What is the right size tractor?

40 HP is a sweet spot for tractors in my opinion. Bigger than that they get heavy and you loose maneuverability. Use to run a 40HP 'bota and it had plenty of grunt....much bigger difference than a 30 HP than you would expect.

 

A guy I work with tells me what parts for his 1020 cost and I about flip out. Not crazy but still!!!

 

I know how old it is. He is funny to. He won't usually buy aftermarket? I know it taken used stuff though.

 

MM, I agree and once again I'm probably trying to do too much with a one machine solution. I think the large frame CUT is similar to the Ford in size and weight and exactly what I should have at home (arguably overkill but lets not go there). I'm trying to come up with a one machine solution to go back and forth to camp. Up there, I'd like to be able to deal with granite boulders, bigger trees, etc....things that you just cant practically make more or slower passes with to get the job done. I'm probably not going to get a lot for the Ford even if I put the backhoe on it. Maybe the thing to do is get a newer more capable less maintenance requiring machine for home that I use 95% of the time. Then, if the Ford can't do a particular job at camp, it doesn't get done unless it is worth it to rent something.

 

Yesterday was another pretty good example of what I use the Ford for around the house. I had split everything within easy reach of the splitter and had started walking for rounds and ran out of easy toss room for the splits. 10 mins later, I had the exit cleared and a pile of rounds within easy reach of the splitter. Given the layout of my property (the only flat spots are the ones I have made), the bigger tractor probably wouldn't be of much use for stuff like this.

 

Those 3930's especially with the shuttle shift are a sweet used tractor. 4wd and a loader in good condition and you would be set.

 

I like the older stuff personally. To me its simpler and less prone to over engineered failures.

I know one tractor does not tell the whole story and JD sells a tin of them but my uncles 4400 pops out of high range 2&4. Only those? Not sure if its an adjustment thing or what but foe this to happen on a tractor with 1000 hours is unacceptable to me. He is the original owner and I think it was. $25k package with a few implements 10+ yrs ago.

 

Me too. My FIL had a 2440 with less than 1000 hours on it. If that had had a drive shaft going to the front wheels, it would have been the last tractor I owned. This 2240 on Ebay is pretty tempting but I think MM is probably right about it being too big for most of what I need a tractor for.

 

Yea I'd say that is a bit big unless you have like 60 acres more of open land that I am not seeing in your pics.

 

Acre and a half with over 100' of vertical at home, 60 acres of rugged terrain in the Adirondacks. 2 hour tow in between that I will need to take it easy on if I go bigger. Maybe I just need the industrial version of what I have now (I broke my loader again recently). I could swap what I have now for this one, get a heavier duty higher lift loader, frame mount hoe, reverser and power steering. Probably only be out a few grand to make the switch and my rototiller, 8' rake and 6' box blade are all still relevant.

 

2240 is 54 Hp I think. We had one my dad bought new in 77-78. It had ROPS so that one is likely older. Great tractor built like a tank in Germany. But it is 35ish years old. What kind of price is it?

 

Honestly, 40-45 hp would be good for you mostly based on the 60 acres. That is the breaking point in hp between compact and utility tractors. I would try to stay on the compact side now that I have read about your specific situation.

 

But land type and cover is more important than acreage. I have 130 acres at my "old farm" . Yet I have the small yanmar, why cause like 110 of it. Is wooded.

 

I think they want $14.5K for the 2240. That is a heck of a lot more tractor than the equivalent compact purchase for that kind of money.

 

Good lord, There is a cult following on those tractors but that is a lot. I would have thought 10K. What kind of hours?

 

Terrain and job type are big for me. I loved my 2wd 40 yo 25 hp Kubota but it was dang near useless to me other than mowing when it was dry or very light snow.

 

3400 and i agree i wouldn't go anywhere near it unless it was perfect for that kind of money.

 

If you asked what tractor should I get I would say a 55 hp utility. Better to have to much tractor and not need it than not enough. But productivity is important to me. I have 300 acres and rent more and my smallest tractor is 75 hp. Even so if I were a weekend warrior I would want to get things done so I could kick up my feet at the end of the day and enjoy my ground.