5045

[dusty3030]

Also, how many acres are going to be in crop cultivation?

If 10 or more you may consider looking at older used higher horsepower ag machinery.
For instance -
100 plus horsepower 2wd ag tractors
Used larger implements - a 15 or 20 foot drag type disk used will cost near the same as a newer 6 or 7 foot three point.
Used 4 or 6 row planters, cultivators, do alls, chisel plows etc can be a real bargain. Larger farmers have gone bigger and this equipment can be had cheap. For instance, a good 4 or 6 row planter will sell for the same money as a small one or two row unit made for a compact / utility tractor.

Harvesting equipment - if you make this jump you can find decent older combines for 7,000 to 10,000. Lot of maint. to be expected to keep one running.

 

[ShannonCole888]

*Learning from other's experiences, and seeking experienced advice. A tip from the wise. Gathering all the information I can, to work me out a realistic, workable approach, and follow through. Everyday, I am increasing my awareness of things I will need, and things I can do without. Faith, hope, and patience is vital. ( Of course in the one, and only God, and Saviour Jesus Christ our Lord )

A I don't plan on raising more than 10 acres of crops, at least as of now. That could change, but that is not my intentions at present. I plan on raising crops for personal consumption, and charitable donations here, and there. I could take some to the farmers market, and so on. To start, I just plan on raising to can,and store for myself. To get a hands on, to scale feel for my expectations. Things like Wheat, Green Beans, Potatoes, etc.., but on a larger, than small garden scale. I will be learning to determine my expected yields, what it takes to manage them, to store, and so on.I understand a lot of people look at this is as a large undertaking, but it is accomplishable, and the more you understand about what it takes, and what you can accomplish. The vision for it can come into focus soberly, and make manifestation to literal visibility to where your touching with your fingers your ideas in your mind.

EXAMPLE
For example, for cultivation, does 4wd make a better plowing tractor ? Does
4wd really give a tractor w/o loader better gripping power, for pulling implements ? In my findings, which do not include first hand behind the wheel experience, they do not provide any noticable additional traction to the same model tractor, that is not to say they do not, but it isn't clear whether it does or not.In an article I read, only when the front tire is the same size as the rear, and the tractor is properly ballasted, will there be a noticable increase in traction profit.Common sense does not produce the answer in this case. Old Time Farmers, did real well, to only have 2wd tractors, that were no where near the size of tractors that you see on a lot of large scale operations today.

In my own personal opinion, we live in a society where, it's what I like to call a push button society. People don't want to do manual labor, or not so much of it. Too many desk jobs, and such.. I personally don't believe it is good for our society. Look at obesity.. Look at drug use .. Look how easy people will complain about doing physically labor.. Surely people have to see this... Sometimes the old way, is better than the new way.. Sometimes, what seems to be wiser, isn't...!

 

[jenkinsph]

Four wheel drive makes a big difference in draft ability even without a loader involved. Here's a couple of pics of my tractor and boxblade which is 1250 lbs. Pulling the boxblade in two wheel drive I can easily spin the tires but in four wheel drive I can pull about 1.25 yards of dirt. If I forget to engage the 4x4 I am quickly reminded of it, so common sense and field use can easily demonstrate the advantages of having four wheel drive at your disposal.

This Frontier BB1284 (Gannon) industrial boxblade is a heavy load for any 40 to 60 hp tractor. You need a tractor weighing in about 5,000 to 7,000 lbs to get full use of it. The higher hp tractors will move it at higher ground speeds but the lower hp tractors with enough weight will still be able to work with it. I am using this as an example because it is as much of a draft load as any of the implements you listed.

You need to have a dealer demonstrate the difference that 4x4 makes in person. Might help you decide which is best for you. I should also mention again that you need weight on the front wheels to be able to steer when pulling a high draft load and this weight can increase the draft ability if it is a 4x4.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

There are so many uses for a FEL. Do some reading on here. You can smooth out your gravel drive. Clear snow if you live up north. Lift an engine out of a car. Haul a chainsaw out to a tree.

Remember, if you want to cost amortize everything, you can probably get someone to come plow, mow, and fertilize for way less than the implement and tractor costs. You have to want to do it.

You should see what my little 4310 can do with a boxblade when I put it in 4WD and have a good load in the FEL bucket.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Here is an auction that would put you where you want to be.

Item 1004903754 (Lot: 04 - 1985 John Deere Front End Loader 401D)

 

[ShannonCole888]

I am fairly satisfied with my decision to aim towards a 2 wheel drive tractor. Nothing written in stone, but for my forseeable future uses, it will be all I need. I could get a 4wd, I don't want to say I won't, but given all the other expenses, I will need to pay for, 2wd with liquid ballast, and rear wheel weights ought to work.. Later on I may get a small compact tractor loader, that probably will only cost about $16,000.00 dollars if I need on in the future. Thanks for all the imput..

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

That tractor ended going for $4325 with FEL and a box blade. Talk about getting into the game cheap...:thumbsup:

 

[Jon Chanoski]

I am fairly satisfied with my decision to aim towards a 2 wheel drive tractor. Nothing written in stone, but for my forseeable future uses, it will be all I need. I could get a 4wd, I don't want to say I won't, but given all the other expenses, I will need to pay for, 2wd with liquid ballast, and rear wheel weights ought to work.. Later on I may get a small compact tractor loader, that probably will only cost about $16,000.00 dollars if I need on in the future. Thanks for all the imput..

If I were in your shoes I would get your new 5055E with 4x4 and get a few of your implements used to offset the cost of 4x4 and get the loader later when and if you think you need it. Be sure to get a full set of weights for the front if you don't get the loader. You should really get some seat time on a tractor both 4x2 and 4x4 so you can see for yourself what you need. Advice on a computer or otherwise can only get you so far.

 

[ShannonCole888]

I believe I will likely be more satisfied with a 2wd, vs a 4wd.. I could just get the 2wd 5045d, try it for a while, if not satisfied, I could go trade it in on a 4wd 5055e

 

[jenkinsph]

Have you considered something used such as a 2355, or 5303? since most people want a 4x4 tractor these 4x2 tractors are plentiful and available at half the cost of a new 5055 tractor. If you look on machinefinder.com you can find some good used ones with low hours for about 10,000 to 14,000 dollars. You would save alot of money and depreciation costs if you later decided to move into a 4x4 tractor. I particularly like the 2355 tractor, well built and good for the long haul.