Hello from Vermont!

Perididdle · Nov 18, 2020

Hi folks. Just a gal who bought a farm with her friends (living the millennial dream!), on the hunt for the perfect tractor for us to build up a little operation. My dad's a mechanic but I'm not quite as engine-savvy -- but he's back in Missouri, so I need to build up some of my own know-how.

We have 48 acres in Addison County, VT, about 60/40 woods and pasture. We're planning on horses (lots), goats (lots), cows (one or two), and maybe a little of everything else...still to be decided. Can't wait to tap your brains!

nybirdman · Nov 18, 2020

Welcome to the forum from upstate NY.Vermont gets a fair amount of snow so that should also come in the your consideration.
For the live stock if you stay with small square bales you should be able to get by with;a 4 wheel drive,front end loader and maybe a decent sized rear blade(7') for starters.A cab would be nice for winter.So a 35-40 H.P that weights at least 3,000 lbs.bare tractor.
Lots of brands to chose from;any close dealers?

Perididdle · Nov 18, 2020

nybirdman said:
Welcome to the forum from upstate NY.Vermont gets a fair amount of snow so that should also come in the your consideration.
For the live stock if you stay with small square bales you should be able to get by with;a 4 wheel drive,front end loader and maybe a decent sized rear blade(7') for starters.A cab would be nice for winter.So a 35-40 H.P that weights at least 3,000 lbs.bare tractor.
Lots of brands to chose from;any close dealers?

Oh yeah, snow plowing is definitely one of our main considerations

Square bales are ok! And 35-40 was roughly my thought, maybe up into the 50 HP area. So good to know! This is perfect.

I actually just did a post in the tractor buying forum with lots more info. We're probably going super used, wouldn't mind buying from an owner or small small dealer. We definitely have John Deere, Kubota, and New Holland dealers in these parts; but we're well out of their price range. For now.

Thomas · Nov 18, 2020

:welcome: to TBN...enjoy.
Wishing the best in your search for tractor and there some good second hand 2WD tractor but far and few between,also consider heater for the tractor engine...cold weather a coming.

TBN Support · Nov 18, 2020

Welcome to the forum! That sounds like an adventure.

:welcome:

nybirdman · Nov 18, 2020

You may want to touch base with all your dealers;have them put you on a list for incoming used tractors.Be forewarned ;good used tractors aren't "cheap".Pre tier 4 tractors command a premium(those in excess of 26 H.P built 2013 or earlier).

Wagtail · Nov 18, 2020

G'day Perididdle and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site.

nybirdman · Nov 18, 2020

check TractorHouse.com | Used Tractors For Sale: John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, Kubota. /Vermont.Nice used Kubota about what you may need.

Bearsixty7 · Nov 18, 2020

Perididdle said:
... We definitely have John Deere, Kubota, and New Holland dealers in these parts; but we're well out of their price range.

Same issue many of us encountered and why we looked at other brands. Check out LS tractors and see if you have a dealer nearby and go talk to them if so.