Another Newbie has question on "Does size matter?"

[TripleR]

Thanks all for the responses...so I will focus my search on 30-40 HP tractors....i was kinda figuring this area as the 20hp or so tractors just looked a little to small to me for what I could envision using the tractor for...so you're posts helped to support my theory.

Next question...how many hours are too many if buying used? Ideally I'd want a used tractor that was family used and not commercially used and I'm figuring (probably high side) would be ~100 hours a year as an avg...So 5 yr old tractor would have ~500 hours on it. Thoughts on this? Too low, too high? I know that service of said tractor has a lot to do with it but again trying to narrow down my searching and this seems like the next logical step after HP and $.

Once again thanks and once I narrow down to a couple of models I'll be back asking about those specifically.

Omni

Having spent the last four days on two different tractors with a minimum of two more to go, 100 hours per year seems incomprehensible to me, but for many SCUT/CUT users this is probably a pretty fair estimate. I bought a used 2003 Kubota L5030 HSTC this year. It had 735 hours. Every spring the previous owner had it serviced at the dealer and it is in excellent shape.

I would not get too hung up on hours though as we have three tractors over 50 years old still running with only occasional minor work and an old mid 60's Case 995 that we have never done anything on but change tires and do maintenance.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I think too many people on this site are hung up on the bigger is better thing. 15 ac is not a large piece of property, IMO the B series Kubota, smaller JD compact tractors, etc would work very well. Something in the 25-30 engine HP range, that would handle a 4-5' bush hog, 5-6' finishing mower, 5' box blade, etc.

We are on 200ac and the two tractor listed in my sig are all I have. 150ac is wooded, and about 20-25ac are in hay (use the old Ford and Kubota to make all my hay). We do bring in either my fathers 65hp JD or 95hp Kubota to make some round bales however.

If you are looking at older tractors, the B2710, B2910, and B7800 Kubota would be good, or 770, 870, 970, 790, 755, 855, 955 John Deere. Stay away from the 4X00 series JD's, they had some Major problems that weren't worked out until later models. If they were well maintained 2000+ hrs is nothing to worry about.

 

[TripleR]

I may have missed it, but are you trying to buy a tractor that will do it all including mowing your yard or just a CUT for property maintenance?

 

[Transit]

I think a 25 hp tractor is cutting it too close to the bone. I would choose 30 hp as a minimum; you can never tell when the extra hp will come in handy. Most hp / overheated engine issues involve brush hogging fields particularly on a hot 100+ deg day. 5 ft brush hogs are very popular, and the general rule to match the hog to the engine hp is 5 hp per foot of hog width. Therefore a 5 ft brush hog would require a 25 tractor. At 90% power that would be 22.5 hp developed from a 25 hp engine. That same 22.5 hp from a 30hp engine is 75% and from a 40 hp engine it is 56% power. Why push the tractor to its limits when a bit more hp is easer on the machine? Yes, there are other factors that cause overheating, blocked radiators and lugging the engine. Think of the extra hp as money in the bank, it is there when you need it.

 

[johnrex62]

Thanks all for the responses...so I will focus my search on 30-40 HP tractors....i was kinda figuring this area as the 20hp or so tractors just looked a little to small to me for what I could envision using the tractor for...so you're posts helped to support my theory.

<snip>

Once again thanks and once I narrow down to a couple of models I'll be back asking about those specifically.

Omni

The Kubota L3700SU I bought fits that HP range nicely. There are a number of posts where I and a few others who have bought it recently have extolled the virtures of this machine. They are all within the last couple months, so should be easy to find. :thumbsup: No pressure.

 

[KU Gator]

We live on 3 acres which is basicly a big yard with minimal obstacles. Also have 12 acres which is a little more than 1/2 field and the other woods. We bought the B2920 for the maintenance of the 12 acres, but for now we have to trailer it. After 2.5 years of using it, while I could do fine with a BX on the 3 acres, I like the size of the B. On the 12 acres, if I lived there full time and trailering was not a consideration, a bit bigger would be better, but trying to stay small enough I could get into some of the tight areas. I use a 5' brush hog, and it is ok if I am cutting it regular, at least every 3 weeks. But if I get too far behind, it would be better with a 4'. I have also pulled a lot of trees that were pushed over years ago for a pond. I got it done, ended up with a pile about the size of a 3 car garage, but a bit heavier tractor would have helped there.
I don't know anything about prior models. In the current lines, the B3300SU or L3700SU seem to offer quite a bit for the money if you don't want mid PTO capability. The tractor I was pretty impressed with on a recent road trip was a B3030. A nice tractor with more ability than mine, but still a nice size.
As for hours, I am averaging about 100 hours per year, but it would likely be 1.5 - 2 times that if I lived on the 12 acres full time or didn't have the garden tractor that I frequent use to mow at our house.

 

[brucew44guns]

That question of size will usually conjer up one thought only among many folks who consider size. But among tractor guys, those interested in power and strength, I believe most want as much as much as they can get, being reasonable of course. I think you should shop for and consider a tractor of horsepower and size that can loaf just a bit, to do the jobs you need done. This may not be your last piece of ground in all your life, you may get something bigger someday.

 

[johnrex62]

Not only might you someday get more land to maintain, but consider than when a man has a hammer everything looks like a nail. You will find so many more things a tractor can help you do than you ever imagined wanting to do. Sometimes some spare capacity is a good thing, but only if you can afford it. :thumbsup:

 

[MBDiagMan]

I agree with Bruce. Running any machine or electrical circuit right to the edge of it's maximum will NOT be conducive with long life.

I've run farm machinery, built hot rods, driven trucks, raced karts with my kids, and the one statement that I've NEVER made is; "wow, I've got too much power!" In the case of a tractor, in many situations you can't have too much weight either. There are situations such as mowing a lawn or raking hay in a too wet meadow where too much weight is a disadvantage under certain circumstances, but for general tractor use, within reasonable limits, extra weight is a good thing. The situations where excess weight has been a problem for me is because it would make ruts in my hay meadow.

 

[Omnipotent]

I may have missed it, but are you trying to buy a tractor that will do it all including mowing your yard or just a CUT for property maintenance?

Mow the yard as well...4 acres, all clear with very little if any landscape to circle about. Will have a push mower for anything "iffy".

Can't afford ZRT and tractor, so tractor is the better bet imho.