Another Newbie Tractor Needs Question

[kasch_hunter]

Thanks to all of you for your respective replies. Given the uses I (and others) have identified how much horse power should I be looking for in a tractor? While I might prefer to buy a particular make and model I will likely purchase a used tractor which will hopefully fit my needs. There are more used tractors in the 15-21 HP range than the 25-35 range around here so I want to at least narrow my search by the amount of horse power I will need.

Taborekle--I live in Great Falls and the property we bought is in Lincoln. You likely recall that Lincoln is one of the snowmobile hotspots in Montana because of all the snow they get--people snomobile there from @ Christmas through St. Patricks Day.

 

[Soundguy]

nothing wrong with a good used machine.. can sometimes get low hour trades at dealers as well.

soundguy

 

[papavillars]

hey men I have ben reading the various post and I have a question what does the abreviation MMM stand for. thanks in advance

 

[bp fick]

Center Captured Cutter

 

[Soundguy]

MMM

mid mount mower

unless you are talking food.. and then it means it tastes good

soundguy

 

[bp fick]

Pivotal Positioned Pruner

 

[scoutcub]

Check out the Cub/yanmar EX3200......just as good if not better than Kubota or JD for less money. Nice 60" Mid Mount Mower available....and blower...and blade.....etc.

 

[RadarTech]

kasch_hunter,
Before go down the path of price..
check for comfort.
Several posts here are given pro's and cons of the side by side HST vs the rocker like on the Bota..

and then there is the posts about the how a tractor is or is not comfortable based on height or lack there of for the driver(s).

I test drove the cub/yanmar 3200 and several john deers, a Kioti or 3.
and finally an L2800/L3400...

I am only 5'6 and the L3400 and the kioti was comfortable.
The kioti came down to support, only 1 dealer within 80 miles. versus 5-6 bota dealers.
Had a little difficulty with the 3200, but not a deal killer,
and 1 of the Deers was good and the rest were tough..


So even though the 3200 was cheaper, ease of use and comfort was worth the $$ bang for me..

I really like the guys at the yanmar dealer, but the tractor just was not comfortable.
I even like the loader controls in the location there were on the cub/yanmar but did not like the pedal arrangement...

let us know what your thinking..

J

 

[kasch_hunter]

I don't think I will get enough use from a tractor to justify spending $20,000 or so. I think I could hire all of my needs over the next 10 years for that much. I am thinking that I would like your advice about how much horsepower I should be looking for in a used tractor. I think I know the minimum number of attachments I want initially. Once I decide on the amount of horsepower I should be looking for it is just a matter of finding a used tractor that meets a reasonable amount of my needs.

 

[KU Gator]

Kasch Hunter

What might help you is to look at Land Pride's web site. They have their implements listed by horse power. This will give you an idea, at least in terms of range, what size attachment is reasonable for different horse power. My tractor is 29 hp with 21 PTO hp. I can handle a 5' rotory mower. I think if you are down in the 20 hp range, you should probably look at the 4' rotory mower and the same with box blade although a 5' rear blade would probably be ok as it is lighter and won't fill up with dirt like a box blade. So the smaller engine will drive the size of the implement. Doesn't mean you can't get a lot done, will just take a little longer. My brother uses a yanmar gray market tractor with I think about 17 hp. His saying is "what's time to a pig". But going back to the earlier premise of contracting some of the heavier clearing and land shaping, stump removal etc., then you get to more of a project and maintance mode, the size of the tractor on 3 acres won't be that big of a deal. As has been said before, the FEL is really useful, so I would try to find a tractor with that.