Buying tractor for the first time!

[Western]

I think it depends on how "busy" you want to be and how much "risk" your willing to take. Raising hay would be the easiest thing I can think of. Fertilize, hope for rain, cut and bale, then store or sell.

If the corn is just for the Deer, then I think doing yourself or with the help of the Amish guy would be no big deal, whatever deal you feel good about. No point making it complicated.
You may just grow enough corn for him and your deer, that may be something he will take the gamble on.

You could also bale the hay "on the halves" You fertilize and someone else uses their equipment to cut, bale and haul/stack it, or any other arrangement that works out.

I agree on renting one too. Go rent a 35hp with a shredder and give it a spin for a day. I had a JD 950 (small, like 28 hp) and a Case 2390 (Big 140hp) and when it came to using a plow, chisel, rotary with a crimper, or even the large rake it was the"big boy" every time. A 50hp would have been just about perfect.

You retired once, time to have a little fun!!

 

[flusher]

Hi,
I'm closing on a 95.6 acre piece of land within 3-4 weeks. The land is tillable (about 60 acres, and the rest, wooded, previously farmed-now overgrown (about 30 acres), and wet (about 5 acres).
The 60 acre field hasn't been farmed inn about 6 years, and needs bushhogging and maybe more but has no sig rocks and should be tillable without too much work. I may let the next door farmer work this land provided he plants at least some corn (deer!). I want to work on the other 35 that is overgrown (20+ years not farmed). I need to put in a short (200 yd) driveway onto the property, and want to get a tractor and do this myself as much as possible. Also want to put up cover for the tractor and hunting stuff.
I need all kinds of advice on all of this!!
For starters, can I get by with a compact tractor with a FEL and pot to put in the gravel driveway? Am thinking about one of those steel pole and fabric structures to protect the tractor this coming winter-- then maybe a pole barn next spring.
I know I'm not supplying enough detais-- but hopefully this is a start!!
Thanks in advance,
Bob
--No tractor YET!!

What's your budget for the tractor? For implements?

To work 30 acres, I'd be looking for larger CUTs in the 45-65 hp (pto range). As a minimum, something like the Kubota L4400 or my 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto) would be typical. With the ML250 FEL (6 ft wide bucket, 2950 lb lift to 10.5 ft height), the 5525 cost about $18K (new). I had the dealer weld three chain hooks on the bucket and add the skid steer quick attach option to the FEL. There are triple hydraulic remotes on the rear of the tractor.



200 yards of driveway--remember, the FEL on a tractor is not a digging implement and using it as a bulldozer in hard, undisturbed soil can get you into trouble (bent bucket, FEL arms twisted out of position). Get yourself a single shank ripper (aka subsoiler) to break up the ground and then complete the excavation for your driveway by scooping out the loose soil with the FEL. Here's a typical subsoiler--there are many sources for this implement.

Everything Attachments | Skid Steer Attachments, Tractor Attachments, 3 Point Hitch Attachments, and Farm Tractor Implements.

My driveway is 20 ft wide x 330 ft long, excavated to 6" depth, filled with 3/4" crusher run gravel in three 2" lifts, each lift watered and rolled with a vibratory roller (the big ride-on type). The FEL is a good tool for spreading the gravel.

Good luck.

 

[Bob Vanderlinde]

Flusher,
Thanks for the very helpful info.
In response to your question about my tractor budget, I was thinking about a 50 horse tractor (4wd)with a fel-used would be fine. I was hoping I could get this for about 15k, including a 5-6foot bush hog.
I went to a Kioti dealer today, and he tried to sell me a Kioti with a fel, new, for 29k +8% (NY sales tax!). And the brush hog would be another 2.5-3k. More than twice my budget!

This dealer said there aren't any mid-sized utility tractors on the used market, but I seem to see a lot with Internet searches.
Seems like there are used tractors with low hours -- are these apt to be lemons?
Thanks in advance.
Bob

 

[tony Cecil]

You might give the most thought to harvesting and where to market your crop.....Tony

 

[Ford tractor]

Gee, the DEALER said there are no used machines on the market and you HAVE to buy new (from him). :confused2: :confused2:

Riiiiiiight.


Used tractors are often NOT lemons. Getting one and having it delivered isn't that expensive or hard. Just do your home work and avoid the ones being sold by a former king.

 

[Bob Vanderlinde]

Ford Tractor,
I got it.
I haven't bought a new car since 1985--I buy one year old cars with 10k miles, and 3 years left on the warranty for 25-30% less than the new price.

I plan to buy a used tractor for the same reasons, but with no warranty, how can I protect my 15-20k purchase-- can I have my own independent tractor mechanic go over it before the purchase? If not that, what else.
Thanks,
Bob

 

[Western]

Bob,

Sure you can have your mechanic go over it! Get a mechanic lined up ahead of time ,so when you do find something your serious about , he can make the "house call".

I have bought a couple of "used" tractors with little problems, one from a dealer which ended up being a great deal since it was a trade in and a different brand than they sale.

You might keep an eye on Craigslist in the "farm and Ranch" section, also look on "equipment trader. com" and any where else you can find in your area. Only tractors I would avoid is "Grey market" ones, Just my opinion.

 

[Bob Vanderlinde]

Western,
Thanks,
there's a huge "farm equipment fair" in august about an hour from my house and I think I'll go there-- apparently every dealer in western ny will be there with new and used equipment.
I figure I'll rent a tractor to brushhog my field next month if I don't buy one by then-- as some of the guys have suggested-- renting does sound like a good way to try out different tractors.
I'm getting great help from our farmers co-op extension that is run by cornell- i went to their office today and they were very helpful.
I really appreciate all the help from you guys.

 

[leonz]

Western,
Thanks,
there's a huge "farm equipment fair" in august about an hour from my house and I think I'll go there-- apparently every dealer in western ny will be there with new and used equipment.
I figure I'll rent a tractor to brushhog my field next month if I don't buy one by then-- as some of the guys have suggested-- renting does sound like a good way to try out different tractors.
I'm getting great help from our farmers co-op extension that is run by cornell- i went to their office today and they were very helpful.
I really appreciate all the help from you guys.

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You might as well wait and go to the
annual used equipment auction
to see what the proces are bringing
the day after the farm days on the
same Ronald Lott farm.

They never exibit used equipment on the
grounds during the EFD show.

 

[Bob Vanderlinde]

Thanks Leonz,
I might go two days just to see the new stuff then the auction.
Much appreciated.
Bob