what HP tractor for........

[expressfish]

Looking to purchase a tractor here in future. Will be used to shred, maybe post holes ect. Id perfer a 4 wheel drive due to our sandy area. I was down at my buddies ranch alittle south of devine and the fields have gone nuts with the rain. Like someone has posted already its like a rain forest. Some of those weeds have stems that are almost 2in thick ! I dont want to be "under powered" . I was thinking 40hp, but how about any lesser HP ? Thanks

[BrandonA]

That probably would work. I would highly recommend getting a front end loader as well. Also keep in mind that is you are going to be using a disc a good rule of thumb is 10 hp per foot on the disc width. ( if 6 ft disc need 60 hp Tractor)

[STGS]

I shred just about anything with my 30hp tractor. I use a 10ft shredder and have done things I shouldn't have done on that tractor. 40 would be more than sufficient IMO, as long as you are not planning to use any large disks (> 10-12 ft) or other real heavy implements. The 4WD will greatly assist your efforts.

[bboswell]

What size cutter will you be using.

30-35hp - 5' cut
35-45hp - 6' cut
45-60 hp - 8' cut

4 WD won't make much difference when cutting but will make you tractor act like it has double the power when plowing, doing box blade/loader work.

[bboswell]

Brandon, I agree on the loader but your double the HP required to pull a disc.

[cosmiccowboy]

If you ever think you might want a loader bucket you will definitely want the 4WD and won't want to go under 40hp.

[cosmiccowboy]

Oh yeah...especially if you are planning to do summertime shredding, those closed cabs with A/C are the way to go. You can macho your way through it on a standard tractor, but you will end the day with dust in every possible crevice and will be hocking dirtwads for days. Sweat + shredder dust can be absolutely miserable.

[BrandonA]

Thats what we have always been told. I know that an 8" disc is going to starin a 45 hp tractor.

[expressfish]

I dont think I'll be doing any disc work but who knows. My wife and I are planning on purchasing 10+ acres here in the next year and build a home. I figure I'll need a machine to mow and maybe to make a few bucks here and there if I advertise. I didnt think about the dust and sweat cosmic ...... But I may have to macho it out to start with. lol

[Wildman]

We just sold a 30hp JD and now have a 50hp. If it were me, and I could afford a 4x4 50hp I would buy it now as you will grow into the tractor. With a 30 you will grow out of it and end up with the 50 anyway

[turbowhunter]

I'd get approx. 50 hp 4x4 John Deere with with 6' equipment so it'll be wide enough to cover your tracks. I'd get one of these with an Ehydro trani and a bucket.

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/GC/series/gc_cut_4000_series.html

[expressfish]

Thanks for the input, and I like that link

[kfd82]

40 to 45 hp should be all you need for mowing, moving rock to build driveways, dragging scendaros, ect. I would also recomend a front end loader with it. 4x4 is a nice option but not needed for general purpose non comercial use. If your going somewhere on a tractor and need 4x4 to get there.... you really shouldnt be there anyway. That said it does come in handy sometimes.
Also please dont get caught up in thinking you HAVE to have a JD because they are the best. I agree JD has some fine equipment, and a long record of being top dog. However, there are plenty of others out there that are cheaper and just as reliable, they just dont say JD on the side. Look into Kioti, Yanmar, Kobota, Ford, Long, and many many others. Check out Normange Equipment. They usally have package deals like a 40hp kabota with front loader, bush hog, and box blade for a package price. Dont know if they have a web site but they are in Normange tx between Madisonville and Bryan off of Hwy 21.
This is all just my humble opinion. Hope some of it helps.

[bboswell]

John Deere is still near the top of the heap for tractors of 100hp and up. For the smaller stuff look at Kubota.

The use of 4x4 on a tractor is not so much about being able to "Get there" and is is about being able to push a bucket into a dirt pile or being able to turn while you have a disc in the ground etc.

Don't forget to think about how much tractor you can haul. You get into the 45-50hp size with loader and 4x4 and you are at the very edge of what you can pull on a bumper pull with a 3/4 ton.

[DWG]

You really do not need more than maybe a 30-35hp tractor for shredding grass or weeds and doing what you listed above. I will tell you this from experience that a 30hp 4x4 compact tractor w/loader will pull more that a 45hp 2wd full size tractor.