Tractor Sizing Tractor Work Load Comparison

[jekyl]

Hello Folks,

I am not quite sure how to phrase my question in a simple manner. I am in the market for a new tractor. I currently own a 1988 John Deere 750, 4X4, It has a 20 HP engine with an 18 HP PTO. The new tractor that I am looking at is a LS MT122. It has a 21.5 HP engine with a 15 HP PTO.

I have been satisfied with the JD 750's work performance. It has done everything I needed it to do. So I don't think I need anything bigger. I no longer have a working farm. My primary purposes for a tractor are hauling firewood, snow blowing, and lawn mowing.

So, the question is, other than the engine, and PTO HP ratings, is there any other technical specification that I should be concerned with when comparing any two tractors? Is there any other, "number" per-say to consider that illustrates how much work load a tractor will perform.

The new tractor is smaller dimensionally. The overall length of the JD and the LS is 112" and 97" respectively. The wheel base is 61" and 56." I am not sure about the overall height as they were measure differently, but I can tell you the 750 is a good bit higher. I think I will enjoy the lower center of gravity on the LS tractor.

The LS also weighs less. The JD 750 weighs about 1800 lbs whereas the LS MT122 is 1,433 lbs.

The other numbers I am aware of are the lift capacity of the loader. The LS seems to out perform the JD in this category. The JD has a lift capacity between 966 and 1,005 lbs depending on the model. The JD is only 600 lbs.

As it stands right now the only numbers I have to compare are the HP ratings , and lift capacities which I think I understand. However, the difference in size, particularly the weight make me wonder if the LS will perform as well as the JD.

The other thought I had is, "gearing ratio." What I mean is, the engine HP may be close or even the same but if the "gearing" is not the same then maybe the tractors are not a fair comparison. The LS is a sub-compact, but I am not sure where the JD 750 sits as far as sub-compact or compact, etc.

Thanks in advance. I hope I explained myself well enough. Maybe I am overthinking this, but I do not want it to seem as though I have a lot less tractor than I already have as far as, "the ability to work" goes.

Regards,

Jim

 

[Tractorable]

Don’t mean to be contrary, but I’m not sure why you’d want to trade a heavier, higher hp, tractor that you’ve been satisfied with for a lighter, lower hp machine. Those Yanmar built JD’s are good tractors and a good go-to for tractor shoppers on a budget. What would you be gaining over the JD with the smaller LS? Your wallet will be lighter but you won’t have more capability.

I know it’s become cliche on TBN, but in general, weight determines traction, which determines how much work a tractor can do. Horsepower determines how fast you can do it. Even though the LS may have more loader lift capacity, it won’t be able to manage higher loads due to its lighter weight and short wheelbase. Plus, if you want to mow, moving down from 18 PTO hp to 15 PTO hp is going in the wrong direction.

If you’re going to shell out the $$$ at least get more capability, not less.

 

[nrosario]

Don’t mean to be contrary, but I’m not sure why you’d want to trade a heavier, higher hp, tractor that you’ve been satisfied with for a lighter, lower hp machine. Those Yanmar built JD’s are good tractors and a good go-to for tractor shoppers on a budget. What would you be gaining over the JD with the smaller LS? Your wallet will be lighter but you won’t have more capability.

I know it’s become cliche on TBN, but in general, weight determines traction, which determines how much work a tractor can do. Horsepower determines how fast you can do it. Even though the LS may have more loader lift capacity, it won’t be able to manage higher loads due to its lighter weight and short wheelbase. Plus, if you want to mow, moving down to 15 PTO hp from 18 PTO hp is going in the wrong direction.

If you’re going to shell out the $$$ at least get more capability, not less.

100% agreed.

You should greatly consider equipment weight, the more weight the easier will be for your tractor to perform different tasks.

 

[jeff9366]

My first tractor was a Deere 750, 4X2 gear, 4-WD. Fine machine but no loader on mine, purchased about fourth hand.

Deere 750 is considered a compact tractor due to its 12" ground clearance.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers.
Heavier tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than greater tractor horsepower.

 

[jeff9366]

Hello Folks,

I am not quite sure how to phrase my question in a simple manner. I am in the market for a new tractor. I currently own a 1988 John Deere 750, 4X4, It has a 20 HP engine with an 18 HP PTO. The new tractor that I am looking at is a LS MT122. It has a 21.5 HP engine with a 15 HP PTO.

I have been satisfied with the JD 750's work performance. It has done everything I needed it to do. So I don't think I need anything bigger. I no longer have a working farm. My primary purposes for a tractor are hauling firewood, snow blowing, and lawn mowing.

Is there any other, "number" per-say to consider that illustrates how much work load a tractor will perform.


The other thought I had is, "gearing ratio." What I mean is, the engine HP may be close or even the same but if the "gearing" is not the same then maybe the tractors are not a fair comparison.

Most subcompact tractors have a two range HST. Most compact tractors, some Deeres excepted, have three range HSTs.

Large wheels and tires on compact tractors are part of gearing. Heavier tractors have larger diameter wheels/tires, increasing ground clearance. Heavier tractors with large diameter wheels/tires have more tractive power pulling ground contact implements, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires permit heavier tractors to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris with less operator perturbation.

I think you will be disappointed if you buy a subcompact tractor.

 

[Diggin It]

I'm not really sure what the market is for the 122 when the 125 is available for not much more and can do a lot more. The 122 wasn't really even on my radar once I started looking at the 125.

 

[Diggin It]

What is your primary reason for wanting a new machine? Are you having trouble with your current one, or just a lot of hours?

 

[big bubba]

What is your primary reason for wanting a new machine? Are you having trouble with your current one, or just a lot of hours?

yes what specific need will be met w/the new machine that cannot be done w/existing tractor?

 

[jekyl]

What is your primary reason for wanting a new machine? Are you having trouble with your current one, or just a lot of hours?

What started me on this is that my dedicated riding lawn mower checked out on me. It was a gift from my in-laws. Lasted me a good long time, 8-10 years. The JD 750 has about 1250 hours on it. It's starting to nickel and dime me. Except the last nickel and dime was worth $1,000.00. So, with that many hours I just don't know much longer it will stay with me. I live in an area where we get a good bit of snow off of Lake Erie. I have a long driveway. Then there is the driveway from the house/garage area that leads to the barn. The JD 750 has a, "single stage" clutch. I have a 60 inch Meteor PTO rear snow blower. Since I do not have a "two stage" clutch I have to raise the snowblower while still backing up to clean out the shoot. If I don't the shoot usually plugs up.

So, my thought was to buy something new that can do it all. I was going to get either the MT122 or the MT125 with the loader, cab, snow blower and belly mower. I figured a small sub-compact like that would help with respect to mowing my place.

Currently I have that 1988 JD 750 4X4 with loader, (no cab). 60 inch Meteor snowblower. JD 261 finish mower, ( needs work), and a 60 inch box scraper. Quite honestly I think the snowblower is just too big for the tractor. I think the owner bought it due to the large turf tires on the tractor. The tractor seems to handle the box scraper well enough. Paid 4500.00 for it all.

I think that covers it. So it was a matter of having one machine that can do it all. A new machine that will have few mechanical issues in the near future. And, a warm cab. Primarily I would be mowing, snow blowing and hauling firewood. Cut and split my own. 20 acres. Mostly standing hardwood. That JD 750 does haul a nice load of wood in my wood wagon!

What you folks are saying makes sense. Maybe what I need is simply a decent dedicated riding mower. I have a standard size walk behind mower that I have used since the rider died. Takes me 2 1/2 hours to mow everything. Sucked!

Thanks again,

Jim

 

[jekyl]

Let me correct myself. I just looked up the data last year when I push mowed my lawn with my heart rate monitor. It took me 2 hours and 8 minutes. An estimated 3.1 miles. Spent 929 kcal. According to the GPS map I only did half maybe two-thirds of the mowing. Sucked!

Regards,

Jim