New guys take on pros & cons of 45 HP range of CUT's

[IslandTractor]

I have a hard time thinking you could do much brush hog work with a 7-8 footer on a 30 hp tractor - maybe a light duty unit mowing fields but not a heavier duty unit (might be too much weight alone) or for real brush/trail work. I have always thought 5 hp/foot rule, and I thought that was PTO HP. We use a 6 foot, fairly heavy duty MX-6 on our 4320 (40 PTO hp, 48 total) and I wouldn't want bigger.

I think you misunderstood my abreviation. I was talking about a six foot mower and a 7 or 8 foot BH (backhoe). I agree even a 7ft finish mower would be too much for a 30hp machine. I'd imagine if we are comparing bush hogs then a 30hp machine would run a 5ft and a 45hp machine probably a 6ft bush hog.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Sure, no one has to justify his purchase decisions to anyone but himself and his wife and vice versa. But the suggestions on matching tractor to task and to land size are meant to help the OP, who has never owned a tractor before. He hasn't said so, but I'm guessing he has never owned acreage before either.

Time is valuable, sure. But time doing something you enjoy is ... well, enjoyable. You decide to buy out in the country with a few acres because you enjoy it. And even if it is a chore, most of us have to put a value on time vs dollars. For each person, that can come out different on a given purchase decision.

If the OP has plenty of money to buy the 45 hp tractor and will not be tractor rich and tight on money elsewhere in his budget fine. Sounds like it could be a lot of fun. But most of us don't have that financial situation. Hence, the suggestions that maybe he is overbuying for his needs.

He said very little about his plans on use and needs other than air-conditioning, hence wanting a cab and doesn't want the cab to inhibit the use of implements.

To the OP, if you think tight budgets will never be a topic of discussion in your household in the next 5 years, and have your retirement funding, college funding and other type of plans well in hand, go for it. But if you are like the 95% of us who need to be vigilant with money, just know that you can get very good use out of a 30 hp tractor. Just find one that has a cab A/C option that can accept the implements you need. Most of us can't justify a BH for personal use but if you need/want it, add that to your analysis.

Good luck to you.

 

[ovrszd]

Most of us can't justify a BH for personal use but if you need/want it, add that to your analysis.

Good point.

In the context of this discussion the BH attachment will be much, much harder to financially justify than the bigger tractor size. Give me a few days and I'll move every piece of surface dirt on the OP's small acreage with a BH. Then it'll sit in the corner.

In my neighborhood there are 3 backhoes for hire within three miles of me. They get $70 p/hr and can be hired when needed with only a day or two of planning ahead.

I'll stick my neck out and say that less than 10% of the BH attachments owned by members on this site will ever be worked enough hours to pay for themselves at $70 p/hr. I won't even get into the fact that those hours are saved on your tractor hr meter and fuel, repairs, misc expense bills. Defend that.

 

[Gittyup]

Good point.

In the context of this discussion the BH attachment will be much, much harder to financially justify than the bigger tractor size. Give me a few days and I'll move every piece of surface dirt on the OP's small acreage with a BH. Then it'll sit in the corner.

In my neighborhood there are 3 backhoes for hire within three miles of me. They get $70 p/hr and can be hired when needed with only a day or two of planning ahead.

I'll stick my neck out and say that less than 10% of the BH attachments owned by members on this site will ever be worked enough hours to pay for themselves at $70 p/hr. I won't even get into the fact that those hours are saved on your tractor hr meter and fuel, repairs, misc expense bills. Defend that.

Around here, the last I checked guys were demanding $100/hr with a minimum of 3 hours just to show up. They charge from the minute they arrive until the equipment is reloaded onto the trailer. So, if the average per use cost is like $400 and a backhoe costs about $6400 then it would take 16 jobs to break even. Yeah, most wouldn't get there. But, you might come close, especially if there are some bigger jobs thrown in. Then you factor in the convenience thing.....Anyway you cut it, it's hard to really get your payback, unless you also consider resale value. Then you are probably close. Mine is as much a toy as it is a tool. So, I would never part with it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I did the same type of math you did when I was considering upgrading from my piece of junk King Kutter 5' Finish Mower to a 6' Caroni. I turned a 1:50 minute 2.5 acre job into a 1:20 minute job. My math was not even close because I did not consider the fewer number of times I would have to turn the tractor around. I thought I was only going to save maybe 10 minutes but ended up saving 30.

Time was not my concern as much as failure and maintenance of the King Kutter after only 3 seasons. I had spent nearly $800 on a $1000 mower in repairs. The Caroni is now 3 years old with nothing but a $.20 bolt replaced on the belt guard which was my fault because I went so long between checks with a wrench due to it being so trouble free.

Chris

 

[ovrszd]

Mine is as much a toy as it is a tool. So, I would never part with it.

That was my point right there, as is the case with 90% of owners here. Nothing wrong with that, just a fact.

 

[ovrszd]

which was my fault because I went so long between checks with a wrench due to it being so trouble free.

Chris

Yep, I always have said I give unwaivering attention to my junk pieces of equipment that I should sell and ignore the ones that serve me well. Human nature I guess.

 

[Builder]

Paralysis by over analysis. Just buy the tractor you want within reason and you'll be OK. Nobody makes the perfect decision, but I have bought my share of tools that were too small and had to go bigger. Still kicking myself for not buying a DRW chassis & cab...... Still wish I had bought the bigger Kubota M5700 instead of my MT285B.

From now on, I buy a little bigger than I think I need and I end up better off. Never liked beating small equipment to death.

 

[WilliamBos]

Paralysis by over analysis. Just buy the tractor you want within reason and you'll be OK. Nobody makes the perfect decision, but I have bought my share of tools that were too small and had to go bigger. Still kicking myself for not buying a DRW chassis & cab.....

From now on, I buy a little bigger than I think I need and I end up better off. Never liked beating small equipment to death.

I agree. When we bought our MF 1523, not too long after, we were regretting not going bigger. It is a nice tractor, but a little too light in some cases. Next one will be bigger, not too much bigger, but we want all cast iron next time, something like our trusty Ol' 35, but still somewhat of a compact.

 

[CowwFace]

Lt,

I got my Kioti DK40SE HST about 4 months ago.. and I would lay in bed sleepless going back and forth between HST vs shuttle shift.. I wanted the HST but shuttle shift was less expensive. I literally lost a few nights sleep over it.

I finally said screw it.. I want the HST I'm getting HST! and I did. Now that I've had to use the machine for snow removal (twice) the HST makes it EASIER than the ATV for snow pushing.. best decision I ever made was to pamper myself with my tractor.

My vote is for YOU to buy a Kioti DK45SE HST with 401 loader and you will have to wipe the smile off of your face with terpentine! You can send me a thank you card for helping in the decision.

Carry on,
Phill