Tractor Recommendations

[bigrob]

What kind of tractor would you guys recommend in the 40-50 hp range? I'm wanting to do some bush hogging, discing and planting new areas and cleaning up some underbrush. I'm thinking about kubota very heavily, but want some opinions on the new holland, case and others as well. It's gonna be basically what I call a starter tractor

 

[bigbull338]

sorry i cant tell you about the others as i to run a kubota.

 

[lynnmcmahan]

sorry i cant tell you about the others as i to run a kubota.

Me too :D

 

[highgrit]

I would look between 50-60 hp. That is if you want to be able to run a 6' rotary mower, and 7' disc. If your going to run your tractor in the woods, or mow heavy brush you need to look at the steering, the fuel tank and under the tractor for wires and hoses that you might rip off. Thats the reason's I run JD tractors.

 

[bigrob]

Thanks for the replies. Are you guys satisfied with the performance of your kubota tractors? I also hear they are kind of light, is that true?

 

[bigrob]

I would look between 50-60 hp. That is if you want to be able to run a 6' rotary mower, and 7' disc. If your going to run your tractor in the woods, or mow heavy brush you need to look at the steering, the fuel tank and under the tractor for wires and hoses that you might rip off. Thats the reason's I run JD tractors.

Thanks high grit. My main reason for looking at one this size and posting here is price. I really like the jd because I have run quite a few of them and when I do step up to a "real" tractor lol it is what I will be buying. I don't necessarily plan on using to clear land with so much as cleaning up mine and my parents place.

 

[Isomade]

I would look for a JD 2640. I think they made them from 78-81. It's a 70 horse tractor and possible the best tractor ever made in that size. I sold mine to my dad last year, and my cousin runs one too. They are much heavier than the tractors made today and much better made.

 

[bigrob]

Thanks Isomade. I've been thinking pretty heavily on buying one of the older John Deere tractors too, I'm just leery of buying someone else's problems. I really like the 2950 jd I've only found a few in 4wd without a cab tho

 

[Isomade]

Thanks Isomade. I've been thinking pretty heavily on buying one of the older John Deere tractors too, I'm just leery of buying someone else's problems. I really like the 2950 jd I've only found a few in 4wd without a cab tho

4wd wasn't near as important on those older tractors, they had enough weight to get you out of most anything these newer ones can with 4wd. My new tractor is a 85 horse 4wd and it doesn't handle the bales near as good as the 2640 did.

 

[circlew]

If you are thinking on an older tractor you could look at an old ford or International. There is a lot of 40 year old fords and Internationals working around here.

 

[bigbull338]

yes its true the kubotas are lite.but thats because they arnt made of the heavy steel tractors of old was made with.i put a fel on mine 1.because i needed it 2.because it would put the added weight i needed on the front working it.its spent 2 winters feeding 5 by 6 bales no prob.the reason i bought it 2yrs ago was because we kept sticking our 85hp tractor feeding cattle.my tractor is a MX5100 HST 4x4 w/LA844 quick tatch loader.an it has 52hp.the same as the old ford 4000.

 

[tom4018]

I would look between 50-60 hp. That is if you want to be able to run a 6' rotary mower, and 7' disc. If your going to run your tractor in the woods, or mow heavy brush you need to look at the steering, the fuel tank and under the tractor for wires and hoses that you might rip off. Thats the reason's I run JD tractors.

I will second the 50-60 hp range. Got a Kubota now, had a Ford/NH and they are a little lighter but a lot of the newer ones are. You just have to compare them. Buy what you are comfortable on and can get parts for locally.

 

[gonzo]

I second Tom's motion don't buy some off brand you can't get parts for .deer 'ford,case, kabota all been around long enough to prove longjevity . Take it up with some of your neighbors, who dose the best service in the area ? I try to do my own work but if I can't get the parts right away its down time. I stick with johndeere there only 12 miles away and I can get alot of the normal shyt fom the auto parts store.

 

[john250]

More horsepower is always better. More weight is always better. All things being equal and if the cricks don't rise.Big old 1980's 2 wheel drives will carry a big bale through some serious mud and they cost a fraction of new.
But a new Kubota 4WD might be a good financial move. If the cattle market is still strong in 10 yrs when you sell. One more thing.

 

[hillrancher]

I own a Kubota becuse I can drive into the dealer not becuse it is the best tractor out there. I own JD and MF also . The JD 78 hp will out do the 108 hp kubota. The kubota has front loader and all weights in rear.
As stated before at least a 60 hp if you are looking at used the older name brand tractors are tougher than the newer made of fiber glass and plastic.

 

[bigrob]

yes its true the kubotas are lite.but thats because they arnt made of the heavy steel tractors of old was made with.i put a fel on mine 1.because i needed it 2.because it would put the added weight i needed on the front working it.its spent 2 winters feeding 5 by 6 bales no prob.the reason i bought it 2yrs ago was because we kept sticking our 85hp tractor feeding cattle.my tractor is a MX5100 HST 4x4 w/LA844 quick tatch loader.an it has 52hp.the same as the old ford 4000.

Big bull, that is actually the tractor I'm looking at buying. I also will have a fel on it as well as 4wd.

 

[bigrob]

If you are thinking on an older tractor you could look at an old ford or International. There is a lot of 40 year old fords and Internationals working around here.

I will never own an old international lol. We had a couple 806's we had at work they were good as far as hp but I hated those tractors with a passion. My main reason is because the brakes don't work if they die lol. It's terrible to go swimming to get a tractor

 

[bigrob]

Thanks Isomade. I've been thinking pretty heavily on buying one of the older John Deere tractors too, I'm just leery of buying someone else's problems. I really like the 2950 jd I've only found a few in 4wd without a cab tho

4wd wasn't near as important on those older tractors, they had enough weight to get you out of most anything these newer ones can with 4wd. My new tractor is a 85 horse 4wd and it doesn't handle the bales near as good as the 2640 did.

I have found in my few years out here with all the different tractors I've ran from a little 28 hp kubota with a finish mower to an 8530 jd with a rock crusher or a dirt pan that 4wd is a pretty handy investment to have with our sand and hills. Also the 2950 I run is a 2wd and when it gets wet it's a pain in the a to try and turn and make it do what you want it to with an 8ft bush hog or a 7 ft disk. That's why I'm leaning so heavily to the 4wd. I greatly appreciate the advice

 

[bigrob]

I second Tom's motion don't buy some off brand you can't get parts for .deer 'ford,case, kabota all been around long enough to prove longjevity . Take it up with some of your neighbors, who dose the best service in the area ? I try to do my own work but if I can't get the parts right away its down time. I stick with johndeere there only 12 miles away and I can get alot of the normal shyt fom the auto parts store.

I don't plan on buying anything but kubota, jd, new holland or a case. I'm not new to tractors and the country life lol. I just want some of you guys opinions on the newer ones. Thank y'all for all the help

 

[tom4018]

I second Tom's motion don't buy some off brand you can't get parts for .deer 'ford,case, kabota all been around long enough to prove longjevity . Take it up with some of your neighbors, who dose the best service in the area ? I try to do my own work but if I can't get the parts right away its down time. I stick with johndeere there only 12 miles away and I can get alot of the normal shyt fom the auto parts store.

I don't plan on buying anything but kubota, jd, new holland or a case. I'm not new to tractors and the country life lol. I just want some of you guys opinions on the newer ones. Thank y'all for all the help

Check out the M7040.