Few questions on needed HP

jeffsmallwood · Dec 1, 2004

Let me start this out with some info on what I would like to use the tractor for... I have a ~300 acre farm in central Missouri (about half clear and relativly flat) and about 70 cattle. The farm is more of a hobby for me than anything else, but up to this point I've always had trouble doing things because I haven't had a tractor. Currently I make due with my pickup, but it is difficult feeding hay when it's muddy and such.

So basically I don't need some huge tractor, nor can I afford one, but if a ~35 HP would be able to feed hay, drag trees and things of that sort I would go ahead and buy a Mahindra. I plan on stopping by a dealer (which happens to be an old friend of the family) and asking these questions, I just wanted to have an idea beforehand. Thanks for any help.

Edit: I would also need to do rather extensive brush cleaning, would the 35HP model allow for this?

Bob_Skurka · Dec 1, 2004

Personally, I would opt for a used farm tractor. You will be able to get a larger heavier machine. The real farmer who farms my back yard uses machines from the 1960's, 70's and 80's. He farms about 900 total acres with old iron. You might not need a huge tractor, but hay is pretty heavy stuff to haul around, I think you might find a used 50 to 80 hp tractor that would be cheaper than new and better suited to the tasks.

JerryG · Dec 1, 2004

Jeff with that much area to cover, you really will need something at least in the 5500 size or MF 400 series. When you start talking that much land, with a 35 hp tractor you will work and work and then not think that you are ever going to get done. Also, that far north, I would definitely be looking for a cab.

rback33 · Dec 2, 2004

The new 4530(?) that replaces the 4500 4wd would be an ok choice too. WIth the new 245 loader, it would handle what you need to do.

jeffsmallwood · Dec 2, 2004

Well, in addition to everyone's comments I've done some math and yeah, I realized I need something pretty heavy to manage all the work. I only know basic/moderate mechanics, so I was always shy to buy used, but I'll keep my eye out, and keep hoping we don't get much precipitation this year so my truck doesnt keep getting stuck /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

btolle · Dec 2, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I only know basic/moderate mechanics, so I was always shy to buy used, but I'll keep my eye out, and keep hoping we don't get much precipitation this year so my truck doesnt keep getting stuck /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )</font>

My experience has been that tractors are much easier to work on than cars. Tractors are built with maintenance in mind so they make most things easy to get to.

While I would not tackle an engine overhaul or something that major I had the dealer throw in the 50 hour maintenance supplies when I bought my new Kubota B7510. He would actually have done the full service but I wanted to learn how to do it myself so I would be prepared when it needed the 300 hour service.

I like knowing where things are and how they work on my tractor so that if I have a minor problem in the field I can take care of it on the spot. Why have to send it to the dealer when I can fix something in 15 minutes and get back to playing, (oops, work).

BTW, find some old carpet someone has throw out and cut a couple of strip about 10 or 12 feet long and 1 1/2 feet wide and throw in the back of the truck. When you get stuck lay the carpet, with the carpet side down, in front or behind the tires and use it to help you get traction until you get out of the slick spot or mudhole.

Bill Tolle

glawall · Dec 2, 2004

Jeff, From what you are telling about using the truck, a Mahindra 3510, or a 3525, would be a large step up and would do any of the taskes you have mentioned. The thing I wonder about is, are you going to be running a round baler.
The 35hp would be under powered to run a round baler. Both of these tractors would lift and carry a round bale either on the 3 point hitch or on the front of the loader, if feeding was what you were going to do with the tractor.

Good Luck!
Galen LaWall
Your Mahindra Tractor Dealer
Batavia, NY 14020

KENB · Dec 3, 2004

A Mahindra 3510 can lift a round bale using its ML112 FEL?????

Varmintmist · Dec 3, 2004

Sure, round bales are 600lb, 900lb or 1200lb depending on the baler, all of which are within spec for the 112 on a 3510. 600 and 900 are pretty normal around here, a 1200lb bale is pretty large.

If you are feeding and fencing and some skidding a 3510 will do what you want. If you want to start growing and haying then you might want to go bigger. You dont use a tractor to harvest beef so 35 hp should cut it. A bale spear on the back, one on the front and away you go.