Buying Advice Tractors - Choices versus Money

[PAtractorfactor]

Thanks everyone..

I see a clear consensus about paying a pro to do the pond and stumps.

Does anybody who has been reading this thread use a post hole digger
attachment. I assume this is where the PTO and horsepower come in.

 

[john_bud]

I have a post hole digger (PHD). Use it not so much.

Bought a cheap "Farm Star" with 9" and 12" augers. I could not have dug the holes for my pole barn extension without it.

PHD's are not hp hogs. Usually run at 1200 rpm or so. (slow)

They are however one of the most dangerous things you can put on your tractor - by far. Very very easy to get a sleeve caught and have your arm ripped off. Literally.

jb

 

[Gittyup]

PHD don't require much PTO power. Just remember to clear the bit often. I run mine at 1500 rpms or so. PTO hogs are mowers, tillers, and chippers (among other things).

 

[Egon]

Welcome Patractorfactor! Belayed it is but still welcome!

The tracked hoe for stumps and pond. You will also need some way of moving the pond dirt after the hoe has stated digging. Two machines working at one time.

A larger backhoe for digging/moving rocks and for getting your road in shape.

Then comes the tractor you need for the all the other jobs that come to mind.

 

[sodbuster3]

PAtractorfactor,

Just to seal the consensus on the pond and the stumps...
I had a couple of ponds dug and major rocks moved two years ago and the pros with the heavy iron had it done in a few days for less than $2k. It was a one time job and that dropped tractor requirements by a LOT more than $2k.

good luck!

 

[VAChesterfield]

Does anybody who has been reading this thread use a post hole digger attachment.

I purchased my PHD from AgriSupply and have used it enough putting up fence posts to wear out two sets of cutting edges and one screw point. It is a mighty dangerous piece of machinery, but as long as you keep all guards in place, and your cheeks in the seat while operating it, you'll be fine.

As for a tractor, I have 10 acres with horses, and I wouldn't go any smaller than my 30hp New Holland TC 30 ... and a FEL is absolutely necessary. A CUT this size will do most anything you need it to do, and it's easy to trailer if you decide you need to haul it back and forth between home and field.

You can, by shopping around, find a 30hp rig like the TC 30, with FEL, trailer, rough cut mower, and maybe a box blade for under $20K. I bought mine nearly four years ago with FEL, trailer, box blade & landscape rake for less than $16.5K.