bravo36
Member
geedub said:
Yeah, right...that is until you have one. You won't believe the excuses you will come up with to get on that rascal.
City boy shopping for first tractor
- Thread starter geedub
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Yeah, right...that is until you have one. You won't believe the excuses you will come up with to get on that rascal.
jsborn
Gold Member
With all the jobs you have coming I can see more than one tractor in your future. IMHO you can't find one tractor that will be suitable for all your needs. You will need big for some things and smaller for mowing and tree mowing.
I would suggest that you look into timber prices and have some ...not all your timber cut then use the proceeds from the sale to finance your new addiction to tractors and equipment. As a tree farmer you will be surprised how much of a tax break you can get from equip purchases that will help.
with that said 60 hp would be a good size to mow and move logs while 25 to 30 would be fine for garden and drive way maintenance.
I am SE Georgia and I have a wife and 20 acres of trees so similar but diff needs.
Good luck
Let me know if you want some dealer information for new stuff.
I would suggest that you look into timber prices and have some ...not all your timber cut then use the proceeds from the sale to finance your new addiction to tractors and equipment. As a tree farmer you will be surprised how much of a tax break you can get from equip purchases that will help.
with that said 60 hp would be a good size to mow and move logs while 25 to 30 would be fine for garden and drive way maintenance.
I am SE Georgia and I have a wife and 20 acres of trees so similar but diff needs.
Good luck
Let me know if you want some dealer information for new stuff.
Thanks jsborn. After clearing the 6 acre pond site we won't be harvesting trees for a source of income. For the most part I'll be taking down stunted or diseased trees and leaving the woods fairly thick. We have a good canopy now and it's doing a good job of limiting undergrowth.
I can see the logic in your suggestion about getting 2 tractors. My question is this; What jobs would I be unable to do with a 45 HP tractor that I could do with a 60? I understand that I would have to pull a smaller mower with a 45, but couldn't I still get the job done, just more slowly? Also, how big does a log have to be before I couldn't drag it with a 45 HP tractor? If the smaller tractor would mean that I have to trim branches and cut the logs to length in the woods first I think I could live with that.
Here's another way to look at it; What if we got a 45 HP now and then got a 60 later? What jobs would the 45 H be too large for?
I sure do appreciate the help, it gets pretty confusing when you hear every different suggestion imaginable.
I can see the logic in your suggestion about getting 2 tractors. My question is this; What jobs would I be unable to do with a 45 HP tractor that I could do with a 60? I understand that I would have to pull a smaller mower with a 45, but couldn't I still get the job done, just more slowly? Also, how big does a log have to be before I couldn't drag it with a 45 HP tractor? If the smaller tractor would mean that I have to trim branches and cut the logs to length in the woods first I think I could live with that.
Here's another way to look at it; What if we got a 45 HP now and then got a 60 later? What jobs would the 45 H be too large for?
I sure do appreciate the help, it gets pretty confusing when you hear every different suggestion imaginable.
Geedub,
First thing to remember is that we all LOVE to spend YOUR MONEY! We also simply love tractors and think that everyone should have a 20hp, 25hp, 30hp, and on tractor for every possible use.
I can say that my little Kubota L3410 has pulled a few mamoth sized trees. 36" at the bottom 40' long with some major branches that were 20" across adn 20' long (hard Maple). The guy who's tree it was wasn't there and we pulled it out of the low ground, up his steep hill and left it - whole tree - at his wood pile. He has no idea how we did it, but decent weight transfer with the 3pt, filled tires, cut firewood in the FEL and 4x4 with good chains make all the difference!
You can get a decent older Ford tractor in your $ range. 3910, 3930, and the 4000 series from the late 80's and early 90's. Good machines with straight gear transmissions or maybe shuttle shift. There are also some good ones in the 5000 series and 6000 series, but they may be getting larger than you want.
jb
First thing to remember is that we all LOVE to spend YOUR MONEY! We also simply love tractors and think that everyone should have a 20hp, 25hp, 30hp, and on tractor for every possible use.
I can say that my little Kubota L3410 has pulled a few mamoth sized trees. 36" at the bottom 40' long with some major branches that were 20" across adn 20' long (hard Maple). The guy who's tree it was wasn't there and we pulled it out of the low ground, up his steep hill and left it - whole tree - at his wood pile. He has no idea how we did it, but decent weight transfer with the 3pt, filled tires, cut firewood in the FEL and 4x4 with good chains make all the difference!
You can get a decent older Ford tractor in your $ range. 3910, 3930, and the 4000 series from the late 80's and early 90's. Good machines with straight gear transmissions or maybe shuttle shift. There are also some good ones in the 5000 series and 6000 series, but they may be getting larger than you want.
jb
jsborn
Gold Member
You can probably do all the things you have listed in your original post with a 40 or 45 hp tractor. I would suggest 4wd especially if you plan to do loader work . The logic behind my response is you WILL always find more to do or want to do it faster in which case bigger is most times better. I have a 40 hp Kubota that is great for my use now but there are times I wish I had 20 more horses. . With your trees as you say with a good canopy you may think about having the straw raked this will provide for a good income and more stuff.
. With your trees as you say with a good canopy you may think about having the straw raked this will provide for a good income and more stuff.jsborn
Gold Member
geedub said:
There is no Right or Wrong! for every person there is an opinion and we all know what they are like. I personaly being an older guy was brought up on clutch and gears and I love them you could not give me HST. but I do see how if that is what you want and especaly if you will do loader work it could be good. Just not for me.
Pete Milley
Bronze Member
If you can allow yourself to look at "grey", RCO Tractor has a 46hp turbo with Powershift and FEL for $12,995. I've dealt with them and recommend them to those in this market.
My reasons for being stubborn about HST are:
*I'm a tractor novice. I can handle a clutch well in a truck, but I'll be learning everything at once.
*Cindy's buying the tractor and I want her to feel comfortable operating it. She's also good with a clutch but same as above.
*I assume a lot of FEL time.
*I'll be working in tight areas like woods and around the pond banks.
*I believe that HST will have a better resale value in the future as more babyboomers retire and move into our area.
*I'm a tractor novice. I can handle a clutch well in a truck, but I'll be learning everything at once.
*Cindy's buying the tractor and I want her to feel comfortable operating it. She's also good with a clutch but same as above.
*I assume a lot of FEL time.
*I'll be working in tight areas like woods and around the pond banks.
*I believe that HST will have a better resale value in the future as more babyboomers retire and move into our area.
Double Orange
Platinum Member
You mentioned a 40hp. now and a 65hp later. Have you considered the special O% or low interest rates for longer term. That way you can get the 65 now and skip the 45 and save $$ in the long term..In my situation I 'm taking advantage of the ZERO finacing and leaving money in Money Market.On my L 5240 purchase.
Good Hunting thats part of the tractor buying fun!!
Frank
Good Hunting thats part of the tractor buying fun!!
Frank
