City girl needs help choosing tractor

[dex3361]

There are lots of HST tractors in the Kubota line. BX, L, Grand L, but currently nothing in the M series with and HST. I understand that Kubta is going to start making the MX4700 and MX5100 both in HST to hit the lots this year. this doesnt help the search right now though. The Grand L 5740 is a well made tractor.

 

[wedge40]

I'm currious to know how big the terraces are? This could impact the size of tractor you purchase.

Wedge

 

[CrownHawg]

Lots of good advice here. I too am in Arkansas (central) and I don't think snow should be a major concern. Depending on where you will be using your tractor, remember that size will be a major factor when you are working around stables and stalls. I have a JD 4120 hst and think this is just about the perfect size tractor for anything but all out field farming. From what you have described, you may want to look into the 4X20 series. I couldn't think of an easier tractor to use and manuever. You will probable want R1s for a little more traction, but other than that this thing is wide open on available implements. Not too pricey either. Good luck!

 

[ayelvington]

I recommend that you sit down and think about what tasks you will be doing routinely rather than once-in-a-lifetime. I just paid a gentleman with an excavator to do trenching for me that was more than my backhoe would handle. I paid him less than a months payment on my tractor, and I would have probably beat my tractor to death and not done the job half as well. Buy what you need, and hire what you want. Congrats on the new life!

 

[newbury]

Hi--I am new to this forum so my questions may have already been answered, but I need help. I own a 40-acre horse farm and I think I need a tractor, bush-hog, loader, and box blade to maintain my pasture and road. We live in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, and the property was previously farmed (cotton) and is terraced; however, they left some areas "wild" because of rock outcroppings. I do not know how big a tractor I need to do the following tasks. There are some trees that I need to take out to reclaim some pasture (up to 10-12" trunks). I need to be able to dig out some rocks that stick up just enough to ruin a mower (they do not stick up more than 6" and they may be like icebergs for all I know). I need to be able to push enough dirt to fill in some holes made when larger trees were pulled from the ground. I need to maintain my road (about 1/2 mile gravel). And I need to haul manure from the barn to the garden. A John Deere dealer and 2 Kuboda dealers are close by, which is a prime consideration because we have no idea how to maintain such equipment and will need help and reassurance. How much tractor do I need? Should I pay more attention to the HP or the PTO power? What other specifications do I need to be paying attention to? Thanks for your input.

Some things I do not see mentioned:
Whose going to run it?
Example: A person who struggles moving 100lbs around will have more trouble with the larger implements for a larger tractor
Their experience with equipment?
If zero then you will be at the dealers mercy. One Kubota dealer near me prices high
and advises poorly. I showed up in my new Jetta and office clothes and was treated like a city slicker. Later I showed up in my "work outside" clothes and my '88 Ford Diesel and was treated like I might know what I was talking about.
Their time available?
Will all the work need to be done quickly, or can say taking out the trees and filling holes be done at one's leisure? Are you hauling manure from 1 horse every couple of days or 40 horses daily? Is seat time limited with a lot of other work REQUIRED.
Is this for profit or fun?
Taxes may come in here. My ride is my retirement ATV for leisurely retired work on 300 to 400 acres of forest. And a learning tool.
How quickly does this need to be done?
Do these rocks need to be moved tomorrow?

As others have mentioned bigger is not better if you have limitations - A BX might be more useful if you can get in stalls and move around the barn.

I'd recommend you take a close look at a used Barlow's and go small to start, with plans on getting much larger later. Or higher out the big 1 time jobs.

 

[texas42]

Having raised horses for a while in my past life I can understand what you are trying to undertake. I might suggest to you as follows;
When you state: There are some trees that I need to take out to reclaim some pasture (up to 10-12" trunks). I need to be able to dig out some rocks that stick up just enough to ruin a mower (they do not stick up more than 6" and they may be like icebergs for all I know). I need to be able to push enough dirt to fill in some holes made when larger trees were pulled from the ground. This you could hire done by someone with a dozer or excavator. This is a one time thing and to purchase a tractor large enough to do these tasks reasonabily may result in a larger unit than you need and spending more $$ than necessary.
Then you can concentrate on a tractor that will do your everyday tasks like when you say I need to maintain my road (about 1/2 mile gravel). And I need to haul manure from the barn to the garden.
This is probably a smaller tractor costing less $$ and a tractor that is easier to operate around the horse farm for everyday work.

 

[Chilly807]

Often times a decent sales person at the dealership is a good resource. I was lucky to find them when I got mine. The trick is patience, you should visit at least four dealers, even if it means traveling a little to shop. Don't get me wrong, buy local if it makes sense, but shop around as well.

Tell them what you want to do with the tractor, then see what they recommend. Some will try to oversell, others will try to sell what's on the lot already.

We have about 10 acres, partly wooded, some flat, some hilly. Add 2 horses, plus barn, plus fences, mowing pastures, etc. We have a 5 foot Land Pride rotary cutter (bush hog by any other name), and mow the unused pastures twice a year, plus mow about 20 acres for a neighbour. It takes a little time, but it's amazing how big a dent a weekend puts in the mowing.

The 3400 or 4400 Kubota may be a good fit for you too, plus being cheaper. If you use square bales, moving round bales isn't an issue. Either will handle up to 1000 lbs on the loader, so ordinary round bales aren't the end of the world either.

By all means hire the heavy work out (stumps, big rocks) If the rock's the size of a house underground, put a flag next to it and mow around, seems like the easiest solution to me..

If you're comfortable driving a standard shift, gear tractors are fine. HST is convenient. Drive both before you buy, and see what you like.. I don't like HST, personally.

Loaded rear tires are a must for any serious loader work, you'll probably want R1 tires (agricultural style tread). 4wd is a real plus in mud, snow, or for loader work.

Cab is plus and minus.. plus comfort, minus when it comes to clearances, visibility, fogging, opening and closing doors, etc. Personal preference, really.

Someone mentioned bigger tractors mean bigger implements, and he's right. Wrestling even smaller sized implements, such as post hole diggers, rotary mowers, spring harrows, etc are gonna make a tough country girl out of you in no time, but that's a good thing... And there are easier ways to hook up, they just take a little patience and some leverage (crowbar).

I sleep well at night after a day on the tractor cutting firewood, plowing snow, etc. I'm willing to bet the number of real farmers with insomnia can be counted on one hand.

Shop carefully, keep in mind what YOU want to do with it, and you'll be fine.

Chilly

 

[stowester]

The only comment I'll add is to drive each model and brand you are concidering. I'm not very tall and found the JD foot controls were designed for larger people. I went with the Kubota partly becuase I was more comfortable on it.


Dean