Tractor Sizing I have no clue...I need help!

[newbury]

Operating a tractor is more complicated than novices expect. A new tractor is easier to learn on. Most tractor novices do not realize that the Three Point Hitch is the key part of the tractor. You want to keep ithe 3-Pt. available for implements and not cover it with a Backhoe unless you will use the Backhoe a good deal. Backhoes on the size tractors you will be considering are not very powerful but they are expensive. A new tractor may be within your budget if you forgo a $5,000 to $7,000 Backhoe. [/SIZE]

I think backhoes on midsized CUTs have more power than you give them credit for.
Most have enough power to lift or drag the tractor around and can be removed/installed relatively quickly.
Takes me only a few minutes to remove my backhoe and maybe 5-10 to install.

A couple of points on this -
You are going to need a tractor of at least 30HP unless you are going to do things in a small way.
A backhoe with FRAME and thumb will probably run around $8,000 and up UNLESS you can find a used one.
IF you can drop your backhoe so you can EASILY move it (like on a dolly or on a crane) into position I expect a 5 minute install would be easy. My BH takes about 15 minutes to put on, 5 minutes to take off. That's still 20 minutes out of your workday, plus putting on and taking off 3 point implement.

But with a Quick hitch changing 3 point implements usually may only take a few minutes. I write usually because a stuck PTO release collar may take 5 minutes to loosen

 

[4570Man]

If I were to buy new this spring starting from scratch getting one machine I would lean heavily towards the new M59 with factory cab. I would also recommend a good Florian pole saw to trim branches or a gas powered pole saw. This would be costly but if taken care of would hold its value well. The cost over time would be reasonable imo. Tractors seem to hold their value much better than trucks and autos.

I'm pretty sure the M59 has been discontinued. I think you would have to settle for a L45 or step it up to a M62, but I could be mistaken. Yes, tractor tractors hold their value better. That is why the tractor sleeps in the garage, and the F-350 gets wet. When I am not using the tractor at the house it sleeps in another garage and the tractor and the F-350 can sleep in the dry.

 

[newbury]

If I were to buy new this spring starting from scratch getting one machine I would lean heavily towards the new M59 with factory cab. I would also recommend a good Florian pole saw to trim branches or a gas powered pole saw. This would be costly but if taken care of would hold its value well. The cost over time would be reasonable imo. Tractors seem to hold their value much better than trucks and autos.

And with a list price approaching $70K, and the OP writing:

Since money is a factor (I'm not poor or rich) I'd rather not spend money on a deck right now.

I'm sure he will be glad to go out and buy one as soon as you send him a check! After all it is Christmas

 

[CobyRupert]

We've got some indication of what the use is, but as other mentioned no idea of scale.
What is your budget?
How big are the rocks and trees?
Flat or hilly? Is 4WD a must?
Like others say, you're rarely disappointed with a tractor bigger than what you think the minimum size is.
I was looking at CUT's to do some land clearing (40' x 12") pine trees, moving logs, some brush hogging, etc.. Went with an oversized 45-75 hp series Ag tractor instead and am glad I did.
Lots of hp & weight for the buck compared to the CUT's. Went new because used 4wd weren't much less. However if my needs had allowed a 2 wheel drive I could of bought a similar sized used tractor for about a 1/4 of the price. Depends on your budget vs needs.
p.s. A logging winch was the best attachment for clearing trees.

 

[jenkinsph]

And with a list price approaching $70K, and the OP writing: I'm sure he will be glad to go out and buy one as soon as you send him a check! After all it is Christmas

If an M62 as it is called will handle the jobs well that is cheaper than buying multiple machines. It would work circles around the L45, Deere 110 and the M4700 too. A good 60hp tractor loader backhoe with full hydraulics and cab is a very capable machine.

Still don't know the scale of the work to be done though. But I don't see anything wrong with posting about the upper end of the scale either. He may wind up with a BX for all I know. Why not look at a broad range of sizes and compare their capabilities to the needs once that is figured out? I did say what I would do hind site being 20 20, that would be cheaper than buying both the 110tlb and the 4520. I do prefer having both tractors though as it is nice to have both ready to work at the drop of a hat.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I have just retired this past fall. I purchased 65 acres of mostly woods a few years ago to keep me busy during my retirement. I need to smooth out the trails I have cut already, move some dirt around, drag out dead fall, worry out and move some rocks, and plant and maintain a few small food plots for deer hunting. My mowing needs are covered for now, not great, but I can get by. Since money is a factor (I'm not poor or rich) I'd rather not spend money on a deck right now. I think I need a loader and a backhoe but not sure what else. I don't need to get the job done in record time. I just need to have enough hp that it can be done. The biggest food plot would not be much bigger than an acre. I do not plan on planting any row crops. I am leaning toward new or almost new. I have looked at some compact and sub-compact tractors so far. The price points have run the full gambit, from, "not bad" to, "how much" !!!!

This is essentially play time with a purpose for me. Nothing I do or can't do will make or break me out there. I do have ideas and plans and want to accomplish them and do a good job. Thanks in advance for any advice on sizing, implements, how to find a good dealer and anything else that you think I need to know.

Merry Christmas and God bless our troops!

Kubota MX series, a whole bunch of tractor for the money.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Hey newbury, FWIW the loader specs on my MX4800 are more that twice what you listed for your M4700 (2300lbs at the bucket lip I think). I dont think it changes your point but just surprised it was that different.

To the OP, (also FWIW) I'd also recommend a 4WD CUT in the 40hp range at the PTO with a hydrostatic transmission (HST), SSQD. Your looking at arround $32k (+/- $10k).
Also IMO is it would be very difficult for someone not very experienced with 'heavy' equipment to evaluate a used tractor. Speaking from experience it is very easy to end up with more problems than you bargained for! (Especially for the limited cost savings and lack of warrenty).
Big decisions will be whether you need/want a cab and/or a mid PTO (used primarily for a front snowblower instead of a rear one).
Again IMO, Kioti and Kubota are a good place to start looking. Kubota offers amazing reasonably priced KTAC insurance and has a much better dealer network in my area but will be at a $ premium above Kioti and below Deere.
As others my have mentioned and especially as a new operator, a good dealor is super important, probably more important than brand. I looked for a dealer who makes you feel like they will continue to support you after the sale, has had the same brand for more than 10yrs, and has multiple service staff with experience (not just one good ol boy who my be gone in a year. Dealers get reputations so ask arround. Also, buy from the dealer who will provide service/warranty. They won't want to deal with you if you bought the tractor somewhere else.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Kubota MX series, a whole bunch of tractor for the money.

I, of course, whole heartedly agree with this. But definitely a utility tractor not a luxury tractor (but less things to break).
No cab option and no mid PTO but capabilities at the top of the CUT category.

 

[GManBart]

I, of course, whole heartedly agree with this. But definitely a utility tractor not a luxury tractor (but less things to break).
No cab option and no mid PTO but capabilities at the top of the CUT category.

There is no such thing as a Utility tractor that weighs only 3,700lbs (basic tractor, without FEL) like the MX series. Kubota can call them "Special Utility" but they simply aren't Utility class machines....hence the "Special" qualifier. They're simply CUTs that are on the large side, but with less features and options. There are actually a number of CUTs that are bigger, heavier, and have significantly more FEL capability, 3pt lift capability, etc.

That's not to say they're bad machines at all, but suggesting that they're Utility machines to someone buying their first tractor is misleading.

Now before folks start to arguing, I'll remind everyone that I'm not knocking the MX series, or the brand....they're good machines, no question. The marketing of calling them "Special Utility" is pretty suspect in my mind because they simply aren't as big, heavy, or powerful as real Utility machines. Are they utilitarian (minus fancy options)? Sure. Are they Utility tractors? No.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I'm assuming you did not bother to read the whole post. Please do and I think you will see that I did not intend to classify it a Utility Tractor. Regardless, it's an argument of semantics not substance.