Is a subcompact under 25hp enough power?

[TractorNoob85]

I could have a use for a small frame tractor. Mowing trails in the woods would be nice with the narrow width. Moving mulch and pulling a small wagon. You have to stay practical given the size. Heavier jobs require heavier equipment.

 

[FPGT72]

Depends on what you're doing of course, but for the way we use tractors weight is as much a limiting factor as horsepower. Without enough weight, the implements want to steer the tractor, rather than the other way around. For us this happens mostly with ground engagement. You can't draw straight beds if you can't steer. Weight in the bucket helps, but with small tractors the buckets are limited in capacity. I've been told on this site that 75 hp is enough for small scale farming, but I'll never own less than 120 hp again. But that's for berry farming, which involves using large tillers on a lot of acres, and also pulling a raised bed maker. For mowing you could get by with much less. Lots of riding lawnmowers fall in the 25 hp range. Problem is, though you can buy little implements for little tractors, most of them are not worth owning. This is especially true for box blades, etc., where weight is essential. Just my two cents based on my experience of course.

Can you go into a little bit more on this?

 

[Texasmark]

You really need to get away from the MMM attachment on a tractor, as mentioned above. Guarantee that you will regret that nuisance purchase. Buy a stand alone mower for your lawn type mowing. The MMM sold for $2500 10 years ago when I bought my first 25 HP tractor so in today's prices that would go a long way in covering the cost of a separate mower.

On sizing, my 25 HP is a compact, not a sub-compact and I think going smaller would not be in your best interest....one thing for example, is the 3 PT ground clearance for the tips of the lift arms isn't that high off the ground and that can be a problem as my 25 sometimes isn't high enough to do what I want to do.

 

[BrighamSa]

Is a subcompact under 25hp engine enough power to maintain a under 15 acre property where the tasks are mowing w/ mid mower, finish mower, brush hogging, stump grinding, hole digging, box blade and typical loader work?

Tutuapp 9Apps​

I have owned a 35hp and 50hp so I'm a little uneasy getting a under 24hp.

I personally wouldn't mess around with something that small if you have more than an acre or so to mow.