How big of a tractor?

3DayFarm · #1 01/30/12, 04:35 PM

Hello Everyone... Im in the process of buying a tractor. I really need one for the farm. I really dont know what size tractor to buy. Im really looking for one with a front end loader and for it to be 4wd. I have 40 acres of irrigated fields for Hay. What size tractor do I need or do you all have?

Bearfootfarm · #2 01/30/12, 04:55 PM

For that much hay I'd want a 60-80 HP diesel

davel745 · #3 01/30/12, 05:09 PM

Jd 5083e

3DayFarm · #4 01/30/12, 05:19 PM

davel745....do you have a 5083e..... I was looking into one of those. It has 83 hp and they run like 45 with the front end loader and all. I have a 9 foot offset disk that I think it should be able to pull it without a problem.

ksfarmer · #5 01/30/12, 05:42 PM

What all do you plan on using this tractor for? A 65-80 horse tractor will operate big round balers and most swathers, it would probably handle at least a 12 ft disc and a 3 bottom plow. Types of soil can greatly affect the power you need for ground engaging implements. edit: A 35-40 horse tractor will operate a small square baler, mower and hayrake.

littlebitfarm · #6 01/30/12, 05:55 PM

Small bales of hay or big rounds? Need a tractor built to handle the big rounds. I have an 80HP JD 4WD that I am very happy with.

Kathie

Old Vet · #7 01/30/12, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3DayFarm

Hello Everyone... Im in the process of buying a tractor. I really need one for the farm. I really dont know what size tractor to buy. Im really looking for one with a front end loader and for it to be 4wd. I have 40 acres of irrigated fields for Hay. What size tractor do I need or do you all have?

To answer that question is like saying is your wife the right one for you. Since you are from Texas get the biggest one available that you can afford.

Ramblin Wreck · #8 01/30/12, 09:09 PM

As some have suggested above, go as big as you can. I have never once wished for a tractor with less power. A loader (with skid steer type quick connects) and 4x4 are great options.

VaFarmer · #9 01/30/12, 10:35 PM

worth the extra to get 4x4 especially if you'll be taking hay out in the fields to livestock of plowing snow. Front end loader indesesable once you have one you can't live without it. 50-60 hp diesel is good size. I recommend staying with the established name brands so you can get parts 10-15 yrs down the road, I've got a 20yr old Heston and for awhile couldn't get parts, now can get parts at Ford New Holland dealers as they bought the Heston tractor division, Implaments went to Massy Fergenson. Have heard bad things about Yamar transmissions breaking and not being fixable, would be real carful about any not we'll established Co. just because there cheaper.

davel745 · #10 01/31/12, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3DayFarm

davel745....do you have a 5083e..... I was looking into one of those. It has 83 hp and they run like 45 with the front end loader and all. I have a 9 foot offset disk that I think it should be able to pull it without a problem.

No I don’t own a tractor but have used one quite a lot. I am going to buy one as soon as I can. Hopefully inside of a year. I would get the 563 loader. It has a superior lifting capacity.

ronbre · #11 01/31/12, 09:54 AM

we have a med size farm tractor with FEL and PTO, also brushhog, boom, backblade..would love to have a backhoe but too much for our little guy..so we rent that as needed

SaintsFan · #12 01/31/12, 10:06 AM

What's your budget, I can get you a sweet deal on Lease return Case around 1 year old.

Jolly · #13 01/31/12, 03:25 PM

Just depends on what you want to spend.

On the low end (assuming square bales), something like this will work:

http://mahindrausa.com/Tractors/model/25103

The 5083e is a nice tractor, but I believe they are also made in India.

At the high end, I'd like about 70-80hp, myself.

So...as someone said, consider established names for parts availability and really look for a well-established dealer with a rep for good service.

davel745 · #14 01/31/12, 04:34 PM

The John Deere Specs says the 5083 E is made in: Country of Manufacture Augusta, GA
Check out the specs. It looks like I can get a 5083 for less than a 4000 series.
http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/en_US/...83E/5083E.page

**Ross** · #15 01/31/12, 04:38 PM

I have a fairly new Deere. 2005 6415 It ate a nice little $1500 computer and a $1000 injection pump a couple of years ago. Not a JD issue all new tractors have these gizmo/fragile parts in them. Our old Fords soldiered right through fuel issues and acts of god.

**Ross** · #16 01/31/12, 04:40 PM

My Deere was made in France and Germany but I think Americans might have had the joy of bolting on the wheels.

Fae · #17 01/31/12, 07:13 PM

I am not sure what JD it is but, my DH bought a 55 I think a couple weeks ago. The darn thing is to big for what he is going to do with it. We have 70 acres but he is mostly going to hunt on it. We don't live on it and only have less than 2 acres we live on so it is way to big for here.

oregon woodsmok · #18 01/31/12, 07:43 PM

My experience with buying a tractor is that you can get a bigger one than you need for less than the smaller one.

The horse stable size go really high and don't depreciate much.

The bigger tractors that aren't big enough for the big farms tend to go for less money. They have a smaller market. Too big for the horse stable or tiny farmette and not big enough for serious farming.

CesumPec · #19 01/31/12, 09:48 PM

not sure if anyone has mentioned transmission types. depending on what you want to do with the tractor, the transmission type can mean a big difference in speed and ease of getting the job done. I'm no pro when it comes to this so perhaps someone with more knowledge will jump in with details. There are 4 (I think) technologies used for tractor transmissions and I can't explain the differences.

The old fashioned direct geared trans will work fine, last a long time (look at all the antique tractors still in use), and is great for all those jobs where you just need to go forward for a long, long time, like when mowing or baling. The shuttle shift is way mo better for FEL use where there is lots of filling and backing. The shuttle shift has a lever on the column that sends the tractor forward or backward without requiring you to stop the tractor, engage the clutch and shift a gear lever.

I was happy with the direct geared Kubota my neighbor lets me use until I drove a shuttle shift at the dealer.

Jolly · #20 01/31/12, 10:08 PM

I didn't think Deere made anything less than 100hp in the states, anymore.

If so, I stand corrected.