Don't even know where to start. New tractor for 85 acre property

[Aquabird]

I know you said you do not want a single pedal HST, but getting used to one is really not hard at all. I would not let that one thing rule any tractors out.
Both the tractors I have had, have had the single pedal. I never found it to be a problem I have a size 12 boot too, so foot size does not enter into it.
Test drive several to get a feel for them.

 

[Luke82]

Last year, I bought a Rear Pull Snowblower and I love it. Prior to that I had a standard rear 3pt snowblower, but backing up all the time is a pain. I now do my snow blowing going forward in half the time, and I still have the loader on the front. Here's a video. That's a 40hp large frame New Holland, which is about the size tractor I think would best suit your needs.

That is awesome! I haven't seen a pull snowblower before. Learn something new every day. Add another thing to consider. My list of things to consider for the tractor decision is going to end up being just as long as my list of things to fix on the new farm! :laughing:

 

[mred2]

I don't know anything about snow. I have a LS XR4150 open station with shuttle shift. Bad right foot, can't use HST. I would call it a heavy frame compact. Check for the closest LS dealer. And test drive them all. I have two rear remotes, 3rd function, and water in all the tires. I feed round bales to 10 horses on 200 acres, mostly trees. I like the shuttle shift and open station, but if I had snow, I might want the cab. I got the LS for about $7000 less. I also run a grapple and a backhoe. If you want a backhoe, do not get one that just attaches to the 3pt. LS and a lot of others attached to the frame. LS makes some of New Holland. Most of the newer tractors are good. When pricing, make sure they are equal. Same number of remotes, weight, lift, etc. I went with the 50hp mostly due to stacking hay. Stacking hay with a 2wd tractor only works with dry ground.
Mostly, take your time. Dealer support for some is very important, but not for all. How well it fits you will be very important. I set on a Mahindra, good tractor, but just did not fit me good. Size 16 shoe. Mostly test drive, think about it and maybe test drive again. When you find a couple that fit good, compare frame, weight, hp, remotes, lift, price, etc. The best of luck with the property.

 

[rScotty]

I'm glad you are keeping the Ford. You don't know yet how lucky you are with that. It was from the "golden age" of US tractors, and should last your lifetime if maintained. Few tractors are built so well today, and none better. With the implements you have it is even better.

So I would say to make maintaining that Ford your #1 tractor priority. I know it's not sexy or new, but get the Operator's manual (ebay), get back into regular greasing, oil & filter changes.... and a clean fuel source. Try to put a tarp on it after use - tractors are susceptible to damp and rain water runs into all the wrong places. Weather ages them faster than work. Just basically put out the effort keep it up as your #1 machine and everything else becomes easy. I guarantee you will be a long time - if ever - finding another one that good.
Ask yourself, what it could use right now to make it better & make you have more pride in it. How about the seat? Cushions are cheap. So are good batteries.

If you have done that much work with the Ford already, it is a proven keeper. Time to put some money into it to make it stay that way. I know this because we still have our older JD. I see what we did right and what wrong.

As for a smaller "handier" tractor I definitely agree that you will end up with one - at least most of us do. It's the "chore tractor" rather than the workhorse. I Don't know what that tractor will be - but everyone makes one so there are lots of options. It will be a lot lighter, 4wd, 30ish HP, maybe HST or maybe power shuttle shift.Gotta have power steering, and a Cat I 3pt hitch will be enough.

Don't be too quick to form opinions, there is good in them all. The Ford is allowing you to take your time and I'm betting that will save you more than you spend on upgrading the Ford's maintenance in the long run. What are you leaning toward right now?
luck,
rScotty



rScotty

 

[Luke82]

...I got the LS for about $7000 less...Mostly test drive, think about it and maybe test drive again. When you find a couple that fit good, compare frame, weight, hp, remotes, lift, price, etc. The best of luck with the property.

LS matches my initials so I guess I need to check them out as well! :laughing: Dealer/service location isn't a big deal for me. There's nothing within 30mins of me, but within 60-90mins I've got Kubota, Deere, MF, NH, Mahindra, Case, and...LS. I drive 90mins each way for work so driving for stuff doesn't bother me. I definitely won't rule anything out until I test drive it. Comfort is high on my list since I'll be spending a lot of seat time on this thing, but price and reliability are probably tied for number 1. How long have you had your LS and how do you like it? Never heard of that brand until yesterday.

 

[Luke82]

I'm glad you are keeping the Ford. You don't know yet how lucky you are with that. It was from the "golden age" of US tractors, and should last your lifetime if maintained. Few tractors are built so well today, and none better. With the implements you have it is even better.

So I would say to make maintaining that Ford your #1 tractor priority. I know it's not sexy or new, but get the Operator's manual (ebay), get back into regular greasing, oil & filter changes.... and a clean fuel source. Try to put a tarp on it after use - tractors are susceptible to damp and rain water runs into all the wrong places. Weather ages them faster than work. Just basically put out the effort keep it up as your #1 machine and everything else becomes easy. I guarantee you will be a long time - if ever - finding another one that good.
Ask yourself, what it could use right now to make it better & make you have more pride in it. How about the seat? Cushions are cheap. So are good batteries.

If you have done that much work with the Ford already, it is a proven keeper. Time to put some money into it to make it stay that way. I know this because we still have our older JD. I see what we did right and what wrong.

As for a smaller "handier" tractor I definitely agree that you will end up with one - at least most of us do. It's the "chore tractor" rather than the workhorse. I Don't know what that tractor will be - but everyone makes one so there are lots of options. It will be a lot lighter, 4wd, 30ish HP, maybe HST or maybe power shuttle shift.Gotta have power steering, and a Cat I 3pt hitch will be enough.

Don't be too quick to form opinions, there is good in them all. The Ford is allowing you to take your time and I'm betting that will save you more than you spend on upgrading the Ford's maintenance in the long run. What are you leaning toward right now?
luck,
rScotty



rScotty

rScotty, ton of great info in there! You are 110% correct on this Ford being a keeper. It was obvious the first time I turned the key and it started right up that this thing had been maintained. Within the first week I had the operator and repair manuals ordered and changed the oil and filter and air filters. Hydraulics all seem to be working great, but changing that fluid is on my todo list. Even though I can tell it's been maintained well the previous owner passed away and the daughter I purchased it and the property from had no idea about the maintenance schedule. Previous owner kept it parked in one of the out buildings on this property and I'm parking it in the same place so it's not out in the rain.

For the new "chore" tractor as you put it, I'm kind of leaning towards New Holland. No real reason other than already having the Ford so I have one service department to go to for parts for either tractor. NH dealer is about 45mins from me in one direction and all the other dealers are 60-90mins in the other 3 directions. As I said in my response to mred2 though, I'm not ruling anything out until I test drive it since this will be the tractor the most time is spent in.

 

[duffer]

I wasn't going to post a reply since you've gotten several already, but when you stated you're considering a Mahindra 2638, I decided to chime in. I'm not gonna bad mouth any other brand. I looked at green, orange, blue, purple and pink before I bought my 2538 (predecessor to 2638- but same drive train).

For what you're describing you want to do, I don't think the 2638 would not be a bad choice at all. I've got over 1300 hours on my 2016 (2538), and not one problem. But I take care of it too. Still purrs like a kitten and works like a mule. In fact, I think I have more than 38 hp. (They make the same tractor in a 40 & 45(?) hp versions)

For me, I like the 2 pedal HST, especially for FEL work. My old ankles can't rock back and forth good enough for a one rocker accelerator. Shuttle shift is a fine choice too. Just personal preference.

I agree with the poster who said you need to consider the implements you need/want. A good conversation to have with the dealer you eventually choose to do business with. One point I would make, is that I'm not a big fan of back-hoes on CUT. They don't have the power to really dig out stumps the way you want. AND...when you want to use other 3 pt implements, you have to remove the back-hoe which is a PITA. I rent a big-guy back hoe when I need one for a couple hundred bucks, rather than shelling out $4k for one on the tractor.

One other thing I like about the 2638 is that there is no Blue Def requirement, or re-gen cycle to concern yourself with. New tractors won't have a problem with the re-gen cycle, but as they get older, we just don't know yet...too soon to tell.

Anyway, good luck on your search. There are lots of good CUT's to choose from. Mahindra is one of them (but not the only one).

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! :thumbsup:

I also agree that you get a forester out there to see what you've got. In Indiana, I used the state forester. It was free. He did a tree survey, told us the number and types of each species, developed a management plan for the existing 10 acres of woods, a reforestation plan for a 4 acre field, and wind breaks for the property. FREE FREE. . See what your state has to offer. There are also classified forest, classified wildlife habitat, etc... programs that don't put much burden or restrictions on the landowner, yet reduce tax load significantly. Government tree planting programs, erosion control, etc.... FREE FREE :laughing:

We heat with wood. I've been cutting 6 cords per year from a 10 acre plot for about 11-12 years, and haven't cleared maybe 1.25 acres total. Between wind-fall/storm/winter damage and undesirable trees, I'll probably never clear 3 acres total. Nature will do it for me. But it's still nice to know what you have, what's valuable, and what can go to promote more valuable to you trees. Get that forester.

 

[MossRoad]

Forgot to mention we got 2,150 trees bought, planted and side sprayed for $265.00 (yes, two hundred and sixty five dollars) after being refunded 75% of the cost by the state for erosion control, back in 1990. Look around for those state programs.

 

[mred2]

I have had my LS for over 2 years with no problems, only oil and filter changes. Works as it should. If you like New holland, look on the back for a sticker that says made by. It may have been LS. You may find the same tractor at LS for less money. However, I don't mind a little more for the better dealer.