Thinking about increasing HP over a 1710

[MrWhippy]

Hi all,

I've been an on again, off again lurker here on TBN for years. We've finally come to the realization that despite its dependability, we need a little more HP than the 1710.

This was made clear in the blizzards of 09-10 when we really couldn't effectively clear the snow. Yes, the job got done, but our neighbor with a small Bobcat did his drive and parking area in 1/4 of the time.

On the flipside, we need the compact format for work in the horsebarn. For field mowing and post driving, we have a Ford 5600.

What we're looking for is essentially a more powerful 1710.

I'm thinking Boomer 3040, Boomer 35 (or 40) and the LS 3039 or 3041. I'd probably go with a Westendorf loader.

Thoughts?

 

[jinman]

I think any of your listed tractors will struggle to maneuver inside your horse barn, but of the ones listed, I'd go for the Boomer 3040 and New Holland loader.

 

[MrWhippy]

What I was thinking is, the Westendorf FEL's are quick and easy to dismount, making it more maneuverable in the barn.

 

[jinman]

I don't have any experience with the Westendorf, but the photos I have seen have the joystick mounted on the loader mast on the right side of the tractor. If you buy a Boomer 3040 without a loader then you have to make that decision, but NH sells "loader ready" tractors with their own loaders. The "loader ready" designation means it will have New Holland's subframe, loader posts, and hydraulics already plumbed in a very nice configuration designed just for your tractor. Later add-ons from New Holland will fit because they are designed to work with the loader. New Holland's loaders are also extremely easy to remove from the tractor. I'd bet that if I was going for speed, I could get mine off in less than two minutes. Most of the time would be spent unfolding and pinning the loader support leg. With the New Holland loader removed, you still have your loader hydraulic ports and joystick to use with some other implement like a log splitter or other rear implement that requires hydraulics. You can't do that with the Westendorf.

What you will also find is that if you stick with the New Holland loader, you will have one source for parts, addons, and warranty claims. Essentially, if you go New Holland for a loader, everytime you add another NH attachment, it will work with your tractor. It might cost a little bit more in the long run, but I think it's worth it. Ultimately, you have to decide what is important to you.

 

[RobertN]

For loader on/off operations, I have found the factory loader on my TC40D to be super simple to take off and put back on. On my previous tractor, I had an aftermarket loader, but that quick attach took much longer to use. Pretty simple, but time consuming. The factory loader wins hands down...

I wonder, if you are cleaning barns, have you thought about a skidsteer. That is what the original Bobcat's were designed for. Work in tight quarters. And if you neighbor cleared snow so well, maybe that is worth looking at. I have used tractors and skidsteers; skidsteer is much more maneuverable in tight spaces.

 

[WM75Guy]

On the flipside, we need the compact format for work in the horsebarn.

We use the TC40DA when we clean stalls. Our aisle is 12' wide, we pull it in and either dump a muck bucket or fork straight to the bucket. It's then dumped into the dumpster. I move hay from the shop where we store it to the stables in the bucket.

Without an FEL what would you use it for in the stables?

 

[MrWhippy]

I think any of your listed tractors will struggle to maneuver inside your horse barn, but of the ones listed, I'd go for the Boomer 3040 and New Holland loader.

We use the TC40DA when we clean stalls. Our aisle is 12' wide, we pull it in and either dump a muck bucket or fork straight to the bucket. It's then dumped into the dumpster. I move hay from the shop where we store it to the stables in the bucket.

Without an FEL what would you use it for it the stables?

Pulling the manure spreader (which sits at the back of the barn. Wheelbarrows dump into it from a small ramp there).

Use it to pull a drag around the arena.

Also, 3pt hitch tines for moving pallets of feed, hay, tack trunks, etc.

Front end loader is useful for moving shavings, but we tend to work at the end of the barn for that, to keep the mess down.

 

[WM75Guy]

With the SSQA you can disconnect the bucket and shorten the length without having to remove the loader. You might also consider a skid steer if you need to manuveur in tight quarters. The heavier hydraulic flow would allow for a snowblower in front. It will also do postholes, lift heavier loads, etc, depending on the size you buy. That's my next farm implement.

 

[MrWhippy]

With the SSQA you can disconnect the bucket and shorten the length without having to remove the loader. You might also consider a skid steer if you need to manuveur in tight quarters. The heavier hydraulic flow would allow for a snowblower in front. It will also do postholes, lift heavier loads, etc, depending on the size you buy. That's my next farm implement.

Good point about bucket removal. I'll have to think about that. If you have a tractor with some heft and 4 gpm hydraulic, you might consider a post driver. Much faster and easier than a post hole digger/auger. Yes, they won't be quite as straight but they will be much tighter and you can run a line of fencing about 5 times faster.

 

[jinman]

The problem with a skidsteer is that you can't use 3PH implements. Sure, you can get a rotary cutter for the SS that runs on hydraulics, but get a grip on your wallet and sit down before you price them. 3PH tractor implements are common and fairly inexpensive. Everything for a skidsteer is expensive except the loader bucket; however, you can rent many SS attachments. SS's are not as stable as a tractor for working on hills and inclines either. Trying to get one piece of equipment to do all jobs is the big problem. Tractors and SS's both have places they shine.