help; new to having large land

Soundguy · Aug 9, 2005

Yep.. you can buy ag tractors and get 60-100+ hp for pennies on the dollar compaired to new tractors.

Used batwings usually go in the 2000-4500$ range.. while things like my howse mower went for less than 2500 for a 10'... I do hear that at some point howse will have a 15' batwing out.. just don't know when.. nor price..

( I'd hate to have to mow 40ac with 5' or 6' mower /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ) I complained about mowing 10ac on a 5' mower /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy

MossRoad · Aug 9, 2005

With our 60" front mounted mower deck on the little Power Trac we can mow an acre in about 20 minutes if we go fast. With my 48" brush hog, it's a little over a half an hour per acre if it is just grass and weeds. So 40 acres would take me 15-25 hours depending on the finish mower or the brush hog and ideal conditions. That's 2-3 days of riding a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

If I used a 60" pull behind mower deck in addition to the front mounted 60" deck, I could concieveably cut a 9-10 foot swath and cut that down to a day and a half of mowing, but again, that would be under ideal conditions for our little tractor.

I like the idea of a large 2wd farm tractor and huge mower. Not only will it mow a larger swath, but it will probably mow it at a faster ground speed than a C.U.T. Look around some of the web equipment sites to get some price ranges on these used but still usefull tractors. Pretty reasonable prices, if you ask me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob_Skurka · Aug 9, 2005

( Yep.. you can buy ag tractors and get 60-100+ hp for pennies on the dollar compaired to new tractors.

Used batwings usually go in the 2000-4500$ range.. while things like my howse mower went for less than 2500 for a 10'... I do hear that at some point howse will have a 15' batwing out.. just don't know when.. nor price..

( I'd hate to have to mow 40ac with 5' or 6' mower /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ) I complained about mowing 10ac on a 5' mower /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy )

I complain every time I have to mow. That is why I bought the lovely Mrs_Bob her own mowing tractor. But I still end up mowing some of the open areas while she gets the majority of the stuff. But I'm really looking at the concept of mowing 40 acres and there is no way I'd want to try that with a CUT. The 32 acre field that we lease out to a 'real farmer' behind my 10 acres dwarfs my machines. When I venture out there on a CUT to check the creek line for maintainence it seems that my tractors suddenly shrink in size as the space opens up.

And while MossRoad may want to spend a couple days in a tractor seat, I personally would rather spend a 1/2 day mowing and a couple days at an antique tractor show.

Spiffy · Aug 9, 2005

I'd say an AG tractor sounds like the tool for the job:

This one just might cut it:
Tractor

Spiffy · Aug 9, 2005

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

OK, back to serious...

I often use my FIL's circa 1970's JD1020 with a FEL. About 40hp; sometimes seems small to me, but I'm often amazed how it marries versatility and HP. Probably not nearly as agile as many of the 40HP CUTs, but a little brake assistance and I can cut it pretty tight. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

riptides · Aug 10, 2005

Welcome to TBN!

I will reinforce what others have said. We have a large lot and a B7800. It is way too small for my needs, as far as cutting goes. It DOES have the horse power, but it does NOT have the size to pull implements that would make MAINTAINING the land a timely, fun filled event.

Yes, I CAN cut areas, but at the rate I am going we are talking 20 hours of mowing. NOT going to happen.

I am looking at at least a 40 to 50 HP class machine.

Again, as others have mentioned, farmers may be able to help you out, BUT, you are at their mercy for time.

The B7800 is a great machine for working around the barns and outbuildings, BUT for mowing the fields 40+acres, it is out of it's league.

Good luck with your choice, but move up in class 1 or two levels.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BillG_in_TX · Aug 10, 2005

What have we gotten ourselves into? LOL. Pops isn't gonna be happy about this. 

Maybe I'm a cynic, but does anyone else get the sense that our chain is being yanked?

Varmintmist · Aug 10, 2005

It really depends on what you mean by mow.

If you are going to beat it down twice a year and the small tractor can be used for other stuff all the time, get the small tractor. Figure on either blowing 2 weekends a year or just cut a couple hours a night. Its not a big deal.

If you are going to keep mowing it weekly or even monthly, then go big.

My tractor is 35 hp and it doesnt even notice the 5 foot hog in grass and weeds. Stumps are another matter.

ByronBob · Aug 10, 2005

Is there a farmer around who would cut it if you let him take it for hay?

I'd forget doing it all and focus on maybe cutting half of it. If not your going to spend easily $20,000.

rockyridgefarm · Aug 10, 2005

Me too. I would rather have a smaller tractor that I can do lots close in and not mow it all than have one big enough to whack out the mowing that I can;t use around to really fix up the place....