Tractor Sizing and Loader question

pheesh · Jan 30, 2006

I see a lot of reference to # of acres and how it applies to the size of the tractor you need. I'm in the market to purchase a new tractor. I have about 90 acres, of which approx 30 is pasture, 30 is wooded, and 30 is planted. I'll probably never have to mow the pasture (sheep), and the planted part is rented out to another farmer. The heaviest work I'd be doing would be manure clean out of a barn for about 80 sheep. Next woiuld be other things you use a tractor for (stumps, moving gravel, etc) This past year, I borrowed a JD 42 HP machine which did the job nicely. What I'm wondering is how much tractor would I need to be able to do this? Or does the bucket make that much difference, so I wouldn't need so much HP?

Also, Is the Kioti branded loader worth it or is it less expensive to go with a 3rd party loader?

Thanks.

gamble77 · Jan 30, 2006

For your jobs I would recommend the DK45S or larger. And because every Kioti loader on the DK45S and larger tractors is self leveling then I would highly recommend the Kioti loader. Hope this helps.

Highbeam · Jan 30, 2006

You mention stumps. If you really honestly want to use this tractor for stumping then we need to know the size of the stumps. But in general a large tractor is needed to stump and/or a backhoe and time. This one job will drive the whole tractor sizing. Do you think you could hire out the stump popping and just haul the stumps away with your tractor?

Scooping poop and spreading gravel can all be done quickly with a big machine or more slowly with a small one. So that's a personal choice.

I would get the Kioti loader just because you and Kioti both know that the tractor and frame can stand up to the capability of the Kioti loader.

Highbeam · Jan 30, 2006

That DK45s is sure a sharp tractor and you'll have plenty of room to maneauver it on 90 acres.

Batche33 · Jan 30, 2006

Dick says the DK35 would be fine for cleaning out the sheep and moving gravel. He uses his around his house and says it'll do anything he asks of it.
He also says you should use a backhoe for stump removal, that the loader isn't really designed for digging out stumps (unless of course they're small ones) Lifting them up once they're dug out, yes, but not really for digging them out.

AutoUnionTypeC · Jan 30, 2006

Just out of curiosity what kind of sheep do you have? I have a couple of Shetland and a guard donkey. I hope to increase my pack; ooops I mean flock, this summer. ;-)

Regards, Jamie

wallace · Jan 30, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That DK45s is sure a sharp tractor and you'll have plenty of room to maneauver it on 90 acres. )</font>

I will second that /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

pheesh · Jan 30, 2006

I probably have 10 or so stumps to take out in the first year. Nothing bigger that 10 inches in diameter. After that its mostly some nasty bush/trees (2"-3" but bunched) along fence lines. I had been pricing the DK35. Not enough?

Thanks,

ToadHill · Jan 31, 2006

Mf place is 97 acres with about 25 in pasture, 10 in overgrown fields, and the rest in hardwood timber. I have the DK35 and it has been all the tractor I've needed. I had an old Massey 85 before and so far I haven't found anything the Massey could to that the DK35 couldn't. The Kioti has hauled logs out of the woods better than the Massey. With 4 wheel drive in low range I just hook up and go, and the smaller tractor is easier to get into places in the woods.