Same old newbie story & request

[bspeedy]

I was thinking of open station. No need for heart or AC. I will definately think of having implements in both places. As mentioned it is a lot to tow.

I think the towing will be your limiting factor considering your tow vehicle. Definitely a case for two tractors. :thumbsup:

Is that a possibility?

 

[Joemac8]

I think the towing will be your limiting factor considering your tow vehicle. Definitely a case for two tractors. :thumbsup:

Is that a possibility?

No it is beyond the budget by a lot. But it is a wonderful thought.

 

[747driver]

We have 24 acres in the Cherokee National Forest down in the SE corner of Tenn. Moved from Chicago 2 years ago. The winters are somewhat mild as usually Jan and Feb are the coldest. Little snow fall but freezing temps. at times. I bought a Kioti CK27 ( 28 hp ) with low hrs. I needed a small tractor with being in the forest allows me me to get in and around the trees. Has worked great and does what i want it to as a bigger size tractor wouldn't work out.

 

[PJSprog]

No it is beyond the budget by a lot. But it is a wonderful thought.

Is it? Maybe crunch the numbers. Consider the costs associated with hauling a tractor that distance back and forth all the time; a trailer, licensing, insurance, chains, fuel cost for transport, additional wear and maintenance on transport vehicle, potential second set of implements ... and compare that to the cost of maybe a second older tractor to leave where it would be less used. It might not be as far out of budget as you initially think. :confused3:

 

[jeff9366]

Consider the RISK of pulling a laden trailer long distances, through mountains, in inclement weather. NOT ME.

 

[bspeedy]

Is it? Maybe crunch the numbers. Consider the costs associated with hauling a tractor that distance back and forth all the time; a trailer, licensing, insurance, chains, fuel cost for transport, additional wear and maintenance on transport vehicle, potential second set of implements ... and compare that to the cost of maybe a second older tractor to leave where it would be less used. It might not be as far out of budget as you initially think. :confused3:

Y'know, it would probably be easier to move implements that distance than it would to move the tractor.

I stick by my original statement. Consider two tractors. Two of the same model would make things simpler as far as maintenance. At least two of the same brand.

If it's 700 miles between locations, I would reasonably expect the trip to cost one dollar per mile to haul the tractor each way. That's 1400 bucks per round trip. Plus a night in a hotel each way instead of driving straight through - let's call it 1700 per round trip. Sure - if you are going anyway, you will have to make the trip, but a trip with just the car should be 20-30 cents per mile and done in one day. That's a savings of 1200 (roughly) per round trip. Deduct the initial cost of the trailer - around 3 grand. In five years, that's 9K. By year 5, you have a trailer worth 1500 bucks and a bunch of wasted fuel, a trans rebuild on the 'burb, a couple days in a hotel on one trip due to wheel bearings going out or some other issue on the tow vehicle or trailer and all the associated risk and hassle.

OR, spend 12-15 grand on an additional (used) tractor with implements and have no additional travel hassle. Yes, you will have to maintain the other machine, but you will put the same number of hours on the two that you would normally put on one, so maintenance should be a wash. AND, the second tractor will be worth most of what you pay for it after 5 years and easily converted to cash via your local craigslist.

If you had two locations 100 miles away, I would see it differently.

 

[IslandTractor]

I won't get into the one vs two tractor debate but will point out that you'll need implements in both locations obviously so consider the weight and size of implements that need to be added to the trailer. You will also be abandoning the TN property for almost the entire growing season so when you return in November you will face 20 acres of chest high grass and brush. That is a LOT of mowing for a 30ish hp tractor and 5ft mower. A couple weeks of work at 4-5 hrs per day.

If I were in your shoes, I'd 1) think carefully about the one vs two tractor economics and the practicality of trailering a 5000lb load, 2) aim for a 40hp machine with six foot implements, 3) consider having someone else do the mowing in TN while you are gone (which means you might get away with a much smaller general purpose tractor or utility vehicle in TN). 4) As others have noted, there really are no truly "Made in USA" tractors in this size range. If the JD is aspirational then go for it but be a ware that both JD and Kubota are premium priced and that there are a handful of equally reliable and capable tractor brands on the market that would save you at least 20%. Kioti, Mahindra, LS are all well regarded and stable companies but without the extensive dealer networks of JD and Kubota. Read some of the comments in the tractor brand specific sub forums to get a feel for how owners are finding their tractor experiences.

Good luck.

 

[Joemac8]

I will certainly do that. Thanks for the idea and suggestion.

 

[KennyG]

There are a lot of good thoughts here but so many variables it's hard to be precise. This site always seems to recommend going bigger, but since you are "towing and mowing" it might be best to stay in 2000 lb range. Depending on the configuration of the land, you might consider a rear finish mower. They are cheaper and mow some areas easier, but may complicate your transport. With two properties, look into low maintenance landscaping. I have planted hard fescue grass on some of my property. It's very hardy and doesn't need mowing. I mow mine a few times a year to keep the weeds down but the grass seems to choke most of them out.

Cost between Kubota and John Deere seems to be dealer specific. Sometimes one is cheaper and sometimes the other. There are cheaper alternatives but I'm in your age bracket and I bought the JD because the price was competitive and my real favorite (Allis Chalmers) is no longer available.