tractor size suggestions

[phishook]

I'm to the point where I can finally get a tractor. I've used the smaller JD and kubotas before, but they seemed to lack the power for the money you have to give for them.

I looked at a 3320 JD today for $18,9xx. I was just guessing on the size I would need, the sales kid knew nothing. The main use would be for bush hogging, probably an 8 footer. But I'd also be using it to scoop mulch and rock, maybe a backhoe attachment and snow pusher.

What HP tractor and brands work for this kind of work?

[Budrock]

A 6' bushhog takes 35hp to pull it. You're looking at 45 hp minimum for an 8 footer I'd guess. :O) Don't forget a hydrostatic transmission will take 8-10 hp away if you're considering paying for that option.

[NCSULandscaper]

for an 8 footer bush hog you will need almost 50hp to run it and not bog down in heavy grass and thicket, i would go with a 6' model because it will be slightly wider than your back wheels. We have a 12 foot model on a 75hp New Holland and its maxing that tractor out. I would go in the 40-45 hp range in either kubota or john deere utility tractor. They are geared up the best for this type of work and are reasonably priced. New Holland is actually the most expensive brand out there now.


are you dead set on having a tractor and not a skid steer? It really all depends on the size properties you work on mainly because a skid can get in some very tight areas.

[greenngrow]

Well to use a 8 foot bush hog you will need at least 45 - 50 hp. Now as the back hoe attachment. once you have it on it will more than likely stay on. The BH attachments that are of better quality are not easy to take on and off.

I have a hyda TC33D and a TC35 I do about all I need to do. I use a 6 foot bush hog.

[phishook]

I guess that would be a big deck for a small diesel. I picked up the50-64hp JD book, instead of the smaller tractor that I was looking at.

Well to use a 8 foot bush hog you will need at least 45 - 50 hp. Now as the back hoe attachment. once you have it on it will more than likely stay on. The BH attachments that are of better quality are not easy to take on and off.

I have a hyda TC33D and a TC35 I do about all I need to do. I use a 6 foot bush hog.

What are those, kiote?

[Complete Lawn Care]

I have a 2003 New Holland TC35 and I love it. My wife is my John Deere sales person but I bought the NH and here is why. I compared a John Deere, Kubota, and New Holland all of similar horsepower (35) and options. The NH had telescoping three point arms for easier attaching by yourself. JD did not. The NH had a folding ROPS. The JD did not. The NH had the widest tires. The NH was about 2000 less than the JD and about 1000 less than the Kubota. NH had 2.9% for 60 months, Kubota had 3.9 and JD was about 5.5. So far I have had very few problems after 700 hours. I use a 6' bush hog and I also have an old Kelly backhoe attachment. It handles both well. It is a 4wd with a shuttle shift (you have to clutch it to change directions in any of the 12 gears. I have also added a front end loader and it is amazing how much you can do with that thing.
Just my .02

[LowesLandscapes]

I would look at a L4630 Kubota. They have the best bang for the buck price wise. Around here, they are at least 2 grand cheaper than NH, and close to 3 for the JD. With that size you'd be able to pull a 8' hog through lighter grass, but i'd recommend something smaller.

[phishook]

thanks guys. I forgot all about the blue tractors.

[shortgut]

try a New Holland TL100

[334 lawn co.]

we use three bush hogs and two tractors.. we use a brown tree cutter(6ft.) and a rhino tw 80 (6ft.) on a john deere 5400 (75 hp.) and we use a 15 foot batwing (flexwing) cutter on a new holland ts110 (110 hp.) both tractors have loaders.

www.douglaslakeequipment.com/.../ n3771.jpg
my new holland...
http://www.specialtyhe.net/car_17460.htm
my jd
http://www.brownmfgcorp.com/cutter/TCF.html
brown mower
http://www.woodsequipment.com/agricultural/rotary_cutters/batwing/bw180_batwing.asp
my batwing mower
http://www.servis-rhino.com/Catalog/RotaryCutters/0-60inCut/TW60/index.html
not our rhino, but one size smaller.