Pros and Cons to owning a Heavier Tractor??

[sd455dan]

I never bury myself up to the axles. If I am "stuck" I grab another tractor and pull that one out well before going up the "axles". No sense getting in deeper.

Oh Oh- now we are into whether multiple tractors are better than having only one :laughing: and imo the one doing the pulling should have AGs and be a (heavy) 4x tractor.

 

[TomSeller]

Oh Oh- now we are into whether multiple tractors are better than having only one :laughing: and imo the one doing the pulling should have AGs and be a (heavy) tractor.

Yes. Multiple tractors are always worthwhile. With multiple tread types as well. Just think of the possibilities

 

[bcp]

If you guys would just keep moving you wouldn't get stuck.



Bruce

 

[TomSeller]

If you guys would just keep moving you wouldn't get stuck.



Bruce

By definition, you are correct.

 

[cat fever]

If you guys would just keep moving you wouldn't get stuck.



Bruce

Sometimes the tires are moving but the tractor isn't !! :laughing:

 

[Samuellm]

Sometimes the tires are moving but the tractor isn't !! :laughing:

In my experience it keeps moving fine just in a downward direction.

 

[skyhook]

I currently own a Kubota B7800 and now looking at buying a
John Deere 3520. The JD is a about 1000 lbs heavier and also
has R4 tires. My Kubota has turf tires.

I am fairly new to tractors and would like to know the pros and
cons to a heavier tractor.

Also, if someone could comment on the difference in tires.
Most of my work is hauling material, and firewood and general use around
the yard.

Should also ask if the JD 3520 is a good model to consider. Have not owned
a JD utility tractor.

The JD also has rear wheel weights installed. Good idea to keep these on?

Thanks.

The heavier the better IMO, why do you think people fill their tires, add weights to their wheels or counter weights in the rear, better traction and a much more stable machine, as some have pointed out, I've always preferred "turf" tires unless working in a "construction environment" my JCB has R4's but if I had my choice, I would have turfs on it and may just change them over when funds are available. Turf's, turf's, turf's and you will keep "moving".

 

[oosik]

In my 34 years out here I've owned two tractors - Ford 1700 4WD and now Kubota M6040 4WD. The Ford weighed around 2500 lbs and the Kubota weighs 9688 lbs. The Kubota will do jobs I wouldn't even consider with the Ford(huge rocks, large trees, snow plowing without using a blower & the like). Likewise - since both tractors had/have R1 tires, if I run around the yard/lawn when its soft the Kubota will do a lot more damage to the grass than the Ford did. However, the little Ford did its share of "scuffing" also.

After years & years of trying to get many jobs done around here with the Ford - I finally traded it in for the bigger Kubota. In my particular situation - bigger works better. What I have lost with the Ford - moving easily around & thru the forrest, easily getting in & around tight places - has been made up for in the abilities of a larger unit - stability, lifting power, using larger & more efficient implements, clearing snow off the driveway without needing a blower, bigger chipper, etc.

I never once even considered fuel use - with the Kubota I will go thru 50-60 gallons of diesel/year.

 

[wcampbell47]

You are considering a move up in size very similar to a move I just made. I went from a B3200 to an L3901. Moved up a frame size and a few hundred pounds. Only moved up about 5 hp but I can feel the difference. I remove the FEL if I am going to do yard work like mowing to reduce weight. I will probably aerate my yard more now since I am using a heavier tractor. The JD has (according to tractordata) a 3 spd HST. Good. All the Kubota I have driven have double acting hydraulics on the FEL. Not all tractors do. I can lift and curl the bucket back at the same time. Very useful in filling the bucket full when moving material. I can dump and lower at the same time as well. Many tractors can only perform the up/down of the boom or curl/dump action separately - not at the same time. One of the reasons I stayed with Kubota.

Don't have any qualms about moving up in size - just make sure the JD is as functional as the Kubota you have. Did some work for a farmer that has large tractors. He was amazed at the power of the Kubota for it's size.

 

[gladehound]

Nobodys mentioned fuel use and weight.

I barely notice the difference in fuel with the 45hp tractor compared to the 20hp tractor. I think this is because I can run the RPM much lower on the larger tractor for any given task. There are times when I do use more fuel but that is generally when I'm doing things I couldn't even do with the smaller tractor.