Need experienced advice

[JHumphreys]

Make sure you have a source of water to irrigate all your plants and grasses and trees.

Yea, I definitely know the importance of a good water supply and it is a major consideration in my new property search. If I don't have some type of creek or pond, I'll make a pond. I'm an equipment operator by trade. It's definitely a good point though and I thank you.

 

[jenkinsph]

JHumphreys, are you from San Angelo by chance?

 

[JHumphreys]

JHumphreys, are you from San Angelo by chance?

No, clendenin wv

 

[JHumphreys]

Make sure you have a source of water to irrigate all your plants and grasses and trees.

I am no garden expert but with plenty of space to use I have considered spacing the rows to accomodate a 48" tiller between the rows. Just thought that might lessen the work of cultivating. Even with this wide spacing you can grow a lot of food in a 1/2 acre.

I have a similar powered tractor an older Deere 820 31 pto hp and can do alot of work with it still. Getting the right attachments and implements is as important as the tractor, so make sure you budget enough for this expense.

I liked the Massey Ferguson 1500 series when I was researching and shopping. They have a very nice platform and control layout.

In my opinion, you are going for about the right size range. While it may be true that you could make do with a smaller tractor, a little extra heft and horsepower is not a bad thing. Especially for using a backhoe, I would not want to go any smaller.

I went up a size (compared to what I had been looking at) when I bought my used JD 4600 and JD 48 backhoe, and I'm glad that I did.

I just pulled out my MF 1500 series brochure. I think the 1547 tractor, with the 1580 backhoe, is closer to the setup I have. If taming rough land is part of our vision, you might want to consider going up a size range. (Adds to the ct, though. Only you can decide what's the proper balance between cost and cability.)
od luck in your tractor purchase!

I was looking at the 1547 too, but my local dealer is overstocked on the 1540 and looking to deal on them. He said with the economy this way any one buying is going big or real small.