Did you buy your tractor out of need or want?

[Libertine]

<font color="blue">Did you buy your tractor out of need or want? </font>

ummm. Not sure I know what the difference between the two is. Aren't you just playing with words? We need something because we want it. We want something because we think we need it.

I bought what I did because I convinced myself it would be cheaper than renting. A $8k-$9k depreciation hit has been repaid with $5k in rentals saved. Also, some work got done that probably wouldn't have been done. But I could have accomplished the same thing in other ways. A few weeks back I pulled over a 65'-70' elm with the TC40 & dug out the large stump with the BH. I "needed" the TC40 for that, but I could have accomplished the same thing in different ways without the tractor. I could have used my 2 wheel tractor & a hydraulic ram to push the tree over. Did I "need" the TC40? Or did I "want" to use it because it was there and seemed easier? You get the idea. There are many roads to the same destination.

JEH

 

[JDgreen227]

Libertine...

"We need something because we want it...we want something because we think we need it"...

WELL SAID !! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As for me, I needed a replacement for my ailing JD 318 that I used to maintain a 10 acre property, and I wanted a bigger tractor as a replacement for it.

Being retired and on a fixed income, it would have been difficult to justify the expense of a larger machine unless I actually used it enough to justify the cost. After running my 4210 for 215 hours, I am furious at myself for not buying a replacement tractor sooner than I did. Yes, I WANTED one but never realized how much I actually NEEDED it until I had the machine. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[texastomtom]

As most others have replied,
BOTH

I had a tractor that was just to old and broken - Just moved to this house and the tractor came with it.

I probably got more than I needed but also realized how many people always wanted to borrow the tractor etc. So I went bigger than needed probably so I would have time to do their work as well as mine.....( that is a joke - and yet not )

I have to wait in line for time on my own tractor sometimes.

I have decided to keep it hidden so that no new people will be asking to use it. Not that I mind terrible but I need it around so I have decided to shut my mouth and hide the tractor.

I have an orchard and property around house to keep up so I really do need it - although I could have gotten by with much smaller. Cost justification - hmmm - probably cant really justfiy what I spent on the rig but I have been fortunate and am able to afford it right now. I'm planning on it lasting a very long time.

The wife is NOT impressed with my decision but you all know how that goes at times.

It cost me more than you would even expect as in addition to the tractor looks like I'll be putting in a new kitchen and bathrooms in order to keep the peace - NO JOKE

It's all good though,,,, times have been financially good lately and I guess we should both enjoy it a little.

 

[Red_rider]

I purchased a garden tractor 11 years ago to cut the grass and maintain my driveway/road. Ten years later, I'm able to do less than I used to and want to do more than I used to. I bought my CUT to do the things I did by hand for the past few decades. We have a fairly large landscaped yard and several acres of wooded area. It comes in real handy when spreading mulch (used to use a wheelbarrow), removing snow / spreading gravel (used to use the garden tractor), gathering firewood (used to use the wheelbarrow), etc. Bottom line - I finally got to the point where I NEEDED it to do the things I WANTED to do. It also helped that I was finally able to afford the one I wanted/needed. By the way -- my wife uses it as much as I do. Still have the garden tractor - it has been retired to grass cutting and pulling the lawn vacuum around to suck up the bushels of leaves we have every fall.

 

[MossRoad]

I needed my first tractor because I wanted to save money. The tractor cost less than the first job would have cost if I had hired it out(road building and tree clearing). I kept using it for another 5 years and all that was free(except for gas and oil).

I wanted my current tractor because I needed to spend more time with my family and less time mowing the lawn. I've saved about 3-4 hours a week in yard maintenance for the last few years because of the larger mowing deck and snow plow than the lawn tractor had. That extra time is priceless when you spend it with your kids. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif