Buying a tractor and looking for opinions

[bota7800]

Also look at the weight of the tractor. A B7800 only weighs 1740 lbs (tractor only) A Kioti CK30HST weighs 3055 lbs. As I understand it, a heavier tractor will plow better than a light one (all else equal)

 

[Birdbrain]

Hi again,
I thought I would get this thread going again. I have been reading a lot of past threads on here and learning new details.

I think some of the responses to my original post got caught up on the number that I have 50 acres total. But much of the property will be converted to ponds and habitat that will not need any regular maintenance. Instead, I will be farming / gardening 5-6 acres and mowing about 10 acres once per year. So I am considering my needs based on 15 acres.

So my main needs stand at
1. plow / disc the garden and wildlife plantings
2. mowing to maintain grasslands
3. minor grading work to maintain back lane, pond dikes, occasional snow removal. (all minor occurences)

My wish list is
A. 30 hp +/- tractor with rear hydraulic, top and tilt, r1 tires (some muddy conditions possible)
B. 2 bottom plow, 5' +/- disc
C. rear mower (5' ?). Gave up on the sickle idea due to expected saplings.
D. rear blade
E. some sort of planter or seeder (have not researched yet)

An FEL was suggested, but I have no idea what I would use it for. I feel my $ are better spent on implements to handle my priority tasks.

Gave up on finish mowing idea b/c the area of the yard I would use it for, I do not really care about anyway. Let it grow. Or plow it up for more plantings.

Budget is 18k max, but a less is great b/c there are always other projects that could get funded.

More opinions please.

Thanks,
Glen

 

[tractorsanmore]

My first tractor was 2 wheel drive and no loader . Second tractor is 4x4 with loader . The loader is worth every penny and then some .

 

[Birdbrain]

My first tractor was 2 wheel drive and no loader . Second tractor is 4x4 with loader . The loader is worth every penny and then some .

So what things do you do with the loader that make it a must have?

 

[Birdbrain]

Also, I gave up on the idea of doing the grass planting myself. The DNR says they recommend a 45 hp tractor for the drill. It seems to me that this would be a one time need to have a tractor that size. Also likely exceeds the budget. Oh well, I can hire it done.

 

[teg]

I love my HST, but I don't plow. I think you'll want a gear tractor. FEL, love mine and like others said you'll use it more then you think. There's been threads about it... digging in the dirt, leveling an area, moving rocks and trees out of the way, lifting things up, carrying tools and supplies.... just to name a few.

Try out, sit down and play with a few models in the 30-35 hp range. Talk to the dealers... any color tractor will have one that works for you, see if you can find a dealer that will work with you.

 

[Barneyhunts]

So what things do you do with the loader that make it a must have?

Some of the obvious ones moving dirt and gravel,plus, unloading delivery trucks, moving coops, implements, etc., lifting logs to get them off the ground for sawing, sometimes for snow removal, carrying rock out of my fields, rigging implements for maintenance and repair. I run it just off the ground when I'm brush hogging, especially where I haven't cut B4.

 

[LBrown59]

So what things do you do with the loader that make it a must have?

A tractor with out a FEL is like a socket set without the sockets.
If it don't have a FEL it ain't a tractor yet.

 

[GaryE]

An FEL was suggested, but I have no idea what I would use it for.

I use mine to lift, move and carry all the things I used to be able to.

And then some I never thought I could!!!!

If I could only keep one attachment for my tractor, it would be my FEL.

 

[AndyM]

A tractor with out a FEL is like a socket set without the sockets.
If it don't have a FEL it ain't a tractor yet.

What is a statement like that supposed to mean?

Tractors have many different uses for many different people. There are many tractor owners here, and their needs are all different... that's why we all don't have Kubota BX's with ag tires.