Need Help

[GAFarmer2]

I've got a large "garden" that will get bigger next year. We have the MF 240 and 35, but that seems a bit overkill. What 2-wheel tractor would ya'll recommend for plowing, planting, cultivating (a lot), mowing, and maybe to pump a little water. How much would it cost? Could I make it myself?

 

[jperry507]

How much would it cost? Could I make it myself?

How much do you want to spend?

BCS tractors are an option. There's a couple of good online sites that(Earth Tools, and The BCS Store) sell brand new tractors and post all of their prices. You could spend anywhere from a few thousand to $20,000 for a walk behind with tons of attachments (including a hay bailer). There is a very small used supply of these tractors, if you can find one that you like used, grab it!

Older Gravely, Simplicity, and Bradley tractors are an option too. I am still learning about these, and finding attachments isn't always easy (ebay, classified ads, craigslist), but people that own them (including TBN members trust these machines to get real work done.

I am in sort of the same situation as you (Sans two beautiful MFs). You'll find a lot of good information here, I already have.

Good luck!

-Jim

 

[GAFarmer2]

Thanks for the info JP. I'll keep looking, probably at one of the old Gravely's. I'll keep ya'll posted.

 

[jperry507]

Could I make it myself?

I have been "toying" with that idea for some time.

It started a three years ago when I met a man named John Howe. He is a retired engineer that spends his time gardening at his home in Maine, inventing, and writing/speaking about the oil crisis. As a way to grab the attention of pedestrians at a fair I attended in Maine he brought his '48 Farmall Cub. It brought in quite a crowd. You see, his cub is powered by the sun. He has a fairly strong DC motor attached to the back of his tractor and a belt attaches to his PTO. He picks a gear, engages the PTO, and operates the tractor. The controller allows him to choose whichever speed he would like to travel at ...changing gears allows him to run the motor more efficiently. He knows his electric cub is more powerful than the original. He uses it for ground engaging, cultivating, towing, plowing snow, etc. Here is a picture of John and the tractor and an article about many electric tractors including John's.

There is a guy in PA what was inspired by John's electric cub and repowered an Allis Chalmer's "G" . It was so successful he applied and won a grant to build a second electric G. Neat thing is that he shows you step by step how he made the G electric. The creator also states that his much more powerful than the original.

OK back on topic...
I'm about to get an old David Bradley from a friend for free. It's been in the rain for a while, and I doubt the motor will turn over. I am considering making an electric Bradley. I'll use used golf cart parts. If it turns out to be underpowered I'll just use it for simple tasks. Considering the motor is powerful enough to move a golf cart 20 mph, and I'll be gearing it down to 5-6 mph, I don't think that power will be a problem though. Either way it will be a fun project.

I doubt repowering a two wheeler with a new gas motor would be very difficult either.

I am fairly sure that this wasn't the answer you were expecting, but maybe it'll help.

Have a good one

-Jim

 

[HEC]

Thanks for posting the links Jim,made for some very interesting reading.
Herb

 

[HEC]

I have used the large troybilt tractors for years as my dad had market gardens for many years , we actually went through 2 of them .They were a very nice 2 wheel tractor.I recently bought a very nice used bcs 800 series tractor and think it is of a higher quality and can use many more attachments . The 800 series has differential lock which makes a huge difference when trying to pull something such as a cultivator, etc..
Good Luck,
Herb