Best Tractor for Small Horse Operation

ernestbass · Mar 5, 2018

There is no rush on this. Hopefully within the next month. But we are in the market for a compact utility tractor. Nothing large, but big enough to get the job done. I've looked at Case/Farmall, Mahindra (great warranty), and Kubota. I have ZERO experience in this market. I want to get the best bang for my buck. Here is what I need it for:

- Loading and moving horse ****
- Attaching a 4'-5' tiller to grind horse arena
- Occasional attachment use (rent) for bush hog, post holes
- Possible snow removal

Nothing huge. I don't need to plow a field, plant ****, or anything like that. I'm completely in the dark on this, and I want to get best I can for money. Looking to hopefully stay <$20,000. Leaning Mahindra because of their 7 year warranty, and it looks like they potentially have a solid rebate/cash-back program.

Thoughts and Recs?

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Some I've looked at, and I'm leaning toward JD b/c of price, but would like to hear recs. I still plan to get a quote from Mahindra dealer.

Kubota - $25kish rebates built in
- L3301 HST - 33 HP
- Front loader (900ish lbs)
- 48" tiller

John Deere - $20kish before rebates
- 3038 E (HST) - 38 HP
- Front loader (1100ish lbs)
- 48" tiller

Each will have about a 5 year warranty. I'll get a quote on a Mahindra as well. But right now I'm leaning JD Green.

3Lfarms · Mar 5, 2018

Look at Kioti and LS tractors if there is a dealer within an hour or so away. The Korean MFRs make their own machine and build for others (LS builds many of the smaller New Holland tractors). They really are building world class stuff these days.
Don’t just look at the numbers. Put your butt in the seat and look the machine over very well. You will probably eliminate some contenders. A long warranty is nice, but if it’s a piece of junk, then it’s a piece of junk with a good warranty. Having a warranty and getting the dealer to fix your problems are two different things.
Read other’s experiences about any tractors you are considering. Many good reviews here on TBN. You will start to see some trends concerning warranty service.

flusher · Mar 5, 2018

Find a tractor in the 40 hp (engine) range that has at least 1500 lb FEL lift capacity if you plan to move large round bales. 1100 lb is not enough for unloading and moving heavy bales around your place.

My large tractor was a 2008 Mahindra 5525 that I bought new for $18000. 55 hp engine, 45 hp pto, partially synchronized tranny, power steering, FEL with 6 ft wide bucket and 2950 lb lift to 10.5 ft height.

Good luck

newbury · Mar 5, 2018

ernestbass said:
There is no rush on this. Hopefully within the next month. But we are in the market for a compact utility tractor. Nothing large, but big enough to get the job done. I've looked at Case/Farmall, Mahindra (great warranty), and Kubota. I have ZERO experience in this market. I want to get the best bang for my buck. Here is what I need it for:

- Loading and moving horse ****
<snip>.

You titled the thread "small horse operation"
How small a horse? Shetland pony size?

Spindifferent · Mar 5, 2018

Will you need the tractor to move hay bales for the horses?

Round or square bales?

You can move a large round bale on the 3 point hitch of those units, but you probably can't do it on the front end loaders.

I use a double-fork carrier on the 3 point of my JD 3520 to move large round bales.

Best advice I have on purchasing a new tractor is to go with a dealer that you trust, and a dealer that will be in business in the future if/when you need them.

unimog_jason · Mar 5, 2018

I have a Kioti DK40 and it does the job well enough, but some days I wish I had a heavier machine.

I did have a 50hp Kubota at one point, much bigger and heavier then the Kioti, when handling round bales in awkward places, it was nice to have that extra weight under me just as extra insurance as I do have to work on side slopes. I'm sure I'm perfectly safe handling the bales with the Kioti, but I always make sure I have some sort of ballast on it just to be sure.

Cleaning up a winters worth of discarded hay is an exercise and a half. That stuff can be very heavy and pretty much ties itself together in large mats. A larger machine would make the job easier and safer, but I can get the job done with the Kioti.

My own two cents, with the 5 horses my wife has, I wouldn't want a machine smaller then the Kioti I have right now.

Jason

ernestbass · Mar 5, 2018

newbury said:
You titled the thread "small horse operation"
How small a horse? Shetland pony size?

Sorry. The operation is small, not the horses. :laughing:

We have 2 quarter horses that are stalled every night. Two ponies that are in pasture 24-7. We don't currently do round bales. Haven't in the 2 years we've had the horses.

Btown · Mar 5, 2018

I have a 32 hp Ford 1920. The rear tires are filled. The factory loader is my only complaint. It is a little weak for that size tractor. I can lift up and stack large square bails that weigh about 650-700 lbs three high. A 700+ lb one maxes it out to stack it 3 high. Newer 35 hp tractors have stinger loaders these days. I would like a 40-50 hp newer tractor that could lift a ton of wood pellets off my trailer. I have 9 horses.

ernestbass · Mar 6, 2018

I'm not 100% set in stone on the 3038E. Can you experts please give me comparable models to the 3032E and 3038E?

Kubota
Kioti
Mahindra
LS
New Holland
Ford
Case
Anything else?

If I sound like a moron, it's because I am (in this tractor game) lol.