Tractor Sizing How big?

[VictorIdaho]

Hi Everyone,

Glad to find a forum like this. I am in the process of purchasing my first tractor. The consensus
is that defining what I am going to use the tractor is critical in deciding which one to get. To that
end my plans for the tractor are:

1) Mowing approx 2 acres of grass combined.
2) Manure management for 2 horses
3) 1.5 acre vineyard care (8 foot row spacing)
a) mowing (5' wide mower sufficient)
b) light tilling
c) spraying
d) removing prunings once per year
4) Light snow plowing for 1000' driveway
5) Share with neighbor who has 3 acres of grass to mow
6) One-time creation of 100,000 gallon pond

I don't have a specific tractor in mind but I believe that 25 hp (20 at PTO) might work. I don't think I need something
super powerful. 4WD seems important and I'd prefer an HST.

My primary question at this point is how much horsepower should I be looking for?

Victor

 

[dadster4]

I would decide what mower and tiller to buy first to get an idea of what PTO HP is required on the tractor.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

How are you feeding the horses? Rounds or squares, and are you storing/stacking the hay? If it's by 'rounds', you'll need at least a 40hp.

I'd contract the pond creation if you can swing it financially, it'll be a 'one off' job and will require a larger tractor than what you'll require after it's built.

Other than that, you're looking good... although "we" (meaning TBN) would probably push you towards 30hp. A wee bit more is always better.

Enjoy the site.

 

[motownbrowne]

I'd think that 25 engine HP would be plenty. You could use more if you had it, but as you may know, that's the cutoff for the current emissions regs. Many people seem very happy with the Kubota L2501. I'd also look at the Kioti ck2610. Those are the biggest 25 HP machines that I know of. Basically they are detuned engines in a larger frame tractor than you normally see with that little HP. So, they might be a little doggy going up hills in high range, but you get a tractor with the weight to do more than a B series (for example) can handle, and you save the expense and complication of the DPF system. There may be similar models from other manufacturers, I'm not sure.

Good luck shopping and let us know what you end up with.

 

[Texasmark]

I have 2 listed fairly new tractors, the 6530 and 2400. The 6530 is full of bells and whistles, the 2400 bare bones entry level. All mfgrs have different ideas as to what their low ball tractors (24 hp) will contain. You will have to shop around to get your required amenities. However, if you step up 5 or 10 hp the availability of most popular amenities balloons and you have loads of choices in dealers and manufacturers.

Besides you can't do a whole lot with 24 hp.......just a quick example, regardless of mfgr. is that the 3 pt is low to the ground and it limits not only your lift capability (the low hp) but the height you can lift an object off the ground due to the low ground clearance. Move up and you solve that problem which is really something to think about.

My little 24 was bought for a specific purpose and has those limitations. If I want to do what it can't I have bigger tractors.

 

[oosik]

I handily accomplished everything on your list, except the pond, with a Ford 1710 4WD @ 25 HP. I have 80 acres with a mile long gravel driveway to maintain. I used the Ford for 25 years and upgraded to the Kubota M6040 in 2009. All the smaller tasks were completed and I needed the larger tractor for larger projects.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

Check out the Johndeere 3025E 4x4 with loader. Offer 16500$ for the tractor and get a 5ft tiller for 1499$. I would get the L2501 Kubota if you wanted a one with gears. That is my IMO!!!

 

[VictorIdaho]

Thanks for all the great advice. Can anyone give me a sense of how important
the FEL lifting capacity is?

Victor

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

1200ish pounds for the Deere. Depends on what your going to do be doing with it mostly. I think most of your premium tractors in that horsepower range will have enough lift capacity that it shouldn't matter on exactly what that number of pounds is. The bucket on the Deere tends to bigger than the others in that horsepower class.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Are you moving round hay bales? Wagtail asked this already. It's an important consideration for feeding your horses. If you need to lift/move round bales, you not only need hp, but also tractor weight for stability.

I'm currently only on 3+acres (we're moving late summer to 13+ acres), and I'm glad I didn't go any smaller than my 37 hp, 32 pto hp with a FEL capacity of 2100 lbs (at full height), and a breakout capacity of 3500 lbs. Also with filled rears and the box blade and FEL on, my tractor weighs over 6K lbs. You should be looking at not only hp ratings, but also tractor weight. More tractor weight is almost always better than less, for stability and traction (same can be said for hp though).