Need Advice have 5 acres (Looking for first tractor)

[LBrown59]

ROY: I think the most important issue is what will be required of the tractor in the future? Are you just going to maintain status quo; or eventually build a barn, workshop, add on to your home, dig a small pond, etc.? In my opinion a 30 hp tractor would meet the requirements, with the full size frame.
You may want to add a BH in the future, and weight is important to reduce tractor bouncing. I would ponder the future before the plunge!
It's been my opinion over the years here; many more trade-up in size, than down?

Also do your homework on tire selection, and read the pro/cons here for usage in soil and terrain along with implement work,

I have several tractors from 25 to 35 hp. They can all accomplish the same work, but the smaller tractors take longer. I always lose traction before HP too!!

I didn't trade down ~~~~ I just added 2 BX1500s to the BX23.== L B ==

 

[patrick_g]

I have reconsidered and thought I'd get more in line with a general consensus/mood of the body politic.

I have never heard anyone complain that a tractor is too powerful or got the work done too fast so adding that into the mix I recommend you get at least 150 HP with cab and A/C with seating for at least 2 adults and 2-3 small children. GPS, HDTV with 7.1 surround and a couple DVD's with plasma monitors to play cartoons for the kids when they get bored with tractoring.

Ag planes can cover more area per unit time so for overseeding, spraying (ag chemicals, fertilizer, whatever) you might want to consider a crop duster adjunct to the tractor. If the neighbors are too **** about your using the road for a strip (not enough room in 5 acres for ag plane at gross weight) then consider helo lessons and an ag chopper.

I gotta go, something about needing to adjust my medication... PM me for a list of other vital suggestions on how to gear up to deal with your "spread."

Pat

 

[Railroad]

I would look at a Kubota B7800...very manuverable size yet a tough little 30hp tractor. If you want to run a 60" tiller, or do any kind of ground engaging work, look for a heavier tractor like the L3400. Used is always a good option if you can find something that hasn't been beet to H$ll. Look for a used Kubota B2910...Good luck and have fun.

 

[TimC]

I currently have a 5 acre plot with ~2.5 acres of lawn, 1.5 acres of woods, and ~1 acre of rough brush that I hog a few times a year. For the mowing and general upkeep, I have done just fine with a 2wd Gear Drive New Holland TC18 for the past two years. The land is already cleared with grass, so no real need for a FEL. I spent $5500 on the tractor, $250 on a used 5' light duty bush hog, and $900 on an almost new 5' Finish mower. Only 1/3rd of your prospective budget.

On the other hand, I am purchasing 6.5 Acres in the mountains that needs roads cleaned out and maintained, and some grading and bush hogging, etc. before we start building a house. So for this property I am selling the TC18 and stepping up to a Kioti CK25/30.

Two very similar sized plots but two very different Tractor Needs...

 

[davitk]

I may be a minority voice crying in the wilderness but I think unless you are doing a lot of HD terraforming you are wasting money to go over 25HP with 5 acres. Pat

I really hadn't planned to respond to this wind, but it can't be left standing. Huh?

Kinda like saying "you live in the city; no point in driving anything but a Toyota Tercel, those Camrys are way to big." Give me a break.

Fact is, there is a size point that, when reached, makes a nicer, more comfortable and therefore more enjoyable machine, and IMHO the L3240 in the Kubota line up hits that spot. Sure it is a size larger than absolutely necessary, but ****, we all choose to live in the country. Is that really necessary? Seems a bit wasteful when we all could be living in some high rise somewhere.....

 

[IslandTractor]

I really hadn't planned to respond to this wind, but it can't be left standing. Huh?

Kinda like saying "you live in the city; no point in driving anything but a Toyota Tercel, those Camrys are way to big." Give me a break.

Fact is, there is a size point that, when reached, makes a nicer, more comfortable and therefore more enjoyable machine, and IMHO the L3240 in the Kubota line up hits that spot. Sure it is a size larger than absolutely necessary, but ****, we all choose to live in the country. Is that really necessary? Seems a bit wasteful when we all could be living in some high rise somewhere.....

There are other negatives to consider before buying into the bigger is better argument. If you are only working 5 acres you could definitely get by with a smaller tractor that costs less, uses less fuel, is stored in a smaller area, is more manuverable, uses less expensive implements and still get the job done perfectly well. A L3240 on 5 acres is really a bit like owning a F350 to drive to the grocery store because you like the big truck feel. Fine if that is the reason you choose your vehicles but if you are looking for efficiency and ability to do the job at hand it is overkill and more expensive than necessary.

 

[LBrown59]

There are other negatives to consider before buying into the bigger is better argument. If you are only working 5 acres you could definitely get by with a smaller tractor that costs less, uses less fuel, is stored in a smaller area, is more manuverable, uses less expensive implements and still get the job done perfectly well. A L3240 on 5 acres is really a bit like owning a F350 to drive to the grocery store because you like the big truck feel. Fine if that is the reason you choose your vehicles but if you are looking for efficiency and ability to do the job at hand it is overkill and more expensive than necessary.

To me Bigger is a bummer.

 

[davitk]

A L3240 is really a bit like owning a F350.

I'll take that as a compliment.

 

[MossRoad]

I tend to agree with IslandTractor on this. Buying a huge tractor just because you can when a smaller one will do just fine seems wastefull.

 

[davitk]

I tend to agree with IslandTractor on this. Buying a huge tractor just because you can when a smaller one will do just fine seems wastefull.

You mean patrick g. I agree, too. Just wanted to argue.

I know which tractor I want pulling me out of the ditch this winter.