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
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
