Tractor -> Acreage Ratio

[JeffInCO]

5 years ago, I had my 6.5 horsepower push-mower on our 3000 square foot postage stamp in SoCal. It had wheels, but I must admit it wasn't much fun to ride.

6.5 / .069 acres = 94.5 HP/acre

I'm much happier with a Fergusson TO-30 (28 PTO HP?) and a Kubota L4740 on 20 acres here in Colorado. 3.85 HP/acre.

Oops, I just realized this is the John Deere forum and I don't own one. Couldn't resist the topic, though.

Jeff

 

[texasjohn]

Hmm..Jeff...seems to me that while your calculations are precise, not sure they are accurate. Can you really increase horsepower by using the motor in a confined space?:licking:

 

[jenkinsph]

Hmm..Jeff...seems to me that while your calculations are precise, not sure they are accurate. Can you really increase horsepower by using the motor in a confined space?:licking:

That is an interesting take:laughing: Maybe I won't need a larger tractor just confine myself to working a smaller area in real time.

 

[arrabil]

not sure they are accurate

Not true. Its simple arithmetic and his calculation is close enough (94.2 not 94.5).

Think about it as a fraction if that makes it easier:
1.0 ac / 94.2 hp = 0.069 ac / 6.5 hp = 0.01061 ac/hp

 

[jschimmel]

Got it...you are a rancher, me too...I got rid of all my mesquite chemically...took about 10 years...suggest you fill out your profile a bit more...am betting you are in South Texas, from the hints you have given. Took 19 head to sale this week, combination of cull cows, steer/heifer calves. Plus one renegade yearling heifer for neighbor..dangerous, brangus looking fence and pen jumper. :thumbsup:

Your right, south texas outside of corpus on the nueces.

How much is the initial cost to chemically treat mesquite? and then the yearly applications.? did you buy a sprayer attachment or can you pay a crop duster to do it? If possible I would prefer not to handle the chemicals myself or have any employees handle it. My mother sprayed remedy out of a JD gator for about a decade and she now has ALS; it could be unrelated, but i don't want to take any chances.
(should i post these questions in a new topic?)

It's a great time to cull cows with the price as high as it is, and good to get the crazies out of there too.

 

[texasjohn]

Your mesquite problem is special, the solution elusive and expensive regardless of how you approach it. Suggest you see the soil conservation folks for your county...they are experts on what works there. As I suspect you know, the mesquite problem there has been attacked chemically and every way possible mechanically for 70 years or so. Some succeed, some fail. Depends on your persistence and willingness to spend $$$. And cleverness in applying various control techniques at the right time. There is no silver bullet. I've personally used Remedy and Reclaim both to good advantage. Applied myself using a 300 gallon rig pulled behind my tractor. Send PM if you wish more info.

I grew up on the Nueces...above Uvalde. Raise Beefmasters now in retirement.

The topic of mesquite control has been covered in several earlier threads...search on "mesquite" to find them.

Aarabil, I concede that the precision was sufficient for government work, but my point was that via simple math an amazing conclusion is reachable.... and it mathmagically transforms a 6.5hp push mower into a ninety something hp push mower.... at no extra cost:confused2:

 

[arrabil]

and it mathmagically transforms a 6.5hp push mower into a ninety something hp push mower.... at no extra cost

By the same argument I have 100hp if I move to 5 acres. And 1000hp if I move to 50.

 

[magicheater]

Came up in another thread...so I figured I could start an official thread, just post what you got for "work machines" and what you got for acreage...I'll start:

3520 Cab @ 37 hp
F935 @ 22 hp

59 total HP on 2.2 Acres = 29.5 HP per Acre.

45HP L4350, 30HP B7800, 19HP Hustler on 22 acres for a 4.272727forever/per acre ratio

 

[Guywire]

NH TC30 = 30hp
MF 3165 = 60hp
Sears 18hp lawn/garden (has more ground engaging implements than the other two put together)

90hp/5ac = 18 hp/ac in real tractors
108hp/5ac = 21.6 hp/ac in total "tractors"

 

[Jd1a]

My Deere hp/ acre: 2 acres
draw bar belt
1928 D 28 hp 37 hp
1935 A 18 24
1937A 18 24
1937A late 18 24
1952A 34 38
1938G 27 35
1950G 34 38
1052G 34 38
2007 Sears 26 (OK, I had a brain fart)
hp/acre 118.5 / acre 129 / acre
Yes, they all run