Doitwithlife
New member
New guy trying to sort through all the great info to find the right fit
We are in the process of buying an established horse property in the hills between Banks and Scappoose Oregon. Horses we know, maintaining my own place is all new. A tractor is a must and my research has brought me here. I致e read lots but would welcome thoughts specific to our situation and perceived needs.
About 25 acres, half in pasture half still in trees (fir and cedar). Grade runs from flat to slight grade in pastures. 1200 of gravel road, treed area is rough grade with more sizable climbs on the existing logging roads. A few of the acres are hayed by a local guy and I have no plans of doing that myself. We値l have 2 6 horses on the property and expect them to be in pasture day / night in the summer and in winter stalled at night.
Budget is really important as the property purchase is making a huge dent in my already scared wallet
Previous owner had a JD 870 and felt it was fine for his needs
My expected needs:
Carrying - Whatever I pick from a stall in a wheelbarrow is eventually going to need to be picked up and moved in mass at some point. I expect most of this to be in flat areas. A bit of odd hauling around the property and retrieving cut firewood from the timbered area.
Arena Grooming will be done weekly. Sand and hog fuel mix over clay
Rough grass cutting - Horses will handle most of the pasture grass but there are several areas between things that will need to be maintained.
Lawn maintenance I知 thinking of a Craigs list riding mower and leaving the tractor for real work.
Spreading manure and running a drag harrow in pastures
Figuring I use pallets to move feed and more than a couple of bales, etc. Also when moving hay into the loft as a one man project.
Garden is in sizable raised bed which needs to be fenced off from deer and Elk to make it through the night. Other than hauling in and around the fenced area, I don稚 see usage in the garden.
Not much snow (2 4 inches from time to time) here so don稚 believe I have a need to clear road and the I知 hearing that most folks in the area are just topping off their gravel roads without needing to scrape
What I知 thinking:
I知 thinking in the diesel 25-35HP range, more isn稚 going to help and will actually be a liability navigating in the timber and arena.
Implements - FEL, Bush hog (maybe 5? , groomer, forks (perhaps clip on痴?), drag, and manure spreader
I like the idea of a reconditioned 9N , F3000, or older MF. 2WD would be great for making corners while grooming; but I知 not seeing many with FELs that seem usable.
Not sure if 4WD is a must have, if so, then the above models are out and it seems that the used models are prices that don't seem too much off new ones that are coming with 0%. Not sure about the trade-offs in turning are worth it to get more traction while working in the timber which is where I might be most likely to get stuck.
HST or the like as a need? Might be nice if its there, but also thinking I can get used to shifting pretty quickly.
I don稚 need a name brand to make me happy, but not interested in something that isn稚 maintainable long term. When looking around the dealers I seem to like the NH's best
Its a great community and I think that for 1 off needs friends will share. Already got offers to use their brush hogs or post auger. So the occasional tilling might happen but don't think I need to invest in that sort of implement right now.
Would love to hear thoughts and suggestions
Thanks in advance
We are in the process of buying an established horse property in the hills between Banks and Scappoose Oregon. Horses we know, maintaining my own place is all new. A tractor is a must and my research has brought me here. I致e read lots but would welcome thoughts specific to our situation and perceived needs.
About 25 acres, half in pasture half still in trees (fir and cedar). Grade runs from flat to slight grade in pastures. 1200 of gravel road, treed area is rough grade with more sizable climbs on the existing logging roads. A few of the acres are hayed by a local guy and I have no plans of doing that myself. We値l have 2 6 horses on the property and expect them to be in pasture day / night in the summer and in winter stalled at night.
Budget is really important as the property purchase is making a huge dent in my already scared wallet
Previous owner had a JD 870 and felt it was fine for his needs
My expected needs:
Carrying - Whatever I pick from a stall in a wheelbarrow is eventually going to need to be picked up and moved in mass at some point. I expect most of this to be in flat areas. A bit of odd hauling around the property and retrieving cut firewood from the timbered area.
Arena Grooming will be done weekly. Sand and hog fuel mix over clay
Rough grass cutting - Horses will handle most of the pasture grass but there are several areas between things that will need to be maintained.
Lawn maintenance I知 thinking of a Craigs list riding mower and leaving the tractor for real work.
Spreading manure and running a drag harrow in pastures
Figuring I use pallets to move feed and more than a couple of bales, etc. Also when moving hay into the loft as a one man project.
Garden is in sizable raised bed which needs to be fenced off from deer and Elk to make it through the night. Other than hauling in and around the fenced area, I don稚 see usage in the garden.
Not much snow (2 4 inches from time to time) here so don稚 believe I have a need to clear road and the I知 hearing that most folks in the area are just topping off their gravel roads without needing to scrape
What I知 thinking:
I知 thinking in the diesel 25-35HP range, more isn稚 going to help and will actually be a liability navigating in the timber and arena.
Implements - FEL, Bush hog (maybe 5? , groomer, forks (perhaps clip on痴?), drag, and manure spreader
I like the idea of a reconditioned 9N , F3000, or older MF. 2WD would be great for making corners while grooming; but I知 not seeing many with FELs that seem usable.
Not sure if 4WD is a must have, if so, then the above models are out and it seems that the used models are prices that don't seem too much off new ones that are coming with 0%. Not sure about the trade-offs in turning are worth it to get more traction while working in the timber which is where I might be most likely to get stuck.
HST or the like as a need? Might be nice if its there, but also thinking I can get used to shifting pretty quickly.
I don稚 need a name brand to make me happy, but not interested in something that isn稚 maintainable long term. When looking around the dealers I seem to like the NH's best
Its a great community and I think that for 1 off needs friends will share. Already got offers to use their brush hogs or post auger. So the occasional tilling might happen but don't think I need to invest in that sort of implement right now.
Would love to hear thoughts and suggestions
Thanks in advance