Is 45hp overkill.

[BudDawg]

I can buy demo with 45 hp for the same price as a new 35 hp.
All I am going to do is cut about 15 acres of hills and try to keep up with some of the roads at deer camp.

 

[JohnMC]

If you say it's the same price and has the options your looking for, do it if you don't think it'll be too big for you. You'll gain by having better resale down the road...and having that little extra power when needed doesn't hurt either....Are they still offering the full warranty for the machine also?

 

[RoyJackson]

You didn't mention the manufacturer, but I'd sure go for the 45 HP demo if it's equipped like you want it.

Of course, the size of the tractor may come into play...if the 45 HP machine is physically bigger, is that going to help you or hurt you?

 

[OkieG]

<font color="blue"> Is 45hp overkill </font>

The question is--All things (ie options/features) being more or less equal (?), including the price, why would you not go with the 45 hp? Unless the extra size is a negative for what you will do, is there a reason not to? The extra size and power will almost certainly come in handy one time or another.

Congratulations on finding a good deal.

OkieG

 

[Soundguy]

DO it!

Back when i had 3 ac.. i was going to get a NH tc18.. i instead got a used NH 1920 for about 1500$ more... and yes.. it seemed overkill at the time.. but then I bought 10 more acers.. and it looks like we may get ten more eventually... so here I am looking for more HP again..

Soundguy

 

[polecat]

do it ...do it...do it!!!!!!!!

 

[jinman]

You didn't mention the brand, but in the case of the New Hollands, the TC35 is the same size as the TC45, so size is not the issue. I'd say go with the 45 hp model as long as it doesn't have too many hours. Is it over 100 hours? At some point, depending on hours, that 45 hp tractor becomes a "used" tractor instead of a "demo." I'd be cautious if the hours were pretty high.

 

[KiotiMutt]

I also have 15 acres. If 45 hp is overkill I must have went hog wild when I bought my 55 hp. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

KiotiMutt

 

[BudDawg]

Thanks for the advice everybody. I was thinking the same thing. By the way it is a Branson with 52 hours and the dealer will give me full warranty. 12,750

 

[OkieG]

<font color="blue"> so size is not the issue. </font>

Jinman,
Of course, you're right. Most brands put various hp engines in the same frame. So, size is a non-issue in those cases. Although, I imagine some 35hp tractors are smaller than their big brothers. Even if the sizes are way different, it's still a non-issue for a lot of folks. My comment was offered because for some jobs, in certain situations, bigger is not better.

I would like a larger tractor, but unfortunately, smaller works better for some of my essential tractor duties. Ah, well....if my wonderful wife would allow two, I'd be shoppin' for a big one.

OkieG

 

[Cincinnatus]

Hi,

This is only my second post, so I hope I don't botch any protocols. I just went through the size versus projected tasks equation myself. After searching through my local dealers' stocks--prices weren't as good as nationally advertised sales, but you have to build a service relationship over the years--I thought I'd go with a Kubota L3130GST with FEL and 5-foot rotary mower/5-foot rear blade purchase. Great local dealer and _very_ sweet tractor. My existing tractor, an extremely durable Satoh S650-G Bison 2wd w/4-foot rotary cutter was ever faithful, but required much seat time for my 40-acres [15 open] and big hills.

As I pondered the vagaries of different jobs--half mile of gravel driveway to maintain [1600 feet mine, 1600 shared but maintained by me] and clear of snow--deadfall to clear, fencing to maintain, brush hogging, path maintenance, etc., I decided to sacrifice transmission in favor of power. I could have stayed "orange," but the local John Deere dealer made me a good offer on the 990 4wd. As much as I favored the Grand L--I was really sold on it and had a spot all picked out in the barn for it--I reconsidered.

Already being used to a gear tractor [I learned to operate tractors on a JD 1010 and loved my Satoh], I had no qualms about working with the 990. Yesterday, I took delivery of the 990 with a 430 FEL, 6-foot Frontier rear blade, and Deere LX6 rotary cutter. With just one day's work on the hobby farm I can already see what the extra size and power has translated into in terms of work and stability.

Others on the discussion board can offer more advice on value, etc., but I can say that moving from 28hp to 40hp on 15 acres of property I work regularly has really shown up early as profoundly different. The power difference in brush hogging means _no_ bogging down, even in the heavy stuff--and I had some truly heavy stuff, at this point. Also, I did a couple hours of gravel work which the tractor did easily.

Good luck with your decision, but for me the upgrade in power was worth the sacrifice of a transmission I really liked and an electronic dash.

 

[Henro]

Coming in late...but...in my opinion, HP is not the limiting factor, physical size is.

I would want the max HP I could get withing the size tractor I could live with.

Keep in mind that tractors get smaller with use....

If size is not a concern, go with the higher HP. You will thank yourself later.

55 hours is nothing if you get the full, new tractor warrenty.

Go for the larger tractor if you think it will suit you. You will be glad you did.

That's my bet anyway.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[frank_f15]

IF the physical size is not a problem , then go for the 45 hp!

 

[sassafraspete]

BudDawg.... If you were going from the 35 hp 20 series to 45 HP....then no size difference in tractor...just more beast...so go for it. If you were stepping up from 10 series to 20....then more lift capability ...so go for it . Man, I sound like I come from the more is better camp. Are we talking the Yanmar engine? The dealers on this site seem to like that engine...although now replaced by kukje's own engine. I have 55 hrs on my tractor. It seems almost unused.

sassafraspete

 

[Poncho]

I also have been guilty of more power philosophy.... I've got an MF135 now but am looking at something a little larger... becasue like you, I also do work at the deer camp where larger is definately mo' better. If size is same or negligible and you can live with it... go for it! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[ljh2]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Keep in mind that tractors get smaller with use....)</font>

Well Henro, I'm glad I started with a 68hp tractor and only have about 30 hours on the meter. It should take me quite a while to turn it into a BX. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

All kidding aside, I believe that before too many years pass, I'll probably be part of a multi-tractor family. The big one for the open spaces and a smaller one for the tight spaces. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[DK45C_Dave]

Just think of all the times you have heard friends say " I really like this machine, I just wish it had less horsepower!!