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 | jonathanengr
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 100 Bostic, North Carolina 
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2004-03-25 81100
Thanks everyone for being so responsive to my last post. I ran by my local John Deere dealer during lunch and looked at a few tractors. After telling him what I was looking to do (till a mid-sized garden, mow fields and possibly my yard with a finishing mower, load and distribute dirt/stone, etc), he told me that a 35 HP would be a terrible choice. He said I need a compact tractor for most of these things--a bigger tractor would tear up the yard, etc. At the same time, he said a small tractor's FEL is pretty useless (compared to full-sized) AND I don't fit well on small tractors.
Can a 35 HP tractor with std tires (I think turf tires wouldn't be my best choice because in the garden, using a FEL, etc. would lose traction too easily) not be used in yards and such? Will it really be that destructive? Am I looking at having to buy a 35 HP AND a compact to do all I want to do?? I'm just afraid of buying a small, ill-fitting tractor and wishing 2 months down the road I had bought one with more power.
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 | Billy
Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 975 Southeast Oklahoma 
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2004-03-25 81101
Hmmmm. I mow my yard with a JD 4610 with R4 tires. Looks fine to me. I'll take a pic of it here in a bit and you can see for yourself. ....
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| Billy
Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 975 Southeast Oklahoma
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2004-03-25 81103
OK, look at pic #5. The yard was mowed past Sunday with a 3,400 lb John Deere 4610 pulling a Landpride rear finish mower. ....
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 | ncrunch32
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 762 Kingston, NY
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2004-03-25 81104
Wow - I can see why you can mow that lawn with a large tractor. They don't have lawns as big and as flat as that in New York! Very nice. ....
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| jonathanengr
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 100 Bostic, North Carolina
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2004-03-25 81105
I guess that answers that question! See--this is my concern. I can't seem to get straight answers from most of the dealers I talk to. Some say one thing, others say something else. I *know* they're trying to sell their products, but I'd just like some straight, knowledgeable answers. So all-in-all, you all think my choice of a 35 HP would be more in line with what I need? Exactly what would a compact tractor be useful for where a large one wouldn't? I used to think it was price, but the differences really aren't that significant. ....
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 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York 
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2004-03-25 81106
bigger tractors have bigger tires to help disperse the weight. If you need to have ag tires to work in yur garden then maybe it is to wet to be in there to begin with. When on dirt and the ground is wet the numbers on compaction go up fast to a 50% increase. Billy, love that generator. ....
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| jonathanengr
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 100 Bostic, North Carolina
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2004-03-25 81107
Well, it's not ag tires I want... I want the -ugh- what's it called... between ag and turf. They have treads, but very mild compared to ag tires. I'm assuming that's what the R4 tires are mentioned above? ....
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| Billy
Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 975 Southeast Oklahoma
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2004-03-25 81109
Jonathan, I will say I don't mow when it's wet. I usually wait at least 2 days after a rain.
Thanks Art, I love it too (when ever I need it). I'll love it even more when it's paid for. I can say, it's a Hummer of a generator.
....
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 | yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan 
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2004-03-25 81110
I'm confused as well. From your earlier post, I assumed that you were looking for a compact utility with 35 HP (diesel)4WD and were shopping between green, orange and blue. If you're looking at a 35 HP 2WD farm tractor, that is definitely too big for your size projects.
My 27HP (diesel) 4WD compact utility with turf tires and FEL with 60" bucket can lift 1200 lbs., can plow with a single bottom moldboard plow about 8" deep with tires spinning. It also can run a 60" wide King Kutter rear PTO tiller without any trouble. I push lots of snow with a 72" wide Landpride rear blade. I have a 72" mid-mount mower that really cuts grass nice but is a hassle taking on and off. With a rear finish mower you can do a very nice job mowing.
Most people have chosen the R4(Industrial tires) over the turfs for the extra traction. The R1(farm or ag tires) really can rip things up but give far superior traction over the R4's. If I drive my IH Model "C" farm tractor with 25 HP gas on a dry lawn it even makes big dents.
If the ground is wet in your garden you shouldn't be in it. If the grass is wet you shouldn't be mowing it.
I wish I had a few more HP but am getting by without a problem. The 35HP you mentioned would be perfect for me. ....
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 | Abbeywoods
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 110 New England
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2004-03-25 81111
Jonathan, In the landscaping business we experience a wide variety of ground conditions, at different times of the year. The many tractors I've used have had all three types of tire; R1 Ag, R3 Turf, and R4 Industrial/Construction. Not all tires are created equal, to underscore this I can tell you that an R4 Titan (as the type normally found on the new Deeres) and an R4 Galaxy (a Deere option) are different. How much so, I couldn't say unless two identical machines were working side by side in the same conditions.
All three types will work over a lawn pretty good if the tractor is in mfwd. Usually the action of the front wheels help keep the ground from becoming compacted. Turn too tightly in mfwd and you stand a good chance of ripping the lawn.
As long as the turf isn't rain soaked or just coming off the spring thaw, R4's work well and won't tear up your lawn. They are not perfect, but they do offer greater width than the typical R1. I use the R4's on all of my machines because they shed mud and compacted dirt better than R3's do. Around here landscapers must clean up after the job if they leave any dirt shed by the tires on a public road. Turf tires in dirt clog the tread and then shed once they hit a hard surface. In the high class neighborhoods I work, the locals complain about almost anything, dirt from tires is just one of the many ones I have to deal with.
If I understand your post, you are doubting the 35hp machine is right for you. One way to find out, try one. See if you can get a demo on your property from several makers' dealers. Use the FEL to lift the heaviest object you have a need to lift, that may give you some insight into what you want, or need. ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2004-03-25 81112
Jonathan, I'm not really sure just how heavy that JD you're looking at is, but I will tell you this, my Kubota 4310 weighs probably 3600 pounds, plus the loader on top of that. I also have the R4's or Industrial tires on it (see my picture # 12) and have it out on the lawn (picture # 1) and while it does make a mark if it's wet it hardly qualifies as "tearing it up" as your dealer stated.
As for turfs I wouldn't under-estimate the traction they develop, that's all we run on our turf machines. In fact until recently we snow-plowed with them as well.
Best of luck. ....
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 | beagle
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1333 Michigan
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2004-03-25 81153
These guys have better soil or luck than me, maybe both. I am constantly trying to lighten my load while mowing. Not so much because of compressing the soil, but because of the damage done during turning. I find it necessary to keep the front end as light as possible to avoid turf damage while turning. My tractor weighs 1750lbs plus full R4 tires and the loader frmae. I take the FEL off to mow and use a rear finish mower. I have to be very carefull making turns. My soil is pretty sandy, probably would not be as much of a problem if your soil has some clay in it. ....
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| jonathanengr
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 100 Bostic, North Carolina
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2004-03-26 81189
Thanks for everyone's input thus-far. I apologize for the delay in replying to your posts--I had to sign up to see everything that had been written!
Regarding the tractor purchase, I plan on buying one and having it for a good, long time. Right now I own just over 12 acres, but withing the next 5 years or so I plan to purchase around 100-150 acres to build on. I would like to buy a tractor now that would be useful to me on my current property but also be the one I'll use when I purchase the other property. Although money is always an issue to some degree, it's a smaller issue to me in this decision. If a 50 HP tractor has the same frame and weight of a 30 HP tractor, I would likely go for the 50 HP. Right now, however, I'm jst trying to decide if a full-sized tractor is definitely what I need.
Speaking of the above, from what I've seen, it looks as though many HP options are offered on the same frames. However, would jumping from 30 HP to 50 HP really make much difference? Numerically it's getting close to twice as much, but what difference does it *really* make?? Is the only difference the ability to use larger implements? ....
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 | shortmagnum
Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 848 Wisconsin
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2004-03-26 81198
If two tractors weigh the same (same frame) but one has 20 extra horsepower the higher powered one may be beneficial for PTO work but for many uses (FEL work, plowing, back blading, log skidding, any pulling or pushing jobs) You also need the extra weight of a bigger machine to get the benefit of the extra power. If you are spinning your wheels at 30 HP you will just spin them easier at 50 HP if the tractors have the same mass.
Dave ....
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| Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2004-03-26 81202
With the options of the land and other things you have going I'd be looking at the industrial tires. ....
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 | Blueman
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 243 Washington, PA
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2004-03-26 81205
Sorry, off the subject, Billy, I love that generator too...what does it run on? I have a natural gas well on my property that I heat my home with, but haven't looked into running the electricity with it...yet! ....
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| jonathanengr
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 100 Bostic, North Carolina
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2004-03-26 81208
Well, I live in the foothills of North Carolina, so clayey soils are *all* we have! Hopefully that will be a good thing.
At this point, it sounds more and more like the larger tractor is what would be best for me. As for the "color", I guess it's still up in the air. My Dad bought a new Kubota and loves it, and I've been impressed with it, too. However, he solely went by price. Someone mentioned implement changes... just how many implements are there for a FEL??? Is it really that important? Also, my Dad got the Woods FEL--supposedly larger capacity and less expensive. Is the Kubota loader better? ....
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| kubotaguy
Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 360 Shepherdstown, WV
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2004-03-26 81215
Two items I would stick with the manufacture on is the FEL and backhoe. The manufacture builds the tractor and therefore builds the loader to match that tractor. Other makers have their FEL's fit a variety of tractors and may not fit quite as good. Again that's just my $.02.
On the topic of ripping your yard up. I drive my 7800 (although considerably lighter than a 35 PTO HP machine) all over my yard all year long and as long as I am not making tight turns in 4 wheel drive the yard doesn't suffer. It may get marked occaissonally, but nothing major. I just try to leave the grass a little higher around winter time to take the driving on it. ....
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| Billy
Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 975 Southeast Oklahoma
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2004-04-12 82856
Blueman
Sorry I missed your question. It runs off diesel but you can set them up on NG too. I wish I had a gas well :( ....
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