Looking for All-In one tractor

Wade2370 · Nov 17, 2009

Im new to this site and need some advice. My mother and I have around 200 acres and looking for an "All in One" tractor to do just about anything with. We will be dealing with mostly hay and some plowing (not heavy plows). What we are looking at right now is a Kubota m7040/cab/4WD/loader. Will that do what we want. We mostly want to do round and square bales. There will be times to take this across the county and help others with their hay fields. Any comments about the m7040? Im 6' 7" and shes around 5' 10". Im thinking the cab because she can be more comfortable when out in the Summer.

We are in Madison, GA

flusher · Nov 17, 2009

Wade2370 said:
Im new to this site and need some advice. My mother and I have around 200 acres and looking for an "All in One" tractor to do just about anything with. We will be dealing with mostly hay and some plowing (not heavy plows). What we are looking at right now is a Kubota m7040/cab/4WD/loader. Will that do what we want. We mostly want to do round and square bales. There will be times to take this across the county and help others with their hay fields. Any comments about the m7040? Im 6' 7" and shes around 5' 10". Im thinking the cab because she can be more comfortable when out in the Summer.

We are in Madison, GA

Is that 200 acres of hay? If so, I would think that the M7040 is on the small side. My neighbor farms about 200 acres of hayfield using 100-175 hp tractors including this 165 hp Steiger Super Wildcat.

You need lotsa horsepower to handle 20+ ft-wide implements you'll need to efficiently farm that much acreage.

Like a lot of farmers, haying is my neighbor's 2nd shift and weekend job. So he needs large equipment to get the planting and harvesting jobs done quickly and efficiently. Harvesting hay can be especially time-critical because of variable weather conditions so speed is essential.

beenthere · Nov 17, 2009

Welcome to the forum.
I suggest you visit a local dealer that you feel comfortable with (and has good recommendations from neighbors) and get a feel for what is used in that area.
(You may not be as green at this as you sound in your opening. )
One tractor on that size farm, I think, will likely be rather cumbersome. But that will be something your dealer (whom you will need as a good friend when equipment fails) can help you with. I've a dealer who will quickly send in a piece of equipment if something fails. That would be good back-up for you, in case the hay is down and some minor part has failed.

What kind of equipment have you operated in the past for this farming endeavor with you and Mom?

Soundguy · Nov 17, 2009

As others are saying.. with that much property.. I doubt you will find a single do-all tractor.

I'd be thinking of a ag tractor inthe 90-150hp range, and another in the 60-70 hp range.. the smalle rone should have the loader.. etc.. the big one for the mowers, plows, bailers.. etc.

if it's all crop and no general mowing.. then perhaps only 90-95 hp on the top end.. and 50 on the bottom end..

soundguy

E/S · Nov 17, 2009

Wade2370 said:
Im new to this site and need some advice. My mother and I have around 200 acres and looking for an "All in One" tractor to do just about anything with. We will be dealing with mostly hay and some plowing (not heavy plows). What we are looking at right now is a Kubota m7040/cab/4WD/loader. Will that do what we want. We mostly want to do round and square bales. There will be times to take this across the county and help others with their hay fields. Any comments about the m7040? Im 6' 7" and shes around 5' 10". Im thinking the cab because she can be more comfortable when out in the Summer.

We are in Madison, GA

The m series kubota is a great piece of equipment; you will find it more than capable in most situations. You and your mother will love the cab, I am 6'2" and the wife is 5'11" and we fit just fine.
The one thing I would urge you to consider is to go with an m8540 or bigger. The reason is that they are turbocharged, reducing the power loss due to altitude changes.
Good luck with your tractor and welcome to TBN.
E/S

LBrown59 · Nov 17, 2009

Wade2370 said:
Im new to this site and need some advice. My mother and I have around 200 acres and looking for an "All in One" tractor to do just about anything with. We will be dealing with mostly hay and some plowing (not heavy plows). What we are looking at right now is a Kubota m7040/cab/4WD/loader. Will that do what we want. We mostly want to do round and square bales. There will be times to take this across the county and help others with their hay fields. Any comments about the m7040? Im 6' 7" and shes around 5' 10". Im thinking the cab because she can be more comfortable when out in the Summer.

We are in Madison, GA

There is no such thing.

dawoodwa · Nov 17, 2009

Wade, I live about 50 miles south of you in Forsyth. I suggest that you get something a little bigger with a cab for baling and a smaller open station for raking and tedding. Most everyone around here uses and 85 to 95 horse tractor to pull their balers but most pull the big Vermeer and JD balers. You can round bale with the 7040 but you will have to drop back to the medium size bales. Personally speaking, I always prefered the medium size bales, easier to handle and a lot easier on the front end of the tractor while moving them with the loader. I also suggest getting a 9' disc mower with caddy, at least an 8 wheel V rake, and a tedder in the 18' to 20' range.

When you farm 200 acres of hay you are not in the "hobby" range any longer, it is a lot of work and some long hours at times. You will probably get 3 or 4 cuttings depending on how much rain we get, this year was a lot of rain but not good curing weather. Don't skimp on the baler, if you have to get a used tractor to get a good baler it is worth it in my opinion.

You don't need a Stieger in Ga, you don't need a turbo just because of altitude changes, you don't need 20'+ equipment to farm 200 acres.

D7E · Nov 17, 2009

A versatile Bi-directional is certainly "all in one" and up to 140hp on the new ones but i'd rather have 2 tractors for 200 acres...

Snead Tractor LLC · Nov 17, 2009

Wade2370 said:
Im new to this site and need some advice. My mother and I have around 200 acres and looking for an "All in One" tractor to do just about anything with. We will be dealing with mostly hay and some plowing (not heavy plows). What we are looking at right now is a Kubota m7040/cab/4WD/loader. Will that do what we want. We mostly want to do round and square bales. There will be times to take this across the county and help others with their hay fields. Any comments about the m7040? Im 6' 7" and shes around 5' 10". Im thinking the cab because she can be more comfortable when out in the Summer.

We are in Madison, GA

Wade,
Welcome to the site. I'm a Kubota and MF dealer not very far from you. We just sold a new Cab M7040 right on the other side of Augusta last Monday. The M7040 is a great size tractor for the hay operation. There are a lot of those units out there in the hay fields. However, if you are going to use your loader to stack hay or anything of that nature, you are going to have put fluid in the rear tires. Again this unit will work in the hay fields, but it's on the smaller end.

As far as plowing, its really hard to say without knowing what size plow you are going to use. Putting fluid in the rear tires would be a must.

I know you are going to get a lot of opinions on what people thing you should go with, but in this application I would consider the 9540 to be more the "All in One" tractor over the M7040. I would not consider the M8540. Money wise you are better off to get the M7040 or M9540.
I think you would me much happier with the 9540.

Also, if you would like for us to quote you a 7040, 8540, or 9540 tractor, just let me know. Like I said we sold an M7040 on the GA/SC line and hauled it to the customer, and we were still cheaper.