Tractor Sizing New to tractors, could use some advice

[jeff9366]

If your primary tractor usage isn't mowing lawns, the CK series Kioti's or L series Kubota's would be my suggestion.

Good suggestions for three acres. Front End Loader and 4-WD are two priority options.

Here is Kubota's web site: https://www.kubotausa.com/products/tractors/compact

Here is BUCKEYE TRACTOR, a vender for garden implements: Buckeye Tractor Co -- Online

More on implements: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/...aa214276e14dacb/pub2917tractorimplements1.pdf



Here are TRACTOR FOR THREE ACRES threads from the T-B-N Archive: tractor for three acres site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[motownbrowne]

I have about 3 acres currently. There aren't any limiting factors, as far as size or weight are concerned, except the fact that you just put a sawmill into my head. Thanks for that. I can read manuals and I have some engine and mechanical knowledge. I'm still talking the wife into a horse or two. For now, we are looking at adding pigs and goats to our chickens.

Well, we still have no idea of your budget, but if you're talking about horses you must have a few extra bucks. My question would be if you want to keep warm and dry while moving snow? If so, you've got to start looking at the Grand L Kubotas. If not, I'd start with the L2501 and L3901. They're the same tractor but with different motors (the 3301 is in there too, but I personally would go with one of the other two). The 2501 will do anything you listed and it's not very expensive or complicated. By keeping the HP number under 25, they skirted the emissions regs, so no computer or particulate filter on that model. The 3901 will do the same tasks, but having a substantial HP bump means it's gonna be faster for tasks like mowing where you're using all the available HP.

The comparable Kioit is the ck2610 and the two next sizes up.

Also, whichever one you choose, I strongly suggest going with a hydrostatic transmission.

 

[RSKY]

Dealer, dealer, dealer!!

First, in your situation, not knowing your budget, my choice would depend on what dealers are nearby and how long they have been in business. Nothing like dropping $15-30 thousand on something and then having no support.

Second, if your wife is going to be using it at all get the HST. My wife uses my little tractor all the time. Shucks, my eight year old granddaughter loves to drive it around the yard. Hasn't knocked over anything yet because all she has to do is let off the pedal and it stops. No clutch to worry about. The advantages of gear drive are realized on long rows in a field. Such as mowing a cleared fifty acre field. On three acres the HST will be more than worth its cost.

Third, be sure to leave room in your budget for implements. It's kinda like buying any tool. You always see something you think you need and have to have. And a tractor without implements is just a yard or field ornament.

Fourth, remember, the amount of work a tractor can do is determined by it's weight. How fast it does that work is determined by it's horsepower. (How many times have I read or typed that on this forum?)

Fifth, get the FEL when you buy the tractor if buying new. They are the most useful tool you can have. Be sure to check the loader specs. They are as important as the tractor specs. The fact that the Kioti could lift nearly 40% more was the deciding factor in my buying a Kioti over a Kubota.

Sixth, you never said if you are retired, working full time, disabled, or whatever. I could use my 22-hp Kioti to clear all your land and do whatever else you needed because I am retired and have the time. If you are still working full time a 25/30-hp would cut your work time. YOU have to balance cost of tractor/implements with the time needed to do your tasks. If you have money and time go bigger and relax. If you have money but no time go the biggest. If you have the time but not the money........well, join the club.

Finally, you must realize that while a 50-hp would be great while CLEARING the land it would be massive overkill and wasted money in MAINTAINING the same area. Is it worth the extra money to buy a large tractor and the extra money for the larger implements when all the you need the larger size for is finished in a week. Then you have a tool that is very unsuited to the small area. For example I would love to have a grapple for my little tractor but it would only be used 2-3 times a year. So instead of spending $1500 on a grapple I use homemade forks that cost less than $100.

It is a lot of fun to spend somebody else's money but if I were in your shoes I would probably get a 25-hp, 3-range HST, with 4WD and a front end loader. On three acres a 50-hp cab tractor would, to me at least, be more in the way than useful. At least for anything other than moving snow.

RSKY

 

[CMV]

If it were me and from the information you provided, this is what I would do:

1. Rent a very large machine to do the major work. You can make short work of some tall tasks with a ~90hp backhoe for example. Very surprising how much work you can get done in just a weekend with one if you plan ahead (have a plan, already have dirt/gravel delivered, trees already cut, etc)

2. Buy a much smaller ~25ish HP machine for maintenance. Assuming you don't need to move huge round bales or deal with some other real heavy application ongoing, it is surprising what a little tractor like mine can do. I can move dirt/gravel, grade, maintain a gravel road, mow/bush hog, till, fix erosion problems, etc. I can't do stuff like dig out a massive tree stump or quickly move, spread, and level a triaxle load of gravel (can do it, just a small scoop at a time vs a cu yd+ at a time).

I have cut and cleared some nasty stuff with my smallish tractor & 5' bush hog. Moved, spread, leveled/formed 2-3 loads each of crushed concrete & fill dirt. My only implements are the 5' bush hog, small ballast box, loader bucket, pallet forks, and 5' box blade. With just that little bit of stuff there is a lot I can do. Do I wish I could lift a little more weight, have an 8' dump clearance, or carry more in the bucket? Absolutely. But for me it was the difference of just write a check for it or pay at least 2x as much and make payments for the bigger machine. Works out SO much cheaper owning and maintaining the little tractor vs a larger one and then just occasionally renting a backhoe for a weekend when there is something major that needs done that my little tractor is either incapable or too slow to get done.

I would also make HST a high priority on a small piece of land like that. Mine is only 6AC and I like how tight my machine turns and the ease of direction changes since I do lots of FEL work. Also incredibly easy for my wife to just jump on it and do stuff too. Small so easy to get on and off, and the controls are all very intuitive so it isn't intimidating for her to just hop and and do something.

I understand where "figure out how much tractor you need and then buy one size bigger" comes from. But I'm not real sure that applies the same to folks like us since the difference between 5AC and 50AC is significant. For a small area, use a small tractor. Rent a big toy occasionally to cover that very small % of the time brute force is required.

 

[RSKY]

If it were me and from the information you provided, this is what I would do:

1. Rent a very large machine to do the major work. You can make short work of some tall tasks with a ~90hp backhoe for example. Very surprising how much work you can get done in just a weekend with one if you plan ahead (have a plan, already have dirt/gravel delivered, trees already cut, etc)

2. Buy a much smaller ~25ish HP machine for maintenance. Assuming you don't need to move huge round bales or deal with some other real heavy application ongoing, it is surprising what a little tractor like mine can do. I can move dirt/gravel, grade, maintain a gravel road, mow/bush hog, till, fix erosion problems, etc. I can't do stuff like dig out a massive tree stump or quickly move, spread, and level a triaxle load of gravel (can do it, just a small scoop at a time vs a cu yd+ at a time).

I have cut and cleared some nasty stuff with my smallish tractor & 5' bush hog. Moved, spread, leveled/formed 2-3 loads each of crushed concrete & fill dirt. My only implements are the 5' bush hog, small ballast box, loader bucket, pallet forks, and 5' box blade. With just that little bit of stuff there is a lot I can do. Do I wish I could lift a little more weight, have an 8' dump clearance, or carry more in the bucket? Absolutely. But for me it was the difference of just write a check for it or pay at least 2x as much and make payments for the bigger machine. Works out SO much cheaper owning and maintaining the little tractor vs a larger one and then just occasionally renting a backhoe for a weekend when there is something major that needs done that my little tractor is either incapable or too slow to get done.

I would also make HST a high priority on a small piece of land like that. Mine is only 6AC and I like how tight my machine turns and the ease of direction changes since I do lots of FEL work. Also incredibly easy for my wife to just jump on it and do stuff too. Small so easy to get on and off, and the controls are all very intuitive so it isn't intimidating for her to just hop and and do something.

I understand where "figure out how much tractor you need and then buy one size bigger" comes from. But I'm not real sure that applies the same to folks like us since the difference between 5AC and 50AC is significant. For a small area, use a small tractor. Rent a big toy occasionally to cover that very small % of the time brute force is required.

Listen to him. He is telling you the truth. On my one acre lot the little 22-hp Kioti is a fantastic tool and I have done landscaping and other work that has more than paid for the tractor. A 50-hp would be all but useless at my home. I know because I have tried to use one there.

I am sometimes amazed by how much I CAN do with less than 25-hp.

RSKY

 

[DanHen]

As if your head isn’t already spinning... all fantastic and insightful info. one thing I hadn’t really considered when making my purchase is how will you transport it and do you plan to do any work off of your property. A heavier tractor and implements require a heavier truck and trailer.