Can LB1914 Handle 7 Acre Market Farm?

[Reverie]

First of all, fantastic forum! I've learned alot about Kioti over the past few weeks thanks to all of you. I am just about to close on 7 acres here in central Illinois. All 7 acres have previously been in a corn/soybean rotation. No buildings/electric/ well, etc. are currently on the property. The plan is to grow 2 acres of organic vegetables per year, raise 4 acres of hay/cover crop per year, put in a 1/2 acre orchard, and leave 1/2 acre for outbuildings and an eventual house. The vegetable plots will be rotated into the cover crop areas yearly. Presently the soil condition is a fairly nice silt loam.

My main question is can the LB1914 handle this project. Almost everything that I have read about the 1914 has been positive, but my main concern is the PTO's ability to run a rototiller consistently for years to come. As I've mentioned, I will be rotating the vegetable plots, so the rototiller will have to have enough power to turn in cover crops. It will also need to be able to pull a 40" cultivator (williams tool system).

Unfortunately money is an issue. While the CK25 or the LK3054 are not completely out of the question, the fact that the 1914 is currently on sale makes this option much more realistic (a $4,400 difference).

By the way, has anyone bought from Little Tractor in Metropolis, Il? If so, how was your experience. Further, does anyone know if the rebate be extended past December 31st?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this situation...take care.

 

[chcpa]

The LB1914 should handle what you want to do with flying colors.

I purchased an LB1914 from Jim Little Tractor when the $9595 became available. Jim was great to work with and was delivered 400 miles with a couple of days. The predelivery work they did was exceptional and spent considerable time explaining all functions.

It is an older design, but it will do alot work for the price. It is a much better value than a 20 year old grey market tractor. The only issue for me is getting off/on is not as easy as the new open platforms like on a ck20. It is an incredible well balanced machine in terms of size/weight/power.

I have put 35 hours on my machine, using a tiller/brush hog/finish mower and of course the loader. It is very impressive considering the price, yes a modern design would be nice, but $$$$$$$$$$.

No regrets here.

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't think there is much question that the LB1914 can handle that project. Some on TBN would push for 25 or 30hp for a seven acre farm but if economy is more important than speed (via bigger implements) then the LB1914 would be absolutely fine.

 

[shvl73]

I don't think there is much question that the LB1914 can handle that project. Some on TBN would push for 25 or 30hp for a seven acre farm but if economy is more important than speed (via bigger implements) then the LB1914 would be absolutely fine.

Some here would recommend even larger .
Seems like a good size to me.

 

[lcisled]

So far, my family has bought 4 CK20s and 1 CK30 from James Little. A buddy of mine bought a 3054 that had dropped off a trailer, and he used Little Tractor for parts and repair questions. Top of the line dealer. I had some troubles with my CK, and James went above and beyond. I would not be afraid of him standing behind the machine.

I do not know about the 1914, but I would not be afraid to tackle your projects with my Ck20, and I think that ,because of gear vs. hydro, the 1914 would have more umph. I till with a 5' tiller and it handles it just fine.

Good luck!

 

[BTI]

LB1914 sounds like the perfect fit. A good combo of value and power.
It will run a 47" tiller a 48" Finish mower with NO problem a 60" usually and a 48" Rotary cutter.

BTI

 

[KRK]

Should do you just great. I do peripheral work on forty acres of crop (NOT the actual farming) and a road, driveway, lawn and so on, on an 85-acre farm and it handles every thing I ask of it with ease.

If I remember right from my research, the heavier and all-metal 1914 has a bit more actual PTO power than the next size, newer, more horsepower and bigger, with lots of plastic, machine.

 

[caver]

Rather than start a new thread, I was quoted $15,100 on a new LB1914 w/loader, Rhino 65 backhoe. He would deliver no charge (70+ miles away).
Same dealer as the original poster mentioned.
Good deal?? Doesn't seem out of line from my research. I see the same backhoe for 5,200 on fleabay.

Brad

 

[IslandTractor]

Sounds reasonable. The LB1914s were on sale a couple of months ago for $9995 with a loader as I recall so adding the BH and delivery would bring it up to what you were quoted.