Pulling the trigger on a JD need some advice from the brain trust/hive mind

[Robertesq1]

I have about 15-20 acres of fields all in good shape and taken care of by a friend who sells the hay. He's slowing down and I'm thinking that its time to take over myself. I'm just looking to do food plots, clover, turnips, etc. maybe some armature gardening/farming. I need some advice.

I'm thinking a 3520 will fit the bill, ease of use, small enough to fit in the garage yet big enough to do the job.

I need a brush hog (thinking either the JD MX5 or the wider but lighter Frontier) and and seeder (broadcast?) not sure what else to use to break the soil...

JD 673 Tiller (73-inch, commercial-duty)??
Mulch Finisher?? or other all in one food plot gizmo (plotmaster)
Disk harrow??

all comments much appreciated
Rob

 

[jimjo2]

I am a small-time farmer (5 acres in hay) and I have had a JD 2010 for several years, about a 1963 year model. I found a new 2008 JD 5303 at my JD dealer that I bought this summer and what a tractor. This is a no-frills machine just like the 2010. I use it for cutting hay with a New Holland haybine and bale also with a New Holland baler. I also have a 6' rotary cutter. The 2010 worked okay but that 5303 works great. I paid $22,000 for it and used JD's 4-year, no interest financing (better their money than taking from savings). I couldn't get a better deal even with cash. I'll bet you can buy a tractor like this for less money than a compact.

 

[Robertesq1]

I am a small-time farmer (5 acres in hay) and I have had a JD 2010 for several years, about a 1963 year model. I found a new 2008 JD 5303 at my JD dealer that I bought this summer and what a tractor. This is a no-frills machine just like the 2010. I use it for cutting hay with a New Holland haybine and bale also with a New Holland baler. I also have a 6' rotary cutter. The 2010 worked okay but that 5303 works great. I paid $22,000 for it and used JD's 4-year, no interest financing (better their money than taking from savings). I couldn't get a better deal even with cash. I'll bet you can buy a tractor like this for less money than a compact.

I don't think I am going to continue to sell the hay, just some food plots and general planting... maybe corn

 

[doall]

sounds like the 3520 will be just right for what you intend to use it for. I used my neighbors this past weekend doing plots and it worked great. We used my NH for discing and his for spreading seed and fertilizer. I think the loaders on the little JD's are great.

 

[MBDiagMan]

I am a small-time farmer (5 acres in hay) and I have had a JD 2010 for several years, about a 1963 year model. I found a new 2008 JD 5303 at my JD dealer that I bought this summer and what a tractor. This is a no-frills machine just like the 2010. I use it for cutting hay with a New Holland haybine and bale also with a New Holland baler. I also have a 6' rotary cutter. The 2010 worked okay but that 5303 works great. I paid $22,000 for it and used JD's 4-year, no interest financing (better their money than taking from savings). I couldn't get a better deal even with cash. I'll bet you can buy a tractor like this for less money than a compact.

I'm with Jim on this. I just bought a 5045D which is also a heavier, stronger and simpler tractor than the 3520. It is small enough to maneuver and do light jobs, but heavy enough to give you more versatility of use. It also has a sure enough wet sleeve industrial engine as opposed to the Yanmar that is not much more than a high quality lawn mower engine. For the last 23 years I've run a Ford 3000 which is much like Jim's old 2010, simple and rugged.

As Jim says, these big and simple tractors are less expen$ive than a compact and I FULLY expect that on the average, with the same usage and care, will outlive most compacts by a considerable margin.

I personally don't care to have something like hydrostatic drive and all the doodad's. They are nice while they're running well, but a total mental and financial nightmare when they're not. I firmly believe in the KISS principle, Keep It Simple Stupid(KISS.)

One other thing. The conventional wisdom is that you MUST have four wheel drive for a loader. In a compact tractor that is FOR SURE. The reason is that these small units weigh With a heavy tractor, unless you are in extreme conditions, four wheel drive is not an absolute need for a loader.

Best of luck with your decision.

My $0.02,

 

[Zebrafive]

I vote 5000 series vs Compact. The more you use it, you will be glad you did.

 

[jcalla]

Got a new 4720 this past July. Sure I paid more for it but after a life of hard work I figured to give myself a little comfort. Boy, what a nice, powerful & comfortable tractor with all the bells & whistles.

JPC

 

[jenkinsph]

My older 820 is a good simple tractor with lots of years on it but well cared for and well maintained. I purchased the 4520cab tractor because the newer ehydro transmissions are so much easier to use. With the property mentioned a 4320 thru 4720 would work very well for you.

Comparing the 5045 to a 4X20 I would think the first is a bare bones model and the second is a deluxe model. When operating pto implements the 4520 and 4720 will do more work faster than the 5045. When pulling a stump up or similar work the 5045 will have a higher draft ability (at a lower ground speed) than the 4520 or 4720.

I purchased a 4520 cab with the ehydro and added 420#'s of front weight and 660#'s of rear weight this seems to do a good job and is a very manueverable tractor for my work.

 

[foggy1111]

I have a 3320 and will use mine much like you plan to: food plots for deer. I have about 120 acres....but only about 7 acres in food plots and clover trails to take care of. The rest is timber so I have some logging done and thus loader and grapple work is quite important to me. Also stump grinding in the food plots and trails.

I feel a bigger tractor would be a liability to me...as I then need bigger implements (more expensive) and would not be as nimble and able to get around in the timber so nicely with the bigger tractor and implements. I basically use 5 foot implements...which are common and afffordable.....which is a good thing....cause I got ALLOT of implements.

Also, I could not trailer a heavy tractor with my current vehicle and trailer set up. Which is important to me.

All things to consider. Everyone's needs are different. :thumbsup:

 

[Rob-D]

All things to consider. Everyone's needs are different. :thumbsup:

I second that, I wouldn't give up my little guy either.

Rob