Need input on purchasing a tractor

[ITHINKICAN]

I've done some research - the results were: 1.) Get the cab - it's hot and dusty here in Texas. 2.) Get the 4x4 - who's gonna tow you when you get stuck out in the middle of the ranch. 3.) Buy a Kubota - just 'cause... don't need a reason for everything.

Welcome. Good Luck!!

 

[Verticaltrx]

I would recommend getting a cab tractor, about 100-120 PTO hp, 2wd with duals. With the right size tractor 4wd only gives you a marginal gain in traction during most types of field work. If it's muddy enough that you risk getting stuck it's too wet for field work anyways. The money you save on 4wd would pay for a cab, which is something you will definitely want for the amount of work you are describing. I can't recommend what size implements you will need because I'm not familiar with your area, but I don't think you will be able to do to much primary tillage with just a tandem disc. An offset disc would be better, but it's hard to really recommend equipment without knowing what kind of farming you plan to do (conventional, minimum-tillage, no-till, etc.)

Kubota makes great tractors, but not really anything in the size range you should be considering. Deere and Case-IH are your two best bets IMO.

 

[DanielJ]

My humble advice would be for a bigger tractor with a cab. With all of the ground engagement you plan to do I'd definitely opt for lots of weight and 4WD. 220 acres of crop farming is serious business and you could definitely justify a bigger machine. I've borrowed a JD 6330 cab tractor recently and that A/C sure made a believer out of me.

I also think that you will find the cab tractor pretty nice on the rest of you place.

 

[aczlan]

There are three things that few people will complain about getting in a tractor intended for field work: 4WD, a cab and more HP.

Aaron Z

 

[rider9403]

If this helps. I bought a Case IH and I am very happy with the tractor. I thought at the time Case had more to offer and the cab was the selling point for me. The cab on the case is larger. The cab is worth the money, it's the best option!!!!!!!

 

[Allan_Cen_Ont]

Just last week I made the decision to pull the plug on the guy that has done custom farming for me for well over 10 years. I think "crank" has made a come back in my area and he is becoming unreliable.

Anyway, I have decided to do the farming myself and I was looking for some advice on buying a new tractor. I have made it to the Case. Kubota, John Deere and New Holland houses and I think I have narrowed it down to the New Holland TD5050 and the Kubota M9540. But since I am just jumping into this I would love to hear all recommendations, plus/minus, and insight I can get from the more experienced.

I have a 1200 acre ranch in Central Texas. About 220 acres are farmed. I plan on doing mostly all small grains on the farmland and running stockers on it through the winter. The soil is tight clay. I imagine I will need to plow twice then plant. I have an old 13ft tandem plow that I am fixing back up. I am not sure if I will need to get any more plows or if this plow is going to be large enough for me to get everything done efficiently. I would like to get a chisel that could also deliver anhydrous. I have a small 40hp tractor right now with a loader that I maintain roads with, shred, etc.. but with the new tractor I am sure over time I would get a larger shredder, larger box blade and a Beltec post hole digger. Also I plan on getting a spray rig to deliver herbicide/fertilizer/pesticide to the fields with improved grasses and the farmland.

I am thinking I will go cabless on the tractor. I like the cheaper price and with so many low overhanging trees on the ranch I feel like the cab would get beaten apart and parts of the ranch would be unaccessible.

I am not sure about 4x4. I do really want it and I know pulling a plow through wet clay is not easy but with either one the 90 hp tractors mentioned would it be a necessity to have 4x4 for what I am looking to do?

So are either the New Holland or Kubota tractors that I am looking at up to the job I need them for? Personally I like the Kubota better but the New Holland is a slightly larger/heavier tractor and cheaper so I was leaning in that direction. How much weight will I need to add up front or in the rear tires? Are there any options that I should purchase with the tractor?

Thanks

First off the tractors you are looking at are on the small side for some of the things you are wanting to do .they would be fine for the spraying and fertilizer spreading and the shredding but are on the small side for the tillage part you are wanting to do . You will need at least 130 hp MFWD tractor for the plowing and discing as you say you have tight clay and that will really work the tractor when plowing depending on whether the ground is dry and hard or has some moisture in it . You will need a cab on the tractor for spraying for health reasons and possible drifting of the spray depending on the weather conditions and what chemicals you are using as they can be hazardous to your health . You could always get a big older used tractor for the tillage on your ranch and trade your 40hp tractor in for one of the 2 you are looking at and you would be fine that way . I am suggesting all this as I have experience crop farming 800 acres . Is there a possibility you could switch to no-til crop farming or is it not possible with your clay soil.

 

[gammagrass]

Thanks for the help.

Now that I am going with a larger tractor I think brand new is going to be out of my price range so I am now checking out the used market.

Are there any magic numbers for tractor hours that large problems start occurring? I know it depends how the tractor has been maintained and if it has been used properly but do yall have an opinion on a number of hours to stay beneath when buying used?

Allan, not many people no-till in these parts. I have a neighbor that does it with wheat and sits right next to a guy who tills his wheat and I bet the guy who tills gets 50% more production, although I also believe he uses more fertilizer. I was thinking of trying it on a small 25 acre field and seeing how it goes.

I really appreciate all of this forums help. I think I am going to end up with a much better tractor now that I have heard from yall.

One more question, is there something similar to an online wal-mart that sells tractor and plow supply stuff?

Thanks

 

[TripleR]

I think you are headed in the right direction. There is a thread on here about "how much is too much" hours on a tractor. Essentially a tractor can live forever with proper upkeep and repairs. The family that farms our land has gone over to John Deere from IH with a few 8000 Series and a 7000 for utility, but they kept an old IH 1466 with a cab they bought new many years ago.

You might go around to some different dealers to let them know what you are looking for and they can let you know what is coming in and provide information on condition. Even used, there is no such thing as a good cheap tractor; reasonable, but not cheap. Successful Farming tracks and reports on what some of these tractors are bringing.

We have a 10' Great Plains no till we used on food plots and establishing native grasses. We loaned it to the people who farm one of our farms and the results were so good they bought their own much bigger unit the following year. I am sure it works better in some areas than others, but it sure saves on time and fuel.