Been bitten by the bug...BAD!!!!

[Dirtandgrass]

Well my first post, but I will skip all that non-sense, as I am sure you know the drill....been lurking, reading etc. etc.

I have been looking at buying my first tractor. I have always wanted one (since the days as a kid driving my grandfathers Masey) and since I am almost 40 I think its finally my "turn".

However, I made a HUGE mistake. Just out one day looking and thought well I will stop at the local bota dealer and check them out. Now the mistake part, the first thing I "migrated" towards was a 12 speed cab 8540...Wow, what a nice machine. It had the "suck you in" factor of a new car or truck...even had the new car smell!!!! Do I need that much tractor? Not even close. But dang it was nice. So I spent the next week or so trying to "rationalize". But I am the first person to do that right?

Well I finally "turned the corner" on that addiction like part and now am down to just a "moderate" addict like individual. I started looking at the 7040 instead. And to keep from spending all my hard earned cash I dropped back to a ROPS model. That part was easy, as the cab adds another 5k or so.

So anyway, another tragic tale of tractor addiction right? Well, I need to figure out the best course as I need a tractor to do some work around my place. Right now I have 15 acres. Its about 80 percent clear and would need cutting. Also, need to do some light clearing on the other 20 percent. I am looking to get (eventaully) another 20-25 acres to use strictly as "reacreational" property. That would involve some clearing, cutting, and grooming the dirt for some ATV/Motocross riding.

So now that I have done the first step..."admitting the addiction", I have some questions. And yes I can admit I have a classic SEVERE case of buy bigger just because.

I am thinking the 7040 ROPS Hydraulic Shuttle FEL w/self leveling valve. I would like to use a 7 foot heavy duty rotary cutter, maybe bigger one day. Also, a box blade, some dirt cutting implements like a disc/tiller/chisel type, a post hole auger, and whatever else I might want to use.

So, I need some help (i.e. talked into or out of) a 7040. Is it still WAY overkill for an end game of 35-40 acres. Oh yea I forgot about another thing...I could potentially end up cutting some hay one day and I am not sure the 7040 could handle the hay baler process.

So please please help me out here. Too big? Too small? Completely crazy or just mildly insane? I would love any, and I mean any thoughts from some more experienced folks.

Man I just realized how long this is...I think typing it all out is like "therapy"!! Oh how sad I must seem!!!!

Regards.

 

[Bird]

Of course the 7040 is overkill. But that just means you'll get your tractor chores done quicker and spend less time on the tractor. If it's the one you like, it's the one you ought to buy, and I'm confident that you'll never be sorry. I've known one guy who used an M6800 for hay baling and I have a nephew who uses an M6040 for the square bales, so the 7040 can do the job.

 

[N1ST]

Some folks like big and overkill. Some folks like no bigger than needed and get a kick out of how much a minimal machine can do. The more expensive diesel gets, the happier I am I have the size machine that gets my job done, and no more. Smaller also means less storgage space, less truck to move it, less maintenace (parts) costs.

What every you decide on, good luck with it and enjoy!

 

[Killer_B]

Hi,

My name is Killer B and I am a Tractoraholic.

Welcome to the fold. And remember, there is no such thing as a cure for this disease.

 

[texasjohn]

Welcome to TBN. Please fill out your profile so we know where you live, etc.

Well, there are two parts of tractoring. First, the engine... then, the attachments. It could be argued that you should initially list the attachments you will be needing and their sizes, then obtain the engine that fits that equipment.

Then, there is the matter of the trailer, tow vehicle, storage, etc for all the stuff. Bigger scales all over the place.

I concur with your idea that a Kubota is where you want to be... after all, that's what I have

My opinion, needs/attachments you must have given your comments:

50 hp tractor, or better
4 wheel drive/assist
steering wheel knobs (three to overcome steering wheel drift)
FEL
QUICK ATTACH
BUCKET WITH TOOTHBAR
1 REAR HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT... TWO WOULD BE OH, SO, NICE
working lights, front and rear
shredder (7 foot is pretty big, if you really want this, get the hp needed for it
chisel for sure if you have to break up fresh ground, there are folks that say you need 10 hp for each tine in the ground.
pull type disk with tires on hydraulic cylinder
carry all on your 3 pt hitch for tools, etc.
chain hooks on FEL and carry all

NICE TO HAVE:
Hydraulic top link, hydraulic tilt much less needed, but good too.
cab (evaluate how much protection from the elements/insects/sound is worth to you at 40, there is increased safety in a cab, too. I love mine.)
some would say a self leveling FEL is not needed
Auger only if you are going to be putting in lots of wood posts. T posts can be driven using your FEL
box blade... I'm still on the fence.. I have one...some love them, others find them hard to use (me included) and others add gauge wheels and extra cutter blades to make them useful... suggest you study you needs strongly and decide carefully on this kind of dirt cutting/moving implement.

Relative to hay making... not economically feasible unless you own lots and lots of land.. or hire yourself out... much easier to have it done by someone else and move the bales with your equipment.

Net... unless you KNOW you have much more acres in your future, downsize your tractor engine ideas and upsize the number/features of attachments. I have 200+ acres and a L5030 does fine for me (50ish hp). Don't be fooled, this size tractor will connect to lots of attachments and do a HUGE amount of work. I'd strongly suggest you think carefully about the benefits of heat/cooling to you that a cab provides... I love mine and would get it again, even if it does add $5k..... BUT if it was a choice between getting ALL the attachments I need and the cab, I'd have to give up on the cab and get the attachments.

 

[Double Orange]

Hi,

My name is Killer B and I am a Tractoraholic.

Welcome to the fold. And remember, there is no such thing as a cure for this disease.

I'm Double Orange, and I relapsed again 2 months ago [8th time] and purchased a L 5240 Cab.

Texas John nailed it!!
Be expecially careful with a M7040 if your planning to tow regularly between your 2 properties. I'm refering to weight/trailer/truck combo.

My Cab 5240 is approx 7500#

I understand they have a 12 step program for tractorholics!
But I willn't go becuase it's for Quitters!!!

Live Well!!
Die Strong!!
Frank

 

[N80]

I think if you want a big tractor because a big tractor looks fun, then go for it! You don't have to 'justify' getting a tractor. Very few of us actually 'need' a tractor at all. (Not saying they aren't useful but very few of us make a living with our tractors.) So if I only had 1 acre of dirt and wanted an M105 to move plie of dirt 'a' over to hole 'b' and then back again, no problem.

But, if you get way more tractor than you need you can actually limit your fun and hurt your budget. If it won't go where you want it to go because is is too big, then bummer. If it is too big to trailer eaily, bummer. Won't fit in your shed or barn, bummer. Tears up the lawn, bummer.

So get what you want but try to balance it with what will work best for you. I'd guess a 7040 would be fine, but that a 5040 or 6040 would suit you just as well. (Maybe not for the hay baling. Forgot about that part.)

I'm very fond of the 5040. Can't justify one, but sure would like one!

 

[tydp]

I don't think an M7040 is overkill at all. I would not want to go trying to cut 15 or 20 acres on a "lawnmower" sized tractor. Rarely will you ever see someone say "I bought too big a tractor, I think I'll trade down."

 

[mikim]

Well -- obviously what you actually NEED are 2 tractors. So I would say you need to go back to that dealer and re-shop for the pair. The 1 big one you need for "out back" and the small one you NEED for near the house. Tell your wife you want to buy her a new vehicle and take her along to pick out the small one.

 

[N80]

The two tractor plan is the best!

But as for buying too big, I've said this before and I'll say it again, it is easy to go too big. You may be able to rationalize that the machine is just right but if you can't get it into corrals, small fields, woods roads etc, then it is too big. If you are forced to buy a smaller tractor that you didn't want to begin with, then you bought too big.

I have experienced this first hand. I have a 'lawn mower' sized L4400 (45 hp). It functions very well in my small, scattered food plots, around my cabin and along my 'jeep roads'. I can even get it through the woods on occasion. On the other hand, a 'neighbor' recently got a JD 5400 which is about the size of a 7040. He cannot get up and down my woods roads and jeep trails without a struggle, he can barely maneuver in my little food plots and he cannot mow anywhere near a structure in which you prefer not to have the grass dug up by huge tires.

On the other hand, I've mowed 15+ acres with my tractor and a 6' mower. It was far from ideal and took the better half of a day. But I only have to do it once or twice a year. Going to a bigger tactor just to do that infrequent task, at the expense of all the other things one might need to do with a smaller tractor would be sort of silly. Of course, if cutting and baling hay are a real possibility then the 7040 or better will be the only option.

Here's my little lawn mower after finishing approx 15 acres (there's more than half again as much to my back: