need suggestions on HP and tractors...

[hbarski]

I recently bought an 80 acre farm. The land is rolling hill ground, about 45 acres are in pasture. It has a 12 acre lake, and the rest is timber. I have no working knowledge of tractors other than casual observations. I do know that I have a need for one, along with attachments.

I know that I will need to work and clean up 3 levees.

Clear brushpiles and new growth in the timber.

Keep the grass cut on 45 acres of pasture.

Maintain chat driveway and work building sites for new barns, garage, and home.

Now what complicates this a little more is that the farm, is 2 hours away from my home, and it is THE retirement place for the wife and myself in 7-10 years. We will have weekends to go up and enjoy the place and to get things in shape.

I want to get enough tractor to do the things that need to be done without over or under buying. I have a good understanding of the immediate needs like FEL, bushhog, and box blade, but other than that, I wouldn't begin to know where to start.

I would really like to hear your input on recommendations for the different makes of tractors along with the pros and cons. I am fairly well mechanically minded and have a tendency to prefer to do my own wrenching.

Any help and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gatorboy]

I'm sure you don't want to spend the whole weekend cutting 45 acres, so I would suggest something like a Kubota M8200/M9000 w/FEL and a Rhino 15' flexwing mower.

You didn't mention what your budget was -- so I'm spending your money as if it was water. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[LarryD]

I would look for a local farmer who wants that 45 acres of pasture for hay. That can quickly turn into a lot of work without attention. It can also offer tax advantages if it stays in ag status. Around here you only have to make a couple hundred dollars a year to stay in ag status.

That doesn't diminish your tractor needs but it will reduce your workload and let you focus on other projects.

As for size, I would think you're looking at 40+ hp to operate any implements that would significantly reduce your workload (10' brushhog?). I'll let others chime in on that since I have 6 acres that the 5 horses (no disrespect to the mule /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) substitute for a brushhog...now if I could just get them to eat thistle. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[thcri]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would look for a local farmer who wants that 45 acres of pasture for hay. )</font>

I think I would go along with that or even find a farmer who is willing to put up a fence around the 45 acres and put his cattle in it. You could get some good money for pasture rent.

I would spend my week-ends there getting the area around where your house is going to be all set up.


murph

 

[LarryD]

<font color="blue"> find a farmer who is willing to put up a fence... and put his cattle in it. You could get some good money for pasture rent. </font>

Maybe even a couple of steaks. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ...lets see, I'll have mine rare please. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

Are you planning to do anything with the pastures, or just keep them cut? I favor the renting some of it out unless you're going to try to make some money with it. If so, you're going to need a lot of tractor, or spend ALL your time working it.
I would say not less than 40, but probably at least 55HP or more to be able to pull implements large enough to work fast.
Since I favor Kioti products, when they're priced to compete, I would recommend not less than a DK45 with a good lean toward the DK55 ROPS version (no cab) or Cab model. The DK65 is also available in both those models, and both have a rear 3pt hitch lever so you don't have to climb into the tractor to adjust the hitch while hooking up implements.
I would sure think you'd need at least a 10' brush mower, but I'd want up to 15'. That takes a TRACTOR to haul.
Not that I'm really familiar with them, but I've read quite a few posts about the Zetors. They're big, heavy, strong, and cheaper than many others. If you have to go really large, you may check into these.
In many cases, the large Utility Tractors (>60HP) can be cheaper than Compact Utility Tractors. John

 

[hbarski]

Well, you see, money around here now is like water in the desert. There is some, but not as much as I would like. The old coot that sold the farm took just about all of my beer money. I have a farm paid for, but little left over to get moving on the equipment.

I had an offer from a guy to run cattle on it, but I hesitate because I like to hunt, and I am afraid the cattle would tend to muddy up the area around the lake. Now the idea of pulling hay off may work, but the fields haven't been fertilized in a while, and I wouldn't know where to start trying to price what would be a fair offer for someone.

The property is fenced but is in need of minor repair in a few areas. I just hope I haven't bit off more than I can chew.

 

[Soundguy]

Here's my take... Don't buy too 'little' .. too little will be more hamper than too much.

Like another person said.. Cutting grass will be a big issue. At a minimum a 10' mower and that will make a full ( 14 hrs ) day of cutting. More preferable would be a 15' mower. Still a 'day' job... but not all day.

That is going to kick you up into the 80+ hp range for tractors.

This will also make for a tractor that will be usefull for logging, or other tasks that large acerage turn up from time to time.. like perhaps a small hay operation..e tc. A ag tractor makes that so much more feasable. While there are those that do hobby hay with 40-50 hp machines.. it is alot of work. ( its a lot of work anyway /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ).

The complications of a large tractor are; size.. you are going to be looking at around 7' wide or so. That limits maneuverability.. but then 80 ac.. you've got room /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Also.. this makes for the need of a big trailer and hauling vehicle.. *IF* you plan on hauling it. You may just leave the thing out there.

I have a car hauler and full size truck. I can haul my 7 'small' tractors.. but not my big NH. So far that's hasn't been an issue.. i don't do any for hire work.. just use it to mow my pasture.

Next is money. Like all things.. big tractors cost more.. and their implements cost even more!

For a mower you might look at Howse. They are coming out with a 15' batwing. if it is as price competitive as their 10' mower is.. it should be a steal. My howse HD 10' mower was about half the price of most competitors 10' mowers. I've used it since mid last year and love it.. it's a big solid brute.. no complaints.

Your options are new or used. New breakes down into new name brand.. or new 2nd/3rd brand.

Examples would be a 'big 3' ( generally NH, Kubota, JD and massey F ).

Next would be a new 2nd brand.. like mahindra, kioti, etc...

Then their are the 3rd brands.. like chineese.. foton etc. Some 80hp tractors for pretty low money.


Next.. used. At least here in the south, you can pick up 80-150 hp ag tractors for under 10k. the older.. the cheaper. For instance a late 60's ford 8000 ( 10 hp ) you can get them in the 4000-5000 range. Same with case 1xxx series.. 4000$.. ford tw 25 and 30 , and some of the big allis/fiat machines up to the 130 hp range in the 6500$ area.

That's cheap hp.. course.. it a tad older.. not antique.. but then some parts may be hard to find. So if you go this route.. investigate the tractor and chek parts availability.

At this 'cheap' price.. you could even get a regular 'new' utility tractor for generic duties. Say a 33-45 hp tractor for 'small work' and the old big brute just for mowing. Price it right and get say.. kioti mid size tractor.. and an old ag tractor and inexpensive mower.. and your way down on price.. and have alot of versatility.

If old/private owners/used scares you.. look for new-ish, or well maintained fleet sales. For instance lease returns to a deal.. or trade-ins at a dealer. Both good options.. may have some warranty.. or record of maintenance, and possibly some dealer support. state and local government might be an option. Around here, the state turns over it's mowing tractors at a few thousand hours.. cheap. The let go of a few NH 7610s 4wd units with ranges of 2000-4000 hours for 8-11k$ ( I bought a 2wd Nh 7610s as a trade in from a NH dealer.. had 7xx hours.. and paid alot more than that..shoulda helt out longer and save a few grand.. )

Thats a realitively new(age) tractor.. and still has hours of life left.. even at the 4k mark. county does good service.

They had cosmetic defects.. usually tree limb damage.. not much rust.

The plus side to a used or old machine.. is that you won't worry about it as much leaving it unatended.. the downside is the age/repair costs .. if any ).

You'll get literaly hundreds of opinions and ideas on these.. weigh each of them.

Soundguy

 

[hbarski]

Thanks for the advice. The more I ponder my new situation, the more I believe that I will start adding some trees toward the back of the property. I love to hunt and I would think I could add some saw tooth oaks on the back of the property and plant food plots. I would like to get the land to mow down to the 25-30 acre range. I would prefer to try and limit the hard work and enjoy retirement. If I can post a picture, I will try and show my thoughts.

If you look at the picture, I want to be able to manuver the equipment in some areas that may not handle equipment that is too big. I would likely try to keep the pasture from just to the left of the lakes back towards the road open, and just worry about that for mowing and keeping cleared.

With that in mind, would you think a 40-45 HP tractor would be doable?

 

[LarryD]

<font color="blue"> I love to hunt ...I would prefer to try and limit the hard work and enjoy retirement. </font>

Around here, a ton of alfalfa from the east side of the state runs about $165. Average is 3-4 ton per acre per season.
I'd be willing to bet you could find someone in your area willing to plant that acreage for you, tend it, cut it, and give you a few dollars for the privilage.

Now I've watched alfalfa fields at dusk and it's pretty much "ducks on a pond" for deer and turkey. With those ponds and fields of alfalfa...what was that location again... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif