.

The few hp difference would be harder to show because gearing among other things is going to come into play. Maybe you could run a mile per hour faster mowing or roading ect.

Obviously there are many, many factors that come into play but that's the basics with all else being equal.

 

[Cataclysm]

Well the dealer has made it tougher on me as well. He will sell me an xr4155 hydro with loader for 27000.00 vs an xr4140 shuttle for 22900.00. I am guessing the hydro 4140 will be about 24,500 so only about 2500 more, but true could buy some implements with that difference. I was just thinking since he did a better price than before on the 4155 and with the hydro it would be worth it.

The 4155 hydro is worth it. It is an amazing tractor. You can always add implements as finances allow and as needs arise. Its way more costly to trade tractors. The extra capacity of the 55hp tractor will be there when you need it.

 

[IslandTractor]

Well the dealer has made it tougher on me as well. He will sell me an xr4155 hydro with loader for 27000.00 vs an xr4140 shuttle for 22900.00. I am guessing the hydro 4140 will be about 24,500 so only about 2500 more, but true could buy some implements with that difference. I was just thinking since he did a better price than before on the 4155 and with the hydro it would be worth it.

Your call. Remember though, what you are dealing with is a marketing game. As mentioned, I don't know the specifics of the LS tractor but with Kioti, the NX4510 (45hp) and NX5510 (55hp) are literally identical except for decals and engine software. That's it. $2500 for different software settings. Not one molecule of steel more. They play the "Americans like horsepower" game by offering an "entry" level machine that is identical except for HP at a fair price and then jack the price up by offering a horsepower carrot.

I'd go for a couple of extra implements myself.

 

[4tillingdirt]

The 4155 hydro is worth it. It is an amazing tractor. You can always add implements as finances allow and as needs arise. Its way more costly to trade tractors. The extra capacity of the 55hp tractor will be there when you need it.

The only thing I don't see clearly is how can having 15 more HP make a difference with a tractor that weighs the same unless you are needing the PTO power. I mean if there is a mulch pile or gravel pile and I am going to get a load with the FEL, where is that 15 HP going to show up? I don't think a person would be ramming into the pile any faster just because they had 15 more HP and I would tend to think that you would lose traction with either tractor long before you ran out of power - correct?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I'm gonna have to disagree a bit. I don't know the specifics of the LS line but they are probably the same as the Kioti line of DK or NX tractors. Yes, 15hp is a third more max hp but it is in the otherwise identical frame, weight, loader, hydraulic capacity, 3pt capacity etc etc tractor. 15 extra hp ONLY matters if you actually need to turn the throttle up that high. For most loader work we don't run at PTO speed. For most backhoe work we don't run at PTO speed. A 40hp tractor will run any 6 foot implement. Do you anticipate buying 7 or 8 foot implements ($$$$$$)? The 15hp extra will allow you to climb steeper hills in high range rather than medium range....do you do that frequently enough to pay an extra $2000-3000+???

I'm being a bit polemical here but my point is that horsepower is only a part of the equation. More horsepower doesn't make the loader stronger or faster. Doesn't let you lift more with 3PT either. I'd much rather have a Kubota L2501 with 25hp than a BX with 26hp. The L would beat the snot out of the BX. And, when you compare work output for a given budget, consider how much more work you would get done by getting the 40hp engine and use the extra cash to buy a grapple and at least one more specialized implement. Horsepower is nice but severely over rated as an indicator of tractor capability.

Bottom line is, 15hp is a big jump in power in a tractor, and I'd rather have it "just in case", rather wish I had it later!

It's a no brainer for me...

SR

 

[CobyRupert]

The only thing I don't see clearly is how can having 15 more HP make a difference with a tractor that weighs the same unless you are needing the PTO power.

:thumbsup:
I think you hit it on the head.
...and remember: Power is just the RATE (speed) that you can perform the work at. (Obviously at some point, practicality sets in: Low gear can only go so slow, or tractor is too small to tow/lift implement, or too small to start a high inertia flywheel, or you don't want to bale hay so slow that the bale has 200 (plunger) flakes, or you can't control the feed rate (speed), etc...)

So when someone says they need more PTO power, they're saying they need (WANT) to go faster. ....and then you need to decide how much $ is that worth. ..and/or how much your time is worth.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The only thing I don't see clearly is how can having 15 more HP make a difference with a tractor that weighs the same unless you are needing the PTO power. I mean if there is a mulch pile or gravel pile and I am going to get a load with the FEL, where is that 15 HP going to show up? I don't think a person would be ramming into the pile any faster just because they had 15 more HP and I would tend to think that you would lose traction with either tractor long before you ran out of power - correct?

Is that the only thing you do with your tractor? Drive into piles all day?

When I pull a heavy load, extra hp is nice, when I mow and hit a tough spot, extra hp is nice. I can think of many more reason to have extra hp in a tractor...

The pto is a BIG part of owning a tractor, it allows a tractor to do hundreds of other jobs, other than loader work. Driving into piles is a very small part of what I use my tractor for...

SR

 

[IslandTractor]

Bottom line is, 15hp is a big jump in power in a tractor, and I'd rather have it "just in case", rather wish I had it later!

It's a no brainer for me...

SR

Just in case worth $2500 that could be spent otherwise? Opportunity cost is always relevant.

 

[IslandTractor]

Is that the only thing you do with your tractor? Drive into piles all day?

When I pull a heavy load, extra hp is nice, when I mow and hit a tough spot, extra hp is nice. I can think of many more reason to have extra hp in a tractor...

The pto is a BIG part of owning a tractor, it allows a tractor to do hundreds of other jobs, other than loader work. Driving into piles is a very small part of what I use my tractor for...

SR

PTO sure is important. However 40hp is more than adequate to run 6 foot implements like bush hog or flail or tiller. Unless you are investing in 7 or 8 foot wide implements there aren't many times when that extra 15hp will be used efficiently.

 

[LD1]

15 more hp may mean you can keep it in a higher gear digging into that pile without lugging, or carry the load up a hill at a faster speed/higher gear