Tractor Sizing How much HP do I really need?

[4570Man]

The wedge is the Key! It breaks the bottom slice in 5 pieces. The top slice remains on top for another hit. Because the top is flat. It doesn't fall off. I suspect my blade angles could be optimized as it kind of extrudes the wood. I made the head so it's pinned to the beam so I can try different designs, but It's worked so well I haven't made others. I have just 2 splitting heads the one in the video and a single wedge which I never use. The single wedge is also reversible and doubles as a press.

What's the shape of your wedge? Here's what I was thinking. My drawing isn't to scale. The actual size wedge will likely split 4x6" pieces. Here's a top view of what I had in mind. I'd like to add another set of blades like this, but I don't think that'll work.

 

[4570Man]

This is draw to scale at 4x6. I'm thinking that's a bit big. What do you guys think?

 

[fried1765]

I failed to mention I keep up 44 acres for a friend who moved to Missouri, lol. Why else would someone with 1.27 acres need a 60 hp tractor, 6' bushhog, 7' boxblade 2 row corn planter, plows etc.? Not even mentioning the other 4 tractors & 3 trailers, lol.

"Why else would someone with 1.27 acres need .........?"
It is NOT about NEED......it is about WANT!
For 11.7 acres, I have 5 tractors, 4 trailers, many attachments, etc.
and ...... 3700 sq.ft. of indoor storage space.

 

[Roger66]

What's the shape of your wedge? Here's what I was thinking. My drawing isn't to scale. The actual size wedge will likely split 4x6" pieces. View attachment 495166Here's a top view of what I had in mind. View attachment 495167I'd like to add another set of blades like this, but I don't think that'll work. View attachment 495165

Probably should start a new thread for this, but see some pics here of the construction.

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It's design has wandered a bit so some pictures may not make sense as the final design may have changed.

 

[Roger66]

Probably should start a new thread for this, but see some pics here of the construction.

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It's design has wandered a bit so some pictures may not make sense as the final design may have changed.

Also search on Timberwolf TW7 for a smaller version of mine.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I failed to mention I keep up 44 acres for a friend who moved to Missouri, lol. Why else would someone with 1.27 acres need a 60 hp tractor, 6' bushhog, 7' boxblade 2 row corn planter, plows etc.? Not even mentioning the other 4 tractors & 3 trailers, lol.

Why does someone need a supercar? Because they want them, if a person with 1/2 an acre wants 15 tractors than more power to them lol.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Based on my experience with the 3016 - same as the 1526 - I cannot think of anything you would do on your sized property that you will not be able to do with the 1526. I own or have access to about 80 acres of land. I have hauled huge logs thru the woods. I have dragged cars with all four of their wheels rusted solid. I pushed huge rocks that I could never dream of picking up.

I've never felt that I have too little HP in med range. I've not come close to even thinking a too little HP in low range. Put that sucker in L and it turns into a bull dozer. As my Pappy told me, "That thing will pull anything that has two ends to it."

You will be very satisfied with the capabilities of the 1526.

And No, Arrow, I don't think the HST affects how it well it functions. It just feels different than a geared machine, but it's just as capable.

 

[IslandTractor]

Why does someone need a supercar? Because they want them, if a person with 1/2 an acre wants 15 tractors than more power to them lol.

Nah. If a person with 1.5 acres wants a 60hp tractor it is our duty to make them understand that what they really need to be happy is a 25 hp tractor plus a prescription for Viagra.

 

[Shaneard]

Nah. If a person with 1.5 acres wants a 60hp tractor it is our duty to make them understand that what they really need to be happy is a 25 hp tractor plus a prescription for Viagra.

I'd rather have 60 hp and not go have that "talk" with my doctor, lol.

 

[ModMech]

Your comparing a hundred hp to 8 hp. That's a lot of difference! How about a 350 hp truck vs. a 358 hp truck? Not much difference.

Nooo, 250hp is to 350hp what 8 hp is to 11.4hp, in either case a 40% difference, which IS significant.

 

[Shaneard]

Nooo, 250hp is to 350hp what 8 hp is to 11.4hp, in either case a 40% difference, which IS significant.

So a 32 hp tractor will use 40% more fuel than a 24 hp?

 

[4570Man]

How about a less biased comparison of work done over fuel used.

 

[Roger66]

I've decided 26 HP should be enough for my use. I just ordered the Mahendra 1526HST. Thanks to all for your input.

 

[k0ua]

I've decided 26 HP should be enough for my use. I just ordered the Mahendra 1526HST. Thanks to all for your input.

Roger, let us know how you like it when you have some time on it. We would be interested in hearing your opinion. Thanks.

 

[90cummins]

Just noticed your post.
I believe my neighbor has the same model as you, very nice machine and QUIET!
He has the 60" belly mower and front mount snow-blower with turf tires.
I used it to mow my field and lawn once and it gave a cut that is the best I've seen.
As was mentioned you are better off not getting excessive HP this allows the engine to work which diesels need to do to be happy, it will just take you longer on some tasks requiring several passes rather than 2 to get the job done.
To me the sound of a diesel working is music to my ears!
I own a Ford 1720SSS with a (Turbo) that has been faultless so I'm being objective.
I think you will be very happy.
90cummins

 

[farm boy00]

Read through most of this thread but heres a idea. Why not get a tractor that you like and if you need more horsepower just buy a older one off craigslist?? One example would be if you needed a bigger run to run a chipper to go buy a old farmall m with around 45 hp and simple as can be. Granted it wouldnt have live pto and you would have to fab a mount to hook the chipper but that could be a simple mount that just leaves the chipper on the tractor. But why would you need the chipper running if your moving the tractor.

 

[Roger66]

Read through most of this thread but heres a idea. Why not get a tractor that you like and if you need more horsepower just buy a older one off craigslist?? One example would be if you needed a bigger run to run a chipper to go buy a old farmall m with around 45 hp and simple as can be. Granted it wouldnt have live pto and you would have to fab a mount to hook the chipper but that could be a simple mount that just leaves the chipper on the tractor. But why would you need the chipper running if your moving the tractor.

I did look used, I saw big prices for very worn looking machines. I think the 25 HP will work for me. It'll be nice to have something new, but if I saw a deal on a used machine I would have dove on it.

 

[jenkinsph]

I've decided 26 HP should be enough for my use. I just ordered the Mahendra 1526HST. Thanks to all for your input.

I looked over the specs on tractordata before responding earlier. I think it is well positioned for the tasks you will have and is a good choice. Overall I liked the tire size, 3 range gears, weight and physical size. Good luck with it and let us know how it works out.

 

[IslandTractor]

I did look used, I saw big prices for very worn looking machines. I think the 25 HP will work for me. It'll be nice to have something new, but if I saw a deal on a used machine I would have dove on it.

Used cars are generally good value for the money because there is so much early depreciation. Not so with tractors. You can get a low mileage three year old car for 50% or less of MSRP. A 3 year old used tractor with less than 500 hrs often sells for just 15-20% less than a new one and doesn't have the benefit of factory subsidized financing or warranty. Even a ten year old tractor commands more than 50% of it's original price. Tractors are best bought new and kept for a long time.

 

[Musdalen]

Used cars are generally good value for the money because there is so much early depreciation. Not so with tractors. You can get a low mileage three year old car for 50% or less of MSRP. A 3 year old used tractor with less than 500 hrs often sells for just 15-20% less than a new one and doesn't have the benefit of factory subsidized financing or warranty. Even a ten year old tractor commands more than 50% of it's original price. Tractors are best bought new and kept for a long time.

Having done a fair bit of looking at exactly this same issue for the last couple of weeks, I'm of much the same opinion. Get the new rig set up the just way you want it, the warranty and pick the dealer as much as the tractor. At least, that's how I see it here.