2 Wheel Tractors - Buying & Using

farmerboybill · Jul 16, 2008

I don't know if I would want to run 20 acres with a two wheel machine. Are you talking 20 acres in production or 20 acres with half or so in fallow? You should pick up the book "the New Organic Grower" by Eliot Coleman. Eliot claims he did it for years with only a walking tractor but now owns a compact loader tractor. He market gardens 10 acres or so in the Northeast (Vermont if I remember correctly) but has half of it in fallow at any time. Parts of the book won't apply to you since you're in Texas and shouldn't need greenhouses to the extent he does Even if you're not gonna be organic, it's a worthwhile read for anyone thinking about market gardening.

Highsmith · Jul 16, 2008

Has anyone passed up their local BCS dealer in favor of dealing with Earth Tools? There is only 1 dealer in Texas, Waco, and I am about 150 miles from there. I am going to call them and find out what kind of selection they have.

wstr75 · Jul 16, 2008

I by-passed my local dealer because the prices after shipping were essentially the same and they did not have the product knowledge especially regarding implements and attachments. I buy from Earth Tools and the BCS Shop. Both give excellent service and ship quickly.

Bill in NC

Highsmith · Jul 16, 2008

Per your suggestions, I called Earth Tools and talked with Joel today. Got my questions answered between numerous holds (that is one busy place). I hope to be able to place an order soon.
One thing Joel said that may be of interest to the group: BCS Italy and BCS America will have a new contract on August 1, 2008. They sign one year contracts and the next one may cause the cost of the machines to go higher in about 6 weeks. So if you want one, get one before August.

Highsmith · Jul 17, 2008

I ordered my 853 (Lombardini) today along with the various attachments: double ridger, cultivator tines, large chipper, riding cart, heavy duty brush hog, 22" pneumatic wheels and 23" steel wheels.

I am thankful to all of you that contributed so much information on this thread. I read through all 19 pages twice as well as researching other places on the web. No one gave as much info as you.

This machine, if it meets my expectations, will have my family in business as Market Gardeners this coming spring. We will be as busy as possible without the debt of a 4 wheel tractor with its various implements.

farmerboybill · Jul 17, 2008

Hey Highsmith,

Wow, you work fast! Congratulations on your purchase. What did Joel say about the cultivator being a poor mans spader?

Bill in WI

Highsmith · Jul 17, 2008

farmerboybill said:
Hey Highsmith,

Wow, you work fast! Congratulations on your purchase. What did Joel say about the cultivator being a poor mans spader?

Bill in WI

As far as working fast, my wife and I have been researching our options for the last 4 years. And I never could get enthusiastic about the purchase of a 4 wheel tractor. I knew I needed something like it, and when I re-discovered the two-wheelers (I stumbled across them a year or two back) I knew immediately this could solve a lot of issues. I am excited about the purchase and very pleased NOT spending money on a 4 wheeler, which, for my current and forseeable future needs, is overkill.

Joel really didn't think the two were comparable. The spader does so much more to the ground than the cultivator and requires so much more from the tractor that it would be a very poor man indeed that settled for a cultivator when he needed a spader. My dirt is sandy loam and I can pick it up by the handful even in this dry, Texas heat so a spader is not necessary whereas I can find plenty of uses for the cultivator.

Joel helped me save money on the cultivator. I wanted the cultivator and the double ridger. He said he could just sell me the double ridger and the tines from the 6 tine cultivator from the Grillo implements. The tines will just clamp on to the framework of the double ridger and, Voila!, a cultivator.

milkman · Jul 21, 2008

Highsmith said:
Joel helped me save money on the cultivator. I wanted the cultivator and the double ridger. He said he could just sell me the double ridger and the tines from the 6 tine cultivator from the Grillo implements. The tines will just clamp on to the framework of the double ridger and, Voila!, a cultivator.

Looks like you got quite a combo and a machine that will do lots of work for years. Did you get a tiller with the 853, I didn't see it on the list you posted. Let us know when you get all the goodies and be sure to get us lots of pictures. Just try and get some action shots......without a big grin on your face, betcha can't.

Highsmith · Jul 21, 2008

It should arrive around the 29th. Joel could have gotten it here quicker but I will be out of town.

I will definitely take lots of pictures. I will have a big grin and lots of sweat in this Texas heat.

No tiller. I have a 9hp Craftsman that is a beast. It is about 5 years old. I wish I knew who made it for Sears as it is great. I will get the tiller if I ever wear this one out. Same for the lawnmower attachment, when I wear out my current lawnmower.