How Much Tractor uis Too Much?

Fergienewbee · Oct 7, 2014

Still looking for a second tractor. Realistically, something in the 40-50 hp range would fit my needs. However, last consignment sale I passed up a nice 85 hp tractor with everything I was looking for: 3PH, live power and remote hydraulics. Based on my needs--2 bottom plow, two-row planter, cultivator, and 13-hole drill, no hay equipment--how big would you go?

Larry

Bryce Frazier · Oct 7, 2014

Well, would you rather save a few thousand $, and struggle to accomplish tasks with the tractor you got for a "steal"

OR

Would you rather buy a nice, bigger-ish tractor that could properly handle what you want it to do?

If I were you, I would look for a 50-65 horse machine. That way you easily have the 40-50 horse machine you think you need, and should you ever want to upgrade, or go bigger with you farm, you already have all the ponies you need for a 3 or 4 bottom plow... Just sayin, if I had the cash, that is probably what I would do... Bryce

Mike (WA) · Oct 7, 2014

The 40HP stuff can often bring more than the 80 around here, because the 80HP is "too big" in many peoples' minds. But I didn't see any PTO equipment in your list, so fuel economy would not be that much worse with the bigger tractor, because it would just loaf along with your implements. If the 80 is at or below the cost of the 40, I'd go for it.

notjustair · Oct 7, 2014

As long as you will work it hard enough to keep it in good shape I wouldn't be afraid of a bigger one. For me I am more concerned with its prior care and the reliability of the model. If it's a little bigger I can work it every once in a while to keep it up.

sotxbill · Oct 7, 2014

seems like a 50 hp tractor is in between....

its too big to be small. its too small to be medium.. so its almost a misfit.

6 cyl tractors are be outcast here for the hay people due to fuel usage. They are moving back to 4 cyl turbo tractors and saving more than a third of the fuel. A 6 cyl will use 30 gal a day, a 4 cyl will use 20 under a hard long day..

Now move up to the big boys... and you need a fuel truck.

6 cyl tractors are very expensive to fix and beyond splitting for most folks.. 4 cyls with a cab also.. leaving the smaller tractors that the average joe can work on. another factor in not buying the bigger tractors.

Fergienewbee · Oct 7, 2014

Mike (WA) I do have a brush hog and a seeder that run off the PTO but that's about it. Might pick up a snow blower one day.

Larry

Good advice, Bryce.

Larry

Heat Houser · Oct 7, 2014

An 85 horsepower tractor is quite "nimble" if it has power steering, live PTO, etc. It could be a bit longer framed if that would pose an issue.

I have a 1963 4010 JD at that horsepower range and I wouldn't give it up for a smaller one.

redforlife · Oct 7, 2014

Don't see any reason why bigger wouldn't work. You might want to measure the width of tractor before buying. You don't want to get to wide for your 2 row equipment or possibly your brush hog. PTO driven stuff might be a bigger concern. Over powering stuff on that might not be good and could be damageing especially if you don't have slip clutchs, shear pins, etc. on your pto equipment. Yes, you can idle down but still will probly have more power than intended for your lighter pto stuff at lower than intended speed.

Geo-TH,In · Oct 7, 2014

If you go big there is a good chance it will be diesel. I like to keep things simple so I can work on them so I go gas. As a kid, I remember how much fun it was trying to start a diesel tractor in the middle of the winter. We didn't have any way to plug our tractors in. Most of our diesels didn't run in the winter.

Green Horn · Oct 7, 2014

I bought a 5075e John Deere I use a 7ft. finish mower, 8ft. bush mower, 8ft. blade and a loader 6ft. bucket,and 10ft. dick. It is four wheel drive but I can use it on a hay baler if needed be. My place has a lot of hills. John Deere credit no interest and 5years to pay. It is a little over kill but you never know.

Bill VA · Oct 7, 2014

IMHO - it depends.

For a hack like me, 50 - 65 hp would probably be the max.

I've got a MF50 and JD5055d, the JD is bigger in hp and stature than the MF50 and the MF50 is bigger and clumsier than my brother's Ferguson 20.

We don't have wide open spaces, so just the physical size of the tractor and maneuverability are concerns. The TO20 is a dream to get around stuff - if it had position control and live PTO, it would be even better. The gas start is great in cold weather.

Another thing I look at, being a hack tractor owner, is support beyond the dealer. I find online support to be terrific with the older 35-60ish hp machines. Probably not a question that has been unanswered somewhere with regard to a MF135 or a Ford 3000.

Old vs new - this was a factor in my decision to buy the JD 5055d - and the onset of final tier 4 emissions. While I really REALLY appreciate everyone's help with my tractors and equipment, sometimes I grow weary of laying on my back busting knuckles, wiping rust out of my eyes, so newer is a consideration for me - sometimes... ;-)

2nd tractor is GREAT! An insurance policy for me when making hay and also can put 2 tractors to work at the same time with my boys.

So how much tractor is to much? It depends on your working space and how much you can tolerate in fuel/repair cost.

FWIW - before I bought the JD, I was looking at an MF65 diesel. I think the Nebraska tests show it at 50 hp, lots of great comments about it online, lots of internet support and like mentioned in another post, is IMHO perceived as a "larger" tractor and in my neck of the woods, costs less than a Ford 3000 or an MF135.

Good luck,
Bill

Traditional Farmer · Oct 7, 2014

Put a tape measure on a 85HP and a tape on a 40 HP you'll be surprised how little difference there is between them.Also larger equipment usually sells for less $$$ than smaller equipment especially the older stuff.

Geo-TH,In · Oct 7, 2014

Come to think of it, I used a tape to decide when I got my tractors. At the time I only had a 16 ft trailer with sides. My tractors had to fit on trailer. So I settled for a IH C, Jubilee and a terramite. I now have a bigger trailer the Jubilee around 30 hp, is all the horses I really need and care to feed. BTW, all three of my tractor don't use a lot of fuel. I use the Farmall and ford in summer for mowing, both 6 ft woods mowers, and the gas the use is about the same as if I were using a 4 ft riding mower.

So the person may want to consider what size trailer, truck and how much the tractor weight. My tractors are between 3000 and 4000#

2underage · Oct 7, 2014

That used to be true but not so much anymore. Those older 100 horse plus tractors have climbed up in price and I believe it is because of the electrical stuff they put on the new ones and the fertilizer you need to dump into a tractor tank to clean the exhaust. But I do agree it is best to have a little too much tractor than too little.

Tom OConnor · Oct 7, 2014

This would be a hard question for me to answer as I have never gone to the field with a tractor or combine and ever thought of or wishing I had a smaller one.

wisbaker · Oct 7, 2014

I wouldn't be afraid of the bigger stuff as long as the physical size doesn't get to big for what you want to do, however the bigger stuff will have power steering and brakes so it might be easier to run that a smaller one without. Only concern is if you'll work it hard enough to keep it healthy. I think the cost of the bigger older tractors has gone up because more people are needing that size horse for chores as feed mills, feed wagons, mixers, blowers and grain carts get bigger they need bigger horses to run them.

Ultradog MN · Oct 7, 2014

Size does matter.
I can't use a big tractor in the woods and mowing unter trees and the like.
I have a Ford 3000.
A Ferguson 35 and Ford 3000 are comparable tractors
3000 wheel base = 75"
35 wheel base = 72"
3000 total length = 127"
35 total length = 117"
Compare a 52 hp Ford 4000
4000 wheel base = 84.5"
4000 total length = 137"
Compare a 60 hp 5000
5000 wheel base = 87.5
5000 total length = 141"
And a 5000 weighs most of two tons more than a Fergie 35.
I'd love to have a 5000 but it is just Waaay too big for my purposes.
Even the 4000 I had was just too big, - too long, too tall - I did like the features it had but it was just too big for my purposes which are similar to yours.
One other thing to consider, a catagory II tractor would bust up all your cat I implements.
I do well enough busting up stuff with my 37 hp 3000.

Fergienewbee · Oct 7, 2014

The bigger tractor's job would be plowing, discing and snow plowing for the most part. Also for when the small tractor is down and I need to get wood hauled. Thanks for all the replies. My TO-30 works pretty hard pulling a disc in my light ground. It does better with the plow.

Larry

Traditional Farmer · Oct 7, 2014

For working in the woods nothing beats a Narrow Front end tractor

Jason S. · Oct 7, 2014

(quoted from post at 23:04:41 10/07/14) The bigger tractor's job would be plowing, discing and snow plowing for the most part. Also for when the small tractor is down and I need to get wood hauled. Thanks for all the replies. My TO-30 works pretty hard pulling a disc in my light ground. It does better with the plow.

Larry

I am one of the ones who will say yes it does matter and you can get too big. The first tractor I bought was my MF 175. Later I got a two bottom 14" MF 62 plow which is very close to your Ferguson plow. It was not a good match. It was hard to get the lift arms on the plow because they don't want to go that close together. Then when you plow with a two bottom plow like that the rear tire is too wide for the furrow it leaves. It just like anything else buy matching sets. I can't see any reason you would need more than 40hp for a two bottom plow of that style. Your TO-30 is 30hp. I can't see any reason that the disc would pull any harder than the plow. I do all my plowing and discing with a TO-20. If you need to go faster to get a job done then you need to get the equipment to match. Personally I have traded around for a MF 135 diesel to replace my TO-20's for daily use. The main reason is fuel savings.

2 Old 2 care · Oct 7, 2014

One thing to consider is your implements. It's easy to trash light "CAT I" implements behind a "CAT II" (or bigger) tractor. I found the same implements that performed flawlessly for years behind a 42hp tractor didn't last very long once they started getting used behind a 70hp tractor. Tillage tools and PTO equipment can take a beating with more input power than rated for. Not always the case, but worth consideration.

Ultradog MN · Oct 7, 2014

They're too tall.

Leroy · Oct 7, 2014

First things are that 2 bottom plow you have for the Fergie WILL NOT fit and work with a bigger tractor like that. Think about you have a cat 1 3 point hitch and a 52" wheel tread and anything over 50 HP will have a cat 2 hitch, some you could hook that cat 1 plow to but not all, then they will have a 60" wheel tread that you cannot narrow down to the 52" your plow needs, Might get to unsafely 56" but that would be it. Any of the Ford 4 cylinder 4000 or 65 MF with the 28" wheel, NOT one with the 38" wheel will work with your plow. That 85 HP tractor you passed up you would have been looking for a Cat 2 hitch plow with 3 or 4 bottoms to get it to hook to the tractor. And for a snow blower you need at least a hundred HP tractor. My drive here in Ohio is all a 150+ HP 4 wheel drive with 8' double auger can get thru.

Spudm · Oct 7, 2014

Check out AuctionTime.com

showcrop · Oct 7, 2014

have you ever seen a girl too pretty or with too much class? Do you have too much money or a car that goes to fast? have you ever had too much fun? How can you have too much tractor?

Cowmechanic · Oct 7, 2014

Sizing implement to tractor is important.That being said you can never have to much power.Think Ford 4000/4600 SU models short wheel base low profile tires.Plus all the orchard tractors good horsepower in a small package.

Traditional Farmer · Oct 8, 2014

Try a D14 or D15 Allis low profile and will really get around.CA is pretty good its smaller but is very nimble and with some weight on the rear will surprise you how much it can pull.

Traditional Farmer · Oct 8, 2014

I don't know what 6 cylinder you've run but my
6 cylinder Oliver 1650D will not come close to burning the amount of fuel you're talking about.

How Much Tractor uis Too Much?

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