New to forum, need advice

Poncho · Apr 5, 2004

travisneedtrac... welcome to the TBN. Have you thought about leasing out the hay operation until you get up and ready? I've got an uncle with 75 acres in S. GA who leases out the front 40 for agriculture.... pays for his property tax plus he gets all the hay he wants for the winter time.

travisneedtrac · Apr 6, 2004

There is so much hay around, its hard to find someone to cut the hay for free, that is with them keeping the hay. The guy that has been cutting it has been doing it for 100 bucks per year. May as well be free. but now that I have it, I have some in-laws that would love to have it. Thanks for the suggestion...

Woodbeef · Apr 6, 2004

Hmmm.....I'd suggest moving up to a Zetor in the Super series if you want to comfortably cut and bale hay. Not sure how well a CUT will survive on a mo/co and square baler over the years.

SteveM · Apr 7, 2004

I will first disclose that I live on a farm co-op of about 1000 acres (40 of which I own) and have close personal ties to the big case/kubota/new holland dealer in the area. I know personally some farmers that went for the 'big bang for buck' with a zetor and regretted it. Maybe things have improved quality and parts wise. But I would use caution. Have you considered a used tractor? It seems that I am always seeing nice 2000 hour (and under) 50hp+ tractors for sale; often I think these machines are used for lighter tasks on big farms, and when a farm gets liquidated (too often) they are at auction in cherry condition. $10,000 buys you an awful lot of J Deere in this size range, with unsurpassed parts, service and resale.

Just a thought, my two cents.

travisneedtrac · Apr 20, 2004

Turns out my dad pretty much gave me his old Tractor, its definately going to get me by and I've found someone to cut the hay.
the tractor is a Ford 1310 4x4 (17hp) I thinik. Probally can't hook it up to a bailer, but have a 4' brush hog, finish mower, tiller, pig pole, cultivator, scoop bucket for the 3pt. hitch, plow, grader blade....
He only have 1.5 acres, and never used it except for a few small jobs. I spent all weekend on it... Love it

KiotiJohn · Apr 20, 2004

( Turns out my dad pretty much gave me his old Tractor, its definately going to get me by and I've found someone to cut the hay.) Sometimes this site has more happy endings than all the movies ever made. Congratulations. Sounds like you have enough goodies for a real good start, and no hay worries. Fantastic. John

travisneedtrac · Apr 20, 2004

I wonder if there would be a way to put a FEL on it?.... lol
Maybe I should stop my wishing while I'm ahead, get some strange ideas up here on cloud 9...

KiotiJohn · Apr 20, 2004

( I wonder if there would be a way to put a FEL on it?.... lol ) I'm pretty sure you can put a FEL on it. I believe Koyker makes one that will fit just about any brand. There are a lot of manufacturers out there that make loaders for all sizes. You have 4x4 so that's not a problem. Maybe someone here already knows which one you can use. I see all the time where someone has put a loader on the small Yanmar gray market tractors. Like the YM1300d, YM1500/10D etc. These are 13 and 15HP at the PTO. So dream on until you find the loader you want!! Good luck, John