nx4510 vs x6010 How much real difference?

[MinnesotaEric]

I appreciate the thought you guys have put in to these answers. I've never bought a tractor and certainly don't want to waste money, either by buying the wrong one that is too small OR too big. Each piece of this discussion gets me back on the internet, looking up more details of the different things I will be doing on my land.

Pulling a sprayer up and down a 7-8% grade mill to handle 10-20 acres of apple orchard (eventual goal is 20 acres, although we are investigating some high density methods for some of the land. A big worry is having a tractor that is too wide to negotiate the space between rows.
Using the tractor with a root grapple to finish clearing the land and conditioning and grading the land to get ready for putting in trees.
Pulling a brush hog/mower
Digging thousands of holes to put trees in.
Carrying countless ( I hope ) bins of apples that weigh over 1,000 lb each out of the fields to the cidery.
Moving pallets of bottles from delivery trucks to the cidery.
Clearing snow.
the list goes on and on and grows with every thread I read and question I ask.

Thanks for all the help.

Remember visibility on a tractor digging with a loader bucket is limited. A back hoe attachment would be a good tool for digging out stumps.

 

[IslandTractor]

I appreciate the thought you guys have put in to these answers. I've never bought a tractor and certainly don't want to waste money, either by buying the wrong one that is too small OR too big. Each piece of this discussion gets me back on the internet, looking up more details of the different things I will be doing on my land.

Pulling a sprayer up and down a 7-8% grade mill to handle 10-20 acres of apple orchard (eventual goal is 20 acres, although we are investigating some high density methods for some of the land. A big worry is having a tractor that is too wide to negotiate the space between rows.
Using the tractor with a root grapple to finish clearing the land and conditioning and grading the land to get ready for putting in trees.
Pulling a brush hog/mower
Digging thousands of holes to put trees in.
Carrying countless ( I hope ) bins of apples that weigh over 1,000 lb each out of the fields to the cidery.
Moving pallets of bottles from delivery trucks to the cidery.
Clearing snow.
the list goes on and on and grows with every thread I read and question I ask.

Thanks for all the help.

Any of the NX series will do those tasks. Any used DK would too.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I too think you'll be happy with either series of tractor, only other one you might look at is a RX but then it's a bit larger and no hydro trans. One thing to think about is getting a good used forklift for loading and unloading duties. First time your out in the field working and you have to stop and switch out the grapple or other equipment to run up and unload something I think you'll understand.

 

[Threepoint]

WoodChuckDad, curious what price spread you've been getting from the dealers between the NX4510HST and the NX6010HST. I'm assuming you're looking at open station rather than cab, since your primary work will eventually be in your orchard, but the cabs are sure nice! Both models have the same frame size and width, with a bit more ground clearance in the NX6010 and a slightly heavier 3 pt setup to handle Cat 2 as well as Cat 1. I also assume you're test driving both models. Be sure to compare them climbing some mild grades in both Low and Mid range.

I've been a happy owner of an NX4510HST cab for 1-1/2 yrs. From what you describe, I think it would be fine for your place, unless the mowing you have in mind will be in deep grass with a rotary cutter larger than 72". I myself don't need more PTO hp for what I do, which is mostly loader work and maintaining about a mile of crusher-run private road, grading and pushing snow. The only time so far I've wanted the extra 15 hp is when I'm in a hurry pulling a 7 ft Woods box blade full of wet crusher run up a 12 to 15 percent grade. No problem doing it in Low range, I can even do it with my neighbor's generic 8 ft box blade, which I used for a few weeks before getting my 7' Woods. But no way can I do that in Mid range. And when the blade is really digging in, I can sometimes bog down even on the flat in Mid range.

Now, from my own experience and what I've seen reported by other NX owners, all the NX HST models have the same FEL capacity and enormous pulling power in Low, but pulling power drops off fairly quickly in Mid range. High range is really reserved only for transport, with no difference in road speed between the models if you are traveling on the flat. I don't know for sure another 15 hp would be an improvement for me, other than I could probably grade and push snow a bit faster by using Mid range more. If time were money to me right now, that would matter, but at this point the 45 hp is all I need. One of the tasks you list is digging thousands of holes for planting trees. For that I'm assuming you'll want a 3pt post hole digger with a 24" auger for shallow holes. I think the 34 hp PTO of the NX4510 would be fine for that. If you're going to be working in hardpan, though, you'll probably need hydraulic down force. In that case, none of the popular CUTs will have that at the rear, so you'll need to go with an FEL-mounted digger. Since you're going to be in the serious apple business, a small skidster with a front digger would be worth considering, in addition to your tractor.

Sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun, and a lifetime of projects, at your place. I'm looking forward to hearing status reports from time to time. :thumbsup:

 

[WoodChuckDad]

CountryBumpkin, I already have a couple models of forklift picked out. They can be had used, at good prices around here.
Threepoint, I plan on using a 3pt mounted auger for the holes..24 inches, just as you said. The lack of speed in pulling is something that has me a bit concerned, especially pulling an arblast sprayer up hill. My land is rolling hills with an average grade of about 7%. Because of the spraying and because I like to have some energy left at the end of the day I am definitely planning on getting a cab.
The Price spread I have been getting between the different models is about 5 grand. And between dealers there has been up to 3 thousand difference. I am also looking at the RX series. There is a significant difference in width and weight. you gain and lose at the same time. At this point, I know that if I get an NX I will get the 6010. If I step up to the RX series, then I have more to consider.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Sounds like you have a good plan, and are considering all your options. Good luck your orchard.