Tractor Sizing Now I stepped in it, I need everything

[airbiscuit]

That is also beautiful property, and nice equipment. That LAND PRIDE RC2512 12 ft mower shows a new price on Tractorhouse of $10,000 - $13,000!

 

[Steppenwolfe]

That is also beautiful property, and nice equipment. That LAND PRIDE RC2512 12 ft mower shows a new price on Tractorhouse of $10,000 - $13,000!

12K new. Hoping my mow time goes down to a day instead of 3 days...

 

[airbiscuit]

$2,809

 

[RjCorazza]

With 30 acres of mowing, I would personally be looking at a 12 or 15' Batwing mower, with enough tractor to drive it. That's a lot of acreage to mow, but it does look beautiful !!!

 

[JethroB]

Here is a mowing calculator. Mowing four times per year, tractor speed can be 5-6 mph if the field(s) are not too rough. Mowing once per year will require a tractor speed of around 4-mph. Mowing every second year will limit tractor speed to 3-mph due to density of vegetation.

Mowing once per year will require 40 - 45 tractor horsepower to operate a 60" HD bush hog = 2 acres per hour.

Mowing once per year will require at least 50 tractor horsepower to operate a 72" HD bush hog = 2-1/2 acres per hour.


Mowing Calcuator: Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour



Tennessee has a lot of hills in parts, which strongly influences tractor width required for tractor stability.

Do you have hills to tractor? Are your fields on a slope?


Tractors are inherently unstable operating on sloped ground. Tractor rear wheel/tire spread, adjustable on the MX series, is a critical factor increasing compact tractor stability working sloped or uneven ground. Rear axle is the tractor component on which rear wheels/tires mount. A 6" to 10" wider rear axle substantially decreases tractor rollover potential. Tractor width is an approximation of rear axle width.

I suggest a cabbed Kubota MX5400 tractor of 4,250 pounds weight including 600 pounds for cab, 53-horsepower net, 66" width, capable of pulling a 72" heavy duty Rotary Cutter weighing 1,100 pounds through tall grass, tall weeds and brush.

Cabbed Kubota MX5400 tractor/'SSQA' Loader/4-WD/HST transmission = $42,000.
Land Pride by Kubota HD 72" Rotary Cutter/RCR2672 = $4,000.

Every tractor producer has models with above specs. This is a high sales volume category.

John Deere pricing for equivalent equipment will be the same to 5% more expensive. Other tractor brands such as very fine Kioti, LS and Branson, all three produced in Korea, are available for 5% to 15% less than Kubota. Kioti, LS and Branson share perhaps 5% of compact tractor sales and are somewhat regional in penetration. All three are growing rapidly. Be sure to select a stable dealer.

KUBOTA LINK: *New* Kubota MX6 & MX54 Utility-Compact Tractor - YouTube

If your finances are especially sound, Kubota makes a series of deLuxe tractors in the same weights as basic MX series, the Kubota 'Grand L' models. Grand L tractors are tractor nirvana.

A $400 Bucket Spade is a very fine tractor tool for planting five to fifty trees. PHOTO

Jeff covered things pretty well. Creature comforts are nice for long hours mowing. Cab for the summer heat, dust & bugs, convenient cruise control if you go with HST transmission, and a comfortable suspension or air ride seat to name a few. As suggested a cabbed Kubota MX or the premium Grand L ($) is a good place to start looking. The John Deere 4R series competes with the Grand L line. Lots of other colors too. Enjoy your your search and beautiful property.

 

[jeff9366]

Nothing the OP has posted tells us that he expects to mow all thirty acres as a unit.

OP explicitly ruled out commercial hay and other commercial crops.

I consider it more likely the OP will mow total thirty acres in segments.

Therefore, mowing at 2-1/2 to 3 acres per hour with a 72" Bush Hog may be practicable.

 

[big bubba]

OP: nice place. wise to post on this forum. as mentioned, sure would wait before jumping heavy into debt with all the equipment suggestions here.
overall, agree that given acreage & intent, an M series utility tractor would be appropriate. might be on the lookout for a used kubota MXX40 series with a good service record
pre tier 4 would be good. an alternative to an expensive batwing set up would be an 8-10' 3 point hitch (lift type) rotary cutter. 30 acres is not a huge amount of acreage.
i do just fine with my 8' twin spindle 3ph on my 20a hay fields.
have you considered leasing for hay? would save you mowing too

good luck w/trees. lots of considerations in that project. the implement pictured below would last about 10 min on an M series. maybe ok for sub/CUT but worthless imho for any serious tree planting. there are other options. good luck, one step at a time & best regards

 

[Diggin It]

Re-stating.

Don't plan on getting a giant tractor, field cutters and related tools now. Look at having a someone nearby lease some of the acreage for a few years and let them do that until you get the homestead area under control.

You haven't said if you're going to build new or if there is already a house you'll be working on, but either way, you'll have more work than you think for quite some time. Let somebody else do the mowing and maybe even make a few bucks in the process by selling the hay.
.

Problem is I am pretty much a beginner as far as these things go.

Hopefully, you can find a good neighbor to help you learn some of the things you'll need to know to make a more informed buying decision. Asking here is one thing, but it's no substitute for on site learning and experience.

 

[Wakey]

Congrats, that is a beautiful property.

I’ll give you alternate advice..

Are you new to that area? I’m assuming yes, based on what you’ve provided us. The reason I ask is, you might inquire who has been cutting the pasture(s). If a neighbor was haying those fields (to feed his cattle), it might be in your best interest to continue that until you get settled. There is no better way to meet your new neighbors and learn the lay of the land there, locally.

This is what I did 4 years ago, I still don’t own a tractor.

Do you have a pickup truck? You’ll need that first. I’d suggest a 4 wheel drive, you have no idea how good you will become at getting things stuck! More importantly you’ll be purchasing things that won’t fit in the family car, obviously.

Will you have friends/family coming to visit? The first machine I would buy is something to pile a few people in to tour the property.
Side by sides are very popular and very expensive! I’ve always thought a restored Suzuki Samurai would be a superior machine for way less money. (Think Jeep, but not my 1st. choice) You can drive that into town as well.

Managing your time will be the most important goal, overloading yourself by attempting too much too soon could have you 2nd guessing yourself on wether you made the right decision. Assuming this lifestyle is new to you, take small bites at first.

Can you get good Internet there? If not, sign up here.

Starlink

 

[jeff9366]

the implement pictured below would last about 10 min on an M series. maybe ok for sub/CUT but worthless imho for any serious tree planting. there are other options.

I purchased the Bucket Solution's (brand) Bucket Spade ten years ago for use on my first Kubota, a B3300SU. Sold the too light B3300SU two years later and purchased my Kubota L3560. I have used the Bucket Spade for planting trees and excavating Palmettos, other palms and grossly overgrown twenty-year old Blueberry bushes for eight years on the L3560 bucket. Certainly at least 1,200 in number. The Bucket Spade appears as new. The bucket has minor paint scuffs where the spade pads compress.

PHOTOS #10 - #11 - #12 were taken during March 2020.

My L3560 is 3,700 pounds bare tractor weight. The Kubota Ms are 5,000 pounds bare tractor weight. In my opinion the optimal bare tractor weight for utilizing a Bucket Spade is 3,700 to 5,000 pounds bare tractor weight, a range which includes Kubota Grand Ls, MX series and M series. Hydraulic power is of secondary importance in operating a Bucket Spade. Tractor weight is the most important factor as the spade is driven into ground with tractor wheel power. After first insertion the ground is loose.

The spade is 18" wide, billet forged, not stamped; weighs 130 pounds. A little ponderous for my 73 year old body to attach.

Minimal storage space required when spade is off the FEL bucket.

Being able to excavate in front of the tractor and move the tractor normally between digs is effecient.

Bucket Spade opinions posted on T-B-N from those that own them and use them are favorable. I seem to be the most experienced Bucket Spade user posting here.


MORE: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328798-bucket-spade-today-fel-bucket.html

 

[big bubba]

hey Jeff, should have put it differently. i have twisted a double moldboard plow with my tractor (probably operator's fault). afraid would be the same with a clamp on spade..... i'm glad to see it works great for you.
keep the informative posts going, they are very detailed & best regards

 

[RidgeHiker]

OP: the implement pictured below would last about 10 min on an M series. maybe ok for sub/CUT but worthless imho for any serious tree planting. there are other options. good luck, one step at a time & best regards
View attachment 687376

I have the same Bucket Solutions spade as Jeff. I have not used it a lot (though much more than 10 minutes ) and it works fine with my 50hp tractor. It clamps onto either the bucket or forks. The forks allow it to go deeper and provide better visibility though place it further out.

 

[big bubba]

I have the same Bucket Solutions spade as Jeff. I have not used it a lot (though much more than 10 minutes ) and it works fine with my 50hp tractor. It clamps onto either the bucket or forks. The forks allow it to go deeper and provide better visibility though place it further out.

hi RidgeHiker as with Jeff, glad the spade implement works well with your setup, probably works fine for mid range tractors & i can see it's usefulness in your application. hopefully, discussions like this can provide user feedback to the OP in equipment recommendations. for the OP tree planting project, he's probably better off posting a new thread in the project forum on that subject

when i stepped up to the M8540 from a previous 45hp machine, i soon realized certain implements could not withstand the weight & hp of the M series machine....just wanted to point that out to someone considering a larger tractor, etc. the spade extending from a bucket like that would not last long in my situation....

best regards & good luck to the OP in the many decisions ahead. finding new land & making plans is a lifetime adventure & looks like the OP is off to a good start

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Nice looking spread! Where about near Chattanooga? I'm from Chattanooga.

 

[Number15]

Nice looking spread! Where about near Chattanooga? I'm from Chattanooga.

It has a cleveland address in Bradley county.

Previous owner mowed with a 15 foot mower is what I think he said. He owns over a thousand acres in the area and has lots of equipment. If we get the deal worked out he said he would spend some time with me to get familiar with the property.. said he had no prob mowing a couple of times until I get going.
He also said he might be able to get me one of his tractors on the cheap, I guess he owns an equipment or construction company.

I have budgeted a huge amount for the equipment but I am loathe to rush in and buy a bunch of shiny stuff without having a grasp of what I need. I know this is where mistakes can be made if I am not careful.

I'll tell you locally everyone seems to be pushing kubota. HawkinsHollow or anyone else have opinions on the Chattanooga kubota dealer? I am going to pay a visit soon

 

[big bubba]

excellent, you're off to a smart start
lots of landscaping potential on the pond(s) unless you will have animals. send more images as things move along

 

[Number15]

I spent a few hours on the property yesterday. I don't think hills are going to be to much of a problem wrt the mowing aspect of the land. I think we're I might have a issue is some of the land is what I would call soft.

There is a small creek and a spring that both contribute to I guess is a flood plain. We got through it fine in a razor but I could tell it might be a issue if I am not careful.

So now I am thinking a 4x4 tractor between 40 and 50 hp. Some locals feel I would be fine with that but some are pushing for bigger.

I worried to go to big. I want enough but not to much. I feel like to big might become a hassle.

I know some of you will say you can never have to much tractor. I feel like sometimes when you need a finish hammer you shouldn't use a sledge.

But I recognize I still know jack about this stuff

 

[Buggs67]

I have nothing to offer that hasn't been said already.

Except Congrats and good luck, it looks awesome. I wish I had a nice pond like that. I could see myself sitting in a comfy chair under a tree with a cold beer.

And if I had 30 acres to mow I'd find a farmer to hay it. But the situation there might be different from here in Dairy/farmland PA.

 

[deezler]

So now I am thinking a 4x4 tractor between 40 and 50 hp. Some locals feel I would be fine with that but some are pushing for bigger.

I worried to go to big. I want enough but not to much. I feel like to big might become a hassle.

I know some of you will say you can never have to much tractor. I feel like sometimes when you need a finish hammer you shouldn't use a sledge.

I think you are on the right track. A 40-55 HP machine will give you enough grunt to get large scale projects completed in reasonable timeframes, but not so large that you cant drive down basic trails, get close to any buildings, or have much more difficult maintenance intervals (IE 20 gallons of hydraulic fluid to change, etc).

A Kubota MX5200 or 5400 sounds ideal, frankly.

 

[Tractorable]

Even a big tractor gets pretty small when it’s in the middle of a 30 acre field. Err on the side of more weight and HP.

A higher end MX or Grand L (or other brand equivalent) should suit you well.