We are looking at purchasing a compact 4WD tractor. We spoke to a salesman who said that to lift a round bale (which would be a main purpose of the tractor) we would need a 40 Hp model. He said we wouldn't want to go smaller as it would pick up the tractor, which does make sense. Just wondering what is a good Horsepower for a smaller tractor before we buy. We would be using it for feeding round bales, snow blowing the driveway and using a brush hog. I know you will never be disappointed by too much horsepower (isn't that how we all end up with a few extra horses!!) but our budget is limited (see note on extra horses.....) and we would just like to get a tractor that is neither too small or too large.
Posted 2007-06-26 4:28 PM (#62889 - in reply to #62885) Subject: RE: Compact Tractor
Member
Posts: 11
Location: SD
We bought a Case IH JX 95 back in March. This model comes in 90-115 hp models, I believe. I wouldn't believe everything a salesman tells me especially if he's never used a tractor for ranch work himself. Supposedly you can lift a round bale with a 40-50 horse tractor, but I wouldn't want to take the chance. We put our bales into a feeder. I sure don't want to tip the tractor over lifting a bale to drop it into the feeder. Our tractor with the loader was about $50K, but Case IH gave us 0% financing for 5 years. We looked at a lot of larger tractors and older tractors as cheap as $1500. Our yard is pretty tight so this tractor is easy to maneuver. You can research prices and models at www.tractorhouse.com. I think it's a great resource. Good luck!
Posted 2007-06-26 4:39 PM (#62891 - in reply to #62885) Subject: RE: Compact Tractor
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Rather than the horsepower rating, Look at the capacity for the front end loader.
Mine is rated at 1500 lbs. But it is difficult for me to lift large bales (that weigh 1430 lbs) because they "Leverage" the weight. It's not all centered in the forks because the bale sticks out farther. The farther the weight sticks out beyond the bucket/forks the moer leverage it applies and that reduces the lift capacity.
If the tractor you are considering is only marginally more capable than the weight you think you want to lift, I'd sure try it before buying it. Most dealers will arrainge a test drive.
Posted 2007-06-27 6:05 AM (#62920 - in reply to #62885) Subject: RE: Compact Tractor
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Keymar,Maryland
Do you really need a " compact" ?. These tractors are overrated and over priced in my opinion. Often, as others have noted the lifting capabilities are limited by the hydraulics and you need a significant amount of counterweight to pick up anything of size. You can buy a low hour small but not compact ag tractor often for 5-8K, add a loader 2-4K and turn over any compact without shelling out twice the loot. Lifting round bales I'd want something with a little more stability.Rich.
Posted 2007-06-27 10:05 PM (#62991 - in reply to #62885) Subject: RE: Compact Tractor
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
I've got a 30 h.p. New Holland Boomer series 4x4 with front end loader.I pick up round bales with the rear lift with no issues and take them out in the field.Our tractor gets used a lot on our 30 acres here at home.I spray pastures,bushhog,seed,clean gutters,pick up yard depris,pull posts,drill in posts ,drag the round pen and arena ,unload feed and the list goes on.Sure at times want a bigger unit but for the most part it does what I need to do.Its a 2000 model and just replaced the factory battery two weeks ago.That and maintance by the book is all I've had to do to it in 7 years.
Posted 2007-06-28 8:15 AM (#63007 - in reply to #62885) Subject: RE: Compact Tractor
Regular
Posts: 58 Location: Clearwater, MN
Thank you! I was corrected by my husband in that the tractor we are looking at is not technically a compact. It sounds identical to the one hounddog has, it is a New Holland Boomer 40hp and that is about what we are looking to do with it. Good to hear that you've had good experiences with it!!
Posted 2007-06-28 10:43 AM (#63021 - in reply to #62885) Subject: RE: Compact Tractor
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455 Location: Texas
I agree with Rich M. For a lot less money, you can get a little older used ag tractor that is twice the machine that the new "compact" utility tractors are. I cannot justify spending $25-50K on something that can be outdone by a $10K machine with twice as much horsepower.
Posted 2007-06-29 4:27 PM (#63129 - in reply to #62885) Subject: RE: Compact Tractor
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Shuttle shift 4x4 30 h.p. Boomer series with front end loader.Shopped around for a few months at new/used/werid name units and liked the New Holland better then Kupota(about same price) and as well as John Deere and hundereds of dollars less.
Posted 2007-07-02 1:15 PM (#63193 - in reply to #63129) Subject: RE: Compact Tractor
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455 Location: Texas
I guess hounddog and I have different needs/wants in a tractor. Looking at the specs on a current 31 hp Boomer model, the 3-point hitch barely has enough capacity to move a round bale. Pretty tough to unload bales from a trailer with a 3-point spike.
I believe I am going to pull the trigger on an International 806. With a loader, I should have slightly more than half of what hounddog paid into it. It has approximately 3 times the horsepower and have half again as much lifting capacity as what the Boomer weighs.
The Boomer would definitely have the 806 beat in close-quarters maneuverability, ergonomics, and age, though. But the 806 wins the beauty contest every time. Ha ha. To each, their own.
Posted 2007-07-02 4:35 PM (#63208 - in reply to #63202) Subject: RE: Compact Tractor
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455 Location: Texas
Originally written by hounddog on 2007-07-02 2:34 PM
Thought subject was compact tractors?
Yes, you are right. Sorry, I got off subject. I guess the question was asked whether the original poster really needed a COMPACT tractor, or if just a smaller ag tractor would work. In my opinion, the duties originally posted are a slightly tall order for a compact tractor of less than 40 hp.
A side note: I don't think the JX 95 would be much smaller, physically, than the 806. Is an 806 compact by today's standards? Ha ha.
Compact Tractor
