Do I need the 37 or 55? Thoughts?

[Rmally]

Would love to hear some opinions on which I REALLY need......the 37 or 55.

The primary use of the tractor will be for maintaining my 1900 feet long gravel driveway, mowing down the hay fields if they don't get cut and moving some odds and ends and occasionally a round bail.

I have 21 acres, non wooded with some slope but not what I would call steep. I was at RK today to compare again and watched 12-13 Morgan videos yesterday but still undecided. I have never owned a tractor before and this is my first land purchase. We will have a barn and a few horses.

Usually the hay gets cut by the neighbor but sometimes he doesn't show and I'll need to cut it. Not much brush just 3-4 feet tall grass. Do I need 55hp or will 37 be enough? Will the 37 with (I think) 29 PTO hp be enough to box blade the driveway and cut the fields?

I know you should always get bigger just wanted input on what y'all think who actually own these tractors. I will be getting the hydrostatic, 4wd with cab. Would love to save the $5,500 but if you think the 37 is going to be struggling let me know. On the other hand if the 37 is plenty would like to know that as well.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jmt1271]

Pto hp won't impact your bb use. That said, based on what you said your needs are, I think I'd save the 5500 dollars.

 

[cdb2]

I have the 55, but if I was only cutting 21 acres infrequently I think the 37 would do ok. That's the only thing we do here that really use all the power the tractor will put out.

 

[nybirdman]

Not familiar with Rk but hydro and air conditioning will rob some power;I would go with the higher HP tractor.I have a cabbed 44 h.p.and it does all I need year round;rarely use low range.

 

[jeff9366]

Here is someone in a very similar quandary:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rk-tractors-owning-operating/413921-best-rk-tractor-37-acre.html

 

[Rmally]

Thanks for the input fellas.

 

[darmstrong2319]

Get the 55 or in a year or two you’ll be trading in for more tractor. That’s just the way it works, you will find more things to do with it including bigger jobs.

 

[Hozzie]

Yep, go 55. You will want the extra PTO HP when bush hogging when the time comes. If you can afford it, the extra money will be long forgotten when you aren't cursing yourself for not being able to get a bigger rotary cutter after you get tired of using a 5-6 ft'r.

 

[g8erh8er]

I went with the RK55 vs the 37 specifically for the ability to run a 7 ft mower. Yes, the 37 could run that size mower, but in knee high grass, I think it would struggle, at least my 32 hp Massey did and that was using a 5 ft mower.

If this is a tractor you plan on having for the long term, and you’re not dealing with tight spaces where maneuverability is a concern, I’d go with the RK55. You never know what situations will arise down the road. Maybe something happens to your hay field helper. Plus, as of right now, the 55 has one option the 37 doesn’t - the telescoping 3 pt arms. Very convenient when switching implements.

 

[Guodnplenty]

Plus, as of right now, the 55 has one option the 37 doesn’t - the telescoping 3 pt arms. Very convenient when switching implements.

My 37H came with the telescoping arms.

 

[g8erh8er]

My 37H came with the telescoping arms.

Nice. I knew they were adding that feature to the RK37 but it is not listed on the website yet. Maybe they are waiting for existing inventory to get cleared out. Anyway, if the orig. poster does decide on a 37 and takes one from the lot, I would confirm it has telescoping arms.

 

[Rmally]

Thanks for the input, I think the 55 will be the choice. It will be a long term purchase, and we eventually want to build a riding ring for the horses so I'm sure I'll eventually put the extra HP to work.

Thanks all.

 

[Pecan Farming]

Yes sir, the 55 is the way to go. I got mine in December 2018. RK55, Hydro, cab. I has a load sensing button and cruise control. I just mowed 12 acres of overgrown sage/dog fennel (Over the hood overgrown) with my 6 foot woods brush bull (bush hog). It was all the 55's 42 PTO HP wanted and more. However with the load sensing activated and on cruise control when the going gets heavy the tractor will automatically slow the ground speed until the tractor catches back up. I also mowed some with Kubota M4800, 43 PTO, geared tractor. I could not tell a difference between the power of the two tractors. Only difference was that when the Kubota got overloaded I had to clutch in and downshift to a lower gear but then I could not tell when I needed to up shift again in the lighter stuff. I think the RK55 with the load shifting was faster because it would slow down when it needed to but then speed back up to cruise setting. There may be a power loss with a hydro vs. gear but you will not notice it if the PTO HP is close.

 

[Tennsawdust]

If you are moving round bales around then the 55 would be the way to go. The 37 will lift them, but when you get 1200+ lbs in the air you want some beef under you. As mentioned the 55 will run a much larger brush hog. Either will be OK for keeping the driveway up to snuff.