Who here has bought "too much tractor"?

[devildog1]

Gee to much tractor, humn, started with a BX23TLB. Went to a B3200TLB, now I have a Grand L3540, love it and maybe it could be said it's a little big for my tasks but. It can really pull the Woods 72" RFM and push snow like no tomorrow, haul top soil without missing a beat, the others worked too, butI just love the power!
DevilDog

 

[HunterWare]

I guess I'll be the closest to saying yes. While in the middle of a delayed trade from a 2305 to a 1026R my dealer kindly provided a 3XXX series tractor as a loaner. They had committed my 2305 to another costumer but the 1026R had been delayed...

I counted the days until the 1026R came in. Not only is the 3XXX bigger, but of course all the implements were too. I couldn't fit it all in my tracter shed (which isn't tiny at 20x20). The tractor had a higher CG (nothing Deere beats the 2305/1026R there) and was less stable on my property, which is all hills. The tractor was too tall to mow under my yards trees and too large to maneuver in my smaller areas. It felt like I was driving the loader by remote control (sooo far away *grin*).

Basically, with the exception of they few times I've needed units 10x the size to come in (finding a couple ton rock just barely poking its head up in the drive), I really haven't needed/missed the extra power and size of a larger tractor yet. I know I don't have a large property compared to most here and don't use the land/tractor professionally, but for my uses and needs anything bigger would just be more money, space, and height (with less flexibility).

My overall thought is that people would be foolish to ignore the prevailing wisdom of getting more that you think you need, it's "prevailing" for a reason (increased PTO and pulling power, lift height, lift capability, hydraulic flow, etc). On the other hand there is such a thing as overkill and bigger does have downsides (increased storage requirements, initial cost, incremental cost for every implement, fuel usage, maneuverability, weight/compaction). In some cases like mine the upsides are really limited and the downsides do outweigh them.

 

[whitedogone]

Not yet:

 

[Davinator]

I purchased the tractor primarily to work, but also for fun. Can you really have too much fun?

The country song says it better that I can:

"Too much fun whats that mean
It's like too much money, theres no such thing
It's like a girl too pretty, with too much class
Being too lucky, a car too fast
No matter what they say I've done, well I ain't never had too much fun"

 

[charleyfarmall]

Too much tractor?? More like not enough land:laughing:

Sometimes a tractor is too big - that's why you get the smaller one for that job

Actually, I do have too much tractor now. I went from 100ac. to 34 with deep soft soil and a high water table and my 9000# tractor weighs too much to get anything done unless it's bone dry which is rare.

I will be going down from the TN75DA to a JD 4520. I will miss the loader capacity but I can use the crawler if I need to. I will gain significantly in maneuverability and the cab is a lot quieter. Plus, hay mowing with the sickle will be easier with the hydro trans.

 

[RoyJackson]

Too much tractor?? More like not enough land:laughing:

That's the proper TBN way at looking at the situation...

 

[MWRR]

I think I could have "gotten by" with slightly smaller tractor, but it's nice to have some stability on the hillsides when using my disc mower. If I had it to do over again I would purchase the same tractor (but with more weight on the rear).

 

[IronHog]

One of the most common things I hear when people talk about tractors is that you can never have enough tractor, but it can't always be true. Tell me your tales of over purchasing!

There are plenty of reasons to buy a "smaller" machine.

1. Transport. While most of the work I'm currently doing with a tractor would be best with one of our 50-60 HP (PTO) agri/industrial machines we bought a 40 HP (motor) CUT so we could move it with a utility trailer behind a 1/2 ton pickup because the work is on multiple properties. Big trucks/trailers are expensive and not very versatile.....the "big" tractors stay on the farm unless absolutely needed (and making money)

2. Tight spaces. If you work a tractor in the woods there are real advantages to a smaller machine......a tall, wide machine will take a beating, is hard to turn around, and can be hard to do precision work. This is doubly true for a machine that works in residential areas or very close to your home.

3. Cost. Initial ownership costs are higher for bigger machines...... and larger used implements are hard to find. Most people (even many "farmers") simply don't run a tractor enough to justify the tractors we often see people purchase.

4. Ergonomics. If you do jobs that require you to mount/dismount the machine often a smaller machine is just the ticket.




This is why tractors in that "sweet spot" hold their value so well. A 35-45 HP CUT is small enough to manage and big enough to handle any of the 5ft implements..... and you can move it with a sane pickup.... and not knock the siding off your house.

Same thing with 60-90HP tractors in cattle/hay areas for farmers........big enough to do the work, small enough to get it there and move locations behind a 3/4 ton pickup and realistic trailer.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

too much? surely you jest

In your case it's too many... :thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

i'm sorry, I couldn't understand you