Good-All Purpose Tractor?

Maine_Polack · Feb 26, 2005

Going for heavier iron. Although my JD790 has done what I asked of it, I want to do more and more “man-ly” (chuckle here) things. 50% logging and the rest working more as a hobby machine – working around the house, bush-hogging (10 acres, a couple times a year) etc.

I have decided to sell the 790 -email me-, and purchase a larger tractor. The two I like so far are NH TN60A, and Mahindra 6500 4wd. I wonder if I am over-compensating for my present small size, (Chuckle again, if you want to make fun of me), and looking at machines that are too large overall. Certainly for logging the more iron, and power the better. For my other uses the downsides of a larger machine are physical size and weight. Think I can work around the weight issue by only going onto “maintained” areas when the ground is firm or frozen.

Just trying to take advantage of the diverse opinions and experiences represented on these forums. Any thoughts on the + &- “s of this size tractor, or as to what your favorite “compromise”, “all purpose” tractor might be?

Paddy · Feb 26, 2005

Depending on $$ expectations, I ordered a KAMA 454-45Hp. They also have a KAMA 554-55Hp. Visit the China area of this site and do a search.

I searched for quite some time and went with weight and Hp too. I have 20+ ac and will not use daily.

Patrick

Soundguy · Feb 26, 2005

Don't feel bad... I traded in my rock solid Nh 1920 for this beast... A Nh 7610S. I pull a 10' mower with it.. whish is 'undersized' for that tractor.. but was all I could afford. I can mow 10ac in 2.5 hours...

Also.. don't plan on the tractor printing the lawn just cause it's bigger. Believe it or not.. my 7610S does not print my pasture. It has nice baloon style fronts, and large wide rears. In fact. my 'little' ford 660 with FEL and 6x16 fronts and 12.4x28 rears prints a whole heck of alot... And that tractor must weight less than 4000# including the rear counterweight, compaired to the 7k to 9k of my 7610s and mower... It's all a groundpressure issue.

good luck.. I think you'll like the larger tractor... Kinda makes you feel good when you have to grab hand rails, and stup up a couple steps to get into the op platform of your tractor... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Soundguy

John_Mc · Feb 26, 2005

When you say "logging" are you talking about doing this professionally, or just skidding out the occasional couple trees for personal use? If it's the latter, you might have a bit of overkill with the TN60.

There was a logger near me a few years ago who was selling his NH 1920 and trading up. The 1920 is more or less the equivalent of today's TC40A. He felt it was just a bit too small and light for his uses. He logged professionally, but also had a few other things going on the side.

I have a TC33D that I occasionally skid a few logs with. It's a bit small for that, but if I take my time and don't try to do too much at once, it works. For my uses, if I ever traded up, something in the TC40 size range would cover it nicely... but then I'm just doing it for personal use and occasionally helping out a neighbor.

John Mc

Maine_Polack · Feb 26, 2005

[Kinda makes you feel good when you have to grab hand rails, and stup up a couple steps to get into the op platform of your tractor... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Tocomment on the above remark I would have to say "Huuuh! Huuuh!" -in Tim The Toolman style.

Yes it does hurt to bite the bullet and lose money by trading up, but...at this stage of my life I decided that I would rather be somewhat happier. A larger machine will contribute nicely to that goal.

I cut wood 4-6hrs. a day,to sell.

Thanks for your comments.

zekeman · Feb 26, 2005

Maine Polack
Below is a link to a post on the Mahindra forum, has pictures of the 6500 logging, (posted by Bobvt)
I have no experience with the larger tractor, but I am iimpressed with the Mahindra Company and its dealers plus the quality of the Mahindra 4110 tractor I own. If I had to do it all over again I would buy the Mahindra Brand again. After 440 hrs I have no complaints. The Mahindra when compared to other tractors (apples to apples) "usually" comes in with more features, more weight, and thousands of dollars cheaper than the other major tractor manufactures. Good luck on your Tractor Buying

Mahindra 6500 working Logs

Ron

frank_f15 · Feb 26, 2005

might i suggest that which ever tractor u decide on , that you get 4wd.

Maine_Polack · Feb 26, 2005

( might i suggest that which ever tractor u decide on , that you get 4wd. )

Oh...that is a big you betcha'! 4wd, loaded tires, extra remotes, and about 50 other things are on my "want list".

Varmintmist · Feb 27, 2005

Ya gonna pick up much bigger than this?

I was pulling this out today, and since everything was going about normal, I got hung up on that stump you see.Was making a turn and the ground was getting softer. The tree sticks out about 5 feet to the right of where I chained it (bucket hook) and aroung 15 feet to the left of the pic. Total was around 40-50 feet long. Ball park 20+in on the big end and 7in on the little. Black cherry. I lifted it over the stump. Rear end stayed on the ground till I hooked the stump once /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif No biggie though, gentle reminder. Got it loose and rechained at the drawbar and took off in mid range, 3rd gear. Didnt even grunt on the drag.

You might not need to go a lot bigger to do what you want to do. Heavier and more power at the loader than the 790 is what you want. I figure I am around 45-4600 lbs with loader and 70% loaded tires. STD with 4wd, shuttle shift, 1 rear remote, and red paint /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MossRoad · Feb 28, 2005

what your favorite “compromise”, “all purpose” tractor might be?


One of these PT-1460s and some attachments would be fun to have. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif