Posthole Digger What PTO HP am i looking for?

[radman1]

Either tractor will easily run a phd unless you use larger bits. Buy the tractor you need for other jobs on your list. Do not buy a hydraulic phd. Most CUTS do not have enough flow to run a phd with good speed and good power.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Take a look at tractors in the 2500lb-3500lb, 30hp range and use 5' implements. Any of the tractors in that range will work for you. If you want to get stuff done a bit faster and easier then move up to the 3500lb-4500lb, 40hp range and use 6' implements.

Don't worry about what you look like to the neighbors.

 

[ModMech]

As many TBN'ers know, we have been shopping for a larger tractor for about a year. The B2410 just WILL NOT operate a baler, no matter how small, so larger is required.

Now, there is a LOT of confusion about HP and PTO HP and I have learned a LOT from other TBN members and local Ag dealers about this vary subject. I compartmentalize the "HP" discussion into four groups:

1) Old HP vs "new" HP
2) PTO vs engine HP
3) Drawbar vs engine HP
4) Weight as a function of HP

What I have learned about the HP discussion is.... it depends.

MANY modern tractors (SCUT/CUT models especially, but ligher UTs as well) are almost ALWAYS rated in terms of ENGINE HP, with PTO power being much less. For these models, the impliments PTO rating is accurate, but not the whole story.

Most larger UTs and "true" AG tractors are rated in PTO or Drawbar HP, and for those that are so rated, the impliment's PTO rating is TOTAL OVERKILL.

There are many tractors in the 30-50 PTO HP range that will operate most balers, if you look only at the PTO HP requirements. But, lighter higher PTO HP tractors will generally NOT be as good as (older) heavier lower to medium PTO HP models at handeling heavy impliments like a baler or disc mower.

After I mix it all up and sort it, I have come up with the following:

A "smaller" but heavier tractor is better than a ligher one of similar PTO HP.

A "newer" higher PTO HP tractor is often barely capeable of doing the job an older "heavy" medium PTO HP tractor could do easily for 50+ years.

If you will be PULLING gound engaging equipment, you had better get a "real" Ag tractor (CAT II min, III prefered) that is HEAVY (10,000# or more) and with 85 PTO HP up to maybe 150 PTO HP and 14,000#. No CUT or UT will do the job, do it safely or last.

 

[leonz]

Your B2410 will run the Wolagri mini baler (Mininum 15-20 horse power) without breaking a sweat, and you can have a unit that wraps the bales in white plastic to preserve them with no issues.

 

[LarryD]

I think the 30-35 HP range is good for just few acres, I have been pleased with my TC33D for over 5 years now.

It runs a 6" chipper, 5' tiller, 5' BB, and 6' hybrid brushhog. I have even punched a few 9" post holes with a borrowed PHD, and it will probably handle a 12" auger without issue.

If I needed to replace it for some terrible reason I would look for the same size tractor.

 

[ajwren]

Thanks everyone for all the Input. Very informative and not sure i am any loser to having solved my dilemma. but having said that i am very much more informed. acerage is 51/2 acres. mowing maybe 3 acres. Yes its true that after a couple of bigger jobs (Fence Building, rock wall Levee) it is pretty pedestrian after that. Mowing and Grading a long driveway and the odd Tree fall. I am leaning to something around 26/28/30 Max with a bigger FEL and some weight in the back or/and in the Wheels.
John deere, kubota, Mahindra or New Holland in that order, I will let you guys know what happens and what i get eventually. saw a pretty reasonable (i think?) 2000 JD 4300, 4WD Turf Tires, 430 FEL, 1100 HRS. 72" Deck. Calcium filled back tires. (32HP). They are asking $11000 for it. Will check it out this week.

 

[foggy1111]

Thanks everyone for all the Input. Very informative and not sure i am any loser to having solved my dilemma. but having said that i am very much more informed. acerage is 51/2 acres. mowing maybe 3 acres. Yes its true that after a couple of bigger jobs (Fence Building, rock wall Levee) it is pretty pedestrian after that. Mowing and Grading a long driveway and the odd Tree fall. I am leaning to something around 26/28/30 Max with a bigger FEL and some weight in the back or/and in the Wheels.
John deere, kubota, Mahindra or New Holland in that order, I will let you guys know what happens and what i get eventually. saw a pretty reasonable (i think?) 2000 JD 4300, 4WD Turf Tires, 430 FEL, 1100 HRS. 72" Deck. Calcium filled back tires. (32HP). They are asking $11000 for it. Will check it out this week.

Sounds perfect....and a fair price IMO. (check comparable on Tractorhouse.com) :thumbsup:

 

[slaveToHorses]

I have a question also about PTO HP requirements for a Tractor i want to buy (been looking for 6 months!).
I have a new Property (4.5 acres) that basically requires (at some time in the future) to be Fenced off (meaning lots of post hole digging), and am considering these Tractors to do the Job. but mainly it will be used to do Field Mowing and such but I dont want to buy something that may be underpowered (learned from previous posts).
I am looking at a JD 2520 (FEL(300CX?),JD 46 BH, 350 HRS for $17500) or a JD 3720 (FEL(300CX?) 150HRS, dont know price yet). I know the 3720 has at least 20 more HP at the PTO, but is it too much? and would the 2520 be too little?
ajwren

So altogether you have mentioned the following needs
field mowing
PHD for fencing
recovering trees from river
recovering stones for building
grading

Of the tractors you have mentioned so far
2520 - pretty small for PHD, might not be able to maneuver with auger and might not be able to lift it high enough for a straight shot down. That was the case for my JD855 which is similar size.
- fine for the field mowing.
- too small for recovering trees out of a river except by pulling up with the backhoe. But that will be slow going. Again from experience. My 855 snapped a ring gear pulling a log.
- fine for getting the stones, in fact the backhoe will be great for that, although it is a pretty small hoe. You could even use the hoe for the fence but it is not as nice as the PHD.
- the FEL is a 200, not a 300 and only takes small buckets but a nice loader.
- perfect for tight landscaping around the house
- small for grading but doable. Not much lift height on the 3pt to clear a grader box

3720 - perfect for the PHD and hauling fence gear. A 300CX loader will take nice pallet forks and a big snow blower, blade, rock bucket, grapple,...
- a little big for mowing a 3 acre field but not too big. You could always get a riding lawn mower to do it (that is what I ended up doing).
- might still have problems yanking a tree out of the river, just not enough weight, even if all the tires are filled. But MUCH better than the 2520. Plus it is a good size for a Fermi log winch, then it would be perfect for tree recovery.
- great for hauling rocks. Add a rock bucket and grapple and you can really clear the river.
- a bit large for tight landscaping around the house though.
- perfect for grading

Later you mention a JD 4300. This is an in-between size. I am not sure if that loader has quick removal buckets. You will want to check that out. If it doesn't then don't get it.
Make sure it is a hydro transmission as well. For your needs, I think hydro is best. It will allow you to maintain a constant mower speed regardless of your ground speed.