Buying Advice Newbie in need of advice and expectations

[Nick Timber]

Hey folks,
Just bought a 5 acre hobby farm in the Eau Claire, WI area and I'm in need of some perspective on proper machinery. I'll have roughly 1 1/2 acres of lawn to mow, an asphalt driveway to plow that is about 60 yards long and a crushed granite drive to maintain that is 70 yards long. In addition, I plan to grow hops on at least an acre. Setting up a hops field includes a trellis system that includes about 100 posts that would need drilling.
My main questions would be:
1. Can I get away with just one machine? With my limited knowledge that "one machine" might be a compact tractor with turf tires but my guess is that wouldnt go so well when its time to plow.
2. Assuming the answer to #1 is no, my gut would be to get a compact tractor 1st. I would love some advice on the type/size of tractor to get that could handle the job.
Thanks in advance for tking the time to help.
Nick

 

[TripleR]

There are a sack load of choices that will handle your needs. Based on the information provided, I would be looking at the Kubota B Series and John Deere 2000 Series and their equivalents in Cub Cadet, MF, Kioti/Bobcat etc.

I don't own one, but did a lot of research prior to buying my last tractors. There are quite a few on here who own these machines on similar acreage who can steer you in the right direction.

Good luck.

If you can pick a tractor with:

1. Just the right horsepower, no more no less.
2. Just the right weight, no more no less.
3. Just the right loader/backhoe performance, no more no less.
4. Just the right tires.
5. Just the right transmission for ALL of your needs.
6. Just the right price, no more; don't worry about the "less" part, won't
happen.
7. Just the right size; not too big and not too small, just right.

If you can do all this and more that you aspire to in your tractor selection, you can retire from your present job and become a very successful tractor consultant.

 

[fredhargis]

2 things, you cannot spend too uch time here asking questions just like you did, this is one great group of helpful guys. Unfortunately, I'm a little too new to be of much help. The second thing is that the advice I just offered, small as it was, will cost you a case of your home brew....shipped directly to my house:laughing:. That has to be what the hops are for, isn't it??????:thumbsup:

 

[Nick Timber]

Thanks Fellas. If I was planning on doing any home brewing I'd gladly pass some along, but alas, my intent is to sell it to the pro's.

 

[Don87]

Turf tires will work for plowing, I plow with my GC2400. 4 wheel drive is a must when using turfs, but it will do the job. The trick I did was to plow first, lot of raising and lowering, then followed with a one row cultivator. Several passes and it worked out ok.

I agree with others..........Kubota B series 'size' of machine, but check them all out to see which fit's 'you' the best.

You tend to get a lot of snow up that way. So keep a snowblower in mind. Front mount is a lot easier on the neck, but rear mount is just as effective.

 

[flusher]

Hey folks,
Just bought a 5 acre hobby farm in the Eau Claire, WI area and I'm in need of some perspective on proper machinery. I'll have roughly 1 1/2 acres of lawn to mow, an asphalt driveway to plow that is about 60 yards long and a crushed granite drive to maintain that is 70 yards long. In addition, I plan to grow hops on at least an acre. Setting up a hops field includes a trellis system that includes about 100 posts that would need drilling.
My main questions would be:
1. Can I get away with just one machine? With my limited knowledge that "one machine" might be a compact tractor with turf tires but my guess is that wouldnt go so well when its time to plow.
2. Assuming the answer to #1 is no, my gut would be to get a compact tractor 1st. I would love some advice on the type/size of tractor to get that could handle the job.
Thanks in advance for tking the time to help.
Nick

Check out tractors in the 30 hp (pto) range--there are plenty of choices from the manufacturers, just check the websites.

Those hops trellises are pretty tall (maybe 15-20 ft), judging from the ones I see at the Sierra Nevada brewery in Chico, CA and, IIRC, the posts appear to be angled into the ground to produce an A-frame arrangement. Drilling holes at an angle with a post hole digger (PHD) dangling from the 3pt hitch on the rear of your tractor might be a real challenge. My guess is that some type of Bobcat is used with a front-mounted PHD for this job.

 

[WM75Guy]

Welcome to the club. Using the search function will get you lots of posts about what tractor to buy and why. Everyone has their favorites, mine is New Holland. That said, here ya go.:

1. Task dictates HP more than acreage.
2. Some tasks, such as lifting with the FEL, require more size or weight, therefore more HP by default. My TC40DA 40HP can lift 2000 lbs with the FEL. A 20HP may only lift 600-800 lbs.
3. Dealer support is very important. All tractors eventually needs parts and service. Visit the ones in your area, drink lots of free coffee and drive their models on the lot to see which dealer and tractor fits you. Visit several times.
4. Try to look into the future and see every task you may need to do. Write them down as you see them and talk to salespersons about which model would work best. It's cheaper to buy bigger now than in the future. Prices on tractors only go up.
5. Once you buy, don't second guess your purchase. If you need to upgrade later, that's just more fun. If you need something larger or different occasionally, rent it.
6. Have fun. Don't think of seat time as work.