Big job, total newbies, least # of pieces of equipment to get the job done :)?

[oosik]

I would recommend that you sketch out a development plan for the heavy work you indicated to be done first. With no experience operating heavy equipment - your efforts could be very frustrating and non-productive. Contract this work out. This will give you time to develop a plan for the equipment you will be purchasing/using for the smaller/sustaining jobs.

The size tractor & needed implements will be a direct function of the time you want to be involved in the projects. And in some cases too small a tractor could result in an inability to take on certain projects. Take your plan to a couple or more dealers and see what they would recommend. Be very careful of those dealers that would want to sell you the "sky".

On my 80 acres - I started with a 28 hp tractor. It worked just fine for 25 years - until I wanted to make major improvement to my mile long gravel driveway. With the new Kubota M6040 and appropriately sized implements the driveway job became possible.

Besides - I wanted a larger tractor so I could take on additional projects that the smaller unit just could not handle.

 

[milligjg]

Here's a subsoiler example.

https://columbiamo.craigslist.org/grd/5172084953.html

 

[s2dm]

Really appreciate the replies everyone. The lot is 9 acres. About 1 acre planted with avocados.

Here are a couple pics.







Ive been very on the fence about sweat equity, buy a piece of equipment and 'earn it' by doing the work yourself versus just paying someone to do the massive stuff upfront and then getting a do it all utility tractor in the 50-60hp range. If we bought the 210LE, I'd anticipate selling it in a few years for something with a PTO, but I suspect you are right that I would be working for weeks or months to get the big grading done.

 

[s2dm]

Soil is mostly Clay, and we have some Fiat sized rocks all over the place, some above ground, but we've been told many lurking under the soil. Left me feeling like we'd need something bigger than would make any sense to own to get some of the first round of land shaping done. We wanted to use the rocks from some walls and berms as well, apparently its helpful with tropical fruit for heat retention at night, which also makes me think we might need some bigger toys on the yard for a week to move the rocks and make the berms.

 

[s2dm]

Welcome to TBN. Join the fun.
Carpinteria--nice location.

Get yourself a 30-40 hp (engine) tractor that will fit between the orchard rows. Specs: 4WD, hydraulic transmission, power steering, dual hydraulic remotes on the rear, single hydraulic remote on the front, front end loader (FEL) with 6-ft wide bucket, chain hooks welded to the top edge of the bucket, skid steer quick attach (SSQA) option on the FEL so you can detach the bucket easily and reattach other FEL implements that you might need in your business. The rear tires should be 3/4 filled with water (8 lb/cu ft) or Rimguard (beet juice, 11 lb/cu ft). You don't have to worry about the liquid ballast freezing where you're located.

To handle the hard pan, get a parabolic subsoiler (aka ripper)

SUBSOILER HEAVY DUTY (1 SHANK) | Rhino

This will cut through the hardpan and you should make several passes at different angles so you criss-cross the field with slits in the hardpan.

Then you can use a heavy duty middle buster plow (aka potato plow) to plow the soil.

Potato Plow | Middle Buster by Everything Attachments

Once the plowing is done, you can smooth out the clods with a tandem disc or a cultipacker.

Good luck.

What other front end loader implements might we need? Def want pallet jacks, but beyond that?

 

[flusher]

What other front end loader implements might we need? Def want pallet jacks, but beyond that?

Start here

Skid Steer Attachments - Quality Attachments for Sale Online - Everything Attachments

If you can't find what you want there, google "skid steer attachments for tractors" and get inundated with neat stuff you can buy to trick out your tractor.

Good luck

 

[s2dm]

Start here

Skid Steer Attachments - Quality Attachments for Sale Online - Everything Attachments

If you can't find what you want there, google "skid steer attachments for tractors" and get inundated with neat stuff you can buy to trick out your tractor.

Good luck

So we would run augers not off the PTO on the back but with hydraulics in front?

 

[jeff9366]

So we would run augers not off the PTO on the back but with hydraulics in front?

Yes but you have much greater lift capacity and weight with the 3-Pt. in the rear. PTO powered implements and attachments for the 3-Pt. are MUCH CHEAPER than same hydraulic powered on the FEL. Most tractors do not have enough hydraulic pump capacity to power attachments on the front.

This oversimplifies somewhat, but hydraulic powered front implements are basically for skid steers, which are engineered to PUSH, not tractors, which are engineered to PULL.

 

[jeff9366]

What other front end loader implements might we need? Def want pallet jacks, but beyond that?

A Ratchet Rake attachment for your bucket. With RR you can collect debris and pile, pry out rocks (but not dig) and do minor grading.

Ratchet Rakes are sold through the T-B-N store. Click the button on top of this page.


LINK TO YOUTUBE VIDEOS: https://www.google.com/search?clien...Yah-AWA57vACQ#q=ratchet+rake+site:youtube.com

 

[jeff9366]

Ive been on the fence about sweat equity, buy a piece of equipment and 'earn it' by doing the work yourself versus just paying someone to do the massive stuff upfront and then getting a do it all utility tractor in the 50-60hp range. I suspect you are right that I would be working for weeks or months to get the big grading done.

I think you are underestimating the engineering and permitting required for your projects. I am sure a pond will require engineering drawings and several permits. Your county and the state are going to be highly interested where your berms will direct potential runoff, your downslope neighbors too. If you do not display the proper permits your downslope neighbors will call Code Enforcement the day you begin moving earth. No contractor will take a job without permits, if they are necessary.

I also think you are underestimating the learning curve for tractors. Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations and that is significantly because so many farmers are injured on tractors. All of us on T-B-N started from zero, myself like you in retirement, but you should not be trying to learn with some Black Swan El Nino time pressure event knawing at your subconscious.