Tractor Sizing How much HP do I really need?

[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.