We recently bought a 50 acre hobby farm (~10 acres workable, 8 pasture, 2 orchard and rest woodland, creeks, pond, etc). The land is rolling and quite varied (on the edge of a valley). The workable land was operated as a small organic vegetable farm working ~5 acres at a time in relatively small field configurations (ie the 10 acres is divided into 1, 2 and max 5 acre fields).
This is a hobby property for us as we don't live there full time but we may start working with a partner to run the farm on a small scale basis again growing veg organically. We're starting to look at tractors (we have a JD 400 for lawn work):
- ~60% for 'farm use' (e.g., light disking, rototiller, broadcast spreader, mowing cover crops)
- ~40% upkeep (maintaining 1,000' gravel drive w box blade, mowing trails, some light duty firewood collection, potentially snow blowing - although we're currently using a neighbour with a larger piece of equipment so we don't have to worry about opening drive when we arrive)
- There is one lovely model available with a BH that would be a 'nice to have' as we need to do a bit of pond maintenance (reducing the angle of the banks) and a few other digging / clearing chores
- As noted terrain is a bit uneven, but nothing too steep. Soil leans towards more clay like
- We have access to local farmers that I can work with for more intensive ground engaging activities (ie if we need to plow a field that hasn't been used in some time)
-Like tractor to be as flexible as possible - ie small enough to get into tighter trails, good on fuel, easier to store, etc but still appropriate for the job
- Prior owner had a 45HP IH from the early 1970s - potentially more for the price than the capability
My only concern is if the L3400 has enough weight and power to do what we need, especially the 'ground engagement' side of the equation. Most use would be relatively narrow width rototilling beds, but like to be able to do some light disking as well.
The obvious next choice would be a L4400, but I'm seeing fewer of them in great condition available.
I appreciate your input and advice.
Cheers
This is a hobby property for us as we don't live there full time but we may start working with a partner to run the farm on a small scale basis again growing veg organically. We're starting to look at tractors (we have a JD 400 for lawn work):
- ~60% for 'farm use' (e.g., light disking, rototiller, broadcast spreader, mowing cover crops)
- ~40% upkeep (maintaining 1,000' gravel drive w box blade, mowing trails, some light duty firewood collection, potentially snow blowing - although we're currently using a neighbour with a larger piece of equipment so we don't have to worry about opening drive when we arrive)
- There is one lovely model available with a BH that would be a 'nice to have' as we need to do a bit of pond maintenance (reducing the angle of the banks) and a few other digging / clearing chores
- As noted terrain is a bit uneven, but nothing too steep. Soil leans towards more clay like
- We have access to local farmers that I can work with for more intensive ground engaging activities (ie if we need to plow a field that hasn't been used in some time)
-Like tractor to be as flexible as possible - ie small enough to get into tighter trails, good on fuel, easier to store, etc but still appropriate for the job
- Prior owner had a 45HP IH from the early 1970s - potentially more for the price than the capability
My only concern is if the L3400 has enough weight and power to do what we need, especially the 'ground engagement' side of the equation. Most use would be relatively narrow width rototilling beds, but like to be able to do some light disking as well.
The obvious next choice would be a L4400, but I'm seeing fewer of them in great condition available.
I appreciate your input and advice.
Cheers