Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast

   / Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast #1  

Rick in MS

Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2017
Messages
46
Location
MS Gulf Coast
Tractor
N/A
Haven't been on/around any kind of tractor in many years.

Just purchased 10 acres. 3 1/2 of that is already cleared and has been used for hay. The rest hasn't really been touched since the paper company replanted it with pines. Most of the pines are now a foot or larger in diameter and it's difficult to walk through the undergrowth. My "driveway", as it is, is almost 1200 feet of rough grass/dirt.

I think I'm looking for something in the 30-40 HP range. Initial implements will be a bucket, 5 ft bush hog & blade (preferably a land plane/grading scraper).

Would like to clear the undergrowth from at least some of the piney area, but that will not be for a while. Also have about a dozen stumps I really need to do something with. Will also need to plant some posts for a fence in the future.

My first question is do y'all think a 30-32 HP unit will be sufficient or should I go with 38-40 HP?

My step dad had a small Ford tractor (don't remember the model off the top of my head) but it used to easily bog down in a pasture with 2-3 ft Bermuda grass pulling a 5 ft bush hog at all but the slowest speeds. Also had a hard time with his little Ford powering an auger (only 6" bit) on some really hard ground. May have been a problem with the tractor or underpowered - or maybe even something else - I don't know.

Leaning heavily towards a hydrostatic drive. Honestly, I like the convenience and the wife has zero tractor experience. Our daily driver is a Jeep with a stick so a gear-driven tractor is not out of the question, just not preferable. Also have a 2WD Ram 2500 with Cummins for towing.

Don't like that the Kubota L3301/3901 treadle and brakes are on the same side. Haven't looked at the equivalent Deere.

Did like the fact the Mahindra 2538 had HST controls on the right with split-brake on the left and the ability to engage/disengage PTO separately from the transmission/drive.

Appreciate y'all providing input & insight as my hunt goes forward.
 
   / Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast #2  
My step dad had a small Ford tractor. It used to easily bog down in a pasture with 2-3 ft Bermuda grass pulling a 5 ft bush hog at all but the slowest speeds.

Don't like that the Kubota L3301/3901 treadle and brakes are on the same side. Haven't looked at the equivalent Deere.

Did like the fact the Mahindra 2538 had HST controls on the right with split-brake on the left and the ability to engage/disengage PTO separately from the transmission/drive.

I have a heavy chassis Kubota L3560/HST/4-WD/37-horsepower. I operate a medium-duty, 60" width Land Pride Rotary Cutter. I mow 36" tall grass at a brisk clip. I mow 48" tall grass at a moderate pace. I mow 60" tall grass slowly; which is where HST transmission excels. (Presumes Rotary Cutter blades are reasonably sharp.)

How wide a swathe do you want to mow with your potential new tractor? Allowing for 6" overlap, a 60" Rotary Cutter will cut a 54" swathe.

In the 30-horsepower to 40-horsepower tractor sizes you are considering I speculate that 85% are sold with HST transmissions. Most will also have a front end loader (FEL) and R4/industrial tires.


Kubota makes all its equipment.

Mahindra rebadges small tractors produced by others. Here is a thread on how to parse Mahindra offerings: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...375391-series-mahindras-made-japan-south.html

It is helpful to know your age, so we know how hard to push comfort and convenience options. I am 69-1/2 years old and find every comfort and convenience option money well spent, especially in hot weather. You will be jockeying 300 pound to 1,100 pound implements.
 
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   / Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast #3  
G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

For the work that you envision for now and in the future, a high '30' to low '40' hp tractor will be fine. Your climate will mean that you won't need a cab too.

John Deere's (HST) have separate forward/reverse pedals and the brake pedal is on the left hand side.

I've been very pleased with my 4105. I don't know if JD is making that model anymore, but there are still some available new. You're going to get a lot of recommendations from the very helpful people here on TBN. :) To assist you, you can 'favourite' this website: TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors which you can use to compare.

Enjoy the site.
 
   / Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast
  • Thread Starter
#4  
I have a heavy chassis Kubota L3760/HST/4-WD/37-horsepower. I operate a medium-duty, 60" width Land Pride Rotary Cutter. I mow 36" tall grass at a brisk clip. I mow 48" tall grass at a moderate pace. I mow 60" tall grass slowly; which is where HST transmission excels. (Presumes Rotary Cutter blades are reasonably sharp.)

How wide a swathe do you want to mow with your potential new tractor? Allowing for 6" overlap, a 60" Rotary Cutter will cut a 54" swathe.

In the 30-horsepower to 40-horsepower tractor sizes you are considering I speculate that 85% are sold with HST transmissions. Most will also have a front end loader (FEL) and R4/industrial tires.


Kubota makes all its equipment.

Mahindra rebadges small tractors produced by others. Here is a thread on how to parse Mahindra offerings: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...375391-series-mahindras-made-japan-south.html

It is helpful to know your age, so we know how hard to push comfort and convenience options. I am 69-1/2 years old and find every comfort and convenience option money well spent, especially in hot weather. You will be jockeying 300 pound to 1,100 pound implements.

Appreciate the reply and the info. I can't find a Kubota L3760 on tractordata.com - L3560 maybe???

I believe a 60" cutter will be plenty for my needs.

As for age I'm 46 with back, knees and shoulders already aching. 23+ years on steel decks and steep ladders of Navy ships taking its toll.
 
   / Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast
  • Thread Starter
#5  
G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

For the work that you envision for now and in the future, a high '30' to low '40' hp tractor will be fine. Your climate will mean that you won't need a cab too.

John Deere's (HST) have separate forward/reverse pedals and the brake pedal is on the left hand side.

I've been very pleased with my 4105. I don't know if JD is making that model anymore, but there are still some available new. You're going to get a lot of recommendations from the very helpful people here on TBN. :) To assist you, you can 'favourite' this website: TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors which you can use to compare.

Enjoy the site.

Thank you for the info. I've been spending a lot of time on tractordata.com. :thumbsup:
 
   / Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast #6  
Sorry, inadequate proof reading. I have an L3560. It has split rear wheel brakes on the left and the single HST pedal on the right.
http://www.kubota.com/product/LSeries/L60.aspx
http://kubota.com/assets/product/Comps/L60/GrandL60ModelsCompPDF.pdf



As for age I'm 46 with back, knees and shoulders already aching. 23+ years on steel decks and steep ladders of Navy ships taking its toll.

You will probably rejoice after spending the additional money for one of Kubota's Grand L models.
Most tractor manufacturers have a fully featured model in their line up.
My L3560 was $27,500 in January 2013, with following options: LA805 FEL, L2296 Heavy Duty, Round Back bucket, Draft Control, R4/industrial tires, dealer install of aftermarket Stebl horn. No sales tax on tractors in Florida.
kubota grand l 6 series tractors - Google Search

Tractor weight is your friend.

I spent six years in the US Navy as a Communications Technician. Never served on a ship.
 

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   / Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast #7  
Appreciate the reply and the info. I can't find a Kubota L3760 on tractordata.com - L3560 maybe???

I believe a 60" cutter will be plenty for my needs.

As for age I'm 46 with back, knees and shoulders already aching. 23+ years on steel decks and steep ladders of Navy ships taking its toll.

Tell me about it Mate... 37 years here (20 of them hard sea time). Blew out my ACL at the end of it.

Still, they let me serve out 'til retirement age so I can't complain.
 
   / Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Tell me about it Mate... 37 years here (20 of them hard sea time). Blew out my ACL at the end of it.

Still, they let me serve out 'til retirement age so I can't complain.

:thumbsup:
 
   / Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast
  • Thread Starter
#9  
The Ford my step-dad used on our 2 acre pasture with Bermuda grass back home was a '96 1715. He feels I shouldn't go less than 50 HP. That's just out of my price range for a new tractor.

As I'm not much of a wrench, I'm reluctant to go with a used tractor. Still keeping my eyes open, but...

I'd like to keep the price of a new tractor with FEL, rotary cutter, land plane and trailer to $25k.
 
   / Hello & looking for a tractor on the MS Gulf Coast #10  
I'm in Stone county, on 13 acres. Pasture/woods/lawn. I was looking in 2010 and with the help here on TBN I ended up buying a new Kubota Grand L3940. It has the treadle and brake pedal(s) on the same (right) side, but I have never found it an issue, as I never use the brake unless I am setting to park on any type of a grade. With hydrostatic, braking is inherent to the fluid flow so you don't use the brake to stop the tractor, just let up on the treadle.

I have owned my tractor for over 6 years and still feel that it is the right size for what I do. It isn't a bulldozer, and won't rip up trees, but it does everything I need it to do. Whatever you go with, you should consider the following options: front hydraulic remote with 3rd function station; rear hydraulic remote; hardtop/shade top with work lights; 4WD, rear weight bucket (sooooooooooo much more convenient that keeping a bush hog or box blade on the back. With a loader and bucket on the front and a cutter on the back the tractor is 600000000 feet long).

I went with Ag tires and that has worked well, though I have to be careful when driving on the lawn, especially if using the 4WD.

There are a number of dealers in the coastal county area. I typically deal with Parish Tractor in Picayune, or Toomey in Lucedale. I bought my tractor from Barlow Equipment in Kentucky, after reading about them on here and comparing their prices to everyone else. There were some issues with shipping from Barlow's, and I had to return the tractor the first time as it was not configured as ordered, and then I had to push them to keep the return schedule they had promised me. That was a minor inconvenience, and I would buy from them again, but would give the local guys a shot at matching price. I have purchased equipment from Parish. Barlow did not play any pricing games - I gave them the make and model, plus a list of dealer added options, and they shot me a price; a very good price, delivered.

If you plan to eventually bale hay, you will need more horsepower, about 45 at the PTO minimum to run a bailer effectively.
Your truck will be plenty capable of towing the tractor. I suggest a dual axle trailer, as most rigs in the 35-40 horsepower range will weigh in just south of 4000 lbs.

Anyhow, I hope this helps you to at least get started in your search.


Big Al
 

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