What kind of tractor?

Lonesomelov · #1 02/25/12, 07:06 PM

My husband and I are closing soon on 15 acres here in MO and we are trying to figure out which and what kind of tractor we need.
What kind of tractors do ya'll have and what do you like/dislike about them?
Thanks!

Bearfootfarm · #2 02/25/12, 07:12 PM

It all comes down to what you want to do with it.
Some jobs require larger tractors to be safe and efficient.

What will you use it for?

FarmboyBill · #3 02/25/12, 07:16 PM

Right. When we know what you intend to do with it, We can tell you more of what we think will fit the applications you think youll need. Will you be actually farming with it, Or will you just have a garden, and need to haul some wood, grade, scoop, mow, ect. It all makes a difference.

andyd2023 · #4 02/25/12, 07:17 PM

Decide what jobs you need a tractor for first, then buy a unit that fits your requirements. Otherwise you will spend more then you need to, or end up with a tractor that doesn't fit your needs.

Lonesomelov · #5 02/25/12, 07:18 PM

We will be tilling a garden, mowing, building fence, grading, and my husband thinks he needs a front end loader.

birdman1 · #6 02/25/12, 07:29 PM

correct get a tractor big enough to handle the implements make sure it has the hydrolic hookup so you can run the extras like post hole augers log spliters disk mowers hay bailers ect. we have a massey 235 with pwer steering and a bigger 4 wheel drive ford for the disk mower and round bailer.a frount loader bucket is an option that really adds a lot usefulness to a tractor remmber get the best biggest tractor you can try to have 4 wheel dr.take care of it and it will last for many years.

Bearfootfarm · #7 02/25/12, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonesomelov

We will be tilling a garden, mowing, building fence, grading, and my husband thinks he needs a front end loader.

For those things a 30-40 HP 4WD would work pretty well

Diesel is more fuel efficient

FarmboyBill · #8 02/25/12, 11:55 PM

yeah if you like the cost per gal./

petefarms · #9 02/26/12, 03:12 AM

What you described the uses for do not require 55+ hp, 35 - 45 hp is more than sufficient, diesel fuel costs more but is much more efficient to run most here in upstate NY run diesels, gas tractors cost more to run. Look around your area and see what is being used for the types of jobs you'll want to do.

Bearfootfarm · #10 02/26/12, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmBoyBill

yeah if you like the cost per gal./

Diesel may cost more per gallon, but my 65 HP Perkins diesel will use less fuel to do the same amount of work as my neighbors 30 HP Ford NAA.

Or to put it another way, he will burn about a gallon an hour running a 5 ft bushog at 2 MPH, but I can burn a gallon per hour pulling a 6 ft bushog at 4 MPH.

The only time his has an advantage is in cold weather starting.
I sometimes have to plan ahead by an hour or so to put a heat lamp on my engine, where his will just crank without doing anything extra.

If mine had glow plugs there wouldn't be any advantage at all

Waterwheel Farm · #11 02/26/12, 03:52 AM

I have an old Ford 8N (would not recommend that for you) and a New Holland 3010S, and a New Holland TT75 with front loader. I haven't had any trouble out of any of them, but I'm not in love with any brand....I just happen to have a New Holland dealer nearby which makes it easier for parts, etc if I ever need them. If you stick with the major players (Deere, Case/IH, Kubota, New Holland, etc) you usually won't go wrong. But overall if you get a tractor 4WD with a front loader you'll find uses for it you never thought of. Best of luck with your new place!

Haven · #12 02/26/12, 08:00 AM

I bought a new Mahindra and am very happy with it. They make all sizes and you can mix and match whatever implements you want.

It says Made in USA, but I believe mine is made in India and assembled in USA.

We got rid of the old tractor because we both work, and didn't have time to constantly repair it to keep it running - something to consider with older tractors.

Billybob · #13 02/26/12, 08:22 AM

I have a Kubota L3400 with bucket and 4wd. It has been exceptional for bucket, tilling, making rows. Haven't used the post hole digger yet...
But a lot of people are cutting trees here- some are dying (drought) and others do not want the bother of watering them. I wish I had bought the rear hydraulics for a log splitter- my point being you have to look ahead and get as much tractor as you can afford (with a bucket you will need 4wd for utility tractors).

Waterwheel is correct- you will find usages for the tractor you never dreamed of- especially the bucket- pulling T posts, lifting attachments from truck beds.....

Could not agree with Haven more firmly. Had an old 8N and had to work on it everytime just to get it going. I keep a job fulltime and when I want to use the tractor- I want to use the tractor- not work on it.

By the way- just like Ford and Chevy- you have Deere, Kubota, Ford, MF people who will swear by their tractor- almost like politics- everyone has a fervent opinion of brand of tractor.

Chuck R. · #14 02/26/12, 08:59 AM

I’ve got a Kubota L4400 (45HP) 4WD that we bought new in 2009 and use on our 80 acres. For what we do; mowing, 2 acres of food plots, hay rides, etc. it’s a great little tractor. It’s small enough for my wife to feel comfortable driving it and it also goes a long, long ways on 13 gallons of diesel. All the “real” farm work on our place is handled by my neighbor with his 100+ HP tractors.

I bought a loader with it, and would suggest you do the same if possible. As the others said, you will discover new uses for the loader all the time; everything from spreading gravel to hanging deer. It turns many 2+ man jobs into a solo job.

The only time I wish we had a larger tractor is when I’m mowing. It takes about 14hrs monthly to hit around the pond, trails etc. and I find myself daydreaming about a 15’ batwing mower and an air-conditioned cab.

Chuck

OH Boy · #15 02/26/12, 09:41 AM

I have 12 acres and have to do most of the chores you are describing. I have a Ford 4600SU three cylinder diesel. Its 57hp. Dont have a front loader but I wish I did. I like the tractor a lot; like others have said a diesel tractor is WAY more fuel efficient. I can mow the entire 7-8 acres that I keep mowed with about 2 and a half gallons of fuel. The old 9N I used to use would burn at least 8 gallons of gas to do the same job. I would reccomend a tractor of this size for your place.

oldmanriver · #16 02/26/12, 09:59 AM

i agree with oh boy i have 3 but my favorite all around is the 4000 ford . they can be found for less than 5 grand . Do not buythe old fords with select-o speed trans

Beeman · #17 02/26/12, 07:33 PM

I've got an 8N and a Ford 2600. First thing is why do I own Fords? I own Fords because in my area they are popular and parts can be easily obtained and plenty of people with knowledge about them locally and on the net. Besides they are good standard dependable tractors that last.
My 8N I've had for over 25 years. I've done a lot with it and never really knew the difference until I used a better tractor. Now it's just a ride around pull a small trailer utility vehicle. My 2600 is plenty powerful but actually a little large for the stuff I do, especially in the mountains. Mine does have a very good Bushhog brand loader, but it's not that useful on a 2wd tractor especially on hilly terrain. The loader is a quick disconnect type and that is good because the loader makes the tractor hard to use for many things. It is good for knocking fences down or damaging buildings if you're doing work off the back and forget the loader is there. It's also bad in that it takes the weight off of the back tires causing traction problems especially backing up. Don't ever try to back up a hill with a 2wd tractor with a loader and nothing on the back. The 2600 also has remote hydraulics for the loader, but I also use them to run my log splitter and any other hydraulic cylinder I want like a hydraulic top link for dumping a cement mixer.

andyd2023 · #18 02/26/12, 09:13 PM

Reread what "Beeman, Oldmanriver,ChuckR,and "Ohboy" said. Good advice there. I have old ford's and newer fords. Diesel will cost you less in the long run. I have a 3000 ford diesel that is useed all the time. But also have a 600, 2N and 8N. They all have there uses. But a newer, small 4X4 diesel from any major manufacturer would serve you well.
Andrew

Beeman · #19 02/27/12, 07:02 AM

One thing to add about my tractors..My diesel which is in tip top shape with a new battery starts great in warm weather. If you don't plug it in when it's cold it is very hard to start and you will crank the battery dead. Plug it in for an hour and it starts like it's a warm sunny day. On the other hand a good gas tractor will fire right up in most any weather. Around here many farmers keep an older gas tractor to feed round bales with in the winter, especially if they are on a leased farm with no electricity.
Do keep in mind Ford hasn't made a tractor in quite some time, and they were not made here if you're thinking it's an American tractor. My "newer" Ford is 35 years old and my old one is 60 years old. You have to know what you're doing when looking at used tractors as most are held together with baling twine and fence wire and have been run to death with little or no maintenance. Things do get expensive with tractors, price some rear tires and wheels.