Possible future tractor

[robbyr]

Who knows but maybe in the next year or so the wife and I will be in a position to purchase our very own new tractor. Been operating tractors since I was in junior high forty years ago. Mostly around 40 hp. As a kid we had a Massey Ferguson. Liked it. Then a small Ford. It was handy. Then a Kubota. Good tractor. Since 2010 been using my late father in law痴 Mahindra 4500. I like the Mahindra. Had some spindle and bearing issues last fall and no time to work on it so borrowed son in law痴 Kubota 4600. I like the HST transmission. Never had been on one before. I can tell even though it supposedly about the same hp, it doesn稚 have the base or lift strength of the Mahindra. Recently was looking at Mahindra brochure the wife brought home and discovered Mahindra doesn稚 have HST? At least in the hp range I知 interested in. I致e always been on geared tractors. Now I like the HST. Don稚 even know what shuttle is or what other options are out there. Also, it would be a lot easier for the wife to learn if it was hydrostatic. She loves our zero turn mower. We have a small handful of cows, couple horses, few donkeys on about 60 acres, 2/3 of which is woods. And a 40 acre lease just down the road. Majority of tractor use is putting out round bales. The big ones, 5 1/2 x 6? Had a few the Kubota couldn稚 pick up. Never had that problem with Mahindra. Other uses include some mowing, box blading, drilling post holes, broadcasting ryegrass seed once a year. Disced 10 acres for oats one time. Thought about maybe comparing Mahindra and Massey Ferguson and New Holland. Thoughts, ideas, and suggestions are welcome.

 

[fishheadbob]

Your thread is going to get moved to a more appropriate part of the forum, but here goes. You're covering 60 tillable acres some woods, some manure. I would go for a nice utility tractor, loader,remote hydraulics, and some creature comforts like air. Read a lot of brochures, check reputations of local dealers, warranties, and go with what your gut says.

 

[mddorange]

Also, you and your wife go out and test drive the different tractors so that everyone agrees on the right one to get. It will save a lot of headaches later.

 

[jeff9366]

The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to list your tasks first, then determine bare tractor weight needed to safely accomplish your tasks. The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Heavier tractor chassis weight is more important for most tractor operations than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.

Within subcompact and compact tractor categories, bare tractor weight must increase 50% before you notice a significant tractor capability increase. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range. I spreadsheet tractor and implement specs, often a revealing exercise. I have a column for cost per pound.

Most tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight operate in residential or hobby farm applications on one to ten flat acres. Subcompact and compact tractors under 3,000 pounds will enter a residential garage with typical 84" door height.

Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling multiple light implements in order to buy heavier, wider implements for a heavier tractor requires a lot of time. Depreciation on implements is generally greater than depreciation on a tractor.

Tractors over 3,000 pounds bare weight are generally offered in a utilitarian configuration and a deluxe configuration. Deluxe kit enhances productivity and operating comfort ~~~ but you must pay. Most tractors over 3,000 pounds bare weight are too tall to fit through an 84" height garage door, even with ROPS folded.

Heavier tractors are built on larger frames with larger wheels/tires. Heavier tractors with large diameter tires have more tractive power pulling ground contact implements, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires increase ground clearance, enabling a heavier tractor to bridge holes, ruts and downed tree limbs with less bucking and disturbance when passing over rough pasture and woodland.

Safe hillside operation demands more tractor weight than level land operation. Heavier tractors have adjustable rear wheel spreads; wide rear wheel spreads hugely improve tractor stability. Four wheel drive is essential on hillsides. Four wheel drive supplies increased traction. When descending slopes 4-WD augments rear brakes as tractor weight shifts forward, decreasing rear tire grip.

Tractors optimized for hill work have liquid installed in the rear tires rather than air. "Loaded" tires are filled 50% to 75% with liquid, which lowers the tractor's center-of-gravity, increasing rollover resistance. "Loading" two compact tractor rear tires will increase tractor weight 300 pounds to 800 pounds over weight of identical two tires inflated with air.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Almost every new tractor is delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment. Dealer proximity is less important to those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

 

[jeff9366]

Majority of tractor use is putting out round bales. The big ones, 5 1/2 x 6?

Round bales vary in weight considerably dry or wet. Generally speaking it requires a tractor with a bare tractor weight of 5,000 pounds to move round bales SAFELY with the Loader.

Mahindra 4500 is around 5,000 pounds bare tractor weight.

If you shop tractor models by weight you will compare apples to apples.

KUBOTA M6060 (5,000 pounds): https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/m60.pdf?sfvrsn=bbfa43b0_4



HST transmissions are available on tractors up to and including 60-horsepower.
HST tractors use pumps to hydraulically transfer power. HST gears/ranges determine pump transfer ratios.

Above 60-horsepower tractors have some form of semi-automated-clutch, gear transmission, NOT the old clutch-and-gear, left-leg stuff. Gear tractors achieve 5% to 10% better fuel efficiency in field work, relative to HST.

Mahindra 4500 has 42 gross engine horsepower.

 

[atsah]

Sounds like 60hp and hydro is the way to go..

 

[jeff9366]

Sounds like 5,000 pound bare tractor weight and hydro is the way to go....

 

[Bigfoot62]

Robby,
Opinions are like you know what.
But, here's my opinion:
IF it's in your budget, try out a 5 Series Deere. Plenty of tractor to handle everything you are wanting to do, and then some. And, if you're considering a cab, nobody builds a more comfortable cab tractor. Air conditioner as well. Even in 100 degree heat, you'll find yourself running the A/C on the lowest setting. Deere also has the best Power Reverser transmission. It's a fluid drive forward/reverse unit in front of a synchronized manual. It's not a true Hydro, but it's a manual that you can drive without using the clutch, if you want.
I spent most of last week in the hay field. Part of it with my cousin, helping him. He has a 5x5.5" baler. (1600-1800# rolls) You can see my tractors listed in my signature. He has 5 tractors with FEL's: 3 Kubota 9540's with cab; (the Kubotas had to have water added to the rear tires in order to safely handle the hay bales) a MF 383 with cab, a Ford 7740; then a smaller MF, a smaller International, and a couple of old Ford 2000's. (I think) He also has a BIG John Deere with duals, (7000 Series) but he doesn't use it in the hay field. His 383 was in the shop, again. I don't remember what was broke this time. One of the 9540's had a flat tire. (not the tractor's fault) I ran both of the other Kubotas last week, as well as using one of my JD's. They're not in the same class. It's apples and oranges. Not picking on Kubota. His 383 can't compete with the JD either.
And, please understand, I'm not trashing other brands. I'm just sharing my thoughts, drawn from my years on the farm. I own 100+ acres and harvest hay on about 60.

 

[robbyr]

Thanks for the replies. Lots of food for thought. My guess is we're a year or two away but doesn't hurt to start looking now.

 

[majorwager]

Round bales vary in weight considerably dry or wet. Generally speaking it requires a tractor with a bare tractor weight of 5,000 pounds to move round bales SAFELY with the Loader.

Mahindra 4500 is around 5,000 pounds bare tractor weight.

If you shop tractor models by weight you will compare apples to apples.

KUBOTA M6060 (5,000 pounds): https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/m60.pdf?sfvrsn=bbfa43b0_4



HST transmissions are available on tractors up to and including 60-horsepower.
HST tractors use pumps to hydraulically transfer power. HST gears/ranges determine pump transfer ratios.

Above 60-horsepower tractors have some form of semi-automated-clutch, gear transmission, NOT the old clutch-and-gear, left-leg stuff. Gear tractors achieve 5% to 10% better fuel efficiency in field work, relative to HST.

Mahindra 4500 has 42 gross engine horsepower.

rbrr,

You stated that you put up round bales, but you do not actually bale them yourself,?? HST transmission is NOT appropriate for bailing, work is too dusty, and overheating issues likely to occur, Also doubt the HST has adequate hp th operate that size baler.


Jeffy,
You mention wet bales? Who bales wet hay? Perhaps mushroom barns? Not in Texas. Wet hay will mold quickly, spontaneous cumbustion is an issue. Perhaps you know a secret that livestock farmers are not aware? Your "text book" farming manual requires a rewrite.