recommendations for new tractor

danielsumner · Dec 30, 2009

I posted this in the wrong section of the forum, I'm going to repost sorry.

Daniel

Ok, I'm ready to my my first tractor. A little about me and what I'm needing. I'm 54, a little overweight (Why am I post this) and don't want to buy something that will be too hard to operate or hook up attachments. I have 28acres in southeast Ga. Three acres in lawn, about 8 to 10 in pastures and the rest is in woods. Have no hills at all, flat as can be. I have no need for a front loader that I realize at this time. Would like to keep the pastures mowed, maybe a belly mower for the yard and would like to be able to bush hog some of the overgrown wooded areas around the pecan trees. We have no snow to deal with. I'm concerned about being able to attach the bush hog, maybe plow ect, as I get older. I've never even been on a tractor before. The choices that I have in the area, seems to be a John Deere, Mahindra and a used Yamnar dealer. I'm not trying to make a living with the tractor. I'm retiring and will be living on my little hobby farm. Any advise and help will be greatly welcome.
Daniel

dex3361 · Dec 30, 2009

Welcome to TBN and I am sure that I would make you feel small.

I am a proponent of the 4 wheel drive tractors because you can do so much more for the size. I would recommend a 25- 45 HP (Horsepower) tractor and I would recommend a Hydrostatic transmission (HST) they are the easiest to use for a new user. I have Kubota tractors and I think they are great machines but the other colors are good machines as well. Being new to tractors I would go with a tractor that has a warranty and a good service dealer would important. I would also tell you to get a Front End Loader(FEL) now or you will regret it later. Don't worry about the 3 point hitch(3PH) hook up, you will get used to it or get the quick hitch for them and the problem is solved.

kebo · Dec 30, 2009

Hey Daniel, take a look at the John Deere Imatch setup for sure. I don't have this for my JD 790, but have read others say how easy it is to hook up attachments with it. Seems to me that should be your first concern with you being overweight. As far as HP goes, what dex says is about right for your 28 acres (which was 25-45hp). I think what happens with a lot of first time tractor owners is that they will initially buy small (like 20hp) and once they've used it and see what all it can do, they want more and eventually decide to upgrade in size and add the FEL and maybe even a BH. If you want to take that approach, that's cool however if I were you I would start out with at least 30hp. That will run any 5ft implement you can get behind it. If you want to go with 6 ft implements, then you'll need a minimum of 35hp. Oh yeah, read some of the posts on the tractor safety forum, learn all you can about the tractor before you start using it, and ease yourself into it before doing the hard jobs with it. In other words, learn the tractor and all the safety aspects first! Good luck with your decision, and stick around... let us know what you get and how it works for you.

Thomas · Dec 31, 2009

When doing your home work,make sure the tractor fits you/comfortable..don't make yourself fit the tractor..also don't settle for good enough if there doubt.

Make pot of coffee fill the lantern than use search,your gonner be surprise.

wedge40 · Dec 31, 2009

ditto on what everyone else has said. I'd stick with 35-50hp. Get the FEL up front. They are easy on and off today so if you need to take it off for some reason it can be done in 30minutes or so. Once you do it a few times. The FEL SHOULD have Skid Steer Quick Attach for mounting the bucket. That way when you get other attachments they will be easy to hook up. I know it's a little intimidating at first cause a few years back I was in the same boat. There are days when I get lucky and hook something up to the 3pt in a couple of minutes, then there are days when I have to bring a lunch to confession

D) after trying to hook something up. I still treat the tractor with respect and have a little fear when doing things, but that in turn means I'm cautious.
Good luck with your new tractor. And welcome aboard.
Almost all questions have asked here at some point so look around if you have any. If you don't find the answer post and you get more help the ever.

Wedge

MarkV · Dec 31, 2009

Welcome to the forum Daniel. As you look, one guide line that may help is 5PTO hp per foot of rotary (Bush hog) mower. So a tractor in the 35 hp (engine hp) will run a 6' rotary mower well for what you are doing. The hydrostatic transmissions are easy to use for a newbie. And, I will also recommend a loader for the tractor. For those of us that are getting a bit older the loader sure does save the back when working around the farm.

MarkV

Soundguy · Dec 31, 2009

IMHO.. a belly mower is going to positively KILL your ground clearance for running in the pasture and in and around the woods. A pothole or gopher hole can high center you with a belly mower. At most.. I'f get a rear finish mower, and a brush hog.. .. though likely.. I'd just get a hog, and leave the finish mowing to a lil 800$ walmart/murray mower for right around the house.

that said.. I know you don't want a laoder now.. but with woods.. ya may want it later. with your size land.. I'd say up to 30hp wouldn't be overkill.. and as low as the 20's would still be quite fine if ya got the time.

You looking for new only? or used?

a nice old ford from the late 50's thru the mid 70's should be cheap, and quite useable... can pick and choose and find one with a live pto, hyds and power steering and 33-45hp in the 2500-4500$ range. If you get diesel.. I'd stay with the post 65 3 cyl jobs.. and if you get gas I'd stick with the pre 65 4 cyl jobs.. ( though post 65 gassers will put out alotta work as will the 59-64 diesels.. )

soundguy

danielsumner said:
I posted this in the wrong section of the forum, I'm going to repost sorry.

Daniel

Ok, I'm ready to my my first tractor. A little about me and what I'm needing. I'm 54, a little overweight (Why am I post this) and don't want to buy something that will be too hard to operate or hook up attachments. I have 28acres in southeast Ga. Three acres in lawn, about 8 to 10 in pastures and the rest is in woods. Have no hills at all, flat as can be. I have no need for a front loader that I realize at this time. Would like to keep the pastures mowed, maybe a belly mower for the yard and would like to be able to bush hog some of the overgrown wooded areas around the pecan trees. We have no snow to deal with. I'm concerned about being able to attach the bush hog, maybe plow ect, as I get older. I've never even been on a tractor before. The choices that I have in the area, seems to be a John Deere, Mahindra and a used Yamnar dealer. I'm not trying to make a living with the tractor. I'm retiring and will be living on my little hobby farm. Any advise and help will be greatly welcome.
Daniel