Tractor purchase advice - please help

[Cliff_Johns]

Hi,
I'm planning to buy 12 acres and wonder what tractor I should get.

The land is on the bottom of a lake, so I think I need one of those exausts that pokes out the top of the tractor, and I definately need low flotation tires. Since this is a poluted lake, I'm thinking I can just run it with the fuel cap off and run on the water -- free fuel, one of the many benifits of living at the bottom of a lake -- but that limits me to Diesel only. I'm guessing 4WD with PTO-Propeller assist for hills.

I am a bit worried about the slopes at the sides, so I was thinking about an articulated tractor, but I want to pull mud enguaging equipment so I need some serious HP (or maybe FP). I want to plant lake trout. I haven't found a planter yet, but I think they look sort of like a spatula on a frying pan.

So what brands should I be looking at? Seems like blue would be appripriate, but it can get a bit murky, so orange might be better.

Cliff

Ah, a life with no skeeters.

 

[Keith_B]

You may wanna consider a model that comes with a cab.

 

[DHennet]

I would make sure the color is chartreuse or pumpkin seed with plenty of shiny parts.

 

[shoppintractors]

Cliff,

My first choice would be the sub-compact with wide turf tires. With the light weight you'll be able to walk on water. Low COG will keep you stable. Don't forget the retractable anchor option. Oh, with the high PTO horsepower you'll be able to power the super duty weed wacker and be able to cross the 12 acres in no time flat.

Just to show my total objectivity I'm also recommending a high water viking model. Transmission issues are possible and resale on the viking model is almost non-existent. When the polluted waters rise high top boots are available. This model also holds the best in class ground clearance and has an easy-tach MMM with infinite height adjusters. (Picture attached)

Good luck in you search...

With tongue firmly planted in cheek /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif,

Don

 

[Mavrik02]

ummm....I hate to mention this but you might want to reconsider your land purchase. Sure the realtor probably had lots of good things to say about the land but you should step back and make an independant assessment of this purchase.

Ask yourelf questions like "what do I plan to do with my land?", "will I want to build a house?", "do I hope to have my friends over for barbecue?", "will I graze cattle in the summer?" (remember draining the lake to build a house may require lengthy DEP approval). Now maybe you are saying "no, I just wanna raise my lake trout and maybe fish a little" but I gotta ask, does the land include any of the actual shore line? Without proper access to the land you may be land locked (or would that be water locked?).

Anyway, if you really think this is the land for you Voith makes a nice water tractor that should satisfy most of your needs (although turning it around on 12 acres migh take some work). And yes, it is Orange and comes in a turbo model!!!

Good luck!

http://www.voithturbo.de/vt_en_pua_marine_vspropeller_watertractor.htm

 

[dknarnd]

You want to definitely look for a model with the exhaust coming up because this will be much easier to snorkel. You will have to attach something to the frame that extends up high enough for you to attach your intake snorkel to, as well as run any vent lines up from the crankcase or elsewhere that you may find. Pool hose and regular pvc pipe works well for the snorkel with lots of plumbers goop. On the tires I would run a dual wheel set-up with rice tires, this will give you the best traction IMHO.

Oh, and don't forget it has to have HST transmission and a FEL to be of any use at all. I know you don't think you need the FEL but believe me you will find uses for it. Some day you may need to move some water from one side of the pond to the other or what if some kids start throwing stones in your pond, with the FEL you can at least drive around and pick them up!

 

[Bob_Young]

Hey! The water tractor comes with a steering wheel spinner. Finally a manufacturer that knows what's important! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Can you get 1 more acre on the side of this lake to park your machine?

Better look at an older model that has a 1000 RPM PTO for more prop thrust.

 

[shoppintractors]

You might want to look at <font color="orange">Orange</font> for underwater visibility. (Picture attached)

Don

 

[shoppintractors]

Here is the weed clearing model (picture attached).

Don

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Cliff, you know I usually just recommend a big 3 brand because my loyalty to them is well established, and typically I also am in lockstep jackbooted agreement with "shoppingtractors" virtually never having any word to say that does not agree with my friend Don. But I'm going out on a limb here. For this recommendation I think that you have so far been given simply horrible advice by one and all. First, for 12 acres, I would never recommend a light weight tractor with turf tires for floatation. Second, the concept of a snorkle on a tractor is simply silly. In fact any of the suggestions so far seem to miss the whole concept of enjoying the 12 acres. No need to confine yourself to the water surface with a high floatation tractor, although being able to use the surface would be appropriate. On the other hand, an extended air tube would only let you use the bottom floor of our 12 acres. What you really need is something that will let you use the lake floor, the lake surface, and all the water in between.

I'm recommendeding a "China Best" import product. Heavily ballasted, but very suitable for your use. And, just as my Ventrac is an unusual tractor, one that looks nothing like a traditional CUT, so is the machine I suggest you consider.

Bob's recommendation, and so far the only one recommended that makes any sense in this senseless thread! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TractorLegend]

Just be sure to clean off all the millfoil from the outdrive--you dont want that stuff spreading all over kingdom come.

 

[RedRocker]

I'd say the CK30HST Cousteau editon, it's already set up from the factory with everything you need.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

You guys are great. Lots of terrific advice and some good pictures to go with it.

What do you think of the one pictured?


Cliff

 

[captkel]

Cliff... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif...I have already been down that road and let me tell you...It wasn't a good idea at all! I tried the underwater farming and only ended up filing bankrupcy as the tractors available for this sort of task simply would not hold up. Today I went down to my local New Holland dealer and ended up comming home with a new tractor that I believe will certainly meet all of my needs. For a mere $30K I drove home with a new TN60 4WD, syncro shuttle with a nice A/C'd cab with all the trimmings...that should mow my 7 acres in style and comfort...**** I think I can even use it to tune up the 75 acre watermelon patch I have over in Grimes County...Now if ole Paw-in Law needs help on the 3K acre ranch in south Texas..I'm sure I will be in deep ca-ca...as it will probably not handle much down there...but needless to say...I really enjoyed the stereo and A/C as the temps here have been really sweltering latley...good luck with the underwater farming...catfish would probably be a better choice than lake trout! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Here's another picture.
Cliff

 

[shoppintractors]

Cliff,

I stand behind my recommendation. Forget the submarine. The high maintenance costs will be a deal breaker. Have you ever priced underwater mechanics? ......and where do you park a submarine? Storage is a key factor here...there's just not enough storage to go around. If you purchase a large hull submarine you'll need a small ocean to maneuver it in. Have you ever tried to maneuver a submarine around your wife's Japanese kelp gardens? Well, neither have I. But I do know the sub will be under powered anyway (don't ask me how I know this). I did see one (through binoculars) from 300 yards away! If you want a sub you'll need at least a 30 hp nuclear powered unit to power the underwater rototiller. You'll also need a water purification unit to purify the polluted waters. Have you priced the filters for those? Hang on just a minute....................I need to take two steps higher up on my soap box. Did I mention how objective I am?

I am blind to all colors. In fact....... my lovely misses has to pick out my outfits I'm so colorblind.

Now here's some reassuring thoughts.....
<font color="blue"> Each seat is equipped with an oxygen bottle in case of trouble. In such an event, the passengers could escape with the aid of the oxygen bottle, goggles and other equipment. If they had to stay with the submarine, the ship’s supply of biscuits, purified water, fresh air and lighting could sustain the crew and passengers underwater for three days.
</font> Just how long do you think these biscuits have been on board?

....and with a large submarine you'll have to park so far away from shore you'll need a SECOND small submarine just to be able to closely maneuver around obstacles to get to shore. .....and now you'll have the expense of maintaining two submarines!

With all that said, I am right, I know I am......

Don /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Disclaimer: This is a fictional thread. The characters are fictional. Any resemblance to real life characters are merely coincidental. Did I say this is fiction?