Am I gonna miss 30 more horsepower?

[knightrider955]

L3400 or L3700Su or something like that will fill your bill perfectly, will probably outwork you big old 2wd tractor, and still not tear up your yard. I remember many years ago, going from a full size tractor Long 2360 to the New Holland TA33DA. Got more loader work done faster with the much smaller tractor, could push more, due to the 4wd and mowed like a dream. way faster to mow with a 5 foot finish mower with a nimble Hydro tractor than the 6 foot finish mower on the old gear grinder. Sure the Long would lift more in the bucket, quite a bit more actually, but I could move so much faster, in the end I got more work done in a given time. the only thing you are going to lose is the ability rip up stumps like you used to. and lift really heavy things. But I have never regretted trading in the big 2wd for a smaller 4wd tractor. just my thoughts, Your Mileage May Vary
James K0UA

Yeah those Longs are tough old tractors. I actually looked at a New Holland TC35. Pretty nice tractor, Real nice! And since Long (Farmtrac) and new holland are now owned by the same company I dont feel like sucha traitor lol.

 

[tommaple]

Is your woods open? Or tight? If open, your Long would probably work fine. If the woods is tight, you'd be better off with a smaller tractor and 4WD.
Is it hilly? Then 4WD is better for skidding logs.
For work in slick or muddy conditions Ag tires will be much better than anything else.

 

[handirifle]

I have 3 acres in the central coast region of CA. My tractor is a Massey Ferguson 1010, with FEL and 42" Gannon, that 16 whopping HP!!!

Don't laugh, for what you describe on your 3 acres it would do it all, except the stump removal. for that I borrow my neighbors Case 580 backhoe.:thumbsup:

That said, I have dug a 250' 15" deep drainage creek, leveled some very rough areas, no mower yet, can't find one that fits my price range (cheap) but the previous owner used a 5' PTO mower and said it did it for years.

I have hauled more dirt and rocks around here than one might imagine. It's size makes it incredibly manuverable. Am I recommending a MF1010? Nope, but a "B" series Bota or similar would be ideal for what you are describing. I would also suggest taking the big one up north where it's needed most.

Maybe keep the big one on the small lot for the first year and see if it is really needed.

As for buying, based on my little experience, and especially in this economy, I'd suggest used, unless you're flush with cash, in which case I boubt you'd be considering selling the big one in the first place.

There can be some really good deals on the 30HP and lower tractors. Seem to be about 8K and lower. Most likely double that for new.

Oh, yes, get 4WD for sure. It makes the smaller tractors WAY more versatile.

As for tires, if most work is mowing get the turfs, but (don't know if this can be done) I wonder how rear turfs and front R1's would do? Use the 4WD R1's when you needed the traction and not as concerned with footprint. Otherwise maybe R4's all around for a compromise?

 

[JoeL4330]

if you are in 4wd and turning, R1s on the front will do a job on the lawn no matter what is on the rear...I know this is a religious issue, but turfs work fine most everywhere/everytime ...and I have chains for ice (or mud, if it should come to that)

 

[merrickvilleguy]

If you have a need for a 60hp tractor ... why not spend a grand and get a ride on mower to do the mowing tasks ... beats blowing 18k on a tractor to do the same job ?

 

[milkman636]

I My property up north has a pole barn and my mother inlaw lives there all year round

Sweet setup! My wife would kill me if I tried to keep her mother in a barn up north

 

[jake98]

Sweet setup! My wife would kill me if I tried to keep her mother in a barn up north

HA!, Mine too!

 

[nebraskasparks]

Well Ive owned my tractor for 3 monthes now. I love it but realized that its a little too big. It way heavy. And I would look like a clown mowing my 2.5 acre lawn with a farm tractor. However its 60 hp and does what ever I want with ease. And the 6 foot loader is nice too. i own 60 acres of woods up north and thought it would be great for cleaning up the woods. But its so heavy that I really cant haul it that far. And if I lighten it up by unloading the tires I was told it would be useless. Ive been looking at Kioti's and Kubota's around the 25 hp range. The size looks perfect for my 3 acres at home and light enough to haul up north. All I want to do is mow, grade my driveway and haul wood and dirt in my bucket. maybe pull a disc for food plots. Am I gonna regret the power loss going to a CUT instead of a farm tractor? Ive never bogged down my current tractor. It rips stumps right out of the ground without breaking a sweat. But it is a older machine and doesnt have glowplugs and Michigan winters get pretty cold. I just dont wanna get a smaller tractor and end up wishing I had more horsepower.

Who cares what the neighbors think...if it works for you then it's the perfect match. I went from 28 HP to 58 HP and my life changed to "MO BETTA".
I have food plots, orchard, critters, and a big lawn, about 3 acres of grass to cut and the JD X500 does a marvelous job doing it.
Going up north is probably the rea issue from what I'm reading and that's a trailer/truck issue!

Best of luck!

 

[TripleR]

I have learned it is much better to have two tractors that fit your needs ideally than one that will "do it all", sort of; any one tractor is going to be by necessity a compromise.

 

[beppington]

I wouldnt mind a heavy CUT with loaded tires. I just dont want one thats 7000 lbs like my tractor. I dont want ruts in my yard.

Even my little ~40HP Kubota L3940 weighs over 6,200 lbs, with FEL & filled rear tires.

With rear tires not loaded & with the FEL dis-mounted, it's only 3,627 lbs.