CUT vs. Utility and General Brand Recommendations

[se_arizona]

Hi - New member here. Great forum. Hoping to get opinions and advice on a new purchase. Here's my situation:

We have over 200 acres of ranchland in SE Arizona and have begun preparing our building site. We're at 4500 - 5200 feet of meadows and gently rolling terrain. Have so far rented various Ag and Construction equpment over the past several months (skid steers, track loaders, tractors, etc.).

So far we've put in over 1 mile of road (unpaved) and the best performance so far has been with a tractor/box-blade combo. We're currently in the middle of putting in a culvert in a wash area. The building site is being leveled but will need final work. Foundation will be perimeter footer with CMU stemwalls. I'll be putting in my own septic and runnning all utilities and building the house with my sons over the next few years. (This isn't full-time for me, I still have to work my day job to pay for this dream).

I think I've decided that a tractor with 50-60 hp, turbo (altitude!) and a FEL will be the most versatile machine for me, even with having to occassionaly rent some heavier construction equipment.

I'm looking to spend betweeen 25K-35K including the FEL, box blade and a tine rock bucket.

I've demo'd several units (which has gotten me to this point) and so far have liked the JD 4720, JD 5325 (different class of course), and the NH TN55DA. The Kubota's didn't have the Turbo, and I haven't seen any Case's (which do). I tried a Kioti and was unimpressed by the workmanship.

Ultimately we will be planting fruit trees, maybe some grapes (but don't need the vineyard configuration) but that will be in the future. Have to keep maintaining all that road (including 2 culverts) and, perhaps most importantly, give the grandchildren rides when they visit.

Any help or suggestions from you folks who live/work with these machines on a daily basis would be most appreciated.

- Troy J.

 

[AndyMA]

I won't comment on the other brands as they all make good machines. I will comment of the New Holland TN line. Having had 2 of them I find them to be very solid reliable machines. I question your choice of the TN55 (a now discontinued model). Until you get to the TN70 and TN75 they are not turbocharged. Also I believe that a TN55 has a lighter duty front end than the 65 and up. I'm not sure of the new TN60, but I think they may have used the heavier duty front axle. If you are looking at a 55 it must be a left over or used model. If you can swing it step up to a 70 or 75 if you need turbo. I really think a 55 or 60 is underpowered. With all that acreage my opinion that you are definately out of the CUT area for the majority of work unless you have lots of time. I am very happy with my TN75D.

Good luck in your choice.

Andy

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Good answer Andy. Does he mean the TC55DA?

I agree try and get to a Utility for that size. In compacts it rarely pays to go used, but in Utility class, it often does. You might find a nice low hours unit and do real well.

If you do go with either Deere you will have a real workhorse.

Same for NH.

 

[Soundguy]

Sounds like a dream home-site.

One thing though.. that many acers... and eventually.. I think you will find a use for bigger than a 50-60 hp tractor.

At 60hp.. that just barely gets you into 10' mower range. I think I'd look for 72 hp and up to 110 range. That gets you into 12 15 and 20' mowers, and other LARGE implenents.. and the ability to do some 'safer' logging, again.. with the right equipment attachments, as well as hauling larger trailers. The 70-80-90 hp tractors aren't that much of a bigger footprint than the 55-60 range.. though they do get a bit heavier.... and that will make a difference on your tow vehicle and trailer.. etc.

Good luck either way.

As for color? I don't think you can go wrong with NH, KUB, JD or MF.. and then there are many other 2nd brands that are almost as good.. and then some 3rd brand/economy machines as well.. Get an idea of the features you MUST have.. then write down some you WANT.. and find a model that satisfies all the 'must's.. and the most of the 'wants', a $XXX price.

Soundguy

 

[BarryinMN]

I concur with others & suggest a heavier tractor 10-12K lbs 60-90 HP. The weight will put the power on the ground & get the work done faster. I bought a cabbed tractor last year with a jump seat & seat belt for passengers (big kids ride too.) I had a 60 y/o Aunt ride with doing some logging last Saturday. My cost with options was $30K & change 1/04. Pix is of the loader rock fork & grapple.

www.zetor.com

 

[Dargo]

From personal experience, I can tell you that a Kubota 5030 (50 hp range) will be too small. I have about the same amount of property, and overall, the 5030 is just too small. Sometimes, for around the house, it seems too big though. And, around where I live, when the ground is too soft, it again is too big. However when I get out to do a lot of work, I feel like I run out of size and power. Apparently I must think that one needs two tractors for what you have. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[RedDog]

<font color="blue">I tried a Kioti and was unimpressed by the workmanship. </font>

What model was this? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

<font color="blue">I'm looking to spend between 25K-35K including the FEL, box blade and tine rock bucket. </font>

Many others have suggested looking at a bigger tractor, but I believe that will be a little higher than your $$$$$ range. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif


I can tell you my 65 horsepower tractor with FEL was under your $25,000 range. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Goodluck, RedDog

 

[AndyMA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Apparently I must think that one needs two tractors for what you have.
)</font>

LOL, yep I agree, having been on machines all my 54 years, I've always wanted 2 machines. Now I have what I consider small a 43hp New Holland 2120 and a 75 hp NH TN75D. Even a 9000 lb TN wasn't large enough to get serious work done pulling large rocks and stumps. A 44,000 used excavator was added to the fleet.. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Next a dozer, and I only have 70 acres...

BTW, the TC55 if that is what was being referred to earlier is a very nice tractor, (not discounting some of the teething pains some members have had with it). It is basically a 2120 with an additional 12hp. The 2120 was one of Ford and New Hollands most popular machines and had a very long production run. A used 2120 today is worth basically what you paid for it, if not more in some cases. The dealers and users were frustrated when the 2120 was dropped because there was nothing at that point in the lineup. The TC 48 which is basically the same machine just isn't a good value, since the TC55 can be had for so little additional money.

Just a few more thoughts.

Andy

 

[se_arizona]

Oops. I goofed. I meant the TC55DA not the TN. It is their largest in the TC series and is a turbo. But, it sounds like the conventional wisdom so far is to go up to the next class.

Also, about the workmanship of the Kioti - I only tried out a small 33 HP model (don't remember the name). Maybe I should give the larger models another chance - considering the $$$'s?

As for used equipment, seems like there are a lot of well-priced used tractors up north a bit in the cotton growing areas that are in the 80-110 hp range. Mostly Case brand for some reason. Any thoughts on the Case brand?

Thanks for all of the advice. This is a great forum and I appreciate all of your input.

- Troy J.

 

[Soundguy]

Case is fine. Used and new-ish tractors.. especially low hour trade ins may be your ticket.

My NH 7610s was way out of my price range. however after the previous owner had it for 2 years, and put 700 hours on it.. and then crumpled a fender.. he brought it back to get a smaller ( tc4x ) tractor. I got that tractor for a huge discount.. and now have plenty of extra hp. You could do well getting a good condition 1-2 year old tractor.. add fel.. and an implement or two.. and be under that 35K$ easilly.

Or as you mentioned by an early to late model used ag tractor.. put next to nothing in it ( 60's - 80's ag tractors go for 4k to 8k in florida! ) and then get a medium tractor say in the 40hp range with fel.. and again.. still be under budget.

Soundguy