Tractor Sizing I would like your opinion on what size and brand tractor is for me.

Florida Cracker · Feb 2, 2015

Don't look past used equipment. When you're ready to purchase take someone with you that has worked on a ranch/farm to make sure you’re getting the best for your buck.

On the tractor side of the house, you can get a nice Mahindra or TYM 60-70 HP with 5 year warranty for decent price. Highly recommend getting a front end loader (FEL). 4wd is a nice option to have but IMO not necessary for small operations like you are starting. You will also have to decide if you want a cab or open station tractor. Open station can save you a bit of money but in the winter it's kinda rough being cold.

Haying equipment. IMO Vermeer makes the best hay equipment. Find a good used Vermeer Rebel series round baler. They're very easy to use and extremely tough. Don't require a lot of HP to use either. A hay tedder is expensive new for some darn reason. Recommend searching for a good used one. Disc mowers are hit and miss when buying used. Again I recommend Vermeer, Krone or JD. They are pricey if you go new.

To answer your question in New Holland. They make good tractors just like the rest. They good for ranch operations, but if you use them to break ground (till, plow etc) they just don't have the weight and grip. I've been looking at tractors myself recently. I'm either going with a new TYM 903T and good used JD 6330 Premium.

Good luck with everything! And take TexasJohn's info to heart. He is spot on. Recommend getting with a good CPA and see what a draft annual operating budget you would need.

Roadbuilder6 · Feb 2, 2015

If you want to farm on it I would go with a few tractors. An 85C Case Farmall with loader etc, and then a International 1066 or something like that

clayhardock · Feb 3, 2015

Not too much difference in tractors these days. I find its the dealer that makes the difference. Talk to your neighbors and find out who is fair to deal with.

I went with JD because they:
1) have a large dealership close to me with a large parts inventory and overnight access to shipping warehouse
2) treated me well and fair when I was buying parts for my 15+ year old mower that I used for my grass cutting business. It needed a lot of parts in the last few years and even though I was a really small operator they treated me like any other contractor that needed to get back to work
3)have knowledgeable parts people that know their system well
4)have online parts ordering with good schematics that I can look at to see how something comes apart(or goes back together)
5)their 0% financing really was 0%. The price was the same whether I was paying cash or financing. The orange guys advertised 0% but gave a "discount" if paying cash. To me that means that the REAL price is the discounted cash price and the 0% price is an inflated price with interest already added in. In this case you are paying all the interest whether you go full term or pay it off early. You would be better off getting a loan with a stated interest rate. Then you know what you are dealing with and can save some money if you pay it off earlier.
6)have their own financing division(JD financing), so you are only dealing with JD. Makes it easier if you want to trade up before the term is finished. Also nicer dealing with only one company, no he said/she said arguments if something goes haywire. The other dealers used a 3rd party financing company.
7)can get parts for my 15+year old mower, means that what I buy today I can get parts for in 15+ years.

These are MY experiences with the JD dealer in my area(AGRO(now Cervus) in Calgary AB). I've got a friend in Saskatchewan who runs all New Holland on their operation as they got screwed over by the local JD dealer and the NH dealer treats them good.

Check to see what the dealer can provide for loaner units and onsite service personnel should your unit go down during planting or harvest time.

MESSMAKER · Feb 3, 2015

I think you might need two tractors. A medium size with a loader that is more nimble and a larger older tractor to power the baler and maybe pull a cutter. If hay is your main thing, make sure you can do it right. If you are cutting hay, you might not need to Bushog that much. I would think that you could get both for about $40,000.00.

texasjohn · Feb 3, 2015

Eshafer, we hope you post back that you are seeing and considering all the inputs you are getting. Your situation and conditions are unique and we all hope you can select those ideas and experiences which can best benefit you and your situation.

texasjohn · Feb 3, 2015

EShafer/Liz, we hope you post back that you are seeing and considering all the inputs you are getting. Your situation and conditions are unique and we all hope you can select those ideas and experiences which can best benefit you and your situation.

doxford jim · Feb 3, 2015

Eshafer/Liz,

There is a lot of good information in the above posts. I understand the reason for new equipment over used (in most cases an unknown entity).
I myself, decided to go new too for the same reason. I had an old '59 MF65 that worked well but needed careful maintenance. I decided to go with a Chinese new tractor instead of the main makes (this was in 2007). My 55hp Jinma cost me $14,000 US and came with a front end loader. The main brand equivalent would have been around $50,000 - I live in Canada where we are used to getting screwed on prices.
There is a lot of people who don't think a Chinese tractor is a good purchase, however in the right circumstances, they may be better than the latest main brand choice.
You are fortunate to live in the US where there are lots of choices most other people don't have. In your situation, living in Virginia, I would suggest looking at the Northern Tool tractors. Their tractors are made by Foton and sold under NT brand name. The give a warranty and deliver the tractor ready to work.
They have a new 82hp, cab diesel, 4x4 tractor with heat, a/c and a substantial front end loader for $38,000. Another plus is that tractor will not be loaded down with electronics and will be much easier to trouble shoot if needed (1970's technology).

NorTrac 82XT 82 HP 4WD Tractor with Front End Loader — with Ag. Tires | 82 HP Tractors| Northern Tool + Equipment

Check out their website - you might be surprised.

Of course there are much better tractors and much higher prices. You can get a workhorse or a swanky toy, your choice.

In my case, the 55hp Jinma has worked out well for me. I do my own maintenance and repairs. My only regret is I didn't get one with a cab on it - it can get down to -35C/-30F easily here, where I live. For the last few years I have survived without a cab, but this winter will be the last. This summer there will be a cab built on my tractor for sure - not the same as a factory cab, but a cab non the less.

Anyhow, you can make choices. Check out the link to the tractor - I think you will be hard pressed to find a better deal.

Cheers