First tractor dilemma

DKinWA · May 29, 2005

I bought mine from Brim Tractor and have no complaints. Their price was fair and their parts/service has been very good. I've called as late as 2pm for filters and other odds and ends and it's usually at my door the next day. Some other tractor dealers are Barnetts, Sumner Tractor and Kitsap farm and garden.

Another thought is to take a trip to the east side and check out some dealers there. I know a lot of the farmers over there lease equipment and lease returns can be a good deal. You could probably find a good used tractor over there with a little more horsepower and still stay within your budget.

Btw, where are you located? I'm midway between Olympia and Aberdeen.

Donnyj · May 29, 2005

I use a 45hp tractor to pull a 6ft bushhog now. Before this tractor though I used a Ford 641 to pull the same mower. 4spd trans stayed in 2nd all day. If the ground wasn't so rough I believe it would pull 3rd gear. That tractor I believe was only 30 to 35 hp. I would take the bucket off the front and mow just fine with it. Front end never got light and the tractor handled the weight of the mower just fine. The 45hp tractor now doesn't even know the mower is back there now.
Donny

dancce · May 30, 2005

Gross engine horsepower, alone, is not always a reliable unit of measure to use when comparing tractors and their ability to handle a specific tool. There are significant differences amoung the brands of compact tractors available on the market today.
PTO horsepower and the physical weight of the tractor are more important numbers, especially when figuring what size of rotary mower that tractor will handle.
We routinely sell 35hp and even 29hp Branson's with a 6' three point rotary mower. These tractors only drop to 31.5 and 26 hp at the pto, respectively, and weigh over 3600lbs.
The Japanese built compacts,(Kubota, New Holland, John Deere), even though they are fine machines--are generally lighter, and if they are HST's---the pto horsepower drops dramatically from the gross engine hp.
Bottom line is----one needs to compare specifications other than just gross engine horsepower.

dancce

Cactus · May 30, 2005

( The Japanese built compacts,(Kubota, New Holland, John Deere )

John Deere compacts are not built in Japan(only the 4100 was).....Augusta Georgia are where they are assembled....The 4000/4010 series have Yamnar engines. The newer John Deere compacts they say are using JD Power Tech engines..

Noobie · May 30, 2005

RE: the weight and PTO HP numbers.

I understand the need to compare the wieght and PTO numbers, but I am a little confused about what the cut-offs should be. My wife really l likes the New Holland TC35D, which rates at 29.1 PTO HP, and weighs 3,357 lbs w/o the loader or filled tires (I think).

I see guidance around about how much engine HP should be used when pulling a 6' hog, but not guidance on what weight or PTO HP is sufficient. Anyone have any guidlines (Besides more is better /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) that might apply?

DK - I am in the Snoqualmie Valley between Carnation and Duvall, east of Redmond. The TC35D that is on my list is from Brim, and if we were to buy new, there is a good chance we would go with them for a TC40DA or TC45DA. The only thing that might change my mind would be driving down to Oregon to get one there and save the tax. Ever heard of anyone doing that, and if it was worthwhile? I have a brother-in-law in McMinnville I could go down and stay with while I shop and buy, and seeing my niece and nephew would make the trip worth it without the tractor.

DKinWA · May 30, 2005

If you were closer, I was going to offer to bring my 40 over and let you see how it mows on your ground. I've heard of folks driving to oregon to avoid the sales tax, but I don't know of anyone that does it.

Is there any chance Brim would let you test drive the 35 with 6' mower on it? If they think you're a serious buyer, they might understand your hesitation to purchase without test driving it.

dknarnd · May 30, 2005

( This is an interesting post because I have some of the same questions. What I have found to be the guideline for cutters is 1' of cutter for each 5 PTO HP at a minimum. So far I have only looked at Kubota and the dealer said he recommends at least a 40HP tractor for a 6' cutter so that follows the above mentioned guidelines pretty well.)

The above quoted information that I posted earlier seems to be the general guide. Of course tractor weight will play a factor also, even more so if you cut on rough ground. Most tractors that are over the 30PTO HP are in the 40 Gross engine HP range, and especially if they are HST.

dancce · May 31, 2005

Noobie,

There are no hard and fast guidelines that I am aware of with regard to weight and hp for using a rotary cutter---except those given by the manufacturer and dealer on each tractor and each mower. There are too many variables.
A lot depends on the particular mower also.
We have a Woods heavy duty 6' three point mower that I would not recommend for a tractor that has any less than 70-80hp, but their standard duty will work great on a 35hp Branson.
In your case, based on the specs. you outlined, the TC35D should easily handle a 6' standard duty mower in about any condition.

dancce

FLDave · May 31, 2005

Hello Noobie,

Sorry I'm chiming in so late but I hope I could be of some help.

I was in the same predicament about 6 months ago. I have 15 acres of pasture that I want to keep in control. After much research I decided that I needed about 40 h.p. P.T.O. to pull a 6' medium duty rotary cutter. You need to look at different cutters and their reccommended h.p. requirements.

I also wanted to get a HST transmission. I'm so glad I did. Backing up is a snap if you are mowing tighter ares. My wife can help cut and I think she actually enjoys it once in a while.

I chose the JD 4320. It's 48 hp, 40 hp PTO, and weighs 3,700 lbs. without water in the tires. With water and r4's it has no problem pulling the cutter.

At times (when I'm not on it) I ponder that I bought too big...but when I get on it and start mowing, the tractor gets real small real fast. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

My guess is it take me about 2 1/2-3 hours to do 5 acres at 3-4 mph. I could cut at 5 mph but I am wanting to do a real nice job. Also, hit a few holes at 5 mph with a FEL loader on it and it get quite bouncy. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I tried New Holland and Kubota but liked the feel of the Deere the best. For some reason I just don't fit right on a Kubota. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Make sure you are comfortable on the thing. Cutting 30 or more acres you are going to be on it for quite a while.

I bought the JD MX6 rotary cutter. When I did the research I believe the blade-tip-speed was the fastest of all the medium duty cutters. It has almost a finish cut look to it which is what I was looking for. You'll also probably mow more than twice a year once you get it to start looking nice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Good luck and happy shopping. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Noobie · May 31, 2005

Thanks for all this help. The difference between pulling a standard and heavy duty cutter makes a lot of sense. I am not really after a smooth cut on the vast majority of the stuff, but more just the weed-control.

I like the idea of a test drive, and the dealer we are speaking to about the New Holland does rentals, so I think I am going to try to rent the TC35D with a 6' cutter from him this weekend to make sure it will perform adequately.

So after all this great feedback, I now have a spreadsheet with all the tractors I am looking at with price, PTO hp, and weight just so I can keep track of what is what and hopefully I am accurately seeing who has the advantage in those categories. The only problem I am having is finding a the weight on the Cub Cadet 7360. Anyone know what the bare weight is?

Thanks,
David