Help picking tractor

[jj4osu]

I need some help in determining what tractor best fits my needs/budget.

Work requirements:
1) Haul round bales from hay shed to pasture. 4x5 ~1000lbs
- would like to haul 2 per trip, 1 in front, 1 in back
- limited hay storage square footage, so would like to be able to stack round bales 2 high rather than just ground level.

2) Groom/maintain riding arena. Need to be small enough to manuever in arena, get to the corners, etc.

3) Haul manure in FEL.

4) Other occaisional chores like mowing pasture, blading driveway, clearing snow, hauling cut branches, etc


I currently have 2 tractors accomplishing (poorly) most of my needs:
1) circa 1970 Allis-Chalmers 190xt.
Use this one to haul hay, run a brush beater, pull an occasional tree. No FEL, so only the 3pt lift to carry bales, so only ground level storage.
2) JD 2210.
Use this one to haul manure and groom the arena.

Neither of my current tractors is all that reliable...the A-C because its old, sat around neglected for several years, and just keeping it running is at times beyond my mechanical ability...the JD simply because, IMO, its not really a tractor, but large mower with a FEL and just isn't stout enough to stand up to true farm usage.

SO, I'm in the market for something that could replace the pair. I need something as small as possible that could handle the bale moving/lifting needs, OR I guess you could say something as big as possible that is still easy enough to maneuver around the arena.

Was originally thinking to go back to JD...after talking with some dealers and looking at different machines, had narrowed it to a 5055/5065 to have the heft & lifting ability to do the hay job. As far as I know, don't really need 55/65hp though, not really doing any heavy duty pulling.

I recently got to looking at other brands and noticed that brands like Mahindra are heavier and have higher lifting capacities than JD for a similar hp. Basically I could get a 40-45hp Mahindra that has a smaller footprint & has a tighter turn radius, but is also heavier and has a higher lift capacity than the 65hp JD.

I talked to a local Mahindra dealer, orignially looking for a 5520. He didn't have any, said they were replaced in 2008, but could do a 5530 2wd for 20,700, or a 4wd for 26000. But after hearing my needs, reccomended a 4035 4wd for 22,500. Looking at the specs, sure looks like it could do the job.
Then he mentioned that they are now dealers for LS tractors also...had never heard of them, but found they used to make other brands and decided to use their own brand now....he said he could do a 4010, which he said is basically equal to the Mahindra 4035 for ~1500 less.

First, are these the tractors I should be checking out for the job?

JD 5055/5065
Mahindra 4035
LS 4010
???

How about other brands, NH, Kubota, Branson, Montana, etc. Anything better, comparable that is worth considering?

Priorities are:
1) Ability to do the job...if it can't do it, not worth looking at...don't want "borderline" capable either...want to make sure it can do the job.
2) Reliable...I have very limited mechanical ability...don't want to have to work to keep it running...normal maintenance, not a problem, can change oil, grease, etc but not a mechanic at all!!
3) Finally if we have the 1st two priorities we'll look at price. I'd like to keep it in the 20k range for a tractor w/ FEL if possible.

Also need to consider things like 2wd/4wd...I'd really prefer 4wd, unless I hear a compelling argument that I don't need it. Heck, I've had the 90hp 190 stuck before.. Also, transmission is a consideration...I see some with up to 16f/16r gears...is that needed? How easy is changing gears on a newer transmission?? I've only got the old A-C which is a bear to change gears and the JD with a hydrostatic trans to compare. Another Hydrostatic would be cool if they are reliable enough and didn't add too much $$.

Any help would be greatly appreciated on determining the size/model/brand, etc. that would fit the needs the best and be most budget wise decision.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[flusher]

I'd go for that Mahindra 4035. I saw one a few months ago at my local dealer's place and it's a honey. I own a 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, 8F/2R partial constant mesh gear tranny, power steering) with the ML250 FEL (6-ft wide bucket, 2950 lb lift to 10.5 ft high). The 5525 is a heavy (6000 lb+ with the FEL), strong, simple tractor.

 

[miramadar]

I'd get 4WD if it were me. Better to have and not need that the other way around.

Check out Kioti tractors. They've got some incentives running now that might be attractive to you. And for $20k, you can get a very nice tractor.

 

[AKfish]

Welcome to TBN!

Couple of things - you don't want to do more than maintainence - that's OK; but you should look for a reliable dealer, too!

No mention of trade-in or resale of your current tractors. The 'ol XT likely only worth ~$4K or so. The 2210 with loader and mower is probably worth ~$8-10K, depending upon hours, etc.

A 50hp tractor will haul 2 bales at a time. It'll stack 'em 2 high, too. But, IMO that's crowdin' it! I don't think it's a good idea to expect that sized machine will reliably hold together for alot of year's with that kind of use -- IF YOU'RE FEEDIN' and STACKIN' 4-500 a year. Now, 40-50 a year is a different story.

That said; I'd be lookin' for a tractor in the 65hp range - at least.

Not that familiar with Mahindra or Kioti, either. Have noticed that you can get some serious Hp for reasonable money with the Ag-type Kubota's, though.

Best of luck.

AKfish

 

[jj4osu]

Thanks for the info guys.


Question to help me understand...on HP. My little 25hp JD has plenty of raw power to do any of the jobs I'd want, just not the substance to handle it...can't lift over ~900lbs, and even at that would probably tip its light butt over...but can easily move a bale by rolling or on a trailer.

Not plowing...grooming the arena we'll only get to 2" depth or so...so mostly what I'd consider light work as far as taxing the HP on an engine.

So, the question is, do I need a tractor with more raw HP? or simply something that is built heavier and has more power and structure in the 3pt & FEL to allow heavier weights.

If I go with a 65hp JD, it is a big tractor...but really doesn't have a lot of weight...they are not built heavy, IMO. Looking at a machine like the Mahindra 4035, much less HP, than the JD, but is a heavier tractor with higher lift capacities, in a more compact form.

So, whats the tradeoff?? It seems my criteria should be weight/hydraulic lift capacity rather than raw HP...or are they related in some way I simply don't know??

I know the JD guys say I need a 55/65 hp tractor to do the job, but thats just the smallest one they have that is heavy enough to carry a round bale without being too overweighted to one end, so does the HP have anything to do with that?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[DCRC]

I'd get 4WD if it were me. Better to have and not need that the other way around.

Check out Kioti tractors. They've got some incentives running now that might be attractive to you. And for $20k, you can get a very nice tractor.

I second that on 4wd. Got my Kubota L3830 stock on the side of a muddy bank, and my neighbors bigger 2wd Kubota was getting stuck just driving on flat soft ground. If I was him I'd sell that tractor in a second. Wish mine had larger front tires, too.

 

[LD1]

With most brands, the HP/weight is just the wat things are. Bigger tractor, you get bigger HP. Mahindra is about the only one putting smaller HP motors in large frame tractors.

Mahindras are known to be considerabally heavier than the competition. This can be viewed two ways (I don't want to start an argument). Some say that they are built heavier because castings are iferior and have to be. Mahindra says they are built heavy to hold up. On the flip side of the coin, kubotas are know to be some of the lightest in the class. They claim it is easier to add weight when needed than it is to remove weight.

If you plan on trailerin on it or driving on a lawn, then weight may be a factor in your decision.

Another pointer, when compairing loader specs, make sure you compair apples to apples. Some MFG's rate their loaders @ muliple points including @ the pins, @ the bucket center, and @ the bucket edge. Mahindra only rates them at the pins. It's all marketing and shows a higher number then if they reated it @ the place where the work is done (ie bucket center/edge). Again I am not bashing mahindra, they make a fine product. Just don't be fooled into thinking that the 4035 can lift 2400lbs. Because that equates to about 1800lbs @ bucket center.

All marketing as well but if you look @ the 4035 comparison, they compair it to the kubota 3940. Go up one modle size in kubota to the l4240, and it has the mahindra beat. But that wouldn't look good on mahindras site.

Another considersation is I didn't see ag tires listed as an option on the 4035. May or may not be a factor for you.

Again, I mean no disrespect to mahindra. And I am not trying to convincy you that you should buy a kubota. I'm just pointing out that there are several tractor MFG's and all have various modles and sizes, many of wich overlap eachother. Going up one size or down one size when comaring brands paints a whole new picture as I illustrated above. You can literally spend hours on end just comparing tractors. Mahindra has like 3 tractors in the 40hp range, as does kubota, JD, NH, etc. Dont' go my the "comparisons" on the MFG's websites. They will always make their tractor look like the best. Do your own comparisons.

Kioti, Kubota, Mahindra, JD, NH, MF, all make excellent products. Whatever you choose I'm sure you'll like it.

 

[Gittyup]

I'd sure give the MF 1600 series a real look too. Very nice tractors.

You might want to keep the 2210 if there is a way to swing it. As you said, it's a pretty good mower and will fit easily into tight spaces.

 

[EquineNetworkCO]

Hi Jeff,

I'm maintaining a 40 acre horse breeding operation with a 2008 JD4520 ehydro that I use for all of the jobs you listed (in addition to putting in a small MX track, fences, etc, etc). It handles all the jobs with ease and has been a pleasure to operate and maintain - no problems at all. I'd highly recommend HST. One area I've been impressed with is the ease and speed I can groom our outdoor arena. Cleaning paddocks, loafing sheds, etc. is also very easy and quick. The ehydro gives you very precise, easy to use control. My previous tractor was a 30 HP Branson - it wasn't a bad machine, but at the end of the day I choose the tools that help me get my jobs done better and more efficiently - for me, the JD was the right choice.

 

[AKfish]

Thanks for the info guys.

Question to help me understand...on HP. My little 25hp JD has plenty of raw power to do any of the jobs I'd want, just not the substance to handle it...can't lift over ~900lbs, and even at that would probably tip its light butt over...but can easily move a bale by rolling or on a trailer.

So, whats the tradeoff?? It seems my criteria should be weight/hydraulic lift capacity rather than raw HP...or are they related in some way I simply don't know??

Jeff

Yup... you should focus on "Frame-size". HP and frame size typically go hand in hand. Or, they both increase when you move into bigger tractors. Hydraulic power generally increases with the larger frame tractors as well.

But... not always. Case in point - the newer model, JD4520 that EquineNetworkCO has, has a 60Hp engine (50Hp pto). It's a 4000 series frame-size and weighs (with loader) in the neighborhood of 4,600-4,700lbs. The 3pt is rated at 2,500lbs @ 24" behind the pins. Loader is rated ~ 2,200-2,300lbs full-height at the pins.

The machine is capable of moving, loading, stacking, etc. 2 large round bales at a time. But, it won't stand up to that kind of work load: long-term, with high frequency use. Long trips across a rough pasture in bad conditions under load would wear out that high Hp - small frame 4520 in a few years, if you're moving hundreds of bales a year.

How many rounds do you handle every year? Are you feeding cows? Lot's of horses?

My neighbor has an older, JD 5410 4wd with a 542 self-level loader. It's 65hp at the pto (that's how I think of tractors: PTO Hp). It weighs around 8,000 lbs. with loaded rear tires (6,000lbs. without filled tires). It's made to haul and work heavy loads like big rounds or big squares: all day long - for years. It's a 5000 series frame size machine.

Big difference.

AKfish