Input on auction implements

budepps3760 · Mar 16, 2016

I would like input on several items that are coming up for auction here in my home town. Since I have a 5' disc harrow I figured I need to buy a plow and wet my teeth in gardening starting with something basic and then maybe one day several years down the road buying a tiller. I intend on planting a 1-2 acre garden and I own a Mahindra 2810 so I have plenty of tractor to operate any of the implements that I will list here. I have conducted some research on these items I will list as well as watching how to videos on everythingattachments.com. I guess what I am asking is, based on my limited experience in gardening, which items would you prioritize to purchase since I do not have the funds to buy everything that I will list. A bottom plow would be #1 on the list I assume and after that I am scratching my head.

These items bid on Friday so I have a few days left to consider options and I will inspect them before the auction on Friday. Thanks for everyone's input until then.

ROLLING CULTIVATOR - J.M. Wood Auction Company, Inc.

1 ROW PLANTER - J.M. Wood Auction Company, Inc.

LOWERY SINGLE ROW BOTTOM PLOW - J.M. Wood Auction Company, Inc.

5' CULTIVATOR - J.M. Wood Auction Company, Inc.

Jarrod32 · Mar 16, 2016

I think you have it right with the plow as a priority, particularly if you do not have a tiller. If you do get serious about gardening, you will have a tiller in the future. But the cost is considerable. So, a plow along with your disk harrow will do the trick nicely for you.

After that, probably one of the cultivators. That may help you smooth and level the ground better than even the disk will.

I would put the planter last, and even off your list altogether. I expect you would find that is not as useful as it might appear. Go to your local TSC or farm supply store and get one of those $100 Earthway walk behind garden seeders.

On a side note, we have found that a middlebuster purchased at TSC is a handy gardening tool. I use it to dig a trench around the garden to place our temporary fence in, to keep the critters out, and from digging underneath it (see photos). It also makes a nice "rut" to plant the started plants (tomatoes, etc) in without having to dig a hole for every one. But you could, I suppose, use the plow for that purpose just as easily. Just my thoughts.

Fallon · Mar 17, 2016

Be careful with auctions, they are a quick way to overpay for something. I often see people pay over 20% more than new retail price for used stuff. The drive to win & beat the other guy bidding is leveraged heavily by the auctioneers.

Know:
What something is worth new
What something is worth used
What something is worth to you

Figure those numbers out BEFORE the bidding starts & under no circumstances exceed the lowest of those numbers.

Also expect things to have non obvious defects & maintenance needs & adjust your valuation down appropriately.

Personally I enjoy auctions & the hunt for a deal, but I have a lot of discipline. I have a few friends who can't do auctions or need a babysitter so they don't try to constantly win.

Foodplot · Mar 17, 2016

I attend several farm equipment auctions each year, and nearly all of my implements come from auctions. You should have fun. In southern Kentucky, the single bottom plow would go for about $200, perhaps a bit less. The field cultivator sells new for about $700, I bought mine at auction for $75, they usually go $150-$250. Those are really useful, by the way. With the narrow shoes, they penetrate sod well. Take out the middle leg, put on some wider shoes, and they're a good garden cultivator.
If you intend to keep the garden in the same place each year, the one-bottom plow is really a one-time use piece of equipment. Once turned, it's easy to maintain the site with a disc or rotary tiller, as I see that's in your future. If you're putting in potatoes, might do like Jarrod suggested and look for a subsoiler/middle buster instead of the plow.
Sorry, can't help with the rolling cultivator, I never see those at auctions around here.
Best of luck with your garden.

budepps3760 · Mar 17, 2016

Thank you everyone for input. Will have my GameCube on tomorrow if I make it. Yesterday ended up at hospital with wife and turns out she has to get gall bladder removed tomorrow. Maybe I can sneak out when she is under! Seriously though helpfully I can check everything out first thing in the morning and bid online while she is at the hospital recovering. Being married 30 years I guess I need to put her before the tractor.

Foodplot · Mar 17, 2016

If you want to make it 31 years, I think you are right! I hope all goes well.

Fallon · Mar 17, 2016

Find Live & Online Auctions for Antiques, Art, Cars & More at AuctionZip.com might be easier to find another auction than find somebody that can put up with your crap for another 3 decades.

There are more auctions out there than you'd think once you start looking. Its also not a good idea to go to an auction with a big intent to get something specific, that leads to overpaying. Knowing there is more stuff out there & hunting for a great deal is better than hunting something specific right now.