I Need a Bigger Tractor

[DanielDD]

Consider negotiating a better deal for you with someone who wants to use your fields. For example, a penalty if they do not take a third cut by Oct off.

Buying a large tractor and equipment to cut grass seems like a poor option to me. Is there another crop that your land will support? Incorporating some of the suggestions offered by Dusty3030 are worth looking at as well. Maybe a mix of less cutting and better use of fields that are left.

Yes, bad option just to cut grass. We're city folks and just moved out to the country 5 months ago, so this is all new to us. I am sure whatever next tractor I decide on will do more than just cut grass. We plan on having a vegetable garden and there are a couple of downed trees that I'm sure the tractor could help with.

No penalty on the hay with current person. My agreement with him was simply to cut it and move it for FREE. Well, it hasn't worked in my best interests currently. Most likely I will terminate the relationship and find someone else. Wife wants a butterfly field and a wildflower field, so we will be looking into all that as well. Right now its just been all I can do to just deal with trying to get a handle on how to maintain the property. We came from a .25 acre residential lot to a 90 acre farm. Never thought in a million years I would be on a tractor and doing farm types of work...

 

[fried1765]

Yes, bad option just to cut grass. We're city folks and just moved out to the country 5 months ago, so this is all new to us. I am sure whatever next tractor I decide on will do more than just cut grass. We plan on having a vegetable garden and there are a couple of downed trees that I'm sure the tractor could help with.

No penalty on the hay with current person. My agreement with him was simply to cut it and move it for FREE. Well, it hasn't worked in my best interests currently. Most likely I will terminate the relationship and find someone else. Wife wants a butterfly field and a wildflower field, so we will be looking into all that as well. Right now its just been all I can do to just deal with trying to get a handle on how to maintain the property. We came from a .25 acre residential lot to a 90 acre farm. Never thought in a million years I would be on a tractor and doing farm types of work...

You will quickly learn to LOVE it!!!

 

[DanielDD]

You will quickly learn to LOVE it!!!

I sure hope so! I'm not quite there yet...

 

[jeff9366]

We purchased a 90 acre property with a beautiful home. Rolling hills and some flat areas here in southern Tennessee. Half the property is suitable for hay cutting.

For 45 acres, if all were to be worked for paying crops, the majority here would recommend a wider 5,000 pound bare weight tractor.

Assuming you will work about 20 acres and get into the woods, a 3,700 pound to 4,100 pound bare weight tractor would be about right.

VIDEO: Kubota MX Series VS. Kubota M Series - YouTube

 

[DanielDD]

For 45 acres, if all were to be worked for paying crops, the majority here would recommend a 5,000 pound bare weight tractor.

Assuming you will work about 20 acres and get into the woods, a 3,700 pound to 4,100 pound bare weight tractor would be about right.

VIDEO:

Thanks Jeff. Also, appreciate the origin of the word "tractor"

 

[Richard]

Hi DanielDD,

I'm in the Knoxville area. The wife's family farm here is about 250 acres, essentially 50/50 wooded/fields. I like to keep it cut. It was leased out at one time but he created more of a mess for us so he's gone.

I worked backwards... it literally, used to take me all summer to cut the farm... a bit on week day's and a lot of weekends. Wore me out. Decided to upgrade and bought 15' flexwing. Now, I need a tractor for it. I ultimately got a tractor bigger than needed but it was cheaper than a smaller one so I was fine with it. Meanwhile, it's large enough to stop me going down the hill we live on.

There is/was an Alamo Hydraulic mower in Chattanooga (tis what I have). It does a fine job wiping out everything before it. I think you need to forget tractor....and work backwards. What mower do you want/need and THEN focus on tractor.

Today, if I got up early and made it a long hard single DAY, I can cut entire place as contrasted with wiping out my entire summer. In fact, because I enjoy it, there is one field I cut every couple weeks (within view of house so it looks nice gazing out to farm).

One field went from maybe 10/12 hours to cut down to about 2 hours AND, I don't bog down going up hill. Bigger tractor has the power to keep on without much sweat.

 

[jeff9366]

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Tractor weight is more important identifying compact tractor capability than tractor horsepower.

The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to first identify potential tractor applications, then, through consulataton, establish bare tractor weight necessary to safely accomplish your applications. Tractor dealers, experienced tractor owners and TractorByNet.com are sources for weight recommendations.

Bare tractor weight is a fundamental tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used. Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range.

I spreadsheet tractor and implement specs, often a revealing exercise which cuts through specification clutter. I have a column for cost per pound.

Subcompact and compact tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight operate in landscape, kitchen/commercial garden or hobby farm applications on one to ten flat acres.

Tractors are inherently unstable operating on sloped ground. Tractor rear wheel/tire spread, sometimes adjustable, is a critical factor increasing compact tractor stability working sloped or uneven ground. A 6" to 10" wider rear axle substantially decreases tractor rollover potential.

When considering a tractor purchase, bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third, rear wheel/tire ballast fourth.

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.​

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...isons/430013-kubota-mx5400-6000-two-part.html

MOWER CALCULATOR: Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour

 

[jeff9366]

I am seriously thinking about trading in the L3901 but I don't know if Kubota will give me a good trade in offer or not. I own the tractor outright and will be paying for the upgrade out of pocket, so there will be no financing. Should have made the right decision the 1st time, but it seems I have learned a valuable, if not inexpensive lesson...

I like the MX5400/6000 and I may opt for a cab model.

VIDEO: So you want to TRADE UP for a new Tractor? - TMT - YouTube


My local Kubota dealer tells me Kubota will announce price increases of around 15% in January 2021. Dealer has a short period to order now at 2020 prices for delivery in 2020 or as available.

 

[JethroB]

Is a Kubota Grand L in your considerations? It would be difficult to have buyers remorse when it comes to features. The HST Plus transmission is top of the line. I believe cost is in the neighborhood of $5k over a comparable MX.

 

[DanielDD]

Hi DanielDD,

I'm in the Knoxville area. The wife's family farm here is about 250 acres, essentially 50/50 wooded/fields. I like to keep it cut. It was leased out at one time but he created more of a mess for us so he's gone.

I worked backwards... it literally, used to take me all summer to cut the farm... a bit on week day's and a lot of weekends. Wore me out. Decided to upgrade and bought 15' flexwing. Now, I need a tractor for it. I ultimately got a tractor bigger than needed but it was cheaper than a smaller one so I was fine with it. Meanwhile, it's large enough to stop me going down the hill we live on.

There is/was an Alamo Hydraulic mower in Chattanooga (tis what I have). It does a fine job wiping out everything before it. I think you need to forget tractor....and work backwards. What mower do you want/need and THEN focus on tractor.

Today, if I got up early and made it a long hard single DAY, I can cut entire place as contrasted with wiping out my entire summer. In fact, because I enjoy it, there is one field I cut every couple weeks (within view of house so it looks nice gazing out to farm).

One field went from maybe 10/12 hours to cut down to about 2 hours AND, I don't bog down going up hill. Bigger tractor has the power to keep on without much sweat.

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Beautiful landscape Richard! I am encouraged by your testimony that you cut your mowing time down considerably by going to a bat wing. I am leaning strongly toward a 12 foot one. At least I shouldn't feel so bad now, knowing you have a great deal to cut than I do!