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Reuben, I was faced with a similar delema 3 years ago. I bought a new house on 2 acres in a rural area with no lawn, landscaping, etc. I did a lot of research and a New Holland 1320 seemed right for me. I bought a 4wd/hydro unit and equipped it with a belly mower, front loader and back blade - most other implements I use irregularly and just rent. I also use the tractor for 'side jobs' (landscaping, driveways, etc) I have only one regret...not buying a bigger tractor. The 1320 certainly gets the job done but I have had several projects that I wish I had a few more hp for (i.e. 'tilling, etc.). I would suggest a 1320 or 1520 but if you plan on doing many side-jobs (landscaping, etc) then I would buy larger. Overall, I am extremely pleased with my 1320 and now that the wife and I have purchased 52 acres I may have to 'grow' my tractor collection. One last thing - when I was in the market, NH and Deere were redesigning thier compacts. The NH at the time was much more tractor for the money but I am not knowledgable about the new tractors to know if that still holds true.

Good luck.

Ken

Compact tractor sizing
Operating and Attachments
Replies 15 Post by Ken Lang

This may be old news at this point but just my input. I have cut 2" brush with my NH1320 and an old beat-up HYCO rotary cutter I picked up for $180. I think the name of the game, especially with a smaller tractor like mine (about 19 PTO hp) is take it slow and easy. The cutter will thrash the brush. Once you have the brush down gather it into a pile and burn it. I did this by a combination of 'hand' work and using my front loader in the areas that I was concerned about puncturing a tire. Once the brush was burning real hot I used the loader to uproot all the little stumps and I threw those on the pile as well. While this was a lot of work I ended up with a clean area that I seeded and is now lawn. This technique probably wouldn't be sutible for large areas. The area I did was about 100 feet long and about 50 feet wide. If you don't have a front loader you may get by with a back blade. One last word of caution - always wear safty goggles or safety glasses with side shields when 'brush hogging'. I had worn safety glasses without side shields and had a piece of wood hit me in the cheek under my glasses. The piece of wood got past the glasses becuase I had my head turned looking in back of the tractor. Had it been a little higher it could have been real bad as it stung my cheek pretty good. Work Safe.

Cuting 1-2 quot pines with Landpride rotary cutter
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 14 Post by Ken Lang

Hi Paul. Its always good to hear from a fellow NH owner. Yes, I considered fliping the wheels around to gain the clearance but didn't try it. I'm glad to hear that works. I didn't want to get into a situation that I had to remove the wheel weights and tires, flip the wheel around and reinstall each year. I'm sure its not that big of a deal but I just wanted to be able to 'slap some chains on'. Have you talked to a dealer about doing that? I'd caution you to not lift very heavy objects with your 3-point as you have moved the track and load line of the rear axle outboard. It should be fine for plowing snow but I'd flip them around to 'normal' when the spring comes if you plan on using a big seeder or something heavy (1,000 lb. + range). You may reduce your axle bearing life or worse yet, break something if you use the tractor while carrying something heavy with the wheels flipped. Happy Tractoring!!!!

Tire chains for my JD 4400
Parts and Repair
Replies 20 Post by Ken Lang