Buying 1st Tractor for 65 acres (with photos)

[Tompet]

I am 32. I split the property with my parents and my Dad is 66. They will be retiring there. I don't mind the cold but he does...so a cab does make sense. Thanks again guys for all your input, I've valued every response.

As an alternative, my friends are all telling me to skip the tractor and just hire the work out. It's cheap labor where I'm at. They said it will be cheaper in the long run and save me time. Tough decisions...

Welcome to the site.

Maintaining that much property, even on a basic level and leaving some areas go wild, you will be calling and coordinating "cheap labor" quite often. It would work, especially for tasks you are unfamiliar with, or don't have the time to accomplish. However, if you like doing some things on your own, you will be thankful for a tractor with an FEL. It allows you to accomplish a task or chore quickly on the spot. I assume your dad is active and would enjoy using a tractor on a property like that in retirement??!!

Anyway, you can find used deals, but it does take time. I found a 40hp Massey 1540 with 270 hrs. and 6' Woods brush hog in very good condition for $11k, but I had another tractor and was not in a big hurry which made a difference in the search.

You received a lot of good advice and opinions on size etc. The more you stop and check out local tractor dealers, you will learn a little each time you stop. It sounds like you are not under any time pressure to search and weigh choices for brand/size/features and new vs used. You'll figure it out!

Here's a like new Massey in your area with q/a on FEL and set of forks (a VERY handy attachment) and only 49 hours. It's just under the 40hp and over size that others have stated that I agree with, but it is a reference point.

Massey Ferguson 1734 Utility Tractor

God luck in your search, and at your age may you have many many years of enjoyment on a beautiful piece of land.

 

[jibe717]

I am 32. I split the property with my parents and my Dad is 66. They will be retiring there. I don't mind the cold but he does...so a cab does make sense. Thanks again guys for all your input, I've valued every response.

As an alternative, my friends are all telling me to skip the tractor and just hire the work out. It's cheap labor where I'm at. They said it will be cheaper in the long run and save me time. Tough decisions...

idk, in my area we have cheap labor as well. The problem is the cheap labor you hardly want them to step foot on your property. The better labor is not so cheap. But at times I find myself needing to hire the better labor and am happy to pay the price since its good labor with reliability and knowledge.

I would want a tractor for if nothing else keeping the snow out of the driveway. My first 4-5 years on my property I relied on the neighbor to plow me out and I found myself snowed in much too many times. I also bought a blower after 2-3 years of trying to keep the snow back with an FEL and a back blade. A blower is the best at getting rid of the snow. As for cost, this winter were I hiring it done I would have likely paid someone $500-$700. I probably have around 7 hours and $30 of fuel invested plus I was plowed out when I needed to be. My snow blower which I bought used 4 years ago is half paid for from this winter alone, which is far from over.

It doesn't sound like you need to make a rush decision. Either in size or quality of a tractor or in getting one at all. But I would spend a good chunk of this time in researching the cost of tractors and the cost of the cheap labor. Go to dealers and check out what's out there.

 

[PJSprog]

As others noted, you'll likely pay a little more for a Massey, but you'll have a great tractor. The others make great tractors, too. You really don't have a bad choice on your list. Essentially, get the one you want. With your relatively light usage (and proper maintenance), it's probably going to last you for a very long time.

 

[TripleR]

Your "need" for a tractor is entirely up to you and your father. No doubt I could pay to have my stuff done cheaper often free, but I "need" the exercise and satisfaction of jobs well done more than a few more bucks in the bank and time spent sitting around.

Also, over the years it has allowed me an opportunity to teach my kids a good work ethic which has served them well.

 

[tractorshopper]

I'm most familiar with Kubotas. I had a L3800 and currently have a BX-2370. For you size property, I think my L3800 would have been fine, but personally, I'd be looking at a MX5100 or something along those lines if I had your property.

As others have said, there are many good brands out there, so I'd look for that equivalent of 40-50 HP tractor that suits you best. HST and 4X4 would be a must for me. I also must say a tooth bar on a loader really helps make it more useful especially for digging and driving into piles, rear filled tires helps you get the most out of your loader with that extra ballast, box blades are very handy for use and for ballast, and if you can, a grapple is an awesome tool that I don't think I'd ever go without again now that I have one.

 

[manosteel00]

Hey Guys -

What do you think of this tractor? Looks like a good size and it's priced to move from the looks of it.

215 KIOTI NX451HI Stock: A4774 | Swiderski Equipment Inc.

 

[IslandTractor]

Hey Guys -

What do you think of this tractor? Looks like a good size and it's priced to move from the looks of it.

215 KIOTI NX451HI Stock: A4774 | Swiderski Equipment Inc.

Very nice tractor. Is that a new tractor? It says zero engine hours but it is a 2015. I have the DK40se which is the predecessor and I love it. Never been back to the dealer in ten years. Rock solid and tough as well as reliable. Best loader capacity of any CUT until you get past 60hp or so. I presume the NX4510 has the Tier 4 engine so that means a bit more complicated but still a great machine.

 

[manosteel00]

Very nice tractor. Is that a new tractor? It says zero engine hours but it is a 2015. I have the DK40se which is the predecessor and I love it. Never been back to the dealer in ten years. Rock solid and tough as well as reliable. Best loader capacity of any CUT until you get past 60hp or so. I presume the NX4510 has the Tier 4 engine so that means a bit more complicated but still a great machine.

Yeah it's new. I did a lot of research and I do really like the weight and capacity of the Kioti's. Just trying to figure out if a cab is worth it or not. It probably won't be the last tractor I own in my life.

 

[manosteel00]

Also the same dealer has a like new DK50SE. Would that be a better option? I got a little worried about the tier4 engines due to the cold weather I'm in.

213 KIOTI DK5SEHCA Stock: D7497 | Swiderski Equipment Inc.

 

[IslandTractor]

I am biased. I don't think the NX series adds much of anything to the DKse series other than engine management complications. The NX is a fine tractor but does basically nothing that the equivalent hp DKse cannot do except meet Tier 4 standards. Loader, 3PT and hydraulics are all the same. Yes, if you can swing the extra cash and a cab would be useful then I'd go for the DK50. 151 hours is a baby tractor.