Is a subcompact under 25hp enough power?

[Hard Knocks IV]

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?

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

I'd say you probably won't be happy with it in the long run,I have a Cub Cadet 7000 diesel 20HP great tractor to use around the farm and good in the garden but definitely not hoss enough for me to do some of the things you listed.For bigger jobs I get on my larger tractors,also using a tractor hard for jobs its too small for will put a lot of wear and tear on it.

 

[olenjohn]

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?

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

Absolutely yes. A flat level property size 20’ x 30’ - 1200sf - fits the “under 15 acre” criteria. That could be maintained it’s a weed whip, shovel, rake, axe and a wheelbarrow. So a subcompact under 25 hp would be an overkill. Go the other direction of West Virginia mountain side at 1000’ x 653’ - 653,000sf - also “under 15 acre“ criteria. The JD wouldn’t handle it. The variables and what you’re capable of doing should answer your question.

 

[Pleease]

I have the very smallest-HP Kubota BX subcompact - 18hp - and while it's terrific for my use - mowing an acre or so on a pretty steep hill (lake property) and occasional excavating - I'd likely go bigger if I had 15 acres to maintain, depending some on the specifics.

Even at 18hp my BX is strong enough to do about whatever I can think of, such as in '22 when I dug a flat spot for a 16x24' shed into our big hill, which turned out to be about 80% clay and 20% rock(!!!). The little beast never quit, but it did take a long time... and with your far-bigger property I'd think the time factor would be more important to you.

The BX is pretty budget friendly though. Someone mentioned the way it sips fuel - very true! - and it's been a few years, but in '18 mine cost ~13k with loader and mowing deck.

 

[Zork]

I'm now leaning towards the same thoughts. I don't think I would be happy trying to do everything with a subcompact even though it can be done but with smaller implements/attachments and longer work time.

As they say ... buying a tractor can be a journey.

If you think you need one size, go one size bigger.

 

[ajmuller]

Another factor that I did not seem mentioned is a loader. From what I have seen most of the smaller 25 hp sized tractors can only lift 750 lbs or so. This has been a limit for me a few times where I really wish I could lift more.

It has mostly been an issue moving machines and trailers with the tractor.

 

[TN8Man]

Thank you everyone for all the good feedback! It helped in my decision.

I decided against a subcompact and bought a TYM 48hp, a T494 cab which will replace my Kioti NX5010. I'm going to continue to use a riding lawn mower for the portion of my property that a compact tractor is too big and heavy.

 

[TimRice]

I use a B2650 on several properties that total about 150 acres. They are mostly wooded with some medium sized pastures and small food plots with trails to maintain. I mow, harrow, maintain the road into the property, put of fence and gate posts where needed, haul bags of corn, and spread fertilizer.

A few of the tings I like about the B2650 ...

• I can trailer it between properties (about a 15 minute drive) on an inexpensive flat bed trailer we bought.
• It is small enough to maneuver in tight spaces. I'm mostly maintaining hunting properties with trails and food plots, or mowing moderate sized pastures (a few acres max).
• It has enough power to do almost everything I've asked it to do.
• I have a quick change bucket and forks for the FEL, 5ft box blade, scraper, bushhog, post hole auger, small harrow, and a spreader for it. All of them get used on a regular basis.
• I love the Hydrostatic Transmission.
• I LOVE my Pats Quick Attach to allow swapping implements without fighting with the lower arms on heavier implements like the Harrow. I believe they make them in various sizes.

Some things I have wished it had ...

• More Power (think Tim the Tool Man sounds here). I got the post hole auger stuck once running it too deep and needed the help of a Skid Steer to get it out. Embarrassing having to ask for help, but fortunately the skid steer was near by.
• Again, More Power. I have had loads I couldn't lift with forks on the front end. Hydraulics went into by pass and couldn't lift a pallet of material.
• I wish it had a cab on it for temperature control and to protect from the Sun. This is a big one for me here in the South East.
• The stance is a bit narrow for the terrain I operate on, a wider stance would feel more comfortable/safer but I suspect a bigger tractor would also be taller, thus minimizing the benefit. I know they offer kits to widen the rear stance, but I worry about over stressing things.

There have been times I've spun the rear tires trying to pull something, but I have always found that engaging the dif-lock solved the problem.

The benefit of a bigger tractor is bigger implements and heavier loads, but that also equates to more expensive implements. It's all going to depend on what you want to do and where you want to do it. For me, "Tractor Time" is cathartic. I put on my Bluetooth headset and tune out the rest of the world.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Thank you everyone for all the good feedback! It helped in my decision.

I decided against a subcompact and bought a TYM 48hp, a T494 cab which will replace my Kioti NX5010. I'm going to continue to use a riding lawn mower for the portion of my property that a compact tractor is too big and heavy.

Where are the photos of the beast?

 

[TN8Man]

Where are the photos of the beast?

It's not delivered yet. They have to install the 3rd function.

 

[aircommuter]

Depends on what your time is worth.

 

[Pleease]

Thank you everyone for all the good feedback! It helped in my decision.

I decided against a subcompact and bought a TYM 48hp, a T494 cab which will replace my Kioti NX5010. I'm going to continue to use a riding lawn mower for the portion of my property that a compact tractor is too big and heavy.

Congrats - looking forward to an update or two on how it's going, if you don't mind!

 

[RB5]

This is similar to what I went through for a couple years before I decided on a Deere 4044M instead of the 3 series. I wanted a bigger loader bucket, a wider mower, and enough power. I just kept thinking the 3 series was going to be too small and frustrating. I have never regretted going with the larger tractor. I can move the big round hay bales, disk my garden, maintain my road, and move compost. I also looked at the 5 series and decided it was overkill for 90% of what I needed. I was replacing an old always broken down 1970 model Ford 2000. Almost every time I went to use it I had to work on it. Then it would be ok for a few weeks until something else went out. The only thing I knew is a wanted bigger implements and 4 wheel drive. Sand and sometimes wet clay don't do well when you have one wheel spinning and have to disconnect your disk to move it and get it unstuck.

 

[kmesr9]

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?

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

I have just under 3 acres and a Kubota B2150 which is 24hp. In my opinion it is just enough for my needs but if I had 10 acres or more I’d be looking to trade up for a larger tractor at least 35hp and if I was at 25 acres it would be 50hp or more.

 

[TN8Man]

Congrats - looking forward to an update or two on how it's going, if you don't mind!

No problem

 

[Skypuppy]

He can buy a rear mounted finish lawnmower for maybe $2500.... and all those other rear implements as budget allows, and only have one compact machine to maintain. And can just as easily teach his wife or family to use a tractor. My 12 yr old granddaughter is driving mine and looks forward to cutting the 3 and a half acres of lawn this summer. (With many objects to drive tight to. )

I got so TIRED of replacing the "garden tractors" that cost $2-$3k. They'd last 2 or three years and have to be replaced. After the 4th one died on me, I said some appropriate cuss words and vowed to NEVER get that genre of tool again. Had my Kubota BX2660 since 2009 now and it has already paid for itself, compared to the "garden tractors" from MTD, Sears, and even one yellow one. Further, the BX2660 has been used for actual farm work and road work, and snow clearing one season and still going strong. Needs new front tires (on order) and fuel filters replaced, <censored> <censored> "safety" switches repaired, and that's it. Oh, it's also dug a lot of holes with a PhD, too. Even with buying those implements, which the "garden tractor" absolutely could not pull, I'm still ahead compared to how I used to fork out the money ever couple years.

 

[PhilP]

I have a New Holland Boomer 1530 Compact Tractor. I would never waste the money on a stump grinder, because under 25 HP it will take you all day to grind a real stump. You should be looking at over 40 HP for that. A 5-foot flail mower would max out a 25 HP tractor. Better you use a 48-inch. Also, there's no way you'll be able to use a rotary cutter to cut anything bigger than 1-inch. Guaranteed anything bigger in diameter will stall your tractor. I've had my New Holland for 25 years and it's been fine for using a 60-inch rotary cutter to cut hay and briars, but that's about it. I had a 5-foot scraper blade and it was great for grading and crowning out driveway, but that broke after about 20 years and I upgraded to a 6 foot adjustable blade. I had all sorts of issues with the blade weight and width grading our 1/2 mile long driveway, because it was a narrow drive and it was useless to put a crown on the road. I ended up repairing my old blade and it's been fine. If you have a narrow driveway you need to grade, forget getting a box-blade. They are not designed to put a crown down. The same thing with a landscape plane. With under 25 HP forget doing more than a single-bottom plow for tilling the soil. You might be better with a 48-inch tiller. With 25 HP or less, forget getting a toothed rake for the bucket. If you hit a shallow stump, big rock or real roots you'll stall your tractor. The other issue is if you have a Front Eng Loader on a small tractor, you won't have much lifting force. My tractor only lifts around 1000 lbs. I don't have an auger, but if I did I wouldn't recommend more than a 12-inch auger bit in rocky soil. The only advantage with a small tractor is fuel economy. I think under 25 HP you can dodge the DEF issue. Be sure you have a folding ROPS if you have a standard 8-foot garage door opening height. Good luck bailing hay. You could get away with small square bales, but bigger round bales will be too heavy for the front end loader.

 

[dh206]

I have a Kubota BX2350 for 3.14 acres. It's smaller than 10 acres, but it's relevant.
Would I use it for mowing? No, I use my Ariens ZTR for mowing. It is faster, it will always be faster. A mid-mower tractor can be used, but it will take a LOT longer because of the boat-like turning radius. It's also a lot heavier.
Would I use it for wood chipping? yes, all the time. Great for this with a nice Goosen chipper
Would I use it for bush hogging. If I had any bush to hog, yes, but it would be a smaller one, probably 48" or less.
Would I use it for minor tilling? Yes. I have a 36" tiller.
Would I use it for post-hole drilling? Yes, I have a post hole auger and put in a 1/2 acre of fence over the course of a couple/few days (no hurry)
Would I use it for carrying mulch around.? Yes, because it's light, it doesn't dig up the lawn. (I use turf tires vs agg or mixed-use). It has limited capacity compared to larger tractors. I used it for stone driveway regrading a bit, though there are some tasks I would not use it for.
Does it fit in a standard garage bay? yes.
Would I use it for stump grinding? - unclear. I've not seen or used a stump grinder implement for effective 18HP PTO.

 

[bluetim0]

I have a Kioti CK22, that weighs 1 ton, unlike the newer Subcompact tractor that weigh half this. The little girl does most things, and at only 4’ wide can go almost anywhere. The extra weight helps
More Hp at times would be great, but don’t forget the large tractors of old didn’t have much Hp. It what they did with the Hp that counts. John Deere B series 2 cylinder tractors only had 30Hp

 

[RB5]

I got so TIRED of replacing the "garden tractors" that cost $2-$3k. They'd last 2 or three years and have to be replaced. After the 4th one died on me, I said some appropriate cuss words and vowed to NEVER get that genre of tool again. Had my Kubota BX2660 since 2009 now and it has already paid for itself, compared to the "garden tractors" from MTD, Sears, and even one yellow one. Further, the BX2660 has been used for actual farm work and road work, and snow clearing one season and still going strong. Needs new front tires (on order) and fuel filters replaced, <censored> <censored> "safety" switches repaired, and that's it. Oh, it's also dug a lot of holes with a PhD, too. Even with buying those implements, which the "garden tractor" absolutely could not pull, I'm still ahead compared to how I used to fork out the money ever couple years.

That is why I bought a commercial zero turn with a 60" Deck. They last.

 

[gtunney]

I currently have ~8 acres with ~5 that I mow but I'm going to be buying more property starting with ~4 acres and this is all wooded land that I will start working.

I did decide and purchased a 48hp TYM tractor to replace my NX.

Congrats on your purchase. I suspect that will be more than adequate.