Putting off purchase

   / Putting off purchase #22  
Hey Pete,
Barn may be a bit extravagant for what I'm planning, but I did mis-state the size. I think it will be a little bigger than 20x24. I logged onto Countrycarpenters.com. Their carriage houses look nice, and I'd probably go with a 22x30 if I could afford it, or maybe something a little smaller. Like I said, it may have to wait a year or so.
My two brother in laws and I would probably put it up on a slab. My alternatives would be to buy materials from a local lumbar mill and "stick" built it myself, or to go to one of our VT timber frame companies for a "kit". I doubt I'll even run power to the structure, since the main purpose is storing the tractor and garden stuff. The only time I use the tractor at night is to move snow, and during the winter I'll leave it in the back of the garage. The tiller, mower, cutter etc will go in the "barn".
The only reason I'd even consider putting power in it would be so I could light up the pond, which is going to grow to iceskating size this summer. I'll throw in a cheap wood stove too, with a fire wall between it and the machinery.
This summer, given the economic downturn, I'll probably just pick a size, pour a slab, and enlarge the pond. All my equipment will at least be off the ground that way. Not just on timbers and covered with tarps. It'll also give me a nice level place to put the loader on, drop it off, and hook up the 3pt hitch pieces. Amazing how much easier that is on a perfectly flat concrete surface.
Todd
 
   / Putting off purchase #23  
It just so happens that I have a 1952 Case DC-4 (wide front end) in the garage right now. It is a few years newer than yours and thus has a 3 point hitch, live PTO, and live hydraulics. I totally agree with your assessment of the power of these tractors. On a heavy pull mine will lug right down to the point where you can almost hear each cylinder fire and it still pulls like a mule. Never seen anything like it. It sure does like guzzling the gas though. Even though I am getting a new JD4300 the old Case is not going anywhere. I will still need a rescue vehicle when the JD gets stuck./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif On the subject of Case hand-clutches the earlier model tractors also had the hand clutch working in either direction as well as being on either side. Early DCs you had to pull back on the clutch to engage (right side) while the newer ones you push forward to engage (left side)./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif This made sure you were paying attention when you switched from one tractor to another. On the subject of putting off a purchase because of a slow economy I think that there is a bright side to this situation as well. There is probably a good opportunity to bargain for a better price from the dealer when business is slow. I will be able to test this theory myself in a few weeks./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

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   / Putting off purchase #24  
Tom,
I'm sympathetic to your situation. Figuring out the want vs. need is imperative, as others have said.
I was hoping to replace my old 8N this year because my situation is like skent's above. Because of some unforeseen financial snags I'm waiting a year and will put a little money into the Ford to keep it running when I need it to. One very good thing about waiting a year is that I can probably keep my current one and get a new one too. Best of both worlds.

My advice to you is to keep reading these discussion boards. You'll end up being much better informed and save money when you do buy. You'll come to realize that even if your tractor is a "want" you absolutely NEED a front end loader. At least that's what I determined. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif You'll also get the fever from lot's of others talking about their new tractor purchase. It seems like everyone is buying one but you have to realize that tens of thousands of folks read and post on TBN! Good luck to you.
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