After three years of tractoring here are a few lessons I've learned...
1. Buy the biggest, baddest tractor you can afford. You'll wish you had.
2. Tractor salesmen are used car salesmen in disquise, only crankier.
3. Even with chains on all four wheels, tractors get stuck. And by the way, don't scrimp on chains. Buy the meanest, most aggressive ones you can find.
4. Figure out your implement needs first, then buy the tractor that will handle them. An aside, I believe tractor dealers could make more money giving away the tractors and just selling the implement packages.
5. Rototillers don't like rocks. If you have lots, don't by one.
6. Front mounted snow blowers aren't all they're cracked up to be. They hate rocks, they're slow, and when you're trying to take down a berm along the road they'll suck your front end right into it.
7. Unless you're Yoda and one with your tractor, get guage wheels for everything. Otherwise, your grading projects will look like a layout for a rollercoaster ride.
8. A rear blade works okay for snow removal, but if you have a lot of snow, or it's wet and heavy, the blade will suck you right off the road, filled tires, chains, and all.
9. Get as many extra remotes for hydraulics as you can. You'll wish you had them for that gee'wiz grapple bucket that can manuever 6 different ways or that thumb you want to install on the backhoe.
10. Did I mention implements break and wearout. Get a welder or become best friends with one.
11. If you're pushing lot's of snow to clear a mile long rocky road, get a big dozer blade for your quick attach front loader. And don't forget to have them front tires filled and chained up. You'll need all the weight and traction you can get.
12. Backhoes are great for trenching, excavating, stump removal, engine removal, and just about a million other uses.
13. Mount worklights everywhere. Don't know why, but most tractor manufactures skimp on alternators and aux lighting circuits.
14. Invest in an electric portable grease gun. There are zerk fittings everywhere. Oh yeah, don't faint at the price of filters, lubricant, and other parts.
15. Have fun (and charge your tractorless neighbors $50 bucks an hour while your having fun filling their tractor needs)
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