The more I think it over the bigger it gets...

[jenkinsph]

Having reread everything it appears you have about 90 acres to maintain in one way or the other. I maintain more than this on a yearly basis, some of which I own and some by others. I think you will be better served to have both a smaller and a larger tractor. I have use in an older Deere 3030LS which is close to the 4020 in size and have the 4520 2009 and the 110tlb 2005. I also have an older 820 canopy 3 cylinder which is in good shape but is only 35 hp. The 3030 is a crappy tractor first of all, I am used to well maintained equipment and this thing was wailed on IMO. That being the case I went ahead and bought a new tractor last year to handle 90% of the work that needs doing.

I think in some ways your mind is still in the "large farm mode". I have finally gotten out of this myself, so it is easy to recognize. Going back years ago my family needed multiple large tractors and equipment to keep up and compete, those days are over. There are no 175 hp tractors in my future now and I question the idea of 100 hp tractors, while I "want one" I could hire out this work.

With your 20-20-50 acre parcels split up I would suggest you reconsider my original suggestion to complete and use the 4020 OS when the weather permits and get something like the 4520 cab tractor to use for routine maintenance. Transporting the 4520 is easy for me as the F550 pulls well and the cost of the smaller implements and tools is much lower too. I would think the 4020 with good mechanicals should be an easy tractor to complete and is paid for, that said keep it to handle the larger jobs. If by some chance you farm professionally in the future you will need these two tractors and them some, I would cross that bridge when I came to it.

Hope this doesn't come across as "too overbearing".

 

[MarkV]

I don't know if it comes into play in your situation but I would be thinking about transport also. You seem to have the proper hauling gear so I guess you already have a CDL license or it is not required in your state for farm use. Me I have no interest in jumping up to something that would require me to go through that and I have more than 200 acres to look after. It is mostly wooded so the maintenance isn't what you face though.

MarkV

 

[ChuckinNH]

Matt,

Just a few thoughts/observations. I found it next to impossible to make a decent profit running four row equipment on small acreage. The last person that I know who was farming this way quit about ten years ago. Of course he had to have a full time job off the farm too.

I am a firm believer in hiring work done or renting/bartering as opposed to buying whenever feasible rather than winding up with no longer needed equipment. We do this on back hoes, excavators and Skid Loaders. I won't buy a big truck and trailer to transport as I can hire it done a lot cheaper. I own a Toyota Tundra and my brother has a GMC dually, you can guess which one spends most of its life in the garage. Not knocking big trucks as some need them and I would "like" to have one but $$$$$$$$$$

I will be the first to admit that I don't always do this as I am retired and prefer to spend time on a tractor bush hogging, moving material and road maintenance rather than sitting on the porch or recliner. There is a point beyond which I won't go and that is largely regulated by cost.

I am sure this hasn't helped as you do have a pretty complex situation and you seem like the kind of guy who likes to do your own work.

Good post! Most thoughtful, and understanding. While I have no experience at all with tractors the size of the JD the OP is looking at, I do have experience maintaining 50-90 acres with much smaller tractors, and know it is possible. Round bales are less physical work, but do require larger equipment. My friend hays about 60 acres alone with a Kubota 95HP "M" series, and has been happy with that.
I guess my question is how much sense it makes to buy a large tractor to use available "farm" attachments VS perhaps using some of that money to equip a smaller, and yet comfortable tractor with the attachments needed? Are smaller attachments available at all to scrounge, or used?

 

[TripleR]

Good post! Most thoughtful, and understanding. While I have no experience at all with tractors the size of the JD the OP is looking at, I do have experience maintaining 50-90 acres with much smaller tractors, and know it is possible. Round bales are less physical work, but do require larger equipment. My friend hays about 60 acres alone with a Kubota 95HP "M" series, and has been happy with that.
I guess my question is how much sense it makes to buy a large tractor to use available "farm" attachments VS perhaps using some of that money to equip a smaller, and yet comfortable tractor with the attachments needed? Are smaller attachments available at all to scrounge, or used?

Chuck, no personal experience with any of the big stuff either as our biggest tractor is 80 HP. I don't know about other parts of the country, but I know around here when the cost of metal went up much of the smaller pieces of equipment went to the salvage yard including two of our planters. We have a real nice no till planter that is just too nice to scrap, but no one wants the smaller stuff. If a person could find some of the stuff still out there I bet the price would be right. Of course things may be entirely different in other locations.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

TripleR,
I appreciate and value your opinion. You put a lot of thought into what you have to say.

I am aware of rental bit as no one I know, even those who make a living with dozers and excavators, maintain trucks and lowboys. $200 is a deal...imho

I can't say I agree with you on the Tundra versus GMC Dually bit. I get 14-20 MPG depending if I am driving on the interstate of through town. I have actually needed the extra capability in the past and it has payed for itself. It is odd that I gave Toyota an equal shot on the last three vehicle purchases and then I went with Ford. This goes back to my first new truck in 94', 03', and finally 05'. I know what a ton truck can do with a proper trailer. Differing opinions and no more...

What I agree with you in spades on is the "Big Farm" Mentality that I still seem to drag around with me. Even though we have the total acreage to qualify for a moderate/big farm in this area I am not tending it. Thank God...

In all truth I need a 50-60 HP tractor, FEL, and maybe a cab. This is a doable deal. The rest was thinking out loud and became as obviously out of pro/con kilter on my side by the time I posted it. However, the strength of this forum, and you guys have not idea how much I appreciate your time and experience, is having someone go through it with a non ego invested perspective and comment.

We actually have more 6 row equipment than 4 row, however, the 6330 is not getting it done with 6 row bedders. Not to mention almost NO ONE plants on rowed up land anymore. No/minimum till has been the answer for years. With farm fuel at $2.50 a gallon you cannot afford that many passes over the land. Not to mention I have no interest in truly farming again. The Gentlemen that farms the vast bulk of the property already has 6-7 modern JD tractors from 180-300ish HP. He also has a 9760 JD Combine pushing a 40 foot grain head. Heck his JD Planter costs more than the 6330 Premium. This is HIS game and not mine. Thank you for the reminder...

In short I am going to deal with the problems as they arise as opposed to looking for problems to solve by throwing money at them prematurely...

With everyone's input I am about 95% sure I am going to buy a Kubota M6040. I like the transmission, shuttle shift, and general feel of the machine. Whether or not I'll spring for the cab is an open question. I had ruled Kubota out until I actually set under the ROPS/Sun Visor and paid close attention to the M6040 tractor. It is FAR more comfortable for me than the Grands. I'll probabely order one new from the factory as the model on the lot has a bit of rust here and there and don't like that on a new machine.

I also like the ability to add a loader after the fact without breaking the bank. The 6330 would have run 10K for the loader at $4500 plus for plumbing and the Joystick. The Kubota, while, completely different can have the loader added for about $5500. That said I'd like to do it from the beginning.

I've thought about the 4020 quite a bit and to be honest I am done with that machine. It has failed me at the worst possible times in the worst possible places. After awhile that begins to wear on your love for whatever piece of equipment. It will get an injection pump, transfer pump, and find a new home. I'll add what it brings to a couple pieces of equipment...

Best Regards, Matt Garrett
757-581-6270

 

[TripleR]

Matt,

"I can't say I agree with you on the Tundra versus GMC Dually bit. I get 14-20 MPG depending if I am driving on the interstate of through town. I have actually needed the extra capability in the past and it has payed for itself. It is odd that I gave Toyota an equal shot on the last three vehicle purchases and then I went with Ford. This goes back to my first new truck in 94', 03', and finally 05'. I know what a ton truck can do with a proper trailer. Differing opinions and no more..."

I didn't mean to get off into the weeds with this and never knock someone's choice of trucks. My brother has the 454 and gets about 6 mpg. He has to have it to pull his camper. I don't "need or want" a big truck as I wouldn't use it more than a couple of times a year and then I just pay someone to haul stuff as I hate borrowing even from relatives. I have the 7/8 size Tundra and like the smaller size as I can get into places on my hill farm I can't get near with a bigger truck; primarily drove the small pickups from 89 to 03. I had an F150 for several years during this time too and while I "liked" it, I just didn't "need" it.

Of course now that I am in my sixties, have my kids raised and am retired, I just may start to put more emphasis on "want" than "need", so any words of "wisdom" or advice may be in flux, so don't take anything I say too seriously.

 

[jenkinsph]

Matt,

Good luck with your choices, I think the M6040 specs appear to be good and it appears to have a longer wheelbase than the 4X20 Deeres'. These are all good tractor choices, you have to find the one that you like the best.

My comment about the "large farm mode" was because I sometimes catch myself wanting to relive the past. I look back to the times spent with my dad on the farm--those were good times. Realistically though I can reflect on those times from the seat of my small tractor just as easily now.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

Steve,
I apologize for not crediting you with the "big farm" comment. It just strikes me as way to true. In all truth when they give me an hour or so behind the wheel of the latest and greatest it only feeds the fire.. Know exactly where you are coming from on that...

TripleR,
No fair bringing out a 454 as representative of heavier trucks...;-) I actually wince when I see one or a V10 powered Excursion running around town. It it were not for diesels I'd likely drive a rice burner as well...(grin)

Regards, Matt.

 

[dcyrilc]

Matt,

I've just come across your thread, but was wondering if you've considered looking at decient older used tractors? I picked up a used JD-2240 last fall for a great price. Since I saved $40K over the cost of a new comparable tractor I can afford to put some work into the machine. Even if I were to go nuts and put the whole $40K I saved into the tractor, I think I would still have a better tractor than what I would have with a new one.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[jenkinsph]

Steve,
I apologize for not crediting you with the "big farm" comment. It just strikes me as way to true. In all truth when they give me an hour or so behind the wheel of the latest and greatest it only feeds the fire.. Know exactly where you are coming from on that...

TripleR,
No fair bringing out a 454 as representative of heavier trucks...;-) I actually wince when I see one or a V10 powered Excursion running around town. It it were not for diesels I'd likely drive a rice burner as well...(grin)

Regards, Matt.

Matt,
No apology needed, Thanks anyway.


About the trucks, I drove a new F450 chassis cab Friday with the new 7.4 very powerful truck. I need another F550 but this time I am going to wait and see how the new motor holds up. I was informed that with this new engine they no longer need to pull the cab for major work. We will see if the new engines are as efficient as claimed.