Trying to find the best tractor for the job

[Turbys_1700]

Longer wheelbase, front weights, loaded rears...
If you decide 2WD machine...
FWA machine with FEL front weights are not needed...
I would still load the rears...
What is your budget...

 

[LD1]

For 20 acres of mowing on occasion, an 8-10' mower is going to be a ton cheaper to buy, and maintain.

15' mowers are pricy.

I'd be looking 60ish HP range, diesel, and newer. And certainly 4wd if you plan alot of loader work.

I just think a 4020 w/15' batwing is going to feel WAY too big on such a small plot of mowing. Especially for now. And a 4020 with a loader won't really make a great tractor in the woods. Too big and bulky IMO.

I have no recommendations as there are many, but buying used, you are kinda at the mercy of what's out there at the right time and place.

 

[demonllama]

I'm not opposed to a 4wd, but I know With a 2wd i would load the back end when using the FEL. This tractor seems to have a wide wheel base and there is also the option of doubling up the rear or sliding the tires to outside. I'm not set in this tractor, people just seem to be against it and I haven't heard a good reason. As far as the budget, I'm looking no more then 10k. It'll end up being a little extra with the batwing no doubt but I'm logging out my woods and depending on how much I spend will decide how much logging I do.

 

[demonllama]

I'm not to worried about navigating the woods with it because the paths are wide and I've got a small international tractor of about 25hp that I will use in the woods. Or that was the plan. I agree a 15' batwing is a little much at this point. Do they make articulating 10' batwing? Or would I better at looking at an attachment that flips down like you see the state tractors that mow ditches.
I'm not trying to go too big hut at the same time I'm trying to think long term and plan for the biggest job I could do. That's where I've gotten my hp range. Of course a smaller one will work for now, but in 2 years will it still be big enough or will I wish I had a bigger one. Knowing my track record, I feel I would want to go slightly bigger then what I need now.

 

[Tractorable]

The 4020 is a tractor designed for big agricultural operations. It'd be decent choice if you needed to plow or mow 200 acres of open fields without any concerns for maneuverability and getting into smaller places.

When considering something like a 4020, do you have a barn big enough to store it? What about transporting it, do you have a truck and trailer big enough to transport something that big and heavy? Can a 4020 with mower fit through your gates?

Are you a good mechanic?....because any 50 year old tractor is going to need plenty of work. 4020's go for $10-15K in good condition, so I'm guessing a $7K one might have issues.

For up to 20 acres you'd be miles ahead with a 35-50hp 4wd CUT with a Diesel engine and loader. They can work circles around the old 2wd tractors. Maybe put that $10k down on a used $20K Kubota like an MX4700 or similar.

 

[jeff9366]

The front end loader I plan on doing a lot of dirt work, initially filling in ponds and leveling out some piles.

As far as the used jd4020 I saw online, they asked 7900 so I'm sure they would come down to 7k.

I figure John Deere because there are a lot of those around my area.

2-WD for loader work isn't much good. Loading the bucket usually requires ramming the FEL bucket into piles at speed, which puts a big strain on FEL hydraulics. Once you lift the full bucket in front, it takes weight off the rear wheels, so tractor traction is diminished.



Consider moving dirt with a Box Blade or Angle/Rear blade mounted on the Three Point Hitch. Tractors are designed to PULL. These dirt moving implements are usually available used.

 

[Woody65]

If 10k is your budget for that size tractor and a 15 foot batwing its a no go. A used 15' batwing goes for 10k. I don't think you need either of those for what you are proposing to do. I have 106 acres, 8 of which I mow with a 32hp JD4300 4wd and a 6' finish mower and brush hog. I move brush, skid logs, maintain a 1/4 mile steep driveway and do a lot of loader work. In my opinion, that size tractor in 2wd and a 15' batwing are made for wide open spaces and large tracts of flat land. Just my opinion...

 

[jeff9366]

For 20 acres of mowing on occasion, an 8-10' mower is going to be a ton cheaper to buy, and maintain.

15' mowers are pricy.

I'd be looking 60ish HP range, diesel, and newer. And certainly 4wd if you plan a lot of loader work.

I just think a 4020 w/15' batwing is going to feel WAY too big on such a small plot of mowing. Especially for now. And a 4020 with a loader won't really make a great tractor in the woods. Too big and bulky IMO.

I have no recommendations as there are many, but buying used, you are kinda at the mercy of what's out there at the right time and place.

Good advice.

Have you considered fuel consumption for this gasser? My experience is all with diesels, but I will speculate three gallons per hour when mowing. That requires carrying and pouring fuel from a lot of five gallon jerry cans.

 

[LD1]

The 4020 is a tractor designed for big agricultural operations. It'd be decent choice if you needed to plow or mow 200 acres of open fields without any concerns for maneuverability and getting into smaller places.

When considering something like a 4020, do you have a barn big enough to store it? What about transporting it, do you have a truck and trailer big enough to transport something that big and heavy? Can a 4020 with mower fit through your gates?

Are you a good mechanic?....because any 50 year old tractor is going to need plenty of work. 4020's go for $10-15K in good condition, so I'm guessing a $7K one might have issues.

For up to 20 acres you'd be miles ahead with a 35-50hp 4wd CUT with a Diesel engine and loader. They can work circles around the old 2wd tractors. Maybe put that $10k down on a used $20K Kubota like an MX4700 or similar.

Agree 100%

Good advice.

Have you considered fuel consumption for this gasser? My experience is all with diesels, but I will speculate three gallons per hour when mowing. That requires carrying and pouring fuel from a lot of five gallon jerry cans.

If only. 3 gal per hour out of a 100hp gasser....maybe at idle.

My 50hp MX drinks 2-2.5 gal per hour of diesel when mowing.

For what it's worth, tractor data shows the gasser drinking between 7-9 gallons per hour at rated power. Which I would guess it to be near with a 15' cutter.

Was gonna say it's a good thing it's got a 34 gallon tank....but then that's only 4 hours or so of mowing time.

 

[demonllama]

Lot of good advice you guys are giving! Okay so let's say I scratched the front end loader. I could always rent a bobcat for a weekend (2 days) for 200$. I had already planned on a grader blade as well for some of the dirt work.
And since I don't have any hills, I could always go with a tractor that has a narrow front end for tight turning. And something more like a 8 foot deck then.
I do have a truck that can pull something that big but I do have the trailer so that would be an issue as you guys brought up.
I am handy and have worked on trucks so I could figure out some things. It there are some I could not do. That's why I'm trying to stick with something we have locally which would be John Deere, case or kobota. But those tractors are so much too. because of the name. That's why I was looking at an used or older tractor.
I'll have to look into that kobota tractor but that's sounds like too much for me.
I'll get my international harvester working again and go with that for now. Maybe that'll be all I need. I just wanted to do it a little quicker.
I also do have storage for a tractor that size and the batwing.
Sorry I'm not calling out specific quotes because I'm doing this off my phone it's a little different navigating.
I appreciate all the feedback!!