new to the forum and looking for advice on a tractor

[redman2006]

I am new to the forum, and looking for advice on a new loader tractor. I currently have an old massey industrial model 32b. It has some minor issues like leaks, but the biggest issue is a bum knee and a really stiff clutch that makes loader work difficult at best.

I need some advice on what to look at for a new tractor. There are so many models, that I can not seem to keep them straight or make up my mind.

My land is 22 acres of mostly hills with woods. I also have access to, and may later purchase, an adjoining 18 acres. That area is a little flatter and has the possibility of being used to produce hay.

What I know I want:
3500 lb minimum weight before loading the rear tires
about 40 to 50 Hp (maybe down to 37 hp if I can find enough info on something like the RK37)
Hydrostatic
Loader capable of lifting a full sized round bale (1200 lbs or so) safely to full height to load and unload a trailer,
4wd

I also think I would like a linked pedal option, but I am open on that. I would consider some sort of a glide shift or power reverser style shuttle if I did not have to use a clutch much, but really prefer a hydro so my wife and daughter can use it more easily as well.

What I do for the most part is hobby farm/homestead work. Bushogging, stacking/unloading hay, skidding logs from clearing the farm, cleaning pens, drilling post holes, some gardening in a large plot, box blading the drive and roads through the property etc. I hope to get a sawmill in a few years as well, so it would be used to keep that fed. If I get the land next door, haying will be on my list of activities as well.

I would like to keep the price under $25,000. Used would be great as long as I can find a good one. Brands I have been considering are Mahindra, LS, TYM, Kioti, RK, and Kubota. Kubota's price and the fact they run light in weight range for safe lifting has shifted them down the list. I am open to any good reliable brand. I have heard mixed reviews about Branson in the quality department, but they produce a heavy tractor at a reasonable price. Some of the quality issues have been resolved according to some of the things I heard as well.

Any advice is welcome. I am 50 years old, and I expect this tractor to be there to the end.

Thanks for the help.

 

[jeff9366]

I need some advice on what to look at for a new tractor. There are so many models, that I can not seem to keep them straight or make up my mind. A bum knee and a stiff clutch makes loader work difficult at best.

My land is 22 acres of mostly hills with woods. I also have access to, and may later purchase, an adjoining 18 acres. That area is a little flatter and has the possibility of being used to produce hay.

Loader capable of lifting a full sized round bale (1200 lbs or so) safely to full height to load and unload a trailer.

I would like to keep the price under $25,000. Used would be great as long as I can find a good one.

Lifting 1,200 pound round bales extending off the end of hay forks SAFELY requires a tractor of 5,000 pounds bare weight. As your land is not flat, I recommend nothing less.

Used tractors of 5,000 pound bare tractors weight selling for a reasonable price will be "haying" tractors with 2-WD and no Loader.
If you have time and patience to shop you may find a tractor with 4-WD, FEL and 5,000 pounds bare tractor weight for $25,000. WINTER prices are lower than SPRING prices. Used tractor prices are lowest when snow is on the ground.

A 5,000 pound bare weight tractor is enough for other specified tasks on forty acres.

VIDEOS: Kubota MX Series VS. Kubota M Series - YouTube

Kubota M566 Walk Around/ Driving Demo - YouTube

RK74/ 6,000 pounds: Tractors | RK74 Series Tractor | RK Tractors

 

[redman2006]

Sorry 30 b not 32. The loader is the 32. It is about 3800lbs and 46 HP

 

[Roadworthy]

Get to know the local dealers. A competent dealer for the brand you select will be important. I'm talking about the service department not the sales crew. The dealer may even turn you on to his used stock or a last year model remaining in stock. You definitely want HST for your bum knee as well as for your dependents use.

 

[jaxs]

I can't tell you which tractor to buy but I can tell you something that mightl make shopping easier. Don't include haying capibilities in the buying criteria. The ONLY thing you should plan on doing when it come's to hay is plowing,planting,fertilizing, moveing and loading. Hire someone to cut and bale. You will be wise to get quick attach loader because the loader is very much in the way when it's not in use. I would go as far as saying the loader will make the tractor dangerous when doing chores on hills. For that reason,skid logs to the mill and even on level ground try to avoid transporting logs more than a few yards with the loader.

 

[jeff9366]

Sorry 30 b not 32. The loader is the 32. It is about 3800lbs and 46 HP

Air inflated rear tires or liquid filled rear tires?

 

[Jchonline]

As Jeff mentioned, the most spec intensive tasks you have are haying and lifting bales. You can do this with a compact tractor of applicable weight, but I must ask how often do you move these bales? Many farmers use a utility sized tractor if you are regularly transporting them. Also you could consider a 3PT bale spear which should lower the overall weight requirements/specs on the tractor, but then the question is do you need to lift them up off the ground much? If you are grabbing them off a trailer from the side then it might not work.

Just saw Haying on that adjacent property. Unless you are doing those baby boutique round bales or small square bales you are going to need bigger equipment. Utility 70HP+ range at the low end for a baler. If you have hills then more HP is needed.

 

[redman2006]

So the tires are liquid filled.

As to haying, I tend to agree we will not likely bale ourselves, but we will stack and store ourselves. I go through several bales per month as we have horses, sheep, goats and pigs. Currently I am getting them from a neighbor and having to push them off the trailer then pick them up as this tractor will not keep its butt on the ground when lifting from the second row of bales even with my boxblade or a bale on the 3 pt spear. I can only get 11 bales on my trailer, so I have to make a trip every couple of months to get more. I can not safely stack them on the second level either. Part of that is due to not having a way to attach a spear directly to the loader. It sticks way out front on the spear that attaches to the bucket. Most of the bales I get are 800-900 lbs with the occasional 1200 thrown in.

I will fill in my profile. I am in NW Georgia.

Thank you for all the help.

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! :thumbsup:

 

[jeff9366]

I need advice on what to look at for a new tractor. There are so many models, that I can not seem to keep them straight or make up my mind.

My land is 22 acres of mostly hills with woods. I also have access to, and may later purchase, an adjoining 18 acres.


What I do for the most part is hobby farm/homestead work. Bushogging, stacking/unloading hay, skidding logs from clearing the farm, cleaning pens, drilling post holes, some gardening in a large plot, box blading the drive and roads through the property etc. I hope to get a sawmill in a few years as well, so it would be used to keep that fed. If I get the land next door, haying will be on my list of activities as well.

The amount of time you are willing to spend mowing will determine the minimum horsepower necessary for potential tractor to operate an appropriate width Rotary Cutter.

Numbers are for moderate length grass, no brush: Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour

Any advice is welcome. I am 50 years old, and I expect this tractor to be there to the end.

Neither RK37, 3,400 pounds bare tractor weight, nor RK55, 4,200 pounds bare tractor weight, is enough tractor for the applications you foresee.

RK74/ 6,000 pounds: Tractors | RK74 Series Tractor | RK Tractors

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.​