Small farm tractor

[brianc]

Looking for a new tractor.
The tractor will use 3pt mounted 2x14 plow, 6ft disk,
5ft rough cut mower, 6ft finish mower (750 pounds). The soil here is light.

I like 2wd, is the 2wd MX4800 too small, how about the 2wd M5660SU?

 

[85Hokie]

Looking for a new tractor.
The tractor will use 3pt mounted 2x14 plow, 6ft disk,
5ft rough cut mower, 6ft finish mower (750 pounds). The soil here is light.

I like 2wd, is the 2wd MX4800 too small, how about the 2wd M5660SU?

Gonna pick on ya a bit - why settle on 2wd ? IF you could get one that was only a little more expensive, would you get it ???? ON a tractor, 4wd is allllmost a must......then again - it truly depends on what and where the machine is used!

And I would say that BOTH of your selections are fine, the MX will do what you need - might need some ballast on the front end - suitcase weights . Experts on the larger machines will tell you which is the better bang for the buck.

 

[virginiavenom]

agreed, 4wd is a must man. the 4800 will do a 6 ft rotary cutter no problem. personally I don't think your 4800 would break a sweat doing any of that. but for sure, do a 4wd, especially doing plow work. it is a bit more, but I wouldn't buy a tractor without it....heck, I won't buy a truck without it.

 

[Creature Meadow]

Hopefully others can respond to your question regarding which tractor.

My L4600 does all I need and it is used every day from FEL work, disking, mowing, road maintenance, sub soiling, healing, logging(fire wood), to riding my 2 year old around looking for wildlife.

I find 4WD works the tractor less for example. When I subsoil garden twice a year using 4WD I can drop shank in 2' and the tractor never spins. In 2WD it will start to spin at some point on each pass requiring me to raise it until it stops spinning.

Using the FEL in 4WD moving dirt, rocks, trees, etc allows for much better traction and less tearing up my grass.

I would recommend a 4WD I don't think you will regret it.

Jay

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

One point others didn't bring up, resale, the market is far greater for a 4wd and the asking prices are far better.

 

[85Hokie]

One point others didn't bring up, resale, the market is far greater for a 4wd and the asking prices are far better.

Excellent point!
IF it is gonna be your last tractor - and most of us never say that - then you have to deal with it being 2wd!

 

[Swampcollie]

You do realize, that with a 4wd tractor you have the option of having it in 2wd? However when you want/need 4wd, you got it. I am on board with the others. Highly recommend the 4wd.
I have an mx5800 on my 60 acres. Similar to the one you are looking at with a few more hp. A very capable tractor.

 

[Bulldog777]

It may be obvious by now that if you buy a two wheel drive tractor the planets will never align correctly again......
If all you are going to do is 3pt implements, 2wd will be fine. If you want a front end loader, spring for the 4x4. But the truth is, resale is better, and faster, with 4x4.
I have a 2wd, no FEL, and I have done a lot of work with it just fine. But if the bank account would have allowed it, I would have had 4x4 with a FEL.
Your cash, your choice, do what makes you happy....or can afford.

 

[brianc]

The $5000 dollar question, 2wd vs 4wd.
When plowing with the 4wd, the front axle
knuckle will clear the furrow wall?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The $5000 dollar question, 2wd vs 4wd.
When plowing with the 4wd, the front axle
knuckle will clear the furrow wall?

Yes it should, it's about the same dimentions as the 2wd model, and I've never heard anyone make a complaint about it.

 

[skeets]

I think most in here have grown up with 2WD tractors and yes they work, and work very well, after all 2WD tractors fed this nation and the world for a lot of years.
With that being said, time marches on and new systems come about, some work some don't.
And to honest with you I cannot think of anyone around here that still uses 2WD tractors for farming.
SO you might want to take a page from the book of people that use tractors for a living, go 4WD and you will never look back.

 

[brianc]

Well thanks, I think it will be the 2wd M5660.