Did I marry the right woman or what?

[TCowner]

CavinMan, Yes you married the right woman and does she have any unmarried sisters?

 

[CavinMan]

machmeter, I understand. However, all the slopes are forested, not grass. The only place we have grass is on the flats. I doubt I'll be doing much on this property when it's wet. I've seen what R1s do to a grassy field or yard, and I just can't have that on a pasture where horses are going to be running/jumping with riders. That's going to be the primary use of the tractor.

So, how difficult is it to change wheels, if I wanted to be able to swap back and forth between R1s and R4s? For that matter, if it isn't that hard, I might even go with R1s and turf tires rather than R4s.

 

[CavinMan]

CavinMan, Yes you married the right woman and does she have any unmarried sisters?

Sorry TCowner, I got the last one. Both sisters are already spoken for.

 

[Z-Michigan]

So, how difficult is it to change wheels, if I wanted to be able to swap back and forth between R1s and R4s? For that matter, if it isn't that hard, I might even go with R1s and turf tires rather than R4s.

The work isn't difficult but the cost of an extra set of wheels/tires will be extremely high unless you get super lucky. If you really want both I would start seriously considering getting two tractors, one with R1s and one with R4s, for different uses (and probably different sizes). But based on all you've said, I think you should get R4s on the tractor you think is right for you, and use that for a while before worrying about either tractor #2 or extra wheels.

 

[Soundguy]

Congrats on the tractor'luvin wifey.

4wd/hst/loader sounds like a great combination for a CUT. The fact that prices are very similar is also encouraging.. it will let you look at features and make objective decisions easier since the money gap isn't wide... also..anything usually within a thousand of each other I group in the same range. Don't discount dealer 'feel'. I'd pay 500$ more to a dealer that gave me that warm fuzzy feeling vs one who was a tad cheaper.. but i didn't feel would go far to support me after the sale.

70 ac is a big chunk.... The more land you have.. the more uses for a tractor pop up.. and the bigger the land.. usually the bigger the tractor that can be utilized. Given that you only have 7-8 ac in mowable pasture.. you are onthe right track for a CUT.

Here are my opinions... and realize.. that there is no 'one size fits all' tractor. One that is too small will keep you working too long.. or not do the job adequately. and get overworked. one that is too big will prevent you from hopping on it for small chores.

If you only plan on having 1 tractor.. I think I might move to the high end of the CUT range.. IE a 40ish hp machine... heck.. 50ish wouldn't be out of the question either. Of course.. the larger he tractor.. the more spendy the attachments and the features get.. IE.. 4wd/hst on a larger tractor is spendy..

Next option would be to get a smaller CUT.. say int he 25-35 hp range, and then perhaps later on get a used 'AG' or 'UT' tractor to do any big work that comes up. Old big AG / UT tractors usually go pretty cheap.. pennies on the dollar. IE.. you should be able to buy 60-120 hp machines in the 2500-6500$ range. Much better to have a nice shiny new 30ish hp machine to do 80% of your work, and then have an older 3500$ 100 hp machine to do the yearly big work..

Soundguy

Asked her what she wanted for our second anniversery, and she replied "A tractor!"

So now we're tractor shopping.

We have 70 steep hilly acres, including maybe 5 to 8 acres of level pasture - the rest wooded. Plus wife's best friend has adjoining 100 acres, similar layout. Will be using the tractor to cut and maintain horse trails, a cross-country course, general property maintenance, road maintenance, that sort of thing. No hay baling

Right now, after visiting a couple of (relatively) local dealers, we seem to be trying to choose between either a Kubota 3240 or 3540, and a Kioti DK35se. All three in 4WD HST, and looking at a loader, box blade, rotary cutter and rear finish mower and a trailer to haul it.

The prices are pretty close, the Kioti is about $700/1800 cheaper than the two Kubotas, but the Kubotas have a considerably stronger loader, and I must confess I like the intelligent HSD on the Kubotas.

Any thoughts? Is 35hp going to be sufficient for the kind of propety maintenance I have in mind?

 

[rback33]

I will go ahead and jump in here and say that R1's vs R4's and footing are not really an issue. R4's will not do that much less damage than R1's especially if it's dry. I happen to be married to a (former?) world class jumper rider and she is VERY particular about footing... all the tractors I have used have had ag tires and we have never had an issue. Another thing to consider is that if you think you might do any real ground engaging work the R1's will be better..

BTW.. my wife has done lots of eventing too, and says those people are CRAZY..

 

[albmn10]

Hello Cavin, Did your Kioti dealer have a Dk40 on his lot? Its probably the same money as the 3540 but alot more tractor.. The 401 loader on the Dk40 is a beast if your looking for a strong loader.. Good luck

 

[patrick_g]

Unless your mowing will be through an obstacle course you will be happier with a 6 ft brush hog than a 5 footer.

You don't get 5 or 6 ft swath due to overlap and driving skill unless you don't mind leaving "mohawks" behind you. At best, to be realistic, you are comparing 4 1/4 feet against 5 1/2 feet and maybe more like 4 1/4 vs 5 1/4.

At 4 1/2 vs 5 1/2 the larger unit cuts 22% more per swath. A four hour mowing job with the larger unit is a 5 +hour job with the smaller.

Pat

 

[machmeter62]

machmeter, I understand. However, all the slopes are forested, not grass. The only place we have grass is on the flats. I doubt I'll be doing much on this property when it's wet. I've seen what R1s do to a grassy field or yard, and I just can't have that on a pasture where horses are going to be running/jumping with riders. That's going to be the primary use of the tractor.

So, how difficult is it to change wheels, if I wanted to be able to swap back and forth between R1s and R4s? For that matter, if it isn't that hard, I might even go with R1s and turf tires rather than R4s.

I have seen on this site JD (yellow?) R-1 rims with R-4 tires, but one would have to check with the dealer or tire manufacture. I also know that tire dealers make a special wider tire that would suit your purpose for traction and minimum footprint, but maybe too pricey!? Since ground engagement in your usage is minor, the R-4's sound good. If you have to work in muddy conditions; the R-4's turn into racing slicks providing little traction. Having two sets of tires would become a (PITA).

 

[dtd24]

In my experience I have had the best luck with my R1's. I turn up the riding areana all the time with no rutting issues. Grass gets wet when cutting, I would go for the R1's. We have a national show horse who has to have everything flat to "knock her teeth out" (wifey expression) during training. Just the extra push from the R1's in the manure pile are worth it to me.