Green Horn

[Keith_B]

The MF 1540 MIGHT handle 5X4 bales if the tires are loaded and it has some extra weight like a box blade on the rear. I don't think the smaller Kubota will handle the 5X4 bales.

I handled 5X5 bales with my Mahindra 4110 last winter. My 4110 tips the scales at nearly 4000 lbs, plus the loaded tires and the weight of the loader. It is a 41 hp tractor, with 33 to 34 PTO hp and it has a 6 foot bucket on the front end loader. I paid $19,300 for it in May 2005.

Many dealers will bring out machines for people to demo. This has been an age old practice in selling ag equipment.

 

[canoetrpr]

The problem I find with renting or borrowing stuff that I will use on some semi regular basis is the hassle, unpredictability and the extra time I spend getting stuff together to get the job done.

I like to to have the luxury of spending a couple hours bushhogging because I woke up that Saturday and decided I needed to bush hog the back pasture. For this reason, I own implements that financially it would make much more sense for me to borrow - like a cultivator - probably will use it once or twice a year to turn up the riding ring - but the convenience of not going to have to arrange to borrow, and not having to return it if I didn't get to using it why I own one.

I just don't like to be dependant on on others as much as I can avoid it.

Technically - yes it would be possible to be without a tractor on my farm. I could rent and be better off financially but it is a heck of a lot better not to have to arrange to rent one when I need it. Plus there are all sorts of things that pop up that you would normally never rent for and you just end up using a wheelbarrow for when you could have used a FEL.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Looks like you are going to purchase from all the advice you are getting here

I don't remember your full list of implements, but I would suggest budgeting for quick attaches for both the front and rear. My wife busted my hump for a week when we rented the Kubota, having to go outside and remove and attach implements because they were such a pain.

I bring it up now because QA's can get expensive quickly.

Carl

 

[Appygirl]

Good Morning all,
Called the rental place this morning.
32 hp -didn't ask the brand
Quote is: 258 daily 25 for trailer, didn't ask about delivery.
836 wk 75 for trailer -911 That number is just bad luck!
I would need one full week in late spring and one week in fall, then would need 2 days in June,July,Sept.
This includes a back blade, they had no brush hog.
Comes out to 3520 for 1/2 a year. 15 hours of travel and not all attachment needed. I would need to borrow, which I don't like at all!
Needless to say I'm not liking the idea of busting my ***** if I had any with the time constraints of renting and I'm not getting any younger. I know how woren out I was using the bobcat for 2 days this spring and I did not complete the task of cleaning up! Towards the end that bobcat was bouncing around alot!!
OH, you'll like this one and since its Monday why not have a good laugh! I raised the bucket a little to high one time dumped 1/2 a bucket (dry) manure on top of myself, YES, it got inside the cab with me. THANK GOODNESS the guys didn't see it and I got to laugh all by myself after I said OH S***. That calmed me down a bit! Things like that only happen once!! Right?

Anyways, I'll get this sorted out. Thank you all for your comments.
Enjoy the day!

 

[Spiveyman]

Nice story on the manure. I had a great big steer run me into a wheelbarrow full of manure one time while we were trying to get him loaded up, as I went over it the wheelbarrow turned over on me. My wife kept asking the whole way home what that smell was. I blamed it on our then 2 year old daughter!!!!

It sounds like you aren't that keen on renting anyway. I hope you find the deal you are looking for and can just buy.

 

[3RRL]

Appygirl,
I have to agree with most (especially Spivy) that renting is a temporary solution. When I first got my tractor, I wasn't even sure what I would do with it other than an immediate use of road maintenance. Once I got it plus attachments, I found a multitude of things to do with it, including some that I would never have done had I not owned the tractor. On top of that, there were several "emergencies" like road repairs that I didn't even figure on. To make a long story short, I've had the tractor for just over 2 years now and put over 400 hours on it. Figure that out at rental rates and don't forget to include travel time, trailering and just the time needed to make arrangements for each rental. The numbers get enormous and the time ... well ... is irreplaceable.

Figure also some of the work I did was dirtwork normally done by much more expensive machines not as cheap as renting a 35hp tractor. My road guy charges a minimum of $87.50 per hour for road work or pad grading. My tractor has easily paid for itself by now, if not double. Even counting insurance, maintenance and minor repairs. The convenience alone is worth it IMHO. Plus I have it for years and years of other stuff to do that I've not even thought of yet and the small emergencies that will surely pop up.
Who is going to do the pick up and delivery and arranging of rentals ... hubby or you? Then count in lost time from work or whatever in order to do that every time. How valuable is your time?

 

[Spiveyman]

Hey Appygirl, Check out this thread.

This is exactly what I'm talking about, bought it, used it 2.5 years, sold it for the same price. Great tractor, easy to re-sell. That's a whole lot better than renting for sure.

Happy trails, literally.

 

[Appygirl]

I took a look at the Craig's list, close but no cigars. I did see a nice NH there on there, but its not HST. I also seen a Kioti in the paper not to long ago that seemed to fit the bill; I unfortunately threw the paper out. It was in a small county paper so I don't know if I'll be able to retrieve it. There are no Kioti dealers with 100 miles of me either.
I also have a question about dealerships. I realize their expertise will be of the brand they sell, but will they work on other brands?
I'll keep looking....after my trail ride! I do have my priorities ya know

 

[Z-Michigan]

I don't remember exactly where you are but I thought Traverse City had a Kioti dealership. There's also one somewhere by Mt. Pleasant or Saginaw. That's probably a fair drive. Finally, McCormick Intl in Ionia has Kioti; that's a really long drive, but they assured me they will deliver and pick up anywhere in the state, and since half or more of their business is big construction equipment (not much used in Ionia!) I believe them (I think that was for service too, but better ask!).

You might pick up a copy of the "Farmer's Advance" newspaper, available at TSC and feed stores. It usually has a lot of tractor ads, both dealer and private party.

I believe most dealers will work on other brands, but there also exist independent (non-dealer) machinery repair places that may be a better value if you can't go to a dealer of the brand you have.

 

[Appygirl]

Gosh, I was just there too and should have thought of it! Around here Z there is Kubota, MF, NH, and JD
I should be able to find something with in those 4. I did grap one those Auto Swap magazine for tractors and not a thing in it. Hopefully better luck at TSC. Thanks