Buying Advice New farmer need tractor advice for a smart purchase.

[2ndhalf]

If you really are serious about tilling 40 acres... here is some big cheap diesel iron near you. You will need at least 50 hp to pull implements (plow, disc, planter, corn picker). Or you will be out there all month just getting it planted. It will take you a good week anyways to get it worked and planted with smaller stuff.

MASSEY FERGUSON 65

You don't NEED a loader though it would be nice. We farmed our 28 acres with no loader. You can find loaders for these old tractors but you have to search a while.

This guy lists a loader frame for a MF 65... how serious are you ? go buy both and then work on putting a loader on it. All in you will probably have 5 - 6k in a decent diesel tractor with loader by the time you get hoses, cylinders valves.. and possibly hire some work on it done.

TRACTOR LOADERS, TIRE CHAINS 9.5-24, GRAVELY WEIGHTS

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Since my plot is small (40 ac), I think I can get away with smaller implements and just spend more time in the fields.

When making hay, you can't fart around with tinker toy tools, you have to make hay in the SHORT time the weather allows, and that MOST times is very hard to do....especially if you are in Mi..

SO, don't plan on just "taking more time" to get the job done because you bought small tools.

SR

 

[jeff9366]

"I will definitely need a FEL. Part of getting the farm ready is moving dirt and cleaning up fields. I also need to do grading work so I am able to construct a new building."


Perhaps you can do without the FEL. You can transport dirt via the Three Point Hitch with a Pond Scoop and/or a Box Blade.

VIDEO: pond dirt scoop - YouTube

BOX BLADE - YouTube

 

[4570Man]

When making hay, you can't fart around with tinker toy tools, you have to make hay in the SHORT time the weather allows, and that MOST times is very hard to do....especially if you are in Mi.. SO, don't plan on just "taking more time" to get the job done because you bought small tools. SR

He's only got 40 acres and based on the information I've gathered he owns 40 acres and will be haying less. How much is the possibility of loosing some hay worth VS overspending on equipment?

 

[2ndhalf]

Here is your plow.. again near your!

john deer three bottom plow


Your disc... Check with some farmers on here to see if that 65 could pull that disc.. pretty sure it will but not possitive. Someone will know though.


M M disk

 

[2ndhalf]

Your corn planter and he also has a picker... Picker is only one row though that will take a while to pick 40 acres with a one row but it can be done. I did 20 with a one row and it wasn't too terrible.

Farm Equipment

Now Just need a wagan for behind the picker and your all set for corn.

I'm still under your $10k... we haven't bought seed yet.

 

[2ndhalf]

Your Wagon

Gravity Wagon


If you don't buy that Massey 65 I just might come to Michigan and buy it myself... I like it!

 

[roadhunter]

Have you looked at grain prices lately? That's kinda important in this kind of decision as far as what the harvest would be worth. No point in going to all this trouble only to find out you need corn to be $5 to make a profit.

How do you feel about spending your off time from a full time job (I assume you weren't going to try to make a living from these 40 acres) working on older equipment, fabricating, sweating , cursing, learning, reading manuals, asking for advice on TBN, etc...? It's not a question if if old equipment will break down, it's when. And it always seems to happen at the worst time.

I found this.
How much corn is grown on one acre?
Last year, the national average was 171 bushels per acre while the average yield in Michigan was estimated 161 bushels per acre.

So 40 acres x 161 bushels x $3.36 per bushel= $21,638

 

[Sawyer Rob]

He's only got 40 acres and based on the information I've gathered he owns 40 acres and will be haying less. How much is the possibility of loosing some hay worth VS overspending on equipment?

Loosing "some" hay? You ever make hay in Mi.?

That extra day most likely will mean he will loose all of that cutting... UNLESS he just doesn't care about making hay that is good for anything other than mulch!

SR

 

[2ndhalf]

Have you looked at grain prices lately? That's kinda important in this kind of decision as far as what the harvest would be worth. No point in going to all this trouble only to find out you need corn to be $5 to make a profit.

How do you feel about spending your off time from a full time job (I assume you weren't going to try to make a living from these 40 acres) working on older equipment, fabricating, sweating , cursing, learning, reading manuals, asking for advice on TBN, etc...? It's not a question if if old equipment will break down, it's when. And it always seems to happen at the worst time.

I found this.
How much corn is grown on one acre?
Last year, the national average was 171 bushels per acre while the average yield in Michigan was estimated 161 bushels per acre.

So 40 acres x 161 bushels x $3.36 per bushel= $21,638

That's actually not bad.. he could actually make a little his first year if all went well.. I don't know if a hobbie farmer is going to get that kind of yield though or the quality of this land (big factor).

I would probably have a local farmer plant beans in the year you rotate from corn. Don't hassle with beans your second year.... or get a bean drill and hire a farmer to take your beans off.

I have been having a little fun with this thread but to be honest there are a ton of things the OP needs to decide before buying equipment... I would pick the brain of some local farmers who have cows/cavs and learn from them and ask them what they would do first... and listen to them. I would go buy that Massey though