MS-Which tractor for 15 acres year-round pasture?

[Trudy]

We're in Mississippi and have our first hobby farm/mule pasture and barn to maintain, with no idea which tractor and implements to buy! So far, we've hired the mowing, box blading, etc. done, and this is the first winter to overseed for winter forage. What do we need? We want to be able to: rough cut, mow, till and smooth the riding ring, fertilize the pasture, plant winter grass seed. We have a preference for USA-made, but we're open to suggestions. I'd like an enclosed cab, if possible, without breaking the bank. Safety and ease of use are paramount, and we'll pay extra for both, which we think will pay off in the long-run. We have excellent Deere dealers close to us, so maintainence would be easy if Deere is the choice.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

There's about 10,000 possible (GOOD) answers to your question. With a little luck, I'll give you one. My hope is to give you a little info that will help you sort out what it is you want.

#1. Set a budget. How much do you want to spend? How much CAN you spend? Remember, this includes all the implements, as well as the tractor itself.

What specific jobs are you set on doing yourself? If you plan on using an implement ONE TIME, then never using it again, you'd be money ahead to rent or borrow that item, leaving more cash available for things you need on a full-time basis.

Are you dead set on new? Used? How "used"? ((Some real bargains on older tractors)

Is there a dealer nearby? Unless you can do 99% of your repairs and maint. yourself, a good dealer support effort is a MUST.

How much prior experience with tractors do you have? Some are more "entry level user friendly" than others. For example, if you aren't going to be doing heavy tillage, a hydrostatic transmission is MUCH easier to operate in a confined area. (You'd be suprised how often "confined areas" rear their ugly head on a farm)

What are your FUTURE plans? Do you anticipate expanding your operation? If so, don't under-size your tractor needs.

Now the options.... Cabs can add a tremendous amount to the bottom line. HOWEVER.... They sure are sweet! Very few tractors are available without power steering anymore, but some still exist. I'd stay away from ones without. (ESPECIALLY if you ever intend to have a front loader) 3-point hitches are just about standard on everything nowdays. Older tractors may or may not have them. You don't want anything without one. Same with live power (PTO) No live power equals major PITA. Another option (with older tractors) is diesel or gas. Make mine diesel. Safer, cheaper to operate, better power, and MUCH longer life. (Just be carefull with OLD diesels....Rebuild cost can be more than tractors value)

OK.... Now the "choices".... I'm going to give you MY OPINION... Shortly after that, everyone else will give me a NEW opinion.....

I'm a big fan of John Deere, then Kubota, followed by New Holland. There's literally hundreds of models to choose from within those brands. Narrow down your "options needed" list, then walk in to the dealer and ask what he can show you with those features.

NO, I'm not going to tell you what tractor I'd buy. Just HOPEFULLY, let you know how I'd form my desicion.

 

[beenthere]

Do you need one that has an appetite for Kudzu? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If you have a dealer close by that you feel confident with, then tease them (him/her) a bit with your future plans and needs. If its a Deere, fine. If another brand, do the same. If they see an opportunity for doing business, likely they will bend over backwards to help you make the right choice (as well as provide some demo's to try out).

Like already said, there are many choices, possibly narrowed a good bit by your interest in a cab, but still many choices of aftermarket cabs too.

I can visualize a Deere 3520 or a Deere 4520 being a good choice for what you have, but certainly would suggest you work with your budget and comfort desires to look at other choices. Getting pasture cutting done with a rotary cutter like the MX6, FEL like the 300CX, iMatch to easily hook up various attachments (some of which may be rentable at the Dealer with an option to buy), Deere's Frontier small spreader for the cleaning chores, and the list could go on and on.

Hope you missed getting the heavy damage from Katrina. Cleanup will take a lot of resources.

Hope this helps a little bit.

 

[Glenn9643]

I would look for a CUT rather than a utility sized tractor, and recommend a loader if there's any way you can swing it. That has been the best purchase I've made. You'll find a use for it every day that rolls around!
I think your search for a CUT with cab is going to narrow your options somewhat, but you'll find the Massey Ferguson "15xx" series includes several with the cab option. Kubota also has several models and I believe Kioti does with a cab. There may be others, but these I'm familiar with. There's not a Kioti dealer nearby so I've not actually seen them, but the MF and Kubota are excellent tractors.
If you think you'll need to move round bales of hay or other relatively heavy things with a loader look closely at the loader specifications on whatever you choose.
I have 20 acres here, and for my use I would pick the Kubota Grand L 5030 cab model or the MF 1552.

 

[Soundguy]

Lets see.. safety, easy, lots of seeding/spreading..15 ac..

I'm gonna guess a 35+hp machine.. hydro, with a loader, 4wd, and a cone type pto spreader... some sort of harrow.. lots available.. everything from drag to rotary for the horse areena... box blade..e tc. 6' mower

Soundguy

 

[BillG_in_TX]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm gonna guess a 35+hp machine.. hydro, with a loader, 4wd, and a cone type pto spreader... some sort of harrow.. lots available.. everything from drag to rotary for the horse areena... box blade..e tc. 6' mower)</font>

How about one of those new JD 3520 Cab models? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Egon]

Well - perhaps the least inexpensive would be harnesses for the mules so they can pull equipment that will do the work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

 

[rockyridgefarm]

One tool that will be a huge help is a chain harrow. You can use it for soil prep for overseeding, top condition your pasteure, to spread manure which fertilizes and cuts down on flies.

Look at your biggest jobs to find the minimum size machine. If you are going to handle round bales, the Mid chassis Deere's (3000twenty's) will top out at the small (800 - 900 lb. ) bales. If all you are doing is transportiong bales on the 3 point, they will take large ones just fine.

But going up to the large chassis (4000twenty's) will be a safer bet. Of cousre they willl cost a bit more... Both sizes will soon have cab versions, but be reeady to spend a chunk on a cab. It might be than a canopy is all that you really need.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Well, now Trudy did say <font color="blue"> " I'd like an enclosed cab, if possible, without breaking the bank. Safety and ease of use are paramount, and we'll pay extra for both, which we think will pay off in the long-run. We have excellent Deere dealers close to us, so maintainence would be easy if Deere is the choice." </font>

Sounds to me like her bank account can take the hit. I say go for the JD - maybe even a 4x20 Cab! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(Hey - it's not my money. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

 

[Idaho10ac]

Sorry I have to express my ignorance, but it's been keeping me up at night. What is a CUT please. That's all I have to contribute except that I just bought a new JD 3520. I will pick it up the end of the week. I have 10ac and using for moving lot's of snow and landscaping and general construction needs. I test drove and did the pricing still blew my budget, but I will be happy with the tractor. I got JD3520 with CX loader, snowblower with hydraulic swivel and a back blade tilts and swivels for $24,500. Out the door. Oh except the canopy that I added last minute for another $550. You'll be happy when you sit on the machine that feels right at the dealer that put's you in the mood to buy. Good luck