How heavy should a tractor be?

[milkman636]

Sorry I don’t have answers, only questions.

Would the extra 4000 lbs on similar sized rubber just result in deeper compaction and having to wait a little longer for the soil to dry out before you get on it?

Do you expect that the extra weight would allow you to till with wider implements or possibly bed or cultivate one more row on each pass?

Could tire selection or lack of front counterweight factor into the steering issues you’ve experienced?

 

[Indian Territory]

A 9,000 pound tractor is adequate for 75 to 150 acres of commodity crops.

Much too heavy for vegetable land. Dial back.

Much appreciated.

 

[milkman636]

A retired, former coworker of mine does farmers markets all summer long from his 10 acres using a MF 165 and a small fleet of little allis chalmers b and c models he keeps set up with different tools for different tasks. He beds in plastic like you’re planning for weed control and uses drip-tube irrigation. His equipment is old and only does one or two rows at a time depending on task, but he’s highly productive and has been able to get one of the best tables at the market because of the consistent volume of good product he brings. He’s been investing in hoop houses to get an early jump on the competition and extend the growing season. He says the smaller tractors work way better in those. That may be a possible consideration if cold happens to be a factor for you.

Some neighbors near our last house planted nearly 15 acres of a centennial farm in sweet corn and almost any kind of garden vegetable Michigan can offer, and they did it all with an old ford 800 series tractor and a farm all cub. They had beautiful rows all along about an 1/8 mile of road frontage. They had the most popular roadside stand within probably a 20 mile radius. There were no modern methods employed there.

 

[jeff9366]

One of the worst problems we have now is simply due to the lack of steering control and lateral shifting. 1,900 lbs is nowhere near enough.

Nothing is more important than keeping things straight when you’re trying to set up rows for efficient cultivation later.

One of the problems we have now is simply the lack of steering control and lateral shifting.

With what width/weight implements in use?

Could tire selection, lack of front weight, or overly wide/heavy implements be creating the steering issues you’ve experienced with the 1,900 pound subcompact tractor you have? ( milkman636 )

Many garden one acre IN GOOD TILTH with 1,900 pound subcompact tractors and patience.

March 1,2020​

We are turning over acreage that has grown hay for 30 years. The field is flat and even, with a slight south facing slope, with few to no rocks. I am determined to turn the sod using a moldboard plow. The ground is simply too compacted without this step.

Our intention it to plant a 1-2 acre vegetable garden. We may sell some produce for supplemental income.

Plowing one acre of MOIST compacted soil with a single bottom/furrow, 12" wide moldboard plow in good condition and correct plow technique should be within the capability of your 1,900 pound subcompact tractor.

Do you have a mid-mount mower? Is the MMM off?

A PTO powered, forward rotation, 48" - 60" wide roto-tiller is a reasonable choice for smoothing plow furrows in slightly moist soil using a 1,900 pound bare weight tractor.

After year one ground conditioning, a tiller should be adequate for one pass, Spring, slightly moist soil preparation unless the weeds have gotten totally out of control. Alternate tilling direction from one year to the next.

Be sure to have your soil tested, notifying the tester of your intended crop(s).

 

[WVH1977]

I used to see one of our local vegetable farmers using a 4x4 Ford 3930 and a couple of other bigger Fords as well. I think they were in the 60-75 HP range and 2 wheel drive. They are farming around 150 acres total with fields ranging from 5 to 30 some acres.

 

[WVH1977]

Mostly tomato plants. They use the plastic on the rows and have labors maintain the plants. Lots of buckets and they pull a right trailer around when harvesting. I really don't keep up with it but I see the tractors they use/have. I think they also have a big Kubota.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’m a hobby farmer. Flatland. Old school organic kinda deal. Possibly haying in the future. But mostly vegetable crops. Deep plowing. Tilling. Bed shaping. Seeding. No high hp commodity crops like corn or soybeans. I’m preparing to trade my NH Boomer 24, which is far too light to be useful. I’ve had a 75hp NH in the past at about 5,000 pounds, which felt pretty planted to the ground. The NH Powerstar 75 I’m currently considering weighs in at about 6,000 pounds. But the Massey Ferguson 4700’s are closing in on 9,000 pounds. Is 9,000 pounds going to translate to better performance in a mostly light-duty application like mine? Thanks for the advice!

It most certainly is. I see far too many people buy tractors based on HP instead of LBs. You’ll put more power to the ground and improve traction.
If you are planning on round baling, you’ll want a 9000lb tractor to lift the bales (like 2 round bales at a time)
I do very large square bales (1,800-2,000lbs) and my 11,000lb chore tractors are on the light side. I am selling one of them and hopefully buying a replacement tractor thats 14,500lbs.

MF is an AGCO brand and they have served me very well over the years. AGCO also owns Fendt, one of the highest quality tractors you can buy. A lot of Fendt technology and assemblies go into MF tractors. My MF 7495 has a Fendt CVT transmission, rear axle and braking system.

Trust me, You will love a bigger Massey Ferguson tractor.

 

[sea2summit]

It most certainly is. I see far too many people buy tractors based on HP instead of LBs. You’ll put more power to the ground and improve traction.
If you are planning on round baling, you’ll want a 9000lb tractor to lift the bales (like 2 round bales at a time)
I do very large square bales (1,800-2,000lbs) and my 11,000lb chore tractors are on the light side. I am selling one of them and buying a replacement tractor thats 14,500lbs.

Selling one of those little worn out worthless tractors you say? Send to me for disposal!

 

[Bill Guenthner]

 

[Hay Dude]

Selling one of those little worn out worthless tractors you say? Send to me for disposal!

Thats the plan!
The M135X has a deposit on it. Just waiting for buyer to pick it up. Have my eyes on a replacement. Thankfully I have the 126X, so the transition wont be too difficult.