Complete novice to tractors and have a question . . .

Jack Ryan said:

Even if only HALF the life is left in a real farm use tractor, you won't wear it out in your life time on 10-20 acres.

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NE GA Pappy said:

It depends on what you are cutting. If you are just clipping the tops of a fescue field, I would say you are correct. If it is tough weeds that are waist high, mixed with woody, stemmy plants, it probably isn't going to cut it.

I had a Ford 3000 diesel that had 38 PTO HP. It would pull a 6ft bush hog. I had a Ford 2000 diesel that had 31 PTO HP. It was marginal in the higher rougher stuff.

I also had a MF 245 gas burner that was suppose to have 43 PTO HP, but it wouldn't pull the bushhog as good as the 2000. Engine torque has a lot to do with how a tractor performs. Maybe even more so than the raw HP rating.

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Bama1787 said:

As others have said, don't rule out buying used quite yet. 6 months ago I made the decision to go used (very used) and buy a 1966 MF135 diesel as my first tractor for my newly acquired 10 acres. 40ish hp. I was very close to financing one of the package deals on a new tractor. Words cannot describe how impressed I've been with the old tractor. Perfect for my 10 acres. I've got a 5' bush hog and know for sure you'll want to go bigger for 19 acres but a 40-50 hp tractor should suit you fine.

Now if your financial situation allows you to buy new outright, more power to ya![/QUOTE

"1966 MF135 diesel" is a great tractor! Those have been diehard tractors for smaller (less than 100ac) farms. You would be amazed how much work a 135 will do and can normally be bought for less than 4k in very good condition. It will pull a 6' bushhog and do a good job doing it. Great all-around Tractor.

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Bama1787 said:

As others have said, don't rule out buying used quite yet. 6 months ago I made the decision to go used (very used) and buy a 1966 MF135 diesel as my first tractor for my newly acquired 10 acres. 40ish hp. I was very close to financing one of the package deals on a new tractor. Words cannot describe how impressed I've been with the old tractor. Perfect for my 10 acres. I've got a 5' bush hog and know for sure you'll want to go bigger for 19 acres but a 40-50 hp tractor should suit you fine.

Now if your financial situation allows you to buy new outright, more power to ya!

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RinggoldGa said:

Already looking at some 40+ hp 3-4 year old tractors with less than 100 hrs. Will have some decisions to make.

Financially I could buy a new one in that price range. But then my wife would kill me.

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RinggoldGa said:

Update

Getting a new Branson 4815 47HP

Could probably get by with lower HP but everyone here, everyone I've spoken to, and people I hardly know all said to go higher HP than what I needed.

Coming with a 6 ft bush hog and a 6ft tiller. Looking forward to getting in the seat for the first time and giving it a whirl with the bush hog. Had a guy cut hay off about 12 acres of the property and pay me for the pleasure of doing so. I'm going to tackle the rest and all the edges with the bush hog on my own. May be a comedy of errors but no better way to learn than by doing.

Thanks for all the advice here.

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Crakajak said:

Congrats on the equipment.
When you start tilling.Go with a small depth and increase each time(maybe 2-3 " to reach maximum depth.I throw the rocks out after every pass. Those rocks can eat up some expensive tiller blades.Don't ask me how I found that out.

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champ said:

There's a Guy on Youtube out of NC. His channel is called 'everything attachments' He and His buddy Peanut have a ton of videos on proper use, safety, and optimizing tips for most implements a Man can use behind His tractor. Congrats on Your new machine and BE SAFE!

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RinggoldGa said:

This is what makes me nervous. I don't know crap about what I'm doing. The equipment isn't cheap. And the field is pretty rocky.

You're one of several that have told me to go with small increments. I live in fear of tearing the new equipment upon the on the first pass with the tiller.

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RinggoldGa said:

This is what makes me nervous. I don't know crap about what I'm doing. The equipment isn't cheap. And the field is pretty rocky.

You're one of several that have told me to go with small increments. I live in fear of tearing the new equipment upon the on the first pass with the tiller.

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elfiii said:

You are now officially a tractor driver 3rd class. Once you have busted enough equipment to learn what you are doing you will promote to tractor operator 1st class.

Hot tip #1 - buy a bunch of extra hitch pins (to replace the ones you will lose or break) and 1/2" Grade 8 bolts. Keep them somewhere on the tractor along with the required tools to change out snapped and sheared off 1/2" bolts. This will save you time making field repairs and you will promote to tractor operator quicker.

Hot tip #2 - "Smooth is slow. Slow is fast."

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Crakajak said:

Great advice!!!
Its also good to be friends with a good welder.
I installed a small used ammo case behind my seat. Extra bolts,shear pins,rags.screwdrivers,pliers.washers etc...Saves me a LOT of walking or riding back to the truck.

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