Buying Advice Need a small tractor that can do bigger things in the future (e.g. haying)

[nards444]

Thanks...I've looked a little at other brands. But the dealers for these are quite far, if even they exist. THere is a New Holland dealer that I'd check out. In any case, not really looking to debate the brands. That fun comes in a year or so.

The one machine option is something to think about. Cheaper, only one to maintain. That's sort of why I'm looking at a smaller tractor first...might find out I don't need the bigger one.

As far as the haying goes, yes it would be cheaper for someone else to do it. Or I could rent out the fields. But that's not the point. I'll be in semi-retirement in a few years. If I can make enough money to recoup costs and make a bit of extra money then I'll be happy. The point will be having something that interests me to do.

No I hear ya, wasnt tyring to debate brands just trying to give ideas. You want to two tractors but we dont know budget either, kind of hard to give advice, TBH a name brand 60-70hp tractor and a 20-25hp tractor alone your well on your way to 50-100k depending on what implements you get. Also dont know how the rental situation is by you but for me the rental place is 10mins down the road, instead buying some implements and the right tractor to do it, its way cheaper and easier to rent the machine for a few bucks for the weekend once a year or so then to dump money on machinery that I have to maintain.

Think you may have to lay out budget to get some better advice. As a kubota 6060 with cab and fel are 50k alone.

 

[Trillium Farm]

If you are going to farm at all you'll need around 80hp and with enough weight to be able to handle loaded hay wagons without being pushed around.
For the smaller tractor go used, there are plenty of good used tractors traded in by people who underestimated the size of tractor needed, these are the majority, there are also a small number who overestimated the amount oh hp they needed, these are a small minority.
If you want quality in your hay, you must do it yourself as long as you know how. To have someone else do it it will be done on their own time and probably not when it needs to be done. If you have the time & equipment I don't see the reason to farm it out.

 

[Overtaxed]

I'll start with the former, as it's easier. I want two tractors. A SCUT or CUT, anywhere from 20-40hp. And a bigger Utility tractor, like 60-70hp, with a cab. I probably don't need the bigger one, but I want one.
Also on the want list is FEL (on both), Backhoe (probably on the smaller one), implements like snowblower, box blade, grapple, wood chipper and haying equipment.

Funny, this is pretty much exactly where I wound up. I have a 2 series JD (30HP) with a hoe/FEL on it for my small tractor and a Kioti NX at 60HP with a cab for my "big" tractor. It's a great setup, but I don't think the NX will be enough for haying (round bales), you'd probably have to step up to the RX. I bought the JD used and the Kioti new (real hard to find a good cab tractor in the 60-100HP around me, and I really wanted and am SO GLAD I got a hydrostat. I do a lot of FEL work with this tractor and it's invaluable).

I'm very happy with the setup, I'd buy the same two tractors again. And I'm SO GLAD that I got another tractor for the hoe. I was considering the hoe for the NX, it would have been about 1/2 of what the JD with the hoe cost me, but.. Then I'd have to really think about it, do I feel like hooking it up just to dig a small hole?? I'm lazy. The answer would be "no" too much of the time. But with the little JD sitting there ready to rock? I could sell my shovels. If dirt needs moving, I'm getting the hoe! And, even in my heavy clay soil, the hoe gets it done. Not as fast as a bigger one or the one on the NX would, but fast enough. I can dig a hole "slow" with my JD and be done before you've got the hoe on an NX, I can promise you that. If I'm really digging big, I rent a mini-ex, that's FAR more capable than any hoe on any tractor I've ever used. So the setup works well for me; guess it's my way of saying, I think you'll be happy with that setup.

 

[3gunr]

I wouldnt bother looking at an scut for what you want to do. I would start at around 50 hp and go from there. Get a zero turn for any yard mowing.

 

[mapper]

You may want to reconsider square bales, while the memories of haying when you were younger may be sweet, the reality of picking up 45 acres worth of square bales at your current age might be enough to make you less enthusiastic for the next year. Unless of course you have a bunch kids you can assign that task to:laughing:

 

[grandgourmand]

Overtaxed: thanks for the insight on the smaller tractor + hoe. that was helpful.

3gunr: the SCUT or CUT would be for smaller jobs, like landscaping (e.g. moving dirt, grading the lawn area < 1 acre, etc.). just wondering if there's a smaller tractor size that can do the nimble things + be a second tractor for raking/tedding. we used a Massey 250 2wd years ago for the lighter tasks...and that one I think was 35-40hp.

mapper: yeah, you might be right. maybe I'll do round bales, which would change the big tractor requirement. i just looked into prices for square bale grapple and caddie...adding those to the mix put a dent in my plan. nothing's set in stone.

 

[mikester]

Skip the SCUT unless you have a lot of steep hills for mowing. Buy a full sized construction TLB and a CUT. Finish the build and sell the TLB. Buy a ZTR after.

Your dream of a small tractor that can do bigger things is a pipe dream and you have unrealistic expectations. Get what you need to do the job, there is no such thing as a do-everything compact little machine that will lift what the big boys do and fit in the corner of your house garage.

A SCUT is no more than a powered wheelbarrow that makes some tasks easier than doing it by hand. If you lived in town and had to drive in tight spaces between buildings then a SCUT would be helpful, a skidsteer better.

You could buy something like an M62/M59 TLB but it isnt a CAT420/CASE580 and it will be too big for lawn mowing around the house. You got the space with 99 acres - a SCUT wouldnt even be on my radar unless you dont trust your teenage daughter driving the zero turn or she cant reach the pedals on a CUT.

You will want PTO HP (>45HP) and a heated cab for the snowblower.

 

[3Ts]

You're looking at a lot of money in equipment, but I think you already know that. I've got a Kubota L235 (~20 Hp) and a JD 5055E (~50 Hp). The JD is to small for round bales, but would work fine for square. It sounds like you do not have to have an income from the farm other than to offset some expenses, so I'd go for the square bales. The horse folks seem to prefer the square bales and you can charge a premium for them. Plus, most folks can come and get a square bale or few, but not the round bales. You'd have to deliver the rounds. The Kubota has served me well for many years in mowing and general chores around the house, so I agree with your plan for 2 tractors. The way I've got mine set up is:
Kubota - finish mower, box blade, concrete mixer (also used for mixing potting soil), landscape rake
JD - bush hog, grapple, 1000# grading blade, back hoe, post hole digger with 24" auger (for planting trees)

I was going to do haying with the JD, but plans changed. There are implements available now where you do not ever have to pick up a square bale by hand. It's just a decision as to how much implements cost vs how much manual labor you're willing to put in.

 

[Diggin It]

Skip the SCUT unless you have a lot of steep hills for mowing. Buy a full sized construction TLB and a CUT. Finish the build and sell the TLB. Buy a ZTR after.

Your dream of a small tractor that can do bigger things is a pipe dream and you have unrealistic expectations. Get what you need to do the job, there is no such thing as a do-everything compact little machine that will lift what the big boys do and fit in the corner of your house garage.

A SCUT is no more than a powered wheelbarrow that makes some tasks easier than doing it by hand. If you lived in town and had to drive in tight spaces between buildings then a SCUT would be helpful, a skidsteer better.

You could buy something like an M62/M59 TLB but it isnt a CAT420/CASE580 and it will be too big for lawn mowing around the house. You got the space with 99 acres - a SCUT wouldnt even be on my radar unless you dont trust your teenage daughter driving the zero turn or she cant reach the pedals on a CUT.

You will want PTO HP (>45HP) and a heated cab for the snowblower.

Disagree with pretty much all of that. In a mere seven months I've done things I couldn't have done as easily or quickly without mine. The neighbors with the big acreage, machines and livestock are having me come do the little things with my 'toy' for them.

No, it won't life large bales, but the OP has allowed for that. Buying, using, then selling a full sized BH may not be the worst idea in your post.

As far as the last girly part, could you be more condescending?

 

[mopardude318]

I would say the little scuts are a real tractor. I don’t own one and never have, I only own an M7060. But I am looking at buying a BX23S.

Are Sub-Compact Tractors "REAL" Tractors?? - TMT - YouTube