Tractor Regrets! How Important Is Horsepower?

[@SpynCycle57]

Going from a smaller frame tractor to a larger frame tractor, with the same horsepower, could be the solution for many people. In tractors, weight is your friend. My experience is to do lots of research before buying the first tractor, then learn from using it, to determine what to buy for the second tractor.

[@KING-FU]

Power to weight ratio and needed lifting capacity is what I looked for. I was going to buy the highest HP “Sub-compact (46 HP) I could find, but wouldn’t do so without demonstrating one first. I used the FEL cutting soil grade behind the dealership for less than 5 minutes, including grass and pushing sand @ 1/2 bucket capacity. It started spinning all 4 tires and as a hydrostatic drive, I changed range, adjusted the throttle, same thing, just a different wheel speed. I then stepped up to a utility class tractor with 55HP. Lifting capacity went up over 35% and being a larger frame tractor (11-12” wider), is much more comfortable to stay on for big projects. Without me demonstrating the bigger machine, my salesman convinced me to step up a Class-size when he said, “I’ve never had a customer come back and say, I wish you would’ve sold me a smaller tractor”. 😂 That’s one of the top 5 decisions I’ve ever made when purchasing new equipment.

[@Vaul_The_Merchant]

This is exactly my thinking on my first piece of equipment purchase. I live in Rhode Island, land of the rocks. I purchased 5 acres with 3 acres of grass and I want to convert a lot of it into planting space, but I know I'm going to deal with a ton of good size rocks/boulders. I also want to clean up my woods, there is a ton of downed trees and good size rocks scattered around, which would be impossible to move with a subcompact. I had considered the Swiss army knife the BX23S, but after watching videos of them working, I think it will be drastically undersized to help me develop the land, but seems like the right choice for a machine to maintenance my property. This has me considering going with an older, but bigger backhoe and then when the property is developed, selling it and getting a compact tractor for maintenance.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

There's some good choices these days that are still pretty compact, but lift around 2k. They don't really use much more space than a BX

[@Vaul_The_Merchant]

@@HomesteadBandwagon Very true, but from what I can tell they tend to cost a lot more than 20k even used and from what I can tell a lot dont have the backhoe attachment. If you want to recommend some, I'm all ears though!

[@ProductiveRecreation]

Weight does work! My 1981 Ford 1700 Compact tractor is 25hp, and weighs about 4000lb with loader, wheel weights and loaded tires. With R1 tires, I run out of traction before I’m out of power. It’s gear drive though… my experience with hydros is that they don’t pull like that! Just consider the power and weight of the old N series Fords. By power they’re like modern compacts, but by weight like utility tractors.

[@bandwidthpiggy9378]

Really wish someone told me this before I bought my first truck. Same logic, I have enough horsepower but not nearly enough weight.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

The tow ratings they're putting on trucks is ridiculous lately.

[@mikebolton3816]

I've got a Workmaster 40. Does everything I ask. However... I can't pick up a full pallet of wood pellets, it'll pick up half, or 1000lbs.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

Sounds about right. Using forks SEVERELY limits lifting capacity

[@mikebolton3816]

@@HomesteadBandwagon I also got my tractor stuck in the mud yesterday for about 5 hours. I got sucked into a ditch with a soft edge. Spring🙄 Half of owning a tractor, is knowing how to get it out. Lots of tree debris, and lifting the front wheels with the bucket, to get logs under the front wheels. Oh, and not being afraid of getting absolutely filthy... Lol

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

@mikebolton3816 I've got the tractor parked on the tallest hill we've got. Mud on all sides, but it's safe for now!