Go BottomWhat Tractor to Buy for 40 acres
 | Rick Winter
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2004-06-14 88470
My son and I have a piece of land with about 40 acres of pasture. We will need a tractor to mow and do other chores---perhaps a little snow plowing and hauling and maybe pulling small trees out. We would like something very reliable and have heard that diesels are just that. Any recommendation of what make, model, and year to go after? We have a budget of about $10,000, with a stretch of a little more, if necessary for the tractor and the mower
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| Tractordan
Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 4 Atlanta
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2004-06-14 88488
Size does matter. With a 4-foot rotary cutter behind an appropriately small-size tractor you can probably cut about an acre an hour. If you go up to a 6 or 7-foot mower on a larger tractor you can probably cut as much as two acres per hour. Time is money, so I’d go for the larger set up. My choice to pull a 6 or 7-foot mower would be a tractor in the range of 35 to 40 hp. That size tractor should also be plenty for your other chores.
The next thing to consider is whether or not you want a four-wheel drive tractor. My grandfather farmed for years with a two-wheel drive tractor and never had a problem. But lots of folks are going after four-wheel drive tractors these days because they believe that having four-wheel makes the tractor “act” as if it had more horsepower. They seem to think that means a somewhat smaller tractor and thus a smaller purchase price. But, I’m of the opinion that the premium price that the four-wheel drive adds offsets any savings in going down in actual horsepower. You’ve got to make this call after weighing all the opinions of others like me!
Next, you got to decide whether or not you want a new tractor. I’m a dealer and we carry both new tractors and factory-reconditioned tractors. There are of course pros and cons to each. New usually means they meet all the safety and emissions regs, and they come with longer and more comprehensive warranties. The reconditioned tractors are usually far less expensive, but may not have the whistles and bells the new ones have. Visit a reputable dealer that carries both, ask lots of questions, and drive several to get a feel for yourself.
Either way you decide to go, you’ll want to make sure parts and service are readily available. We carry new Task Master tractors, and sell reconditioned Yanmar and Mitsubishi brands, because we feel they are all top quality products and there is good parts/service availability. Prices are going to vary regionally, but based on what we’re selling tractors for here (Atlanta area) my new 4-wheel drive tractor with a rotary cutter would be just a bit over your budget, and my reconditioned tractors would be well under it.
Price and brand are ultimately subjective answers though. On these two points you’ll have to do your own homework!
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 | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon 
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2004-06-14 88498
Regarding 2WD vs. 4WD, if you are going to get an FEL 4WD is almost a must have. With 2WD when you load the bucket up with material the center of gravity will shift forward, unloading weight from the rear tires and reducing traction. ....
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