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What size tractor do I need Help

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Nickalus
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 6 Virginia
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2005-07-28          114014

Hello Ladies and Gents, please, I need some advice on buying a tractor. Here’s my situation: I recently purchased 23 acres, 5 acres are covered in big hardwoods which I plan on leaving alone, 2 acres are already cleared for a home site, that leaves 16 acres covered in very thick brush and small pines about ten feet high, which I want to clear. Also, I have about 1,400 feet of a private circular drive I have to maintain. In addition, I have to help two other property owners maintain a 2,000 foot private road that leads off the County Road. I will be maintaining a substance garden/farm on this property. My neighbors own New Holland tractors because there is a dealer in the area; however, we also have a Kubota and Mahindra dealer in the area. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 955 Central Iowa
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2005-07-28          114020

I'd say you are looking at a minium of 30 Hp on a medium sized tractor, not the mini's. That way you can run a bush hog on the rear, use it for finish mowing, pull a box blade for drive maintenance and have a loader for the fun of it.

You'll also have enough power for a front blade or snow blower if snow removal is a concern.

I wouldn't tackle a 10ft pine with the tractor. I'd cut it down first.

I'd seriously consider getting one with the MFWD as that front wheel assist can get you out of jams. I went from an old 2wd tractor to the MFWD and I won't go back. Course, I can turn mine on and off as needed.

As for gear vs hydro, I went from gear to hydro and I love the hydro. I can make quick speed adjustments based on changing conditions like backing off slightly if I'm bogging it down when pulling the box blade, etc.

Just my opinion. ....

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Nickalus
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 6 Virginia
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2005-07-28          114025

Thanks for the quick reply. I looked up the Hydrostatic transmissions and that sounds like it would save a lot of shifting. I assume MFWD means Modified Four Wheel Drive but, what’s the difference between FWD vs. MFWD? I’m really ignorant about modern tractors; thus, I appreciate your patience. ....

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Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2005-07-29          114079

MFWD Mechanical front wheel Drive. Years ago a couple of manufacturers tried to convince the world that it needed Hydraulic drive on the front end. Gear drives were first introduced in the mass production in 1951. ....

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oneace
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1490 south central pa
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2005-07-29          114096

Look st the New Holland Tc40 or 45DA's. Or the Kubota L series. Both are very good tractors at affordable prices. ....

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Nickalus
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 6 Virginia
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2005-07-29          114105

Many thanks to all who replied. I have a Kubota, John Deere, New Holland and Mahindra dealer with-in 45 minutes of me so, I have a lot of choices. I guess what I will do is decide on the type of tractor I need along with the attachements I will need and visit each one to see what kind of package deal I can get and of course check out the service departments. Oh, almost forgot. When I was in the Armed Forces many years ago we hauled all of are munitions with Ford Tractors. I was at one site for four years where we had four Ford Tractors, not once did any of these tractors fail to start nor did they ever break down so; did Ford stop making Tractors? ....

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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2005-07-29          114108

Ford sold off their tractor division to New Holland, so these days if you need parts for a Ford tractor you go to NH. ....

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Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 955 Central Iowa
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2005-08-01          114190

As you progress on your tractor quest (and a noble quest it is), you will get opinions on which brand is best. Blue, red, orange, green, foreign, domestic, etc.

All will make a unit that will work for you. Focus on the service and dealer quality. Then go with the one you feel most comfortable with as far as brand, reputation and dealer. So if something does go wrong, the dealer will be there and stand up for you. ....

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Nickalus
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 6 Virginia
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2005-08-01          114211

Thanks Lowafun, after sale dealer service is my top priority; however, ride comfort is also high on my list as I have knee problems. Our local Kubota Dealer has a 2002 JD 790 (w/FEL) for sale with 126 hours for $13,000. That seems like very low hrs and a decent price, makes me wonder if that year and model had problems. Still, I think I will go new so I get the latest in ride comfort. ....

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Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 955 Central Iowa
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2005-08-02          114241

I wouldn't sweat used too much if it was well taken care of. I've got a 2004 year JD 4310 and it has an adjustable seat. I can adjust it for weight, height, forward/back, etc. Pretty nice.

But a 2002 790 wouldn't be bad at all. But take a look and see if the seat is as comfortable as the new machines. These are tractors afterall so they don't have a suspension other than the tires and the seat.

I've got a few rough spots in my yard. I slow down when running the tractor through there. Besides, the mid-mower deck bounces so much I slow down just to make sure it doesn't sound like it's rattling apart. I need to fix those bad spots, but there is so many other higher priority projects...

I like my tractor so much, that I'd keep it even if we hadto move back into a subdivision. It may not take me much time to mow a 1/3 acre lot with a 72" deck, but I'd be the envy of every guy in the neighborhood! ....

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brokenarrow
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1288 Wisconsin
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2005-08-02          114244

And all the gals , "that thinks your tractors sexy!"! ....

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beagle
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1333 Michigan
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2005-08-02          114258

If your looking for a hydro, you may want to look past the 790. Good solid tractor, but I believe only available with a gear tranny.

Both important differences between the tractor manufacturers have already been mentioned. Dealer quality and creature comfort are the best seperators. Test drive all the brands that have reputable dealers, then go for the features you like the best. Financing and warranties will be very similar. The Kubotas will be lighter machines with better power to weight ratios. JD has the e-Hydro option, New Hollands will probably be the most comfortable. All will be heavier than Kubota and feel like it.

Have fun with the search. ....

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091755
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 143 brantwood wisconsin
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2005-08-03          114335

Nickalus

For the things you will be doing either the L3130 or the
L3430 Kubota with Hydrostatic will handle it. I chose
the L3430 because it was the smallest one you could
get a cab with. You might consider getting someone
in with a small bulldozer before going in with the
tractor. I am not sure what you mean by heavy brush,
but where I live(N.Wisconsin)heavy brush means use of
a small dozer to remove the big stuff. Then you can go
in with your tractor and FEL,backblade, or brushhog to
move or chop up what is left. If hiring someone for a
day is needed to do some dozer work, it will be well
worth the days expense in reduced wear and tear on a
small tractor, even though these Kubotas are tough. ....

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