Goodbye Kubota, Hello Power Trac

[Oldoak]

You mean you actually took the time to read all that?

 

[MossRoad]

Ahhhh, you were doing so well until your last sentence, when that religious fervor crept back in

You know it's all in good humor.

 

[MossRoad]

He's trolling now.

Da Yoopers Fishin Wit Fred Lyrics

20 yoopers in A pontoon boat
Driven by my buddy mike
We're fishin out on the basin
For alligator walleye pike
Emil brought his tv
And routies beagle fred
He's too old to drive A rabbit
So he comes fishin with us instead
We got lawn chairs A poker table
An ice cold keg of beer
We're loaded down with so much stuff
Mike can hardly steer
Chorus:
20 yoopers in A pontoon boat
Fishin for moby dick
Da wife she thinks I'm working
& da boss he thinks I'm sick
It's A perfect day for fishin
Drinking beer and telling lies
Its A little bit like heaven
When you're fishin wit da guys
2. Mooch is showing dirty shirt
The proper way to cast
He snags ole no neck by da ear
Of course nobody laughs
Dabbers grilling venison steaks
Da flames are three feet high
His fishing hat is smoldering
But it keeps away da flies
Mungos on his fifteenth beer
He's standing by da keg
He don't know fred da beagle
Is going on his leg
(Repeat chorus)
3. A winnebagos bobbing by
It looks like noah's ark
Its full of terrorists from ohio
Fishing for freshwater shark
They say some fool forgot da plug
Their boat sank like A rock
So they launched da winnebago
It beats fishin from da dock
So we all run up front to look
And da pontoon starts to sink
Everybody but fred da beagle
Ends up in the drink
(Repeat chorus)

 

[MossRoad]

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Pfft.

 

[MossRoad]

View attachment 541493

Pfft.

If you ever lived and fished in Michigan, you'd understand those comments. Gotta remember, that song was written in 1995.

 

[cqaigy2]

My Dad was a Yupper, don't think he knew that song though. :laughing:

 

[marrt]

I think these "debate" threads are useful because they can provide a lot of information to perspective buyers.

I've got a 30' x 36' shop that I use for woodworking, machining and wrenching. It's got a large table saw, jointer, planer, 2 milling machines, a large metal lathe, etc... So, it's very crowded. I had a friend over who's a mechanical engineer and professional woodworker. I wanted his advice on reorganizing the shop for better work flow since many of the machines are stationary. His first question...what's the main thing you're going to do in here? I responded "there is no main thing, I do lot's of different stuff in here." He told me he couldn't help because optimization depends on some known objectives. He recommended making the machines mobile where possible and using portable work stations (e.g., Paulk workbench vs. a dedicated assembly table). In this way, I could optimize by each task as necessary without too much hassle.

The same is true with tractors. One should rank order the top five uses, then find a machine that safely and conveniently fits those needs. If your number one use is plowing or tilling, then a Power Trac isn't for you. But if it's mowing and bucket work, a PT will beat a conventional tractor every time. And, like my shop, if you want to do many different things with the tractor without much fuss, a PT is far ahead because the quick attach system allows one to change implements effortlessly (i.e., one of the reason's skid steers are so popular). Further, if your terrain is steep, or you want to let a kid use the tractor without worrying about a turn over accident, a PT is about the only choice.

I sold my first PT to a neighbor because I was getting a larger unit. He bought the tractor on the recommendation of another neighbor who had a Kubota B series. This other guy, literally a rocket scientist, thought the PT was much better for the stuff most home owners actually use a tractor to accomplish. Every tractor is a compromise between cost, safety, ability and utility. If you want to be happy with your purchase ten years later, like my neighbor, make sure you choose wisely. Otherwise, you'll soon be building a barn to hold all your different equipment.

 

[MossRoad]

I think these "debate" threads are useful because they can provide a lot of information to perspective buyers.
...

Yep. Learn the pros and cons of each machine, and apply them to the tasks you need to accomplish.

That in itself can be a real head scratcher...

What do I need to do, and rank them in most imortant order.
- Mow the lawn.
- Plow snow from the driveway.
- Haul firewood out of the woods.
- Landscaping mulch and stone.
- Clear and maintain trails on the tree farm.
- Mow some small meadows at the tree farm.
- Mow grass at the Little League.*
- Maintain the ball diamonds at the Little League.*
- Maintain the ball diamond at the church.*
- Help out with various landscaping/cleanup tasks around the church.*
- Other duties as assigned.
* items were when we had kids. They were higher up on the list, but got moved down since.

How much time do I have to do these tasks?

That's another head scratcher, especially if you've never done these things before. Find a friend that has, and ask questions. Keep some notes. Help the friend do the tasks if you can, to get a feel for it, what you like about his process, and where you think you could change the process to tailor it to your specific situation.

Then you have to figure out what size and type of machine you will need to accomplish those tasks in the time you have allotted for yourself.

This is when the research into machines starts, and you can quickly go down the rabbit hole on this one! :laughing:

And then, reality check....

How much is that machine and implements going to cost, and is it within your budget?

You sure that's the right price?

:laughing:

Then you may have to adjust your money budget, time budget, mental budget, etc... when the numbers come in. But you can do it. You may find you'll have to go with a smaller machine and increase your time budget. You may find you can afford that. And you may find you can afford a little more (congratulations). Nice! And you may come to the realization that while having a backhoe is nice, you can rent a small tracked hoe, which is more productive, for about $300 a weekend a couple times a year and be money ahead. Weigh that out with the convenience of having it on-site all the time. May go either way. Up to you to decide.

Anyhow, all of us have been through the process in one form or another in life, at our jobs, homes, etc....

Best advice I could give for a new tractor purchaser would be to slow down and take your time. Really figure out what you are trying to accomplish, and if you really have the time and money to do it the way you foresee it being done to your satisfaction.

Don't be locked into the thought of a traditional tractor because you may be better off with a skid steer, or an articulated machine, a telehandler, or two machines of different size and type, a dedicated mowing machine, etc... if one machine can't satisfy all or most of your needs. Take your time.

 

[majorwager]

Moss,
Slightly off topic, but your list did NOT include the time devoted to moderating the various forum topics under your responsibility. What does that obligation entail if I might ask? Others might be interested in those duties?