MF1455, JD-5105 or TC-48

scudbait · Mar 16, 2004

I have looking at tractors for a while and am currently evaluating the following tractors in MFD. Does any one have any experience with any of them. I currently own about 48 acres in south east Texas and need a tractor to do some mowing aroung the houes, brush cutting / clearing some heavily wooded areas, box blade work and a small amount of hay making. Previous research on TBN has lead me to think that I need a 4WD tractor w/ 40 to 50 PTO HP.

I have visited several dealers and have been throughly confused through my tractor evaluation. Can anyone out there provide me with information concerning the following;

1. Differences between the 3 machines that affect my intended use, and budget ($25K for tractor plus impements)

2. Differences between 3 cylinder and 4 cylinder tractor engines, in terms of reliability and maintenance

3. Differences between wet cylinder liners, dry cylinders and cast in block cylinder liners.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Scudbait

Bird · Mar 16, 2004

( a small amount of hay making )

I don't have any good answers for your questions, but hope you've researched enough because a tractor that small really will do no more than a "small amount of hay making", if that.

JerryG · Mar 16, 2004

1. Differences between the 3 machines that affect my intended use, and budget ($25K for tractor plus impements) 
The JD is a utility, the MF and NH are compacts. If you want a utility in a NH look at the TN series. For the MF look at the 400 series or left over 243's or 263's.

2. Differences between 3 cylinder and 4 cylinder tractor engines, in terms of reliability and maintenance 
As far as your use there should be no difference.

3. Differences between wet cylinder liners, dry cylinders and cast in block cylinder liners. 
The liners are easier to rebuild, but it should not make any difference.

scudbait · Mar 16, 2004

What is the applicable differances between utility and compact with the same or greater PTO horsepower or engine size.

As far as cyliners go, which ones would require rebuilding the fastest.

Thanks

JerryG · Mar 16, 2004

Utilities are heavier and heavier duty. They usually have a larger cubic inch engine that will lug down better.
There should be no difference in the time required till the first rebuild as far as the different type of cylinders are concerned.

Ledgemere Farm · Mar 16, 2004

My brother has a 5105 w/ (I think) 521 loader. It is MFWD and pulls a small New Holland baler without any trouble. It is 2 years old with about 200 hours on it and has had (knock on wood) no troubles so far.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 16, 2004

need a tractor to do some mowing aroung the houes, 

My lawn is by no means manicured. But none of those are anything that would get even close to being an "around the house mower" Can you say "compaction"?

yellowsocks93 · Mar 16, 2004

I've used my 4300 with 60'' deck in the yard more than a couple of times with no compaction at all. It's very sandy soil but are you guys in more rich black dirt? I always have to use a garden tractor to do the trim work around the trees though.

KiotiJohn · Mar 17, 2004

( I need a 4WD tractor w/ 40 to 50 PTO HP. ) You may just want to check out the higher powered Kioti DK55C (cab) if you want to some a little haying. Also, the DK65C. You can get a lot of extra features that would be options on other tractors, and be within your budget while getting more power. John

EquipmentJunkie · Mar 17, 2004

I, like you, are in that "gray area" of needs between compact and utility tractors. After running a few utility tractors and larger compacts in the last year or two, I have come to a conclusion. Just like pickup trucks, utility tractors are becoming much easier to live with these days without sacreficing the heritage of hard work and durability.
Utility tractors are VERY appealing to me for several reasons:
1) Nothing beats mass/weight for durability.
2) Nothing beats cubic inches for torque / lugging ability.
3) Utility tractors seem less clumsy than they used to be.
4) Lower noise of new utilities. (Compare an older New Holland 3930 with a newer TN65.)
5) Value. Utility tractors hold their value well.
I agree with JerryG regarding his recommendations on other utilities to look at: MF 400-series, NH TN-series, and the JD 5000-series.