Starting from scratch; basic advice needed

[Soundguy]

soundguy, I like the sound of what you're suggesting (4wd 50hp, etc.). Size sounds practical and affordable unless I am unaware of some safety or ease of use gained from getting bigger/more powerful equipment.

50 hp is doable.. for sure 60 or 70 would make it easier. As FWJ points out.. the bigger you go the more $$ it is.. and the more $$ the implements are, as they are bigger. For instance.. a 10' mower on a 70hp tractor is a cheaper rig than a 15' mower on a 95 hp tractor...

soundguy

 

[flusher]

Flusher.. I'm envious of all your nifty hay equipment!

soundguy

And I'm envious of those really neat old Fords in your collection, especially that 500 series beauty with the offset engine. I'd really like to find one of those babies.

 

[Soundguy]

I've been looking for one of those babies for years.. and to think a couple months ago.. i almost squandered my money on another trike.. a 740.. luckilly I waited and pulled the trgger instead onthe 541!

soundguy

 

[SarahM]

50 hp is doable.. for sure 60 or 70 would make it easier. As FWJ points out.. the bigger you go the more $$ it is.. and the more $$ the implements are, as they are bigger. For instance.. a 10' mower on a 70hp tractor is a cheaper rig than a 15' mower on a 95 hp tractor...

soundguy

Soundguy, when you say easier, what exactly do you mean? Faster (bigger jobs get done more quickly)? Easier to operate somehow (more powerful steering, easier turning...)?

(may seem like an idiotic question, but your answer will help me a lot)

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Soundguy, when you say easier, what exactly do you mean? Faster (bigger jobs get done more quickly)? Easier to operate somehow (more powerful steering, easier turning...)?

(may seem like an idiotic question, but your answer will help me a lot)

I think one of the areas where SouNdguy suggests bigger as being easier would be in volume of work done in a given time. But.....there's always that but......Bigger means less manueverable in wooded conditions. The description of your farm doesn't sound a lot different than my old place. And that is why I farmed with what some would consider relatively small tractors (or at the very least, mid-sized...) BIG big can have it's down side.

JMHO, I'd be thinking 50 to 60 hp, loader, MFWD IF it can be had reasonable.....

 

[irvingj]

My tractor's in the "teensy" category, and though I'm still discovering other uses for it, I got it mainly for snow removal. My driveway's gravel, with a steep section, and although it tends to be a bit light on the front going uphill (I keep the backhoe on for traction), it does a great job. I just pack the first few storms down to have a firm base. Having the blower means no snow piles to remove later, no restrictions in visibility at the top of the hill, and only one pass to remove snow.

But, it sounds like those may be non-issues for you.... and a plow would certainly be easier on the budget!

Listen to the "old timers" on this forum- their advice is like money in the bank!

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. Farmwithjunk naile dit. For me.. easier is less time.. since time is a problem for me with 2 jobs and a farm.

As he also pointed out.. having a huge tractor and a big mower has it's own set of problems.. turning radius and clearance for passes in narrow areas becomes a real issue.

A 50-60 hp tractor and an 8' mower can squeeze thru 7-8' openings however..


soundguy

Soundguy, when you say easier, what exactly do you mean? Faster (bigger jobs get done more quickly)? Easier to operate somehow (more powerful steering, easier turning...)?

(may seem like an idiotic question, but your answer will help me a lot)

 

[Egon]

SarahM; have you considered putting together a business plan before you venture into the purchase of equipment and wish to start farming??

That might indicate the type of equipment you require to produce a salable product and if the economics are there to support a Farm lifestyle.

Otherwise you may end up working at an outside job to support the Hobby you call a Farm. That sorta leaves you at the tail end of both prospects. You can't devote proper time to the Farm and you don't have the options to make the best of the Job! The cost of the equipment kills your budget and there is no spare time for the odd day off. You end up being neither a farmer or a career person.

Now this advice is coming from an old fellow who last spent time on a real farm about 50 + years ago but plays around on 68 acres of which 10 or so are cultivated that he calls "The Play Farm". These acres don't make no money but may be considered "The Old Man's Golf Course" in lieu of actually playing golf!

Farming and making enough money to support the Farming lifestyle ain't easy!

 

[MarkV]

I like the idea of something in the 50 hp range. That is about as much horsepower as you can get and still get a Hydrostatic transmission. Transmission type is a hotly debated issue here but for ease of use and your hilly terrain it would be my choice. A tractor of that size will do what you are considering and still be maneuverable.

The one thing you mention that I would research further is making hay. Hay equipment is expensive, generally requires a larger tractor for baling and haying is labor intensive. Having someone else do your baling for shares could well be more cost effective.

Good luck,
MarkV

 

[Soundguy]

That's one reason a 2-tractor combo sometimes works good.. older cheap 2wd gear tractor for the stuff like hay.. and a smaller 4wd loader hst trans tractor for the utility work.

soundguy