First tractor dilemma

Highbeam · May 31, 2005

"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."

The local Kubota dealer, Jennings Equipment in Puyallup, also rents equipment with a 75% refund applied towards a purchase. See if the rental you choose offers this since the rental can be a good bit of money.

You just don't see many people wishing they had gotten a smaller tractor.

On the used units, or large eastern WA type units I would make sure they have four wheel drive. It may not be necessary for mowing a nice firm, flat, field but it adds tremendously to the versatility for other work and resale is much higher. You will eventually get the 2wd stuck and a 4000 lb tractor in the mud will not be easy to extract. I have found no deals in used tractors.

MikePA · May 31, 2005

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 agree with FLDave. Get the most comfortable tractor you can find. The NH D and DA models have suspension seats (perhaps the other brands do as well). Also, consider;

1. Arm Rests
2. Canopy or a cab for shade
3. Something to listen to, radio or headphones, in addition to hearing protection.
4. A place to hold a beverage.
5. Will you be able to cut everything without refueling? How long will a tank of diesel last?

I cut a 3 acre pasture a few times a season with a 5' Woods Brush Bull on my TC25D. It's a hot, boring task.

LarryD · May 31, 2005

DK - I am in the Snoqualmie Valley between Carnation and Duvall 

 It may not be necessary for mowing a nice firm, flat, field... 

If I'm not mistaken, 37 flat acres puts you right on the river which might make the term "firm" questionable. Four wheel drive might be a requirement.

I used to live on 256th N.E. Just up the hill form the loafing shed that sits next to 203. Had to put the truck in 4wd to get to the beach on the river.

Noobie · Jun 1, 2005

I think I have my setup ready to go. I did decide to jump to the 40hp to make sure I could drive the cutter. Here is what my final deal is (Still waiting to sign, but almost done at this point):

New Holland TC40DA $20,900 delivered with 0% financing
Woods 6' rotary cutter w/ slip clutch $1,695
Calcium fill $270.

Sound about right?

Noobie · Jun 1, 2005

( I used to live on 256th N.E. Just up the hill form the loafing shed that sits next to 203. Had to put the truck in 4wd to get to the beach on the river. )

I am just south of the 124th street bridge a couple of miles, a 4wd is a definite requirement. I got a skidsteer stuck in the yard two years ago and that was bad enough. Hopefully I can avoid 3 hours it took me to recover it in the future. Not to mention almost throwing my truck in a pond.

LarryD · Jun 1, 2005

You didn't happen to buy that property from Andy Weiss did you? He was my neighbor and I know he owned several hundred acres on the river. Pretty close to your place I suspect. THE WEISS CREEK PROJECT

By the way, there used to be a silhouette of a man and a dog in a boat on the north side of 124th...that was the highwater mark of a flood, I can't remember the year.

Soundguy · Jun 1, 2005

( 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.
)

Wow.. your tractor will never ever feel that mower back there. Around here, you see 5x and 6x HP machines on 10' mowers. 5x is on the lower end.. and you would only want to clip pasture.. but when you get 6x.. 10' is fine.

Still.. If I had the option.. I'd go for a little more tractor than needed than to not have enough. Doesn't take much growing to get in trouble with an underpowered mower.. then your mowing takes 1.5x to 2x as long, or else you stress the tractor out.

Soundguy

Noobie · Jun 1, 2005

Indeed I did buy from Andy Weiss. Part of the area that I am mowing is right around the restoration project, plus another pasture. I also bought the barns and house across the road.
Stop by some time if you see me out there!

LarryD · Jun 2, 2005

Well it is a small world isn't it.

You've got a couple of neighbors up the hill, Alan and Cheryl Crowder, that are very nice folks. Tell them I said hello when you see them. And of course Andy as well.