Looking for tractor to maintain 8.5 acres in NH

[IslandTractor]

Well I think phrasing is less accurate than actually quoting one of the points I recently made:

"3. How about your wife? Doesn't she need to be part of the process? If you had a scut would she be able to use it for projects too? If you've got a 35 hp cut . . I'm thinking its a different comfort level for her than a 25 hp scut? In fact scut brochures often show women operating them too."


Now lets look at tje logic ofbyour statement and mine sd55dan. You own 2 tractors and both are larger and I'd logically asdume tractors have bern in your past as well. In addition your wife has been around you with those past tractors and present tractors.

Now we fadt forward to pefzolla and his wife. He's never owned a tractor, has no padt history with tractors and so his wife appsrently has none either. I happen to think that wives should be part of decision processes that are significant decisions to the family . . especially when neither partner had any experience with them. But your reasoning isnt based on pedzolla's situation . . Its based on an entirely different condition isn't it? I don't see how in any way shape or form your wife and pedzolla's are similar.

The issue isn't womens "capabilities" . . the issue is "what is a specific persons desire to operate something". Most people "can" drive a tractor . . But do they "desire" to do it . . And thatvwasvexactly what I was asking Pedzolla in that post point . . Had he consulted her . . Had he consideted her desires . . did she have an opinion on what she might want?

I don't understand how your wife relates to pedzolla's wife except in the least important issue that they are both women. Certainly different historys . . certainly different needs . . certainly different ecperiences and backgrounds. I wasn't talking down to women . . I was talking UP to partners both financially and family responsibility wise.

I think you are mischaracterizing sd455dan's points. He was simply stating that women can operate tractors as well as anyone else.

 

[paulfun9]

I think you are mischaracterizing sd455dan's points. He was simply stating that women can operate tractors as well as anyone else.

My wife just read axels post and laughed because she was scarred when she first started running my equipment. No experience what so ever with anything not even a push mower and she was running gear tractors and backhoes before the first day was out. Day two had her on the crawler Now she definitely does prefer the HST and will opt for it when ever there is a choice (that's why I purchased it) but she will willingly jump on anything we have and help when needed.

 

[AxleHub]

My wife just read axels post and laughed because she was scarred when she first started running my equipment. No experience what so ever with anything not even a push mower and she was running gear tractors and backhoes before the first day was out. Day two had her on the crawler Now she definitely does prefer the HST and will opt for it when ever there is a choice (that's why I purchased it) but she will willingly jump on anything we have and help when needed.

Paul,

Thats a good story. But of course if you already had tractors and crawlers it shows there's already likely a lot of experience in you running them. In other words you weren't starting out with a team with no pre existing history.


I've always been an advocate that women should be involved in decisions of the family because someday they may need to deal with the results of those decisions. 3 decades ago or so - fresh in my 1st teaching experience in Industrial Arts I encouraged female students to be in my woodworking classes. This was something that "just wasn't done" nornally and the discomfort by the male students and some parents was high. What I knew all along and proved to be correct is that the few girls in my classes quickly adapted to new learning and challenges while numerous of the boys were less focused on the details or energy required to succeed. But it wasn't due to the girls being in the classes . . it was because some of the boys were just not as detail and patience oriented. Meanwhile some of the harder working males were challenged to do their best because they also enjoyed learning from the girls.

It doesn't surprise me a bit that wives can run tractors . . and maybe run them with less damage and better skill than their husbands . . that pattern is throughout nature. But it should be by choice.

I had wanted in that past post to pedzolla . . for him to consider getting his wife's input for numerous reasons regarding his search for a tractor. At no point and in no way and in no words did I ever indicate what women "can't do" . . my words are always about what they "would choose to do".

I wish more women were on TBN areas I read . . their insights into hardware and operating decisions and methods could maybe reduce our breakages and mistakes and show more targetted thinking.

By the way in those woodworking classes . . the girls were typically my best students . . not just mentally but in their projects too . . much better disipline to complete with quality whereas numerous projects of the boys started "ok" but didn't have the determination when it came to finishing the various tasks. And no . . it wasn't because they were "distracted" by the females. Lol

 

[pedzola]

Have spoken to her about the tractor. She approves of getting one, but wants nothing to do with it. Tried convincing her she might end up wanting or needing to use it sometime, but she said NOPE!

So i am getting an HST anyway, in case the need arises. She does not drive manual trans, and i doubt a tractor would be the place to start.

 

[IslandTractor]

Have spoken to her about the tractor. She approves of getting one, but wants nothing to do with it. Tried convincing her she might end up wanting or needing to use it sometime, but she said NOPE!

So i am getting an HST anyway, in case the need arises. She does not drive manual trans, and i doubt a tractor would be the place to start.

I think the great majority of guys here would opt for an HST given your situation (mowing, driveway, general duty) so you don't need to waste the HST on your unwilling spouse. Besides, she may well decide to do some mowing even if the other tasks are left to you. I'd much rather mow lawns with HST.

 

[AxleHub]

Have spoken to her about the tractor. She approves of getting one, but wants nothing to do with it. Tried convincing her she might end up wanting or needing to use it sometime, but she said NOPE!

So i am getting an HST anyway, in case the need arises. She does not drive manual trans, and i doubt a tractor would be the place to start.

Greetings Pedzola,


Asking your wife to be involved is a good thing . . but getting an HST isn't any sacrifice on your part . . its the best choice whoever is using the tractor.

But the mutual ideas and plans that you AND your wife define for the property and the ongoing needs for those plans . . . will go a long way to deciding the size and capabilities of the tractor you need. My point is she is a beginning and continuing asset in the effort to develop the property from a house and land . . . into a home. A "nope" about her running the tractor is but one small decision of many more that are needed in your planning. You'll be surprised how beneficial pre-planning will be in this whole process . . . Why? I can think of 3 reasons:

1. Most partnerships benefit by decisions made when they don't require unexpected or snap/hurried decisions by either partner. Having days or more to consider options often provides better choices, better compromises, and less changes of thoughts on those decisions. In other words . . greater confidence the decision is a good one.

2. Conceptual skills in quantity and type vary greatly from person to person . . that's exactly why you want her involved . . she's an asset with a combination of skills different than yours. You each will nitice different things the other does not notice.

3. Teachers learn when they are educating someone else. You showing your wife 3 or 4 final prospects of a tractor causes questions to be raised and the educator's "vision" to be improved In unexpected ways. When my wife sat on a couple final choices at the dealers and the environment was clean and comfortable . . . a "nope" quickly became a "maybe" . . . and then a "how does it fit you if I adjust the seat " ?

 

[IslandTractor]

Greetings Pedzola,


Asking your wife to be involved is a good thing . . but getting an HST isn't any sacrificr on your part . . its the best choice whoevernis using the tractor.

But the mutual ideas and plans that you AND your wife define for the property and the ongoing needs for those plans . . . will go a long way to deciding the size and capabilities of the tractor you need. My point is she is a beginning and continuing asset in the effort to develop the property from a house and land . . . into a home. A "nope" about her running the tractor is but one small decision of many more that are needed in your planning. You'll be surprised how beneficial pre-planning will be in this whole process . . . Why? I can think of 3 reasons:

1. Most partnerships benefit by decisions made when they don't require unexpected or snap/hurried decisions by either partner. Having days or more to consider options often provides better choices, better compromises, and less changes of thoughts on those decisions. In other words . . greater confidence the decision is a good one.

2. Conceptual skills in quantity and type vary greatly from person to person . . that's exactly why you want her involved . . she's an asset with a combination of skills different than yours.

3. Teachers learn when they are educating someone else. You showing your wife 3 or 4 final prospects of a tractor causes questions to be raised and the educator's "vision" to be improved. In unexpected ways. When my wife sat on a couple final choices and the environmentbwas clean and comgortable . . . a "nope" quickly becameva "maybe" . . . and then a "how does it fit you if I adjust the seat for you

Axlehub, I think you need to stop posting marital advice on TBN and instead get a gig with the Dr Phil show.

 

[brasco426]

Not getting in the middle but I think axelhub was just trying to help. Me being a new member I read all I can and comment when I feel I can contribute. I've gotten my head blown off a few times already in my short time being a member. A newbie can have a tough go of it around these forums. Anyway hopefully this thread will continue on and help pedzola find what he's looking for.

 

[varmint]

Axlehub is right on, and doing us a favor, whether or not we appreciate it. Like the old lyrics say "the women are smarter" at least in a lot of things. I am saying all this as a guy who has tried without success for several years to get my wife on our tractor. I mean, what if we have a 24" snowfall and I have the flu or something? ... it just seems right that she should be able to help out.

 

[AxleHub]

Axlehub is right on, and doing us a favor, whether or not we appreciate it. Like the old lyrics say "the women are smarter" at least in a lot of things. I am saying all this as a guy who has tried without success for several years to get my wife on our tractor. I mean, what if we have a 24" snowfall and I have the flu or something? ... it just seems right that she should be able to help out.

Let me here an "Amen" lol

Assuming not even a broken leg . . Just going out of town for a week in thevwinter . . And the wife stays home . If nothing else she can show a friend how to start and run the tractor for snow clearing

But to be honest . . If a person feels they can cut the lawn or blow the driveway or ???? the point is they won't be afraid. Or feel trapped or panicked. I taught my wife how to shoot firearms not so she goes hunting . . but so she isn't afraid of guns. I taughtbher how to drive my truck so if something would happen to me . . She can get us out of there. Women are smart if you give them the freedom to learn everything. And when she was hurt for a goodly period of time I cooked and sewed and did whatever it took (except give up). Her opinion was heard and encouraged when I looked at tractors.

In fact Sat. The 19th my super duper dealer is having a spring open house seminar and the wife asked if she could go too. Its 130 miles each way and worth the effort.

If anybody wants to see Kubotas and Masseys by the double handfuls (all the sizes), Sauk City WI can handle a lot of visitors in that place. Think big and then its bigger than that. And name brand ZTRs and chainsaws and etc. Etc. Etc..

As yet the wife is not driving our tractor but I bet she will be by summer at least in the relatively flat areas

The heck with all the work to do and clients to help, Saturday we're hitting the highway to Sauk City WI. to stare at stuff we don't need but certainly would like lol.