Help picking tractor

[EquineNetworkCO]

AKFish makes a good point - I only move several dozen round bales a year. I tend to use my tractor for "utility" work around the farm. If I needed to move lots of bales or do more intense ag work, I'd look into adding a bigger tractor into the inventory. One thing I have noticed is that the bigger units are a little more clumsy when grooming riding arenas. They also take more time, and depending on your footing and drainage, can do some damage unless you are careful. I guess it comes down to choosing the right tool for the jobs that are important to you.

 

[flyingcow]

All really good posts. Good bunch on this site.

Carrying a lot of round bales and FEL work, I'd tend to look at a full frame tractor. But this might put you higher in the $$$'s than you want. In my business, i work with a lot of dairy farmers. A couple of them looked at the tractor i just bought, and both commented on my unit not having a full frame. They only run full framed units, and after looking around, most of the other farmers do also.

Keep learning and look at the used section of dealers. I picked up my TN75 from a dealer that was selling it for their customer, he had to liquid his assets very quickly. This is a '09 w/300 hours, hardly a scratch on it. $32,000.00, w/back hoe. Nice deal for me. With the economy soft, look around.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

The Mahindra 4530 model is coming back, and at near 6000 lbs it would easily handle your needs and then some. Ask your Mahindra dealer about it.

 

[TheRegMan]

All the tractors mentioned above are fine tractors for various purposes but you really should not have to pay for 65 HP just to get the lift capability you want. The JD and Kubota tractors are as you stated, pretty light weight and that is the primary reason you have to get such a large tractor to accomodate higher lift capabilities. They are just not stout enough.

The Mahindra has a good reputation and is heavy enough to suit your needs. The Kioti is also a quality tractor with excellent incentives. A DK40SE (41 HP) has hydrostatic transmission, 4WD and a FEL that lifts about 2700 lbs.

Check with the guys on the Kioti page. You will be amazed at some of the pictures you will see of what their 35 and 40 horse power tractors are lifting.

You will also be amazed at the current promotional pricing. No one is going to beat it except maybe McCormick (LS tractor.) I checked them out about a month ago and every tractor I checked had something wrong. I looked at a 47 HP and you had to push down the lift arms on the 3Pt. Another had blinkers that were all screwed up (one was full of water and it seemed to be shorting everything out.) The list goes on. It seems they have potential to be a good tractor if they ever get some quality control.

It looks like I'm picking my Kioti up next week or the week after at the latest.

Good luck to you on whichever you decide.

 

[drivadesl]

Sorry to get off topic. Flyingcow. Looks like a great deal on that TN, with the woods backhoe. What model BH is that, and did you need a frame to mount to the TN? I have a TN-70, and the dealer says you can use a 3pt hoe, but when I looked at a Bradco they recommended a frame. Nice looking machine and setup!

 

[jj4osu]

Some questions about how much heavy lifting, etc.

We currently have 9 horses to feed. Over the last 12 months I've fed ~100 round bales. Will likely always be in the 80-120 range as we move up and down in horses and grass in the pastures.

Groom the arena 2-3 times a week...a much less taxing chore for the tractors we are talking about, but pushing the limits of my 2210.


Another option I do have is swapping (free since the swap would be with my dad) the big 190 for a smaller old A-C 170 that would still be plenty big enough for the bales, but is much more reliable as far as keeping it running than the 190, and trading the 2210 for something just a bit bigger, 35hp or so that could handle the arena and other "light" chores better. The problem with this is I'd need to try to retrofit a FEL on the old 170. Don't even know if this is possible or how much it would cost.

What would be the options of fitting a loader on that 170 that would handle a bale on the front end?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Jeff, take a look at the Mahindra 35 series. look at the 4035 and the 5035. These are very nice machines and will do what you need with ease. Website does not have the 5035 yet, but it is available and a bit bigger & heaver than the 4035 and the loader has a 740lb higher lift capacity.

Farm tractors for Ag Farmers, Hobby Farmers - Sub Compact, Compact & Full Size 2WD & 4WD Utility Tractors

Good luck with your research.:thumbsup:

 

[Carykong]

If your current tractors satisfy all you needs outside of lifting/handling,I would consider a skidsteer rather than another tractor. A skidsteer is about lifting.

 

[flyingcow]

Sorry to get off topic. Flyingcow. Looks like a great deal on that TN, with the woods backhoe. What model BH is that, and did you need a frame to mount to the TN? I have a TN-70, and the dealer says you can use a 3pt hoe, but when I looked at a Bradco they recommended a frame. Nice looking machine and setup!

Highjack...

Its a BH90x(new, it was $9900). nice unit. Its on a 3point, no sub frame. I will use it very little, probably sell it late spring after i do a few projects around the house. I've been around tractors in some form or another most of my life, but this BH is a new toy, not to familair with 'em.

 

[AKfish]

Jeff, take a look at the Mahindra 35 series. look at the 4035 and the 5035. These are very nice machines and will do what you need with ease. Website does not have the 5035 yet, but it is available and a bit bigger & heaver than the 4035 and the loader has a 740lb higher lift capacity.

Farm tractors for Ag Farmers, Hobby Farmers - Sub Compact, Compact & Full Size 2WD & 4WD Utility Tractors

Good luck with your research.:thumbsup:

Looks like the Mahindra specs out pretty evenly with the Deere 4000 series (4120,4320,4520,4720).

Given the number of big rounds that you work with over a year - a 4000 frame-size machine would do just fine. And it would be a very capable (agile) grooming tractor for your arena, too! As well, any of the tractor's mentioned by others in this thread (Kioti, Kubota, NH); in the 40hp range would do just fine as well.

You can get the JD's with the heavier duty 400CX loader that is self-leveling and has around 500-600lbs more capacity than the 400X loader.

The JD website has an excellent "Build Your Own" tool that allows you to configure the various options and attachments for a new tractor as well as the suggested MSRP. Many dealers will work with you on price and folk's here on TBN report 15%-20% off MSRP.

Best of luck with your new tractor.

AKfish