Ran a Deere 4120, but I like blue better....

realhunter · Feb 9, 2016

First off - farming will be a hobby...

Purchased 83 acres -

17 acres of Hay, around 7 acres of pasture, rest is timber...

Plan to raise a few head of cattle. Then sell the Hay to a farmer up the road (already have an agreement).

Maintain the timber, cut n haul firewood from the woods, plant some food plots for hunting & some light no till work...

I ran his 4120 w loader & a 5 ft bush hog to do some initial clearing of said property. He has used this tractor to make Hay in the 17 acre Hay field (totally flat) for several years.

I found the tractor to be comfortable and of appropriate size to handle maintaining the pasture area ( its very hilly ).

What in the New Holland line would be comparable? Or do I need a larger tractor to make Hay more efficiently?

hayman3347 · Feb 9, 2016

I have owned my 4120 for 8 years doing hay on 25 acres. I use an 8 foot disc mower (M&W), a 9 foot tedder, an Oliver bar rake, and JD 328 square baler. This tractor has always done a fine job with no hassles. I also use it to clear snow from an 1800 foot gravel driveway but put chains on the front wheels due to my hills. I do a fair bit of clearing trails thru my woods as well. I don't see how any other brand could be in your mind since I am TOTALLY pleased with my 4120. Good luck!

antlers125 · Feb 9, 2016

If you are considering New Holland take a very close look at LS tractors. LS has been making New Holland for a while & decided to sell under their own name in 2009. Excellent tractors w/ more features at about 30% cheaper.

TheSpoon · Feb 9, 2016

Well, just on a quick glance.

A 4120 is 43HP, 35 at the PTO, so you'd be looking at about a Boomer 47 (45 HP, 35 PTO for the Hydro). Also as mentioned, you'd possibly want to look at LS. I just bought a XR4046H, which I believe is the same New Holland tractor, only with a different bucket.

Here's the list pulled from another thread:
NH = LS
Boomer 20 = J2020H
Boomer 25 = J2030H
Boomer 30 = R3039* w/ 28.5hp engine from older I3030
Boomer 33 = XR3032
Boomer 35 = XR3039
Boomer 37 = XR3037
Boomer 40 = R4041
Boomer 41 = XR4040
Boomer 47 = XR4046
Boomer 50 = R4047 or R4047H (hydro)

**Edit - Also for your comparisons check out Tactor Data

MMagis · Feb 9, 2016

I didn’t see it mentioned if you’re planning to do small squares or large round bales? That size is fine for small squares, but you’ll want more HP and weight for round baling on hills.

CDennyRun · Feb 11, 2016

If you don't have an LS dealer near you, but want a blue machine, there is also the WorkMaster. It's not packed full of goodies like the Boomer series, but still an excellent machine, and cost less. The LS will come with more bells and whistles than a workmaster, and cost even less.

Not much on the used end for LS, but you'll probably fine some good used NH Boomers and workmasters on the market for a reasonable price. The 45 or 47 should do you just fine for making small squares.

Chris

Texasmark · Feb 12, 2016

45hp is small for 80+ acres if you plan to do anything to amount to anything. If you work and farm on the side you surely will need more ponies to pull larger equipment to get the job done faster considering your limited time to do it.

Small squares are a PIA. Usually picky customers and very labor intensive unless you have half a dozen kids sitting around the supper table, not to mention the totally unpredictable weather that usually "rains on your parade". Any sized round baler, which is what you do when time limited will need at least 65 hp for the smaller rolls and around 100 for the solid 5' long by 6' diameter rounds that usually weigh around 1500# around here if full dimension with the correct moisture for baling. Nice thing about rounds is that if you can get it cured enough to roll you are temporarily through if bad weather hits, where a field full of squares is just wasted time, effort, and loose your shirt.

On equipment, if you buy new you usually don't have breakdowns, but they can occur but you do have monthly payments. Or you vie for the old stuff that someone is selling for a reason..........what reason? Then you spend your spare time fixing problems and breakdowns right in the middle of the haying season, hay down (cut and lying on the ground.....rain on the way)......oh 1@#$% not what do I do.

Good advice before you do anything is to get to know the neighbors, especially those with similar acreage and aspirations. They can save you a lot of headaches and believe me, spoken from a converted urbanite 37 years ago, they are everywhere.

Hobby or not you more than likely be working it every available minute and farming "till the money runs out". The more you do the more you will want to do.

Good luck.