Tractor Sizing scut or cut

[buzzard103]

Howdy all. I have read a bunch of threads about tractor sizing and have looked at several. Mainly John deere, Massey Ferguson, and New Holland. I really liked the New Holland 1520 4wd 9x3 tranny. But after talking to an uncle he said I would not like it because its small but it has more than twice the power as the Yanmar my father bought several years ago. I don't want to buy it and not be satisfied because it is too small. My budget is small and my knowledge is smaller:laughing: but I know you good fellas can help and i appreciate it up front. I would prefer a 9x3 will settle for shuttle hst is out of the question. 35hp to 40 hp engine would be fine for me. I intend on bush hogging a little. finish mowing about 3.5 acres, discing and tilling two medium sized gardens ( 50 x 100 ) and eventually cleaning up some very neglected fence rows. and would use it for fire wood gathering pulling a trailer and possibly a log or two if needed. intend on fel in the future but just can't afford it now. I have used the yanmar for tilling only and the tiller is REALLY a stress on the little thing. I am ready to upgrade. 15,000 is my absolute limit unfortunitly. Any advice is so greatly appreciated.

 

[budlite]

I think 35-40 HP is plenty for what you are talking about. Tractors hold their value pretty well if properly cared for, so if you do need to upgrade later you shouldn't take a beating on your existing model. Don't know if you can get that size tractor plus attachments for $15K.

 

[flusher]

Howdy all. I have read a bunch of threads about tractor sizing and have looked at several. Mainly John deere, Massey Ferguson, and New Holland. I really liked the New Holland 1520 4wd 9x3 tranny. But after talking to an uncle he said I would not like it because its small but it has more than twice the power as the Yanmar my father bought several years ago. I don't want to buy it and not be satisfied because it is too small. My budget is small and my knowledge is smaller:laughing: but I know you good fellas can help and i appreciate it up front. I would prefer a 9x3 will settle for shuttle hst is out of the question. 35hp to 40 hp engine would be fine for me. I intend on bush hogging a little. finish mowing about 3.5 acres, discing and tilling two medium sized gardens ( 50 x 100 ) and eventually cleaning up some very neglected fence rows. and would use it for fire wood gathering pulling a trailer and possibly a log or two if needed. intend on fel in the future but just can't afford it now. I have used the yanmar for tilling only and the tiller is REALLY a stress on the little thing. I am ready to upgrade. 15,000 is my absolute limit unfortunitly. Any advice is so greatly appreciated.

Visit the dealers in your neighborhood, check out the new 30-35 hp models with FEL (highly recommended), then check out the used models from 1 to 5 years ago. Get as much seat time as you can on the tractors you're eyeballing.

Sometimes you can get a good deal on new models that have been in a dealer's inventory for more than 12 months because he overbought or bought the wrong models that won't sell.

 

[RPW]

New is great used is good also. If you want FEL find some way to include in the original purchase price as trying to find a FEL as an after thought will cost you more. You didn't mention how many total acres you plan on using the tractor. Discing requires a bit of weight and that is where size is important. Also what do you intend on planting besides your gardens.

 

[buzzard103]

I have a total of about 10 to 12 acres . most is wooded but firewood will start being cut out of it next year. I do not honestly intend on planting anything but my gardens maybe some food plots. I feel like i can get a 5 foot tiller with a new holland 1520 for around 14,500 its 0% financing for 60 months I was sold on the 1520 until my uncle started telling me it was physically too small size and weight size. I figured put some wieghts on the front for now until i can afford a fel. He has a 85 John deere 32 hp tractor same width as the 1520 i'm looking at but the wheel base is about 6 inches shorter and its about 600 pounds lighter. H flat out said that was a lot and he wouldn't have anything less. So now i'm kinda having doubts as to if it'll be enough size wise.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Why don't you want a HST?

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I think a HST is the standard for SCUTS...

 

[buzzard103]

I have to go for now I have to take care of the kids but if nothing happens i'll check in tomorrow thanks again. I'm limited to the internet at work and I can only get on when we are not that busy. :laughing:

 

[buzzard103]

Why don't you want a HST?

I guess i'm just old fashioned. I feel like the expense is not worth it when it breaks. I enjoy turning wrenches myself so in 30+ years if it needs work i can fix it myself. Plus in my opinion its a tried and true mechanism so why change it. but thats just my opinion and judging the way the manufacturers is making tractors now days i'm the only one with that opinion :laughing: the new holland 1510 and 1520 can have a 9x3

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I guess i'm just old fashioned. I feel like the expense is not worth it when it breaks. I enjoy turning wrenches myself so in 30+ years if it needs work i can fix it myself. Plus in my opinion its a tried and true mechanism so why change it. but thats just my opinion and judging the way the manufacturers is making tractors now days i'm the only one with that opinion :laughing: the new holland 1510 and 1520 can have a 9x3

Well, to each his own. I know I wouldn't trade my HST.

 

[MikeInEburg]

most is wooded but firewood will start being cut out of it next year.

Consider ground clearance of you plan to spend time in the woods. On some makes, the difference between SCUT and CUT can be significant here...
Mike

 

[Johndeere3720]

Between the HST and all of the different gear machines i've used, i actually prefered gear most of the time. I opted for hst when i was in the market for a riding mower but with my low tractor budjet, i got a gear Yanmar. Hst is nice for loader work but gear has that constant torque required to scoop up gravel or really dig where the hst may struggle in a higher gear. I have to admit, i have only used 2 newholland tractors, a Boomer 8n and a TC18da, both were nice machines. have you looked at Deere's 3032e? My grandpa just got one and it is a really nice tractor. But it only has hst available unless you look at the 3005 (smaller), 3320 (more expensive), or 4005 (larger). Also, Kubota's B3030 and B3300 are nice machines. The B3300 seems like much more machine over the T1520 and 3032e. As stated before, try them out, look at the used machines, you will find the right one. :thumbsup:

 

[CompactTractorFan]

you will find the right one. :thumbsup:

For every man there is a tractor...:thumbsup:

 

[LBrown59]

I guess i'm just old fashioned.
I feel like the expense is not worth it when it breaks.

That was in Times Past.
Today it's a whole different Ball Game.

 

[rd_macgregor]

If the dealer support is there, then don't be too constrained by tractor colour. When I was shopping for my first, I looked at used tractors for several months, then finally decided there wasn't enough of a savings over a new one (especially given how beat most of the used ones were). I shopped the new Deere, NH, Kubota, etc., etc. and finally settled on a Kioti DK45SC with the 12X12 gear transmission (HST wasn't even available in '06). The main reason I chose Kioti was that the Kioti was a heavier tractor with more FEL lift than most of the competitors and it cost about $6k less. Any of the ones I looked at would have been fine for my uses and I think any would suit your needs, too.

I'll also second comments made by previous posters: find a way to get your tractor with FEL from the get-go. It will be a hassle and likely more expensive to add it later and you will regret it if you don't get it with the tractor. Unless your land is smooth, level and dry, avoid turf tires like the plague. Also, if you have an option for spare rear remote hydraulic outlets...one is good, but it is hard to have too many!
Finally, check out the used market in your area; you might have better luck than I did and stumble into a fully-equipped unit in your price range.
Good luck

BOB

 

[buzzard103]

I have a kubota dealer and john deere dealer in town. The massey ferguson, new holland dealer is about 30 miles away. I called the local john deere dealer yesterday i'm gonna try to go talk to him in the next day or so. I haven't been able to look real close at massey ferguson yet. a visit to the kubota dealership is on the list as well.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Yes, I would also look at the Kubota L2800 / L3400, and JD 3005 if you are looking for gear shift tractors on a budget. They may have weight advantages over the NH, but I think the NH is probably enough tractor for what you have planned myself.

 

[nikdfish]

We just went through the selection process ourselves & ended up getting the JD 3038E. The HST has proven to be extremely useful when working in rough/unknown areas because of the ability to change ground speed on a second by second basis if needed AND the ability to immediately go from forward to reverse. Very handy when the rotary cutter gets into something unexpected or a front wheel starts to drop into an unexpected hole! HST also makes working with the FEL much more deft & precise in close quarters.


Nick

 

[buzzard103]

I went to all the local dealers and looked and got brochures. I haven't been able to drive any because i've had to go on my lunch break. they are all about the same size as the nh 1520 and to make a choice harder they are comparably priced. I have a question though when a manufacturer list lift capacity for 24 inches behind the lift balls is that tested of just what the hydraulics SHOULD be able to lift in ideal conditions. I guess what i'm asking is if its rated at 1600 lbs 24 inches behind the lift balls will it float the front tires or would that be within the tractors ability.

 

[buzzard103]

And thanks for all the input it is very much appreciated.