patchfarm
Member
We're starting a small organic farm this season, and while we'll primarily be relying on a friend to use his tractor for the first few times we'll need it this season (breaking ground/initial tilling), we're looking to purchase our own so that we won't need to borrow/rent long-term.
But where to start! We have a bit of a nest-egg so cost isn't a super big issue, but we also would prefer to keep the cost under $20k if buying new, and obviously less if buying used.
Our farm tractor needs right now: Tilling and working 2 acres of gently sloping field that's been in perennial grasses for over a decade, and was used to grow cucurbits before that. We'll be doing multiple tilling passes this season to kill off quack-grass, other weeds. We'll also need to till in a few cover crops (buckwheat and oats).
Our farm in the future: We plan on having roughly 5 acres in vegetable production, and will likely use the tractor for some work in the woods, various tasks around the farm (turning compost, etc.).
My thoughts are we need a 30-40+HP, and 30+hp to the PTO. 4WD. I'd probably prefer either a standard transmission, or maybe shuttle. I'm not a huge fan of HST, and we don't need to do a ton of back/forth bucket work either. As I said, we're open to buying new (Kubota, Mahindra probably..) or buying used. I may go look at a L4400 this weekend that's listed for $11k (without FEL though). Seems a decent tractor for our needs though.
Any thoughts on what direction we should look?
But where to start! We have a bit of a nest-egg so cost isn't a super big issue, but we also would prefer to keep the cost under $20k if buying new, and obviously less if buying used.
Our farm tractor needs right now: Tilling and working 2 acres of gently sloping field that's been in perennial grasses for over a decade, and was used to grow cucurbits before that. We'll be doing multiple tilling passes this season to kill off quack-grass, other weeds. We'll also need to till in a few cover crops (buckwheat and oats).
Our farm in the future: We plan on having roughly 5 acres in vegetable production, and will likely use the tractor for some work in the woods, various tasks around the farm (turning compost, etc.).
My thoughts are we need a 30-40+HP, and 30+hp to the PTO. 4WD. I'd probably prefer either a standard transmission, or maybe shuttle. I'm not a huge fan of HST, and we don't need to do a ton of back/forth bucket work either. As I said, we're open to buying new (Kubota, Mahindra probably..) or buying used. I may go look at a L4400 this weekend that's listed for $11k (without FEL though). Seems a decent tractor for our needs though.
Any thoughts on what direction we should look?