Tractor rec needed for new land

[kjg26]

I'm in a similar situation as you. We just purchased 104 acres in Buffalo Tx, with roughly 65 cleared and the rest thick woods. I plan running cattle and mowing most of and cleared on a regular basis to keep the weeds down and hay the smaller field, roughly 20 acres. I've shopped around and looked at most of the big brands of tractors and decided on the same tractor your looking at. I think for the price, warranty and location of an LS dealer has me sold on it. I was at first going to get an 8' mower but have been looking and think since I'm not going to be getting in the woods with this tractor and nothing to thick or cutting brush I can get by with a 10' drag begind or 12' batwing. I getting a cab with hydro for several reasons, first it's Hot in the summer here, second is we plan on having my father in law move up. Being 81 and smoked his whole life he doesn't need be out with all the dust and gunk getting in his lungs. Third the hydro is so dam easy to drive I can even get my wife to drive it with out worry of clutch issues while doing some post hole and loader work. Good luck on the new LS.

What model and HP are you looking at? And which cutters?

 

[N80]

Is it better to have a smaller cutter that the tractor is sized for or a larger cutter that a tractor just barely meets specs for?

Depends on who you ask and what you believe about the stats. Are the stats trumped up marketing figures or are they low ball figures to keep you from breaking things? Hard to say. I'd say keep it well within spec......but that is from someone who regularly maxes out the spec of his own tractor.....so far no major problems.

Budget is 500 to 600 per month for everything. Cutter and tractor. Wouldnt mind a trailer for towing it.

Not sure how that translates into total cost.

 

[kjg26]

30 to 35k

 

[N80]

I would have recommended a Kubota 6060 but with cab and loader you're looking at $48k. So out of your price range for new. Have you thought about used? As a first time tractor buyer I was afraid to buy used and it was probably wise given the incredible deals Kubota was offering at the time. But now, I'd buy used in a heart beat.

How married are you to the cab idea? It adds a lot of cost. Great for Georgia summers though.

 

[kjg26]

Pretty set on a cab. Not objected to used. Just got to find a good one. Also need look into financing used. 0% on new is hard to argue with.

 

[Thomas]

Congrats on your new homestead.
What ever model you decide make sure tractor fits you comfortable...let tractor come to your.

 

[kittyhawk]

What model and HP are you looking at? And which cutters?

I am looking at getting a LS XR4155CH,
As for a shredded in looking at either the Woods BW12 batwing mower.
Product Details
The Rhino TS12 Stealth
TS12 Stealth Flex-Wing Rotary Cutter | Rhino Ag

The Woods 10 pull behind
Product Details

Thanks
Dave

 

[N80]

Pretty set on a cab. Not objected to used. Just got to find a good one. Also need look into financing used. 0% on new is hard to argue with.

Agreed. That was what pushed me into buying new too. That and the fact that what I got used was a perfect match for what I needed. In other words, I did not have to compromise to get a new tractor. I could have gotten more tractor if I'd bought used but I didn't need more tractor....and fortunately still don't. You will have to weight that out and see where the scales tilt. My tractor was under $25k but at the time I could not have produced even $15k in cash for a good used one.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I agree with your assessment of a 50-60 HP tractor being what you need. I don't know about a 10 foot cutter for that size tractor though. My 7 foot will give my LS P7010 all it wants in heavy cutting but for normal pasture clipping to keep down the weeds, you may get by with a 10 foot cutter. I started putting a lawnmower type cutting edge on my bush hog since all I cut is grass and weeds with it, no more saplings to cut. This helps a lot when cutting grass as for as HP requirement.

As for a cab, go for it. They are tougher than most TBN advisors give them credit for. I had run mine thru pine trees that were so thick I couldn't see in from of the tractor because the limbs from the pine tree rows were overlapping. The cab just parted them without a problem. I couldn't have mowed that pine plantation without a cab to keep the limbs off me.
You do have to be careful with overhanging limbs as the roof is the vulnerable portion of a cab. If you have the budget for a cab, for sure go for it, the HVAC is nice not to mention the bug proofing.

 

[N80]

Well, just for a reference, I tackled this with my 45 hp tractor and light duty 6' cutter:



This is the end result:



It took a long time and there was only minimal brush mixed in, but it was not a problem for the tractor or the tiny mower. So as to a 10' mower I think a lot depends on what you are cutting and how wet it is. If the stuff in these pictures had been green and wet it would have been tougher if not impossible. Most cutters have a recommended minimum PTO hp. If you will be doing lots of pasture work you may need two. A 10' pull behind and maybe a 6-7' three point for smaller roads and confined areas.