Second tractor vs upgrading current tractor

[WVH1977]

I am getting ready to build a new house on our new property (16 acres) this fall. I just cleared three acres with a mini-ex and I am currently fine grading it with my tractor. Here are some pics of the ongoing job.

I plan on buying a new tractor once we start building the house. I have looked at several 44 to 60 HP CUT's that are really nice and $$$$$. I have also looked at several SCUT's that are nice and less $$$$$. This is where my dilemma starts.

1st Option:

If I decide to go with a newer CUT I will have to sell my current tractor (NH TC40) and use that for the down payment. Plus side on this is I already have all the six foot attachments and buckets needed for the newer machine. I almost sold my tractor a couple of years ago to upgrade but could not part with it. It has 485 trouble free hours on it. If I buy the new CUT I will more than likely go with a cab model.

2nd Option:

I buy a SCUT (TLB with MMM) for working around the three acre yard and house. I will keep my current tractor and use it for the bigger jobs around the property.

If you all were in this kind of situation which option would you lean towards? Right now I am leaning more towards keeping the current tractor and buying the SCUT as a helper. All replies and opinions will be appreciated. One more thing, I will post about the machines I am looking at in another thread for thoughts and comparisons.

Thanks

 

[fatboycowen]

You have a trouble free 40hp tractor. Why would you swap it for another?

 

[TheMadOne]

What jobs do you see that your current tractor wouldn't be capable of?

I will say that three acres is a bit much for a SCUT to mow, it'll do it obviously, but you'll spend more time than I'd want to doing it. A zero turn is a far better tool for mowing actual lawn, and a decent used commercial one can be had for not much more than a MMM for a SCUT.

 

[Thomas]

If in no hurry to purchase and TC40 doing well hold off until new house built and grounds are shape the way you wish...things change.

 

[WVH1977]

I currently have two zero-turns, a Gravely and a Scaggs so I probably don't need the MMM. Just thought it might be nice to have for a just-in case.

 

[WVH1977]

You have a trouble free 40hp tractor. Why would you swap it for another?

The only reason I am considering it is to get into a cab. Right now I am fine without a cab but I am getting older and there are times I wish I had a cab.

 

[johncanfield]

We have 30 acres and my old Kubota L2900 (30hp) was just not enough tractor and I had to mow upwind since the Kubota was open station. I'm no youngster and I love my cab 4720 Deere, it's fun now to do anything with the tractor. It gets expensive when you need to also upgrade implements but in the long run it's well worth it.

 

[ovrszd]

You have a trouble free 40hp tractor. Why would you swap it for another?

I agree. I see no reason to do anything.

 

[ovrszd]

The only reason I am considering it is to get into a cab. Right now I am fine without a cab but I am getting older and there are times I wish I had a cab.

I live on 20 acres and have an additional farm of 150 acres. My only cab tractor is an old TLB that I just bought. What tasks are you going to be required to do on 16 acres that also require a cab?

 

[PHPaul]

I can't help with the "add or replace" question, but I will say that going from my open station JD750 to my cabbed B2650 is the best move I've made in a LONG time. The cab, heat and A/C takes any discomfort out of the equation.

 

[WVH1977]

I live on 20 acres and have an additional farm of 150 acres. My only cab tractor is an old TLB that I just bought. What tasks are you going to be required to do on 16 acres that also require a cab?

I did not state this earlier but I do quite a bit of bush hogging on my hunting land (2500 acres, lots of roads and open areas) and will also be doing more bush hogging around the new place on trails. I also do quite a bit of burning in the fall and winter in snow and rain. Tilling the garden can also be a pain in the heat of the summer. I get right nasty sometimes with all the dust and heat. I have been lucky so far getting hit with yellow jackets. Only twice, but it was not fun. Those are some of the reasons I have been thinking about a cab tractor.

 

[TheMadOne]

The only reason I am considering it is to get into a cab. Right now I am fine without a cab but I am getting older and there are times I wish I had a cab.

Have you considered splitting the difference and getting a smaller CUT with a cab? You'd still have your workmaster for the "big" jobs, and for things like snow blowing a B or 2 series would work just fine and you'd have your cab. I mean, if you only have 3 out of 16 acres cleared it's not like you'll be out all day with a brush cutter or anything, right?

Goodness knows that after this winter my quest for a cab is getting serious, but my budget probably means I'll have to pay off the 3301 first.

 

[WVH1977]

Have you considered splitting the difference and getting a smaller CUT with a cab? You'd still have your workmaster for the "big" jobs, and for things like snow blowing a B or 2 series would work just fine and you'd have your cab. I mean, if you only have 3 out of 16 acres cleared it's not like you'll be out all day with a brush cutter or anything, right?

Goodness knows that after this winter my quest for a cab is getting serious, but my budget probably means I'll have to pay off the 3301 first.

Yes I have thought about this also. I have looked at some of the mid size CUT's with cabs. I really like the idea of having two tractors instead of just one. That is why I have been thinking about a SCUT to go along with what I already have. The SCUT would also be good if my wife ever needs to do a small job around the house while I am not there. She is not too keen about operating my current tractor. We would use it for planting trees and bushes and the occasional trench if needed. Just general yard maintenance.

 

[TheMadOne]

I suggest taking her to a dealer in your area(Ashland Hoobers gets my vote, I bought my tractor from their Intercourse location), and getting her in the seat of a B with a cab. They're really quite "compact"(pun intended), and much less intimidating than an L, much less your current ride.

 

[sugarloafguy]

Hi,

If I had a Shibaura machine already I would be looking towards the New Holland 46D or 54D cab. Totally sweet unit. With that much area I might go to the T 4.65/75 Series cab and loader since that Shibaura machine is very spendy like the others in the series always were.

Brian

 

[Texasmark]

As soon as I could afford it I added tractors to my stable after buying this place some 40 years ago. As you can see, even in retirement, I still have "duties" for 4 of them. Highest number I had was 7.