HELP...need to buy tractor

[squiggy]

Need some advice! I currently have a Ford 8 N with a 4 ft. brush hog. I'm am cutting approx 25 acres of very "tough" grass and brush....the 8 N bogs down from lack of power????? We have several large hills to deal with too that also cause bog down. What would you all recommend H.P. wise and please suggest a brand.

I also will need a FEL and a brush hog.

Thanks :confused

 

[thcri]

Squiggy,

Welcome to TBN. For future questions it will help us all if we know the whereabouts of where your from. Go back and fill your profile and that would help us out a lot especially with pricing. 25 acres is a lot for a 4 ft brush hog. How many hours does it take you to do that. I do 3 acres with a 5ft and it takes me all day but the terrain is pretty tough. I do it with a New Holland TC29D which is about 24 horsepower at the PTO. I think if you could tell how fast you want to get the 25 acres done we could help you out better. Also how tall is the grass when you mow it typically?

murph

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> What would you all recommend H.P. wise and please suggest a brand. </font>

60+ HP Tractor: Kubota, John Deere, New Holland
15' Flexwing Mower: Rhino

 

[squiggy]

I'm in Missouri and yes it took me 2 or 3 days to mow and chop through it all. I need a lot more power and speed. Bogging down on high weeds etc. is so frustrating grrrrrrr.

The land is pasture for horses so cutting is usually done when weeds are tall or flowering. We've only been on this land for 2 years and it was never maintained properly.

 

[frank_f15]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif But with out knowing the total of your acreage and your other uses for the tractor it is hard to give you an idea of tractor size. ubt i would expect just for th 25 acres of cutting you should be ina t least the 30 hp range, probably more. just rember that no matter how big the tractor and cutter, you can only go so fast( field conditions) your innards and the equiptment will only take so much jarring.

 

[John_Mc]

You'll probably get a range of recommendations on this one. The variation has to do with how much time various people are willing to spend mowing 25 acres, and how much money they're willing to spend to minimize that time.

If you are happy with the time you are spending with your current set-up, you could look at another 4 foot brush hog set-up. Some of the sub-compacts (New Holland, Kubota and John Deere and others) will handle this.

My bet is that with that much to mow, you'll want to step up in HP a bit. If you want to run a 5 foot brush hog, you'll probably want in the 25 to 30+ HP range (you can get by with less if you mow regularly, so the grass doesn't get out of hand, or are willing to go slow &/or overlap your cuts a bit). I'm most familiar with the New Holland brand... Look at the TC29 or TC33 (or the TC30 if you are looking for more of an economy tractor). I've got a TC33D which handles a 5 footer with no problems. In the JD line, Check out the 4310 (or the 790 for an economy tractor). Kubota makes some great tractors in this size range as well, though someone else will need to chime in with model numbers. Those are the "Big Three" brands. There are others you may want to look at as well.

For a 6 foot brush hog, consider something in the 40 HP or higher range (again, you might get by with less if you mow regularly). A NH TC40 (or a used Ford/New Holland 2110/2120) would do the job. In JD, look at the 4500/4510 or 4600/4610 (or the JD 990 for an economy tractor)

If you are thinking much bigger than that, you're getting out of my range.

John Mc

 

[Keith_B]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( For a 6 foot brush hog, consider something in the 40 HP or higher range (again, you might get by with less if you mow regularly). A NH TC40 (or a used Ford/New Holland 2110/2120) would do the job. In JD, look at the 4500/4510 or 4600/4610 (or the JD 990 for an economy tractor)
)</font>

I would also consider the Mahindra 4110, Kioti DK40, & Kubota 3830 in the 40hp neighborhood.

 

[KiotiJohn]

squiggy, as someone suggested, fill out your profile for better help from the members. Go to MY HOME at the top of the page, and then set personal settings. You'll find several areas of things to fill out, and if you need help, you can click on my name and then send a private message, and I'll tell you what you need to know.
BTW, when you receive a private message (PM), you'll have a little mail icon flashing next to the Main Index link at the top of the page. Click on that to go to your mail. John

 

[Soundguy]

Wow.. 25 ac.. and with a 4' cutter.. now that's the definition of masochism!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

How often do you want to cut?

Monthly? If so I'd at very least get something int he mid 3x hp range so you can run a 6' mower.

That could be anything from a ford NAA and up, if you like the old fords. A 660 or 860 would be nice.. live pto and live hyds.. etc.. possibly power steering.. and enough ponies for 6' mower.

That said.. you could also get something int he 50+ hp range and then get a 10' mower. Big case 1xxx series, MF 1xxx series, ford 5000 and up.. etc.

Howse makes a good price 3pt 10' mower 2500$ or so. I cut 10 ac with one on my NH 7610S and love it.

If you cut often, think 12' or 15' even. Those mowers are pricey new.. like 7k$++ You can usually find a rhino15' in the 3000-5000 range used. And howse is coming out with a 'copy' of the rhino 15' shortly.

All depends on how often you cut, and how fast you want to cut.

For 25 ac.. I'd (personally) would want a big tractor.

Post back with your thoughts on these ideas, and budget.

Soundguy

 

[tough451]

I cut 40 with a 45 pto hp Massey and a 6ft International bush hog takes me a good solid day. If money is and issue look at the utility Masseys 135,245,250,253 these are older used tractors, also the Ford 3000,3600,3910,3930 are good solid tractors that you could consider.
I know Massey has not been mentioned but I will put it up against any other brand when it comes to power and durability. They are not as fancy but they work hard and well.