Tractor Sizing What size tractor do I need?

[RockyNY]

We're in the early stages of looking at compacts, and I'm looking for feedback on sizing. The heaviest usage of the tractor will be in the winter, to clear our parking lot, and to unload the occasional freight shipments that we get. The shipments we get weigh a maximum of 1500 lbs, so will be the minimum capability for the FEL.
Because the primary usage will be in the winter, a cab is in consideration. I know it adds quite a bit to the cost, and I've looked at aftermarket cabs but I'm not impressed by them. From what I've seen and read, factory cabs are the way to go.
Our dealer options are Mahindra, New Holland, Kioti, Kubota and of course JD. I've been researching mostly Mahindra and Kioti, as they seem to be the best value.
I've been looking at the 35-45hp range. We want something big enough to do the job properly, but have limited funds. I was really interested in the Mahindra 3616 cab model with FEL, but I'm a little worried that it might be too small. I like the 3535 (because of it's extra weight and lifting capacity) and the 4035, but they aren't available with a cab. The Kioti DK40SE HST CAB would be another option.
I guess my real question is this: Would a 36hp Mahindra 3616 be large enough to suit our needs? We could always load the tires and/or put chains on if traction is a problem. And the 1500 lbs would be close to the FEL's limit, especially considering that a load on pallet forks is front of the pins. (Although 1500lbs would be the exception rather than the norm. The majority of our shipments are <1000 lbs.) I'm also thinking bucket size, the 40hp's have 72" buckets vs 60" buckets on the 35 hp, would make a difference in snow clearing speed. I've never owned a tractor, so I'm kind of at a loss as the the capabilities of various models.

 

[Egon]

Have you considered height and reach for the forks?

 

[RockyNY]

Have you considered height and reach for the forks?

Educate me. The lifting height will be off a regular semi trailer. (4-5'?) Are you talking about the rated capacity being at max height?

Of course there's probably a million other projects that we'll find for an FEL but I can't imagine needing to lift that much to max height very often.

 

[Grandad4]

You need to factor at least 25% greater loader capacity at the pins vs. the weight at the center of a pallet. So for a 1500 lb pallet, the loader should be rated for at least 1875 lb at the pins. Just looking at the specs, I think you'll want the larger of the models mentioned for that reason.

But there is more than just being able to lift something with the FEL. The more tractor you have, the safer an operation like that will be. Remember that, unlike a forklift, the front axle of a tractor is on a pivot. It doesn't take much of an off center load or uneven surface to get the load tipping, especially when it's 4-5 ft off the ground. That's another reason to look at the larger models. Even with the larger machines, you'll want ballasted tires and either a heavy implement or a weight box of some kind on the back when doing heavy lifts with the FEL.

 

[grsthegreat]

My DK45 cab HST has unloaded several things from semis already. not an issue. Mine has a lifting capacity of about 2,700#. Remember if you want to lift 1500 allow another 400-500 for the fork attachment. I personally wouldnt lift 1500# with a set of bolt on forks anyways.

i simply love the factory cab...especially with winter work.

Also consider filling the rears with rimguard or other product. Mine added about 900# of rear end ballast doing so. Lifting heavy loader weights benifit from filled rear tires

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I would say to look at either the Kioti DK40 or 45 and take a look at the Mahindra 5010. All with cabs, the Mahindra may actually be less $$$$. Without question, get the rear tires filled, no matter what tractor you get.
For sure get a set of quick attach forks.

Forget about the 3616, it is too small for what you really need. It is a great tractor, but not right for your purposes.

Let us know what you end up doing.

 

[RockyNY]

Thanks for the input. We will definitely get a fork attachment. The 3616 being too small is pretty much in line with what I was thinking, I'd rather spend that kind of price, but don't want to get stuck with a machine that doesn't suit the purpose.

 

[RockyNY]

I would say to look at either the Kioti DK40 or 45 and take a look at the Mahindra 5010. All with cabs, the Mahindra may actually be less $$$$. Without question, get the rear tires filled, no matter what tractor you get.
For sure get a set of quick attach forks.

Forget about the 3616, it is too small for what you really need. It is a great tractor, but not right for your purposes.

Let us know what you end up doing.

I saw a recent post in the Mahindra forum regarding the 5010, someone had a quote with cab & FEL for around 26,500$. That sounds really cheap?!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I saw a recent post in the Mahindra forum regarding the 5010, someone had a quote with cab & FEL for around 26,500$. That sounds really cheap?!

The 10 series tractors are their economy tractors. I think that the loader lifts 3100lbs at the pins. That would take care of your needs without a problem. As long as the tractor is not to big for you, you may want to consider it as an option. I would probably get the HST model myself.

Let us know what you end up doing and good luck.

 

[IndyIan]

I second the HST suggestion, then almost anyone can drive it with a little training. Probably with loaded rear industrial tires a DK40/45/50 will handle a 1500lb pallet OK on level ground. My tractor with about 1500lbs of gravel in the bucket does get a bit light in the back end with loaded Ag tires, but Ind. tires do have more volume to put fluid in. Probably a rear counter weight on any tractor you get would be cheap insurance too against a tip over.

 

[Egon]

Educate me. The lifting height will be off a regular semi trailer. (4-5'?) Are you talking about the rated capacity being at max height? /QUOTE]


Are you sure more height will not be required as well as the ability to reach in?

 

[RobertBrown]

Thanks for the input. We will definitely get a fork attachment. The 3616 being too small is pretty much in line with what I was thinking, I'd rather spend that kind of price, but don't want to get stuck with a machine that doesn't suit the purpose.

You've done your homework. Your headed in the right direction, I think your questions are getting area specific and I would suggest you consult with people in your area and see what mistakes they have made and try to avoid those.
I think your going to make a good decision, your asking all the right questions.
As you can see by my location I'm not qualified to offer answers to your specific questions. I can tell you that you will most likely not regret buying a tractor that is too big. Rather, as you stated, buying one that is too small is an expensive mistake.
This kind of thing happens all the time here and I can tell your on the right track.
If your on the fence about the up front costs, consider a second hand tractor and if it's not right you could perhaps sell it at a profit while gaining the detailed information you need to make the qualified decision
good luck

 

[Soundguy]

what about a cheap big older tractor for the heavy stuff and a smaller more nimble CUT for other?

might even get a rear forklift attachment..

 

[RockyNY]

what about a cheap big older tractor for the heavy stuff and a smaller more nimble CUT for other?

might even get a rear forklift attachment..

We're currently using an old Hyster for the unloading jobs, but it's running really bad, and considering that it's not in constant use, it sits around as it can't be used for anything else. That's why we want to get something with more versatility. I'd rather not have two machines when one could do the work of both. We could get a smaller unit with a 3pt fork attachment, but we can't go too small or it will be inefficient for snow removal (our lot takes 15-45 minutes, depending on amount of snow, to plow with a truck, and sometimes needs plowing 2-3 times per day). I'm planning to eventually buy or build a pusher box or blade for it.

After seeing some pricing, we might have to settle for no factory cab, maybe just get a vinyl enclosure. Cabs add a lot

 

[Soundguy]

many times the best 'single' machine to take care all of your needs is really.. '2' machines.

seen it alot. sometimes one big enough to get the big jobs done, is too big to do some of the small jobs efficiently. same the other direction too.

what would ti take to get the forklift going better?

weekend tune up and some tlc?

soudnguy

 

[RockyNY]

many times the best 'single' machine to take care all of your needs is really.. '2' machines.

seen it alot. sometimes one big enough to get the big jobs done, is too big to do some of the small jobs efficiently. same the other direction too.

what would ti take to get the forklift going better?

weekend tune up and some tlc?

soudnguy

It's a middle 60's model, Continental gas engine needs rebuilt (burns oil), needs the carb rebuilt (doesn't run off choke), needs a new fuel pump and battery, and the radiator leaks. I dread it everytime a shipment comes in, you can never tell whether it will take 1 minute or 15 minutes to get it running. This model is not even suited for our needs, it's a low clearance 3-wheeler, we have a gravel lot. It does ok in the summer when it's dry, but it's useless in the winter and spring when the ground is heaving or fresh gravel on the drive. And don't even think about getting it off the lot, it's no fun to get unstuck:laughing:

This is the way it is: We need pallet forks enough to need a machine to unload, but not enough to justify a dedicated machine. I'm not too worried about efficiency as far as using the pallet forks goes. Before we got our forklift, we would borrow the neighbor's 40hp JD compact, it worked fine for the purpose.

 

[Soundguy]

it doesn't sound like a lost cause.. however.. I bet you could make a noce 3pt forklift attachment out of hte front of it with a bit of welding and OA

soundguy

 

[jenkinsph]

it doesn't sound like a lost cause.. however.. I bet you could make a noce 3pt forklift attachment out of hte front of it with a bit of welding and OA

soundguy

I agree, I made one years ago to put on the back of a Case 1370 dual wheel tractor. Used a three part 25' forklift mast worked great.

 

[Soundguy]

i've tried to buy 2 in the last year.

one already had the pins and hyd hookup and all. rod was bent in the cyl though.. deal killer.

soundguy

 

[RockyNY]

Stopped by a Mahindra dealer today, he had a 3616, 4035 and 5010 on the lot. We really like the 4035. I've pretty much given up on a factory cab, can't justify the extra cost, so the 5010 CAB is out of the picture. Saw some pictures of the great home build cabs here on TBN, and while I've never attempted a project of that sort, I'm pretty confident that I could build a nice hard cab for way less than a factory cab, and even less than the $3500 SIMS cab.
Anyhow, I got a good offer on a 3535 also, so as far as Mahindra goes it's a toss-up between the 4035 and a 3535. The 4035 has substantially larger tires, and is available with the power shuttle, which is a big deal for us. We're favoring the shuttle vs. HST after talking to several people, the feedback has been that you'll get more torque out of a shuttle transmission vs. the hydro, and a power/hydraulic shuttle is pretty neat.
We want to visit the local Kioti dealer soon, and check out the DK40SE. Anyone know how many price increases there have been on Kioti's since last year? I had a quote from sometime last year on the DK40SE at 20,600$ but I'm sure the price has gone up since then.
On a side note, This dealer we were at is a brand new Mahindra dealer, I didn't even know they had picked up the line. (longtime New Holland dealership). Salesman said they've had the tractors in stock for only 2 weeks.