Greetings! New member here!

[Randy_Leo]

Hi all!
First of all, what a great forum! I've been snooping around the archives here for a while now and am truly impressed with the fellowship and consideration you have for each other....not to mention the volume of expertise!! Quite a bit different from some other places on the 'net.

Well, enough fluff...down to business.

My lovely bride and I close next week on 116 acres in north central Texas, fulfilling a dream of ours that we've had for at least the last 10 years!!! Once we build out there we'll call it home...hopefully, sooner rather than later!

The land is about 60-70% cleared into four nice pastures divided by wet-weather creeks which have some significant undergrowth. My neighbor (to be) currently has a hay and cattle lease on the property and also owns the equipment needed to take the hay. I plan to continue the lease arrangement so I (hopefully) don't need to worry about large scale mowing/baling anytime soon.

But, there are some maintenance, clearing and construction tasks that are pretty high on my list of things to do. I know my BX1800 will be able to handle a healthy portion of the clearing work in the tight areas, along with some dirt pushing and rock piling here and there but, there is a limit to what a compact can do and, at some point, I'll will be in the market for a 'big' tractor.

I think I should plan on someday taking my own hay so, it seems like the smart move for a next tractor would be one that is capable of doing the mowing and baling as well as the 'heavy lifting' once we start building a home.

I'm woefully ignorant of what sort of HP it takes to do some things like swing a batwing mower and run a round baler. And, I really only want to buy one more tractor; so, in your opinions, are my expectations unrealistic? Is there a 'one-size-fits-all'? What do you think would be the best move?

I'm looking forward to your replies. Thanks!

Randy Leo

 

[Bird]

Welcome to Tractorbynet, Randy, and congratulations on the farm. As for the bigger tractor jobs, do you intend to keep the BX for the smaller jobs or trade up and only have the bigger one? And when you talk about batwing mowers and round balers, you're talking about big, and expensive, if you're looking for new equipment. However, if you're talking about used equipment, the big stuff usually depreciates more than the compact tractors, so there are good deals to be had. Most of my haying experience was using a neighbor's 85hp Oliver that was over 30 years old when he bought it with about 5,000 hours on the meter and he gave about $5,000 for it. You might do what you want with a tractor in the 50-60hp range, but I'd sure recommend something more in the 70hp and up range. Another neighbor bought an air-conditioned cab model 100 hp John Deere; just overhauled engine and new loader for $15,000 to use in his hay business. I also know of a guy who has been happy with a Kubota M6800 (air-conditioned cab) for his haying operation.

As with cars and pickups (and nearly everything else), tractor choices depend a great deal on personal preferences. Have fun shopping.

 

[Randy_Leo]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Randy do you intend to keep the BX for the smaller jobs or trade up and only have the bigger one? )</font>
Bird,
Thanks! Sorry I wasn't clear; yes, I do plan to keep the BX. It's paid for and is just too handy to get rid of.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ... if you're talking about used equipment, the big stuff usually depreciates more than the compact tractors, so there are good deals to be had. )</font>

That's really good news! If I know what I'm getting into, I'm not afraid of used machinery and wrenching (if I can get parts) isn't a problem either. FWIW, I don't own a vehicle any newer than an '87 model and do my own maintenance on them already.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'd sure recommend something more in the 70hp and up range. )</font>
Understood. This is exactly the sort of information I was looking for.

Thanks again!
RL

 

[KiotiJohn]

From what I've read throughout my travels, 60 HP would be the very MINIMUM for haying.
I agree with Bird, the used larger Utility Tractors (UT) may be the way to go as you can often buy an awful lot of tractor for less than a small CUT.
When I was shopping for my tractor, I was offered a 100 HP Massey for $10,000. I just didn't need one that size, but it was a great deal. Not everyone around is going to buy one of those, and farmers are going to be interested in new, not used, so they go cheap.
People say that the haying operation requires good HP and a lot of weight, so I'd be looking, as Bird said, from 70HP up, and probably around 80-90.
John

 

[edski]

Welcome aboard...

And while you wait on (more) good advice, post some pics of your BX at work.

 

[RedRocker]

Welcome from another North Central Texican.

 

[Randy_Leo]

Thanks to all for the great advice! As soon as I have the BX up at the farm, I'll get some photos to post.

 

[elemint]

I dont think you need 70hp+ from how i am reading your post. You would do fine with something around 40hp or so. Almost everything now day is over kill. Not that long ago my old neighbor did all his farming on a 1940 14hp farmall. And i mean ALL. It all comes down to what you can afford and/or what kind of time you have. Good luck.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Welcome!

This is the friendliest, most helpful site on the 'net, bar none. You will like it, I'm sure. I've just been around for a few months, but took to it like a fish to water.

I farm, run maint. at a country club/golf course, and own a small business where we do commercial bush hogging and new lawn installs. In addition to that, I buy/sell used equipment, and collect old equipment.

This ain't my first rodeo.......

From what you described, I'd say you're looking at 75 (+) hp as your NEXT tractor. A batwing mower will need good (and multiple) hydraulics, as well as ample HP. I use a Vermeer
5400 "Rebel" round baler myself. I use it (mostly) behind a 60 HP Deere 2440. MOST round balers (read BIGGER ONES) need more power than the 5400 Rebel.

I use a 130 HP Deere 4440 to run a 15' Bush Hog batwing mower.

As long as you don't go completely nuts, it's better to be too big than to be too small when it comes to tractor HP, and bigger impliments.


I hope that you enjoy your time on TBN. I sure do.

Bill

 

[Soundguy]

116 ac and hay.. I'd guess 50hp minimum for any real hay, and you'd want more for large mowing.. 60+ should be comfortable.. bigger the better in most cases, as long as size isn't a concern.

Lots of older ag tractors that can be had on the cheap. You could pick up and old 'worker' inthe 63-110 hp range for 4000-8000 bucks, and then use a SCUT/CUT for 'other' work.

Soundguy