As Big As you can Buy

Pacesetter300 · Apr 21, 2003

I just made a long post in "don't buy too big a tractor" by BWS. I will add here, I started out by looking at a dual purpose machine. Primarily to cut my lawn faster and be able to do other things. I realized that cutting the lawn was causing too much of a compromise for the other things I wanted to do. I finally decided that I would get something more adept at maintaining my 17 acres that I don't (can't)touch now and not worry so much about the lawnmowing. I just couldn't see myself on a B7500 with a 48" cutter in the middle of a 14 acre hayfield. If the old Honda ever dies, it will be Power Trac time.
Pacesetter

Anonymous Poster · Apr 21, 2003

( Hmmm which is the better combo, turfs + sleeping in the dog house, or R4's plus sleeping with my lovely bride? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )

Attach her picture and we'll let you know! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

On a serious note, I went against conventional wisdom and bought my BX2200 with the turf tires because that's what I felt was the most appropriate for my use. I think that folks need to use the info and opinions presented here as a guide line only. There is tremendous information here if it's used in the fashion intended.

RanchMan · Apr 22, 2003

Hmmmm.

Your post can be read a couple of different ways, but to me, you basically seem to ask the question "Who REALLY needs a big tractor???" and then go on to insinuate that a sizeable portion of people buy tractors and "brag" about the size here on TBN in some sort of contest." /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Perhaps I'm overly sensitive, (maybe because I just got in after spending 10 hours working w/my tractor), or perhaps I'm just a little irked because I don't like the perception of being judged - even if it is "indirectly." Regardless of my current attitude (and reason for it), I’d like to address your points.

 I will like members to post excatly how much time they spend REGULARLY using their tractors for recurring duties such as mowing. 

First, you seem to predispose that "time spent on the seat"=justification. In other words, if someone doesn't use their tractor on a 'regular' basis (whatever that is /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif), then their choice of a "big" tractor isn't justified.

Forgetting the whole subjective aspect of a "regular basis," you are missing a key aspect. All else being equal, larger tractors handle larger implements, and the larger the area to address (say, mowing a field) the less time it will take for a larger tractor. In other words, if it takes a total of 10 hours to mow "Field X" with a "small" tractor and it only takes 3 hours to mow the same field with a "big" tractor, if you are measuring seat time as the justification, the "small" tractor "wins" because you spent more time on it. How the heck does THAT make sense??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

For me, mowing is a small percentage of tasks, on the order of 10% of the work I actually do with my tractor. "Mowing" in my world is bush-hogging about 6 miles of ranch roads to keep the juniper & mesquite from destroying my truck's paint as I drive them.

Would my ~40 HP tractor mow the lawn close to the house effectively? HECK NO! Putting 4000#+ of ag tires running in tight circles close to trees & such would be lunacy - but trying to "mow" 2-3" trees along miles of ranch roads with a lawn tractor having a 42" deck that maxes out at 4" of cutting height? That's equally insane!

My point? Mowing (which varies from cutting the golf-course-type manicured lawns to cutting down small trees and mowing over rocks as big as footballs in raw pastures) may be an important area of consideration for some, but as a percentage of work I do with my tractor, it is only a minor task and using seat time compared to HP (or "size") is a flawed benchmark if "more seat time" = more justified.

Digging, grading and snow clearing just does not occur often enough. 

As alluded to above, maybe these are not important tasks in YOUR world, but they are very important in mine (all except the snow that is, since I only get a few inches a season.) Just because you don't regularly plant several acres of crops & have miles of roads to maintain doesn't mean that others (such as myself) don't. No, where you see these type of activities as "infrequent" and therefore "unjustifiable" I see them as just the opposite as they apply to me. In other words, I purchased my tractor to meet my needs where you did likewise.

This I believe will help clarify whether we are buying as big as we can because it is neccessary, or just to make a statement about having a big tractor. 

I believe those on TBN who regularly suggest to look toward a bigger tractor are simply trying to be helpful based on their own experiences and do not believe it has anything to do with boastfulness.

hazmat · Apr 22, 2003

Ranchman,

As always, interesting & educational reading. As you alluded to in your statement about mowing

 Mowing (which varies from cutting the golf-course-type manicured lawns to cutting down small trees and mowing over rocks as big as footballs in raw pastures) 

you could place tbn'ers in three broad catagories, the suburban weekend warrior (myself) the rural weekend warrior (maybe you?) and the professional, whether he is a farmer or landscaper.

I think the confusion arises when someone doesn't think hard about what catagory they belong in. Ie, on my 3.8 acres, there is a finite number of stumps to pull, brush to cut, etc. etc. Huge difference between what you can do with a tractor and what you will do. Also, untill you've been hanging around tbn for a while, getting to know the community here, it is tough to tell what catagory others fall into. Being able to "qualify" advice, makes it much more useful.

I believe those on TBN who regularly suggest to look toward a bigger tractor are simply trying to be helpful based on their own experiences and do not believe it has anything to do with boastfulness. 

I agree 100%

SethO · Apr 22, 2003

I knew that a lot of people will be ticked off. But tractors are not the only 'my farm is bigger than yours' that we buy.

For example somebody who does not know what "any key" is on a computer wants to buy the fastest Pentium on sale. I used mowing as an example of what a lot of people do regularly. For some it may be moving materials or pulling stumps.

My point was that if one is to reflect back, how much use has the tool been put to. And for a prospective buyer, it helps provide some insight into what to expect, as opposed to simply advising to go as big as you can afford/fit in your shed/mow your lawn kind of answer. I was in that situation not too long ago.

A few people have posted their use, and those posts have been helpful

SethO

Rick Jay · Apr 22, 2003

SethO,

In my case, I think that with the original purchase of the tractor, loader, backhoe, implements and perhaps a couple thousand of dollars thrown in for repairs over a projected 30 year life span, I'll probably end up paying about $30,000. That's a lot of money!

Now, three years into the process, I'm paying $10,000 per year for the priveledge of having the tractor. That's pretty steep. However, every year, the numbers get better. By the time it's 30 years old, that figure is down to $1,000 per year. Now THAT's a GREAT DEAL! Especially since I no longer dread doing any heavy work around the house. Actually, I look forward to doing it.

I laugh when they predict 18"-24" of snow fall. No worries.

I will also admit that the tractor itself is a bit of a hobby for me. When I was younger, my '71 Mustang was "my hobby". I'm at a different point in my life now. The tractor is not only a hobby, I believe it's a good investment (reduced stress on this aging body). Plus, I believe I can always sell it for a pretty reasonable price. (In the last 20 years, I have put over 20 grand into PC's of various types for home use. Most have since been thrown out. NOT a good investment.)

We all have our tractors for different reasons, and as others have said, each individual needs to access their own wants, desires and needs. I believe my B2910 is the PERFECT solution for me.

~Rick

Gary_in_Indiana · Apr 22, 2003

I bought a 28 HP 4WD tractor with HST, FEL & BH about a year and a half ago. Not one single day since then have I wished I had gone smaller or 2WD or without the hydrostatic transmission or loader or backhoe.

I have, however, from almost the first day, wished I had a heavier frame and more horsepower. Now that I've had a tractor for a while I'm of the opinion that the only reason to have anything smaller than the largest that you can afford, utilize effectively would be if you're using it to mow your lawn and the largest you can afford would tear up the turf.

If I didn't have a friend who has a 150 HP machine I can access to pull stumps and knock down trees I'd seriously consider buying one as a second tractor. I'm not saying that ought to be anyone's only machine, but it sure is nice to have one when you need it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

To address your questions even more directly, I think most of my use is mowing. I would spend more time digging, grading, moving dirt, etc., IF I had a larger machine. What I have now just won't do what I'd like.

As to the ego factor, I'm not interested in having the biggest tractor on the block and couldn't anyhow. Most of my neighbors are commercial farmers and have barns full of 100 HP and larger machines. Nothing I'd ever get would make any kind of statement where I live. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

sendero · Apr 22, 2003

(

(In the last 20 years, I have put over 20 grand into PC's of various types for home use. Most have since been thrown out. NOT a good investment.)

)

You HAD to mention that didn't you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It is a point I hadn't considered, although since I use computers to make a living it isn't exactly the same thing, but it *is* painful to think of all the cash I've put into computers over the years and the realization that there is *nothing* more useless than an old computer. 20MB disk anyone? /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

BillG_in_TX · Apr 22, 2003

SethO,

It sounds like you might have a case of "tractor envy". /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

All kidding aside, I cannot recall a single post where I got the impression that someone was bragging about the size of their tractor - but maybe you've been reading different posts.

RanchMan · Apr 22, 2003

Hazmat -

Thanks for the kind words. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

you could place tbn'ers in three broad catagories, ... Ie, on my 3.8 acres, there is a finite number of stumps to pull, brush to cut, etc. etc. Huge difference between what you can do with a tractor and what you will do. 

Absolutely - and, the content of those 3.8 acres and what people wish to do with them will vary widely between individuals. For example, I put in a small (downright tiny by "pro farmer" standards) field not long ago (~ 2.5 + acres).

The land started life as mesquite infested raw land and not only took a solid week of 10 hour days on a dozer, but over 100 hours of tractor time to get the area reasonably prepared before I planted. Yes, it would have been great to have a bigger tractor than I had, but I shudder to think what it would have been like to try and use something smaller as I believe that 100+ hours could have easily tripled or quadrupled. (and gone up by multiple hundreds more if I hadn't used the dozer! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif) Basically, I'm just reaffirming your point that the type of work one does in conjunction with the size of the property has a direct impact on what the "appropriate" size tractor one should get.

One other thing, I suspect that most folks who buy a tractor wind up using it on a wider variety of tasks than they initially intended, and a lot of times, those additional tasks require more HP/weight to accomplish. (like pulling stumps for example.) I suspect this is also a major reason more size/hp is suggested on a regular basis by current owners. In other words, I think a lot of TBN’ers are NOT saying “Look at how big my tractor is!” but instead are saying “Wish I had bought bigger - Look at my mistake and learn from it.” Sounds to me like such TBN’ers are showing a fair amount of humility and not the conceit as suggested by SethO.