Please Recommend a Tractor

[TripleR]

Triple R - can you expand on the specs you listed as far as your reasoning for having those as minimums? I am trying to learn as much as possible before test driving. That way I can know what I am driving.

Celtsrevenge - I live between Montrose and Ridgway, CO.

1. While a 60 HP should do you, I would be looking at something in the 70 HP range.

Nothing worse than spending a boat load of money on a tractor without enough power, sometimes even "just enough" as you have no way of expanding your chores. My father in law bought a 70 HP many years ago and a month later took it back to get an 80 HP. They won't do that free. I have never met someone who said he bought too much HP. Now you can get too big of a tractor, but many models are the same physical size with the only difference being HP.

2. Hydraulic Shuttle Shift.

I have driven tractors for over fifty years operating everything from the old "crash box" non synchro up through HST. We recently traded our Synchro Shuttle Shift Case for a Hydraulic Shuttle Shift Kubota which is the next easiest to use to an HST. It makes a LOT of difference in loader use and mowing.

3. A minimum of 12F/12R.

If you have plenty of HP, gear ratios are not "quite" as important for the chores you mentioned, but in the range we are speaking, it is. More gear ranges allow you to choose the one that gives you just the right amount of ground speed and power. Now you won't use them all, but you have a wider range to choose from.

4. A limited slip differential.

This may be a little arbitrary, but is a must for me with the gullies and hills I come across. Without limited slip, once you get a front wheel in the air or spinning in the mud/snow, you have very little pulling power and we know how bad that could be in really bad weather far from home or really anytime.

5. Of course a cab.

Just can't see operating a tractor in your conditions without a cab, I know I will never buy another though I do have them.

Keep in mind I am not an expert and this is just another opinion.

 

[ITHINKICAN]

M7040 HDC-1 :thumbsup:

 

[ColoradoDan]

Tripel R - thanks for the info. That helps a bunch.

According to the suggestions so far, I have been looking at the following tractors online:

JD 5075M
Kubota 7040 HDC
MF 5445

Any thoughts on these? Pros/Cons?

 

[TripleR]

Tripel R - thanks for the info. That helps a bunch.

According to the suggestions so far, I have been looking at the following tractors online:

JD 5075M
Kubota 7040 HDC
MF 5445

Any thoughts on these? Pros/Cons?

From my research before buying our last tractor, it is pretty much a coin toss as they are all good. Personally, I like levers and mechanical interface over push buttons. A lot of the controls on our Case were push button even the 3-point hitch and we had a lot of problems, so I am sure that is a factor in my likes/dislikes. I am NOT saying one is better than the other, just my view.

The John Deere Cab is larger than the Kubota, but for one person there is plenty of room, my 30 year old son jumped in the cab with me yesterday to ride out a thunder shower and we were comfortable, but of course we were parked. I kind of like to be able to reach the railings to hold onto on really steep slopes, so a bigger cab is a little inconvenient to me that's why you really need to sit in them more than once to find the one that "fits" you the best.

I won't buy another tractor from our local dealer, so I didn't even consider that brand, so know nothing other than they look nice on paper and in driving by them.

 

[ColoradoDan]

Triple R - what about some of the other differences between the Kubota and JD? I notice the Kubota comes with a 4 cylinder engine while the JD comes with a 5 cylinder. The Kubota comes standard with the 8F/8R while the JD comes with the 32F/16R transmission.

Those are two big differences I notice when I compare the two.

Any thoughts on running hay implements from other manufacturers while running the Kubota tractor?

Maybe someone else can chime in regarding the MF's?

Thanks.

 

[Gary Fowler]

While noting that bigger is most of the time better, I do remember one member of TBN posting a photo just last week of his DK 45 Kioti with a large round bale on the FEL and another on the rear at the same time. So that tells me that a 45 Hp will handle large bales of hay if you just need to haul them. You did just say that you wanted to handle those large bale, no mention of investing $30K more in haying equipment for your 18 acres. Establish your budget and buy what you can afford. Definitely a cab and 4 WD if you plan to use it to clear snow. Remember that not only does the tractor cost go up with HP but also the cost of any implement. From my experience, a 45-50 HP tractor with a cab and 4 WD with a couple of rear remotes and perhaps one midmount (in case you want to add a grapple to your FEL) should do you. It would be your choice as to HST, shuttle shift or powershift or even straight gear drive. HST is going to be the most expensive to maintain where as gear drive will be the least maintenance wise and cost wise. I know MF 1652 has a 3ph lift capacity of 3086 lbs @24" compared to NH 3050 of 2300 either one of which will handle a large round bale with ease. Also according to the MF website, the 48 Hp -60 Hp 1600 series all have approximately the same weight and exact same lift capacities.
My advice would be to go to each dealer, select the size that you want, sit on it, drive it, check out the features, capacities and PRICE and buy the one that suites you needs and your rear end the best. You are going to find that John Deere are extremely proud of their green paint, but all brands mentioned are rated as good tractors. You can find posts here for every brand where someone got a lemon but that is to be expected. Check your dealer services. Will he pick up your tractor for warranty work free of charge (most dealers dont), how busy is his shop-does it look like he is overwhelmed with work- that is not a good sign and you could wait for weeks on service if that is the case.

 

[Carykong]

85" of average snowfall a year obviously requires that your tractor is rigged for that chore. A 35-50 hp tractor is plenty for that function. In regard to your haying requirements,I am not confident that 18 acres of pasture justifies the purchase of a comprehensive array of haying equipment and a big utility tractor. It you want to hay just for the hobby and satisfaction,go for it. ON the other hand, if you are looking for the prudent economic decision, I would consider keeping your pardnership with the fellow that has already hayed your property. For example, you can cut your pasture and rake with a lower HP tractor and leave the actual bailing and storage with your pardner. Share the labor and hay and save big dollars on actual tractor purchase. Good thread ,keep us posted,pictures please once the purchase is concluded.

 

[ColoradoDan]

Gary - Thanks for the insight. Every bit helps.

As far as the weight concern, I know that the Kubota mentioned is much lighter that the JD and MF. How much of a conern is that for me and others?

As far as the hay is concerned. My plan is to buy the tractor this year. However, I'm not sure if and when I will invest in the hay implements. I may borrow or rent the hay implements because the cost of the hay implements doesn't really make me want to buy them anytime soon. The tractor is necessary for my property. I have no immediate plans to buy any other hay equipment. However, I want and need my tractor to be able to handle the hay implements that make since for 18 acres since I plan on handling the hay myself.

Thanks again.

 

[bucktaker]

Did you ever consider two tractors? a smaller more nimble cab tractor >50 hp with 4wd drive FEl and or snowblower which will do all your current tasks.
If you decide to do hay purchase a large used tractor along with hay equpment. I always found use for two tractors when I was making hay. The wife ran the rake and I baled on the other

I would recommend a JD 4720 cab with fel high hp nimble but expensive

 

[TripleR]

Triple R - what about some of the other differences between the Kubota and JD? I notice the Kubota comes with a 4 cylinder engine while the JD comes with a 5 cylinder. The Kubota comes standard with the 8F/8R while the JD comes with the 32F/16R transmission.

Those are two big differences I notice when I compare the two.

Any thoughts on running hay implements from other manufacturers while running the Kubota tractor?

Maybe someone else can chime in regarding the MF's?

Thanks.

I am not a mechanic and even those that are can't seem to come to a consensus on what is the best number of cylinders. As a non mechanic, a four cylinder has fewer parts to break, but I view it as a toss up.

In regards to the difference on transmissions, both come with several variations and I honestly can't see a need for 2 speeds in what you are planning; again more complexity for what in return?

I buck so many bales of hay growing up, the mere mention of HAYmakes me light headed, so someone else will have to address that.

 

[bill in ny]

you can run any equipment with a kubota, provided you have enough weight and hp.

 

[sloth8229]

Hey guy, i currently have a tn 65 d. (57 engine hp, 2wheel dr with cab)
i would recommend 70 engine hp to 85 engine hp (this would be min). (pto hp and engine hp differ) pulling and operating hay equipment will be where you will determine your "size" tractor or (hp). that type of use requires larger hp. dealers and their website can easliy narrow this down for you. Prices - case and new holland will be cheaper than jd and kubota. Some Case and NH models will be identical tractors just a differ color. now onward. 4x4? having 4x4 while using front loader in digging and grading implements will improve efficincy. after reading the lenght of your driveway and knowing you will have snow half the year i would have to recommend it. If you have the money GET THE CAB!
Good luck

 

[tony Cecil]

If your pastures etc have any decent slope to them make sure to test any tractor to see how comfortable you are driving one ( such as center of gravity) I have a Kobota , and a John Deere, and the most recent tractor (kobota) was purchased as the John Deere dealer is so far away..If I had a dealer near me I would have gotten the appropriate John Deere as I have had such good results with them.....Tony

 

[ColoradoDan]

My pasture actually quite a slope to it. Its as much of a slope as you would want for hay. The other parts of the property have quite a few hills and valleys. 4WD is a must and I have decided that a cab is going to be necessary. I have looked at all of the websites (JD, Kubota, MF, NH). I am leaning toward a tractor in the 60-80 range. I would love more info and recommendations if anyone has them.

Also, I can't seem to run across any "GREAT" deals on tractorhouse.com. Are there other recommended places to search for used tractors?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[TripleR]

My pasture actually quite a slope to it. Its as much of a slope as you would want for hay. The other parts of the property have quite a few hills and valleys. 4WD is a must and I have decided that a cab is going to be necessary. I have looked at all of the websites (JD, Kubota, MF, NH). I am leaning toward a tractor in the 60-80 range. I would love more info and recommendations if anyone has them.

Also, I can't seem to run across any "GREAT" deals on tractorhouse.com. Are there other recommended places to search for used tractors?

Thanks again for the help.

I found my last good used tractor at my local dealer while I was looking for a new one.

 

[ColoradoDan]

As far as the Kubotas, I think I'm going to test drive the 6040 and the 7040.

As far as the JD's, I think I'm going to try some of the 5 Series.
Can some of the Deere people tell me about the differences between the 5M, 5E, 5D series? What direction sohould I be heading as far as the JD's?

I haven't decided which MF and NH to test drive. I can't decide which models might fit my needs at this point.

 

[TripleR]

As far as the Kubotas, I think I'm going to test drive the 6040 and the 7040.

As far as the JD's, I think I'm going to try some of the 5 Series.
Can some of the Deere people tell me about the differences between the 5M, 5E, 5D series? What direction sohould I be heading as far as the JD's?

I haven't decided which MF and NH to test drive. I can't decide which models might fit my needs at this point.

There is a thread on the JD forum and the price on those can vary up to 10K.

 

[bill in ny]

try the kubota m8540 while you're at the dealer. alot more tractor for not much more money.

 

[ColoradoDan]

Well, I spoke with the local JD dealer today after work. Apparently, this month, they were bought out and are undergoing a changeover. They don't have much inventory. The sales rep told me that they will have their yard stocked by mid-October. He was talking to me about the 5083E tractor but I won't be able to drive one for about a month. Pretty disappointing! I won't be able to test drive any JD's for for at least a month unless I drive and find another dealer.

So, I guess I will start the process by driving the Kubotas, NH's, and MF's.

I have researched the 5083E and it seems that it might meet my needs. Any thoughts on these? I have read through some threads in the Deere forum and people seem pretty happy with them.

 

[hawkeye08]

The common rule of thumb for non commercial operation is one tractor per 2 acres. This counts riding lawn mowers in the total. You might not qualify since you are talking about actually putting some hay up.

1) Never number your tractors
2) Give them names instead
3) NEVER park them close together, it is too easy for someone to count them

You can always get one or two of each color, have a few small ones, a few medium and at least one too big to do much close to the house.

You will need to make sure you have hydro and gear, open station and cab, R1 and R4 tires, etc.

Now let's talk about some implements.

1) make sure to support the sponsors for this website
2) you have to have at least one flail mower
3) at least one snowblower
4) at least a 40x60x16 shop to keep things out of the weather. This can be a problem, you will have to be careful not to park the tractors too close together, lest they be counted....
5) for haying, you will need a sickle mower, disc mower, round baler, big square baler and small bales. Of course, you will need a long triple axle trailer to haul the hay from the field to the hay barn (forget to mention will need a hay barn also).

... and so on, you get the idea.

Now about buying the tractors, make sure you get a good deal and finance it all at 0% for at least 7 years. You can make at least $5,000 for each $20,000 worth of tractor financed (if 5 years), should be able to make considerable more when financing at 0% for 7 or more years.

The more I think about it, size does matter. You need a track hoe also. I'll bet you forgot about the need to built a pond now that you have land. There are several really good threads on pond building, just know if it is a big hole you are digging, it will take lots of machines and time.

For each project, do a financial analysis, determine how many tools you can justify to buy and keep while still costing less than paying someone else to do the project.

Let me share what we did,

We started with a Kubota L3130 with FEL. Within the first month we added a 72" rear mount finish mower and some quick attach front pallet forks. We settled on a used (432 hrs) Kubota L3130 because we liked the frame size and it fit our budget. If I had more budget, we would have looked at more tractors in this frame size, perhaps even one with a cab. We would have loved to get more hp but it was not affordable at this time. I don't think you will find one tractor that does all things you want well when you add the haying into the mix. You're gonna need at least one big tractor, get it with everything you think you will need, especially cab and rear remotes. We're not doing any hay at this point so don't need bigger, but you will.

Just remember, you can't have too many tractors or tools. Good luck, you are going to be spending some serious money.