Determining How Many Horsepower to Get in That First Tractor

If you're purchasing your first tractor you may wonder what size to get. When discussing size, that could mean how many horsepower, or what physical frame size does the tractor need to be? This video will help clarify how to be comfortable that the tractor you are buying is big enough, and powerful enough, for your needs.

Most small tractors are sold with rotary cutter or brush hogs behind them. A good rule of thumb for selecting the size of cutter to get is, it needs to be the same width as the loader bucket. So, if you have a 4' bucket on a sub-compact, a 48" cutter is about what you can pull. If the tractor has a 5' bucket, get a 60" cutter, and so on. When you get above 40 hp, that rule goes away. You'll have a tractor with a large enough frame size to pull any rotary cutter that matches the horsepower of the tractor.

Now we need to determine how fast you want to get your mowing done. Personally, if I was mowing under 5 acres, a sub compact with a 48" cutter would get that done in a reasonable amount of time, if I had 5-10 acres I'd want at least a 5' cutter, and for 10-25 acres, a 6' cutter would be fine. Of course, if you have 5 acres and you want to mow it every week, you'll want a bigger cutter than if you just mow once a year, unless you just really enjoy riding around on a tractor.

So, our tractor size will be determined by how much ground we're mowing and how fast we want to get done. But, there's another factor in tractor horsepower.

Virtually all small tractors today are sold with front-end loaders. To correctly size the tractor/loader combination, you'll want to determine the heaviest thing you'll be picking up and check that against the lift capacity of the tractor. Lift capacity is mostly determined by two things, the physical size of the tractor and the hydraulic components, like the pump and the loader cylinders. Don't be surprised if a 35 horsepower tractor and a 45 hp tractor the same size will pick up the same amount of weight.

Once you've determined how big a cutter you need to get your pastures cut in an acceptable amount of time and how much weight you need to pick up, you can quickly narrow the horsepower options down and get the right tractor for your needs. But, be prepared, you'll always want the next larger one.

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[APBT-Bandog]

When I hear someone talking about a 25 hp tractor, I think of an oversized lawnmower...until I see the Kioti CK2610 with the KL4030 loader. That thing is a beast of a tractor...weighs 3600# with the front end loader on, has a 100 CI motor, pumps 11.7 gpm hydraulics, and can lift 1830# with the front end loader...and uses 5' attachments with no problems...and no DPF.

[MaineOutdoorsChannel]

one of the best if not the best tractor channels on youtube

[comlbbeau]

I believe you've said it before, "I wish I hadn't bought such a big tractor, " said no one ever.

[markchoate]

Good advice, Mike. Years ago, I wanted to upgrade my 40 hp International. When I was shopping, I found a great deal on a New Holland 70 HP. I remember asking the dealer, "Do you reckon 70 HP is too much hp for me to jump to??" He looked at me and said there is no such thing as "too much HP." Ha.

[oldtruckswork]

When I asked my grandfather who was a depression era farmer how big of a tractor to get, he told me the following "Get the biggest tractor you can afford, it will still be too small for everything you want to do with it over time. Over time, however, it will be bigger than what you were inclined to get when shopping." I ended up buying a 35 horsepower New Holland in 2000. He was absolutely correct about both points. Over the years I could have used a 50 or 60 horsepower tractor. But if I had been shopping strictly based on price, I probably would have bought a 20 or 25 horsepower tractor with smaller frame. I bought the biggest I could afford at the time and it's generally served me well.

[davebarnessr.]

I guess all us Tractor newbys go thru this. I figured that I was gonna guess wrong anyway because that’s what I seem to do, so I decided, too much was better then too little.I went in to look at BX’s and drove off with a L 4701, 5 yrs in? I don’t regret that decision. I maybe rabbit hunting with a howitzer, but I’m not complaining, Mike’s right! Go as big as you can afford! That’s good advice in my experience.

[damonsteinke]

Bought an LS MT573 73hp for my 80 acres. Love it

[beaushirley]

I have 41 acres and have thoroughly enjoyed first tractor at 40HP a Bobcat CT2540. Bigger would be more fun to brag about but it really is a great size. 35ish rated PTO.

[dougwilliams]

Hi Mike, while I'm sure you know it, I didn't hear you distinguish between tractor horsepower and PTO horsepower (I could have missed it). Some folks new to equipment might not consider that? Sure appreciate your channel and your videos. Best regards, Doug

[PineyGroveHomestead]

So many variables but 40ish horsepower to run 5' implements in a 4x4 tractor with FEL and hydrostatic drive for up to about 20 acres will solve 90% of people's requirements. That's my advice! Would need more information from the user to narrow it down anymore. Never heard anyone say "I wish I had a smaller tractor"! 😀

[marcdipaolo]

This was such a helpful video. You really explained everything so clearly

[paulriley]

Really helpful, easy outline as a great start point; thank you.

[MTCHP]

Bought a used JD 63 horse and a 6’ cutter. Works great. After bouncing around for 6 hours cutting a field, I wish I had a 10’ cutter.

[earlyriser]

Mike. Good advice, I think you might have mentioned driveway/road maintenance as a major task. When pulling my 6 ft box blade with the cutters down it is big load. But with a mile long drive to maintain my 60 Hp tractor has enough grunt to get the job done and pull a 8 ft rear blade to groom it back into shape.

[woods-garage]

Good information. One thing I would add is not all land is the same. You mentioned hills a bit, but heavily wooded is very different from open pasture. My property is heavily wooded, so the ability to turn around on a trail has to be considered also. I have a 38 horse tractor that hits the sweet spot for me. There are times when I’d like a bigger one to lift more with the front end loader, but there are times I’d like something a little smaller to be able to turn around in the woods.

[MyClutteredGarage]

Excellent job, Mike. Really great advice.

[polyglottenforpain]

Great video, Mike! Would have appreciated it a few months ago before I made my first purchase but hope it helps someone else with the same question. We landed on a 40 hp LS for our woodland homestead. Been doing great for skidding logs and chipping everything I can, at 22 hours in 2 months. Don't worry, it gets lots of grease!

[davidhayden]

Great video Mike! Always very useful information.

[Noah_E]

I decided based on what implements I wanted to use. Most required a minimum of 35, but recommended 40-50 HP. Anything under 35 really limited your options when it comes to flail mowers, snow blowers, box blades, etc. Also, the price difference between a 50 and 35HP tractor really that much when you space it out over 7 years and it will likely have higher resale value, both $$ and %-wise down the road.

[matthewstiles]

You made a very good point I've tried to explain to people for years. Tractor length and weight means alot as much if not more than horsepower. When I was looking at tractors I really had my heart set on a Kobota 6070 but when comparing my top 3 thought not near as refined I settled on a 5570 Mahindra. Between over a 1000# difference in weight and a little over a foot in length I couldn't offset that for the more luxury on the Kubota. Between my 7' cutter and my 80" grapple the built in length and weight means alot. I'm glad I made the decision it handles both well. With tires loaded and turned out it is very secure and sure footed . Alot of the dealers tried saying to add weight but then that's something that has to be removed for repairs and I'd rather have the weight built in. Here in WV we have some extremely steep ground and clearing brush on slopes is dangerous enough without not having equipment more equipped for it.