40 HP vs 55 HP in the same tractor

[airbiscuit]

I agree that a 30-35hp mid frame CUT would be about right. I think John Deere makes it easiest to understand frame size. In general:

Series
1xxx Sub Compact 20hp+
2xxx Small Frame CUT 20hp+
3xxx Medium Frame CUT 30hp+
4xxx Large Frame CUT 40hp+

 

[Rmart30]

I ran a 4' rotary cutter with a 15 hp Shibaura SD1500AO,
View attachment 511861

I never seen a cutter with training wheels before

 

[airbiscuit]

The wheels kept the front end from digging in on the uneven terrain of my trails, They worked great. It was amazing what that little Shibaura did. I literally drove through 8' tall brush with 1" - 1 1/2" stems and cut away. The weird thing is, I would look back and see a deer walking down the new trail about 30 yards back! The 2 cylinder diesel kind of stuttered, and it barely used any fuel. I couldn't believe what a 15hp tractor could do. Here it is with my 90- year old Mom.

 

[Cataclysm]

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?

Ok, good question about the 15 hp.

Definitely not talking about ramming into a pile. That's a good way to damage something. The extra hp comes into play by being able to do tasks in 2nd or mid range instead of having to gear down. A lesser hp tractor may have to always gear down to push into a pile. A higher hp tractor may have enough power to push into the pile in a higher gear. That saves you from shifting back up a gear to take the bucket load to where its needed. Saves 2 gear changes per trip. The time it takes to do that adds up over the day.

Maybe your roading to another site and pulling an implement. The 40 hp tractor may have to pull the hills in 2nd or mid range where the additional 15 hp may let you stay in 3rd or high range.

Pulling a box blade is a good example as well. I usually have just enough power pull my heavy tailgate box blade in 2nd or mid range. Spreading gravel or leveling dirt are great 2nd gear things. I can pull the BB full of dirt pretty good in 2nd. In real hard ground or using the 6 rippers its 1st or low range every time. You would possibly have to do those things in 1st with the 40 hp tractor.

One of my main uses for the tractor is back filling. I used to use a 30 hp tractor, it was lighter but the implements were smaller as well. It did just fine but was usually stuck in lower/slower gears. The 55 hp LS will back fill in 2nd gear. Literally 3 times a fast for the same work. The limiting factor on back filling speed now is watching out for someone wondering through my work area.

Same work, just faster with the extra hp.

 

[Cataclysm]

I appreciate all the input. I am just trying to weigh the pros and cons and having never had a modern tractor sort of hard to get a feel. I do realize that the tractor is probably going to be sitting a lot more than it is used. If you plug and sow/fertilize yard twice a year and put out mulch once a year and scrape driveway as needed then I am pretty much at my limit except for maybe plowing and making rows for a small garden. Plus if I get a tractor like a Mahindra 3550 or an LS XR4155 will I be regretting it when it comes time to sow the 2 1/2 acres of grass because they tear the yard up.

I guess it is kind of silly to even think about future events and focus on the now.

I can help with part of this. My cabbed 4155 hydro with R4's set at proper air pressure does not in the least tear up yards. One of the main things I bought this tractor for was to work in yards. It is set up specifically to do just that. Yes, it can be too wet and muddy to work in the yard, a little common sense and there is no problem. You would be shocked and amazed at how well this tractor (mid weight with big honkin R4 tires) can work in a soft yard. Running the BB around back filling and leveling this particular set up will re-pack the upper 2 or 3 inches back to normal.

Generally if you can walk in it, I can work the tractor in it.

As far as the discussion, I like hearing other points of view as well. I know what works for my situations but like learning what works for others. You never know when a job pops up and something learned on TBN becomes useful.

 

[Cataclysm]

And to be clear, I'm not trying to talk you into or out of the 4155. I am sharing my experiences with it. My uses are much more varied than most and I run it quite a bit. Part of the equation too is operator experience. A good operator will eat your lunch with a lesser machine every time.

 

[sd455dan]

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

True but there have been plenty of threads where lack of power has had a few TBNers wanting to return their ( New) tractor .

 

[sd455dan]

I was looking at the TYM tractors and I noticed somethin on the larger compact tractors like the T454 and 554. Is it just me or do those axle housings look awfully small - maybe not the axle housing but where the axle comes out and goes to the rear wheels? Take a look at the 4:55 mark of this video and tell me what you think. #1 TYM Dealer in the US. Quick description of TYM tractor lineup. - YouTube Other than that the tractor looks good and I like how they have everything up you service up front.

WOW that is small... Those guys mounted the rear tire tread reversed to:laughing:

 

[IslandTractor]

Well, here's what you've listed....

FEL work
using box scrape
using rotary cutter.
plug and sow/fertilize yard twice a year
put out mulch once a year
scrape driveway as needed
maybe plowing and making rows for a small garden.
sow the 2 1/2 acres of grass

You're looking at too much tractor for a large yard, basically.
That's lawn tractor work.

Actually, it is perfect PowerTrac 422 or 425 work. Articulating tractors are going to be more efficient than a traditional CUT in smaller areas and doing tasks that don't involve significant ground engagement. The idea of having your implements front mounted is also a major plus. And, the tractor and implements will store in a much smaller area and be easier to mount.

MossRoad is being shy today. Look at his videos (click his signature).

 

[atomchaser]

I compromised when I bought mine and went with the 45 hp model. I wanted a little extra juice to run pto attachments and the price increase was small compared to the overall cost. I haven't felt at all limited by 45 hp in this machine. I too was concerned that a tractor this size with loaded tires would tear up my yard but it hasn't been an issue as long at the ground isn't soft (like right after a rain storm).