Linda

[Linda Kathryne]

My last daughter (#6) leaves for college tomorrow. Last month I bought 7 1/2 acres and plan to go back to my roots and go "country" so to speak. I want to start out with just a couple of cows and such. We have a stock tank on the property but in this 100 plus weather and no rain all summer, it is dry as a bone. We want to dig it deeper to avoid this problem in the future. We are thinking that we should just buy a small backhoe as we will probably have future projects. I will need all the advice I can get. Inexperienced about tractors and such and also inexperienced with the computer. But am on my way. Thanks in advance.
Linda

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[zzvyb6]

Welcome ! There is something for everybody on this forum and there are many that have gone before you in similar circumstances. You didn't say where your outfit is, but there will be a few members nearby if that serves you. Is your water issue a well problem or a dry stream, or a pump capacity problem?

Some might argue that a small backhoe is NOT the machine to start with, but maybe a certian sized tractor with attachments that can drill post holes, cut brush and pastures, move dirt with a front loader, and eventually run a back hoe would be the best plan for the money timeline.

There will be dozens of responses. Evaluate each one. My take has always been which dealers are the closest because of delivery, parts runs, and competitive pricing. Then there is new vs. used. Diesel vs gas, and of course color (green, orange, red, blue, yellow or pink).

Its always a good suggestion to paw through as many old posts on here as you can bear in order to see the depth of the problems as issues facing people 'moving back to country roots'. The 'country' is different now that time has passed by you.

 

[magicheater]

Most certainly you will want to have a tractor. From my experience a backhoe is very useful when you need it BUT that can be very infrequently, and then you may wonder why you have it. A tractor/loader combo is very useful, at least for me. I believe it is better to spend a little more and get what you need
than to settle for less. :2cents:

 

[sandman2234]

Backhoes are fun, but if you want to go back to your roots, grab a shovel and start digging!
A backhoe is an expensive piece of equipment, money often not justified on a spread as large as yours. If you just want one around the place, please allow me to welcome you to the forum and step back while you go shopping! However, for the money, a tractor to move the dirt and a rented backhoe or maybe even better an excavator for faster digging might be a better. Really depends on your soil types and abilities to run equipment and just how deep you want to go and how soon you want to get there. Backhoes are easy, even I can run one, lol! Never managed an excavator, (or a dozer), as my small spread has limited use for such a piece as you are looking at. If the "dry" soil is really stable enough then a dozer can move a lot of dirt in a hurry, plus with a good operator make the sides easily accessible for the stock to get to. My thoughts are to do a little more research into just how the best way to proceed is. Or you can just ask the guys on this forum, as there is a bottomless pit of information stored here.
Best of luck getting some rain!(and don't worry, I wasn't serious about grabbing a shovel!!)
David from jax

 

[tommu56]

Welcome

When you say stock tank I think galvanized tub.

My assumption it's a pond were will the water come from how will you seal the bottom so it doesn't leak read Eddies building lake maraboo" thread or bindian's thread on her pond

Eddies Creating a Lake - Page 193 - TractorByNet.com


Bindian I finally started my pond - Page 39 - TractorByNet.com

If you are a novice operator money will be better spent getting a pro to do the digging he will get 10 X as much work done as novice or rusty old fart like myself.

The plus side is if you own it you can go at your pace and do it as time permits.

Renting is another option look at what reach you need and a track hoe most likely will do it faster than a back hoe and they are a lot more maneuverable and versatile.



tom

 

[jinman]

Hmm. . . You talk about 100 degree dry weather and a stock tank (instead of a pond). You didn't list your location, but I'd bet you are another Texan, especially if they put your groceries in a sack instead of a bag at the store. :welcome: to TBN!