Questions You Should Know about 50 hp 4x4 tractor

A few questions so that others can better help.
Will stay at one location or likely trailer to other properties or to help friends?

Size of plots or mowing in approx acres? Hp drives size of implements

Assume loader is yes, so need for heavy load capability for your needs or more general? Think you said handle bales but can do that on 3 pt too

If you really want to use the loader alot, newer tractors with higher pump flows are ahead of the old stuff although the oldsters have more iron i.e. weight to help do work.

55 to 65 hp would be the range I would have liked but have one in low 40s. I trailer too much and back when purchased was not gonna upgrade trailer and truck to haul around and pay for tractor same time.

So like everyone has different brands and sizes of pickups, you are right about individual needs drive choices. Not even counting $$ in the equation yet.

Guys im getting closer and closer to pulling the trigger on a tractor and I have a few questions.

Im looking at a USED 50ish HP 4x4 with FEL and Snowblower. It will mainly be for planting and maintaining plots, trees, brush cutting, snow removal, and other odd jobs around the farm. I do have some smaller but steep hills so I really do want hydro trans. I will have some pull type attachments as well as 3 pt. My neighbor will be passing down to me a big 3 pt 4 row air drill for my corn and beans. Id also like to be able to move round bales.

Ive read through other posts on here but everything seems to be directed towards each persons individual situation. What else should I be considering? What are similar tractors you guys have used and recommend?

Lastly, in 6th grade english, whats the difference between 4x4 vs MFWD in a modern utility tractor? The Ups and downs??

Thanks for the help!

Swiffy

If you like fixing stuff then used could be a big value. Look for local farm papers and ask around for the local auction outfits. Otherwise a common answer on here is to find a convenient dealer to trust. Best is if you can go talk to the service guys about what they see needing service on the tractors they sell. A good tractor mechanic can help steer your decision.

A few questions so that others can better help.
Will stay at one location or likely trailer to other properties or to help friends?

Size of plots or mowing in approx acres? Hp drives size of implements

Assume loader is yes, so need for heavy load capability for your needs or more general? Think you said handle bales but can do that on 3 pt too

If you really want to use the loader alot, newer tractors with higher pump flows are ahead of the old stuff although the oldsters have more iron i.e. weight to help do work.

55 to 65 hp would be the range I would have liked but have one in low 40s. I trailer too much and back when purchased was not gonna upgrade trailer and truck to haul around and pay for tractor same time.

So like everyone has different brands and sizes of pickups, you are right about individual needs drive choices. Not even counting $$ in the equation yet.

Being able to trailer it would be nice but really not a must. I live on my 70 acres and thats where im going to use it and need it most. I plot about 6 acres on my property and could mow as much as 10 acres but mostly trail maintenance and plots.

Yes i want to handle bales but just to move them, i should never really need to lift them with a loader.

Theres a lot I "could" do if I had one so I guess the skys the limit there. Thanks for the replies so far!

MFWD means mechanical front wheel drive, pretty much the only thing you will see on utility tractors. There was a time Deere had hydraulic front drive, but mostly on the big boy tractors. I think everything is pretty much MFWD anymore.

A 50 hp tractor is a nice size. I have a 68hp and love it, 4x4, loader. It's a 90s model Deere with plenty of steel. Bought it used with a lot of hours from a farmer who used it exclusively to haul round bails up and down the road between a couple farms. I've had it since or 13 and haven't done anything but clean it and change the oil.

Only upgrade I would like is a cab, but I get by just fine with what I have.

So look at tractors for sale, they are all advertised as 4x4 OR MFWD. So is there a difference? JD, Kubota, Mahindra, whatever... they are all advertised as one or the other. I dont understand? Not sure if you followed any of my previous posts about tractors. I just went through the shopping process myself. I went to every dealer within 30 min of my farm to see see/operate different tractors and interview the dealerships. Ultimately the closer your dealer the better off you’re going to be if work needs to be done on your tractor....so I would recommend starting with dealerships that are close to you, even if you’re going to buy used from a private party you will still want nearby support should you need it. I own a Kubota and have loved it but will be selling it now that I bought a new Massey (same dealership as the Kubota). I shopped JD, Case, Kubota and Massey, we those are my closest dealers. I think they all make nice tractors that you will be happy with, but your dealership experience can make a big difference.

Not sure if you followed any of my previous posts about tractors. I just went through the shopping process myself. I went to every dealer within 30 min of my farm to see see/operate different tractors and interview the dealerships. Ultimately the closer your dealer the better off you’re going to be if work needs to be done on your tractor....so I would recommend starting with dealerships that are close to you, even if you’re going to buy used from a private party you will still want nearby support should you need it. I own a Kubota and have loved it but will be selling it now that I bought a new Massey (same dealership as the Kubota). I shopped JD, Case, Kubota and Massey, we those are my closest dealers. I think they all make nice tractors that you will be happy with, but your dealership experience can make a big difference.

I have been following and thank you. I have JD, Kubota, Case, New Holland and a few others very close. Im sure its worth walking through the front door and seeing what they have to say. I wont buy new, I just dont have the money. But im more than happy and confident in a good used tractor.

personally I wouldn't look any where except john deere. ive owened two in the last 4 years and haven't had trouble out of either. only reason for upgrading was to go bigger because of the front end loader. this past winter we had 0 degree temps which is unheard of for Georgia. the tractors crunk fine but we did have to add some treatment into the diesel to keep it from slushing. first tractor we had was a 27hp??? I may be off a little on hp. ill be honest we abused it and it took the licking and kept going. now we have a 45 hp and its still running like it did when we buy it. word of advice its kind of like a boat, go as big as you can afford because you will always find jobs that the bigger the better. if you have any questions feel free to pm me.

After retiring after 38 years at a tractor manufacturer, I can tell you the plus' and minus' of every brand of tractor. But let me keep this generic.

Not all tractors are created equal. Most tractors will perform adequately for the first five or ten years. It's when they get 20 or 30 years old that a quality tractor is a superior value. There are certain models of tractors from the mid 's that pull as much on the used equipment market that they cost new.
Every tractor needs parts and service--and it's the availability of parts and the quality of service that allows you to pass a tractor to your grandchildren.
Low price is not everything. Will your Indian, Korean or Chinese tractor company be around in 20 or 30 years to provide parts?
How stable is your local tractor dealership? Have they been in business long? How good is their Service Department? Do they carry sufficient parts inventories?

And since a quality tractor has a lifespan of 30-40 years, you don't want to be stuck with a piece of ****.

Stick with the more established brands--New Holland, Case, John Deere or Kubota. Don't get cheap. Just about all have base units--and premium tractors.
Get the 4x4 drive line, even if means going one size smaller in horsepower (in price.) Get the square cut industrial tires with 4x4, as a cleated Ag tire tears up yards.
If you're going to be doing any box blade work or heavy grass cutting, go with the hydrostatic drive or shuttle shift.
Go with a factory agloader, and you won't know how you lived without it. (Few aftermarket brands lift as well as OEM agloaders.)
If a rear mounted finishing mower or rotary cutter is needed, buy a brand name so you can get parts 10 years from now.
If you have a heavily tree'd lot, a OEM mid mount mower is great.
And by all means, get a box blade to move dirt and gravel.

Just a few thought starters for you.