Wet behind the ears and tractorless

[Jim Timber]

Hey guys.

Long time lurker, and looking at buying my first tractor this spring.

I have a little over 80 acres of hardwood timber, some of it is low/swamp. I'm looking at getting a machine for doing some thinning cuts and some clear cutting for buildings and other recreation, as well as putting in some row crops mainly just to feed my family and maybe a bit to sell. Yields are expected to be low as the land has never been worked before and there's a lot of rocks out there (drumlin field). I'm mainly looking at loader work though, as I'd like to use the machine to stack wood on the landing and load and unload trucks/trailers for my future saw mill. I'll post more about my needs in another thread though.

At any rate, I'm a manual machinist by trade. Started out as a mechanic, so I can fix just about anything. I also did a stretch in the Army as a helicopter tech.

Hopefully I won't ask too many stupid questions.

Jim

 

[DT86]

Welcome from VA!

Happy shopping.


Btw, So far you're doing fine. (Proper use of new member introductions.)

 

[Jim Timber]

The shopping frustration is what finally drove me to register here. The line between heavy enough to lift a big log and small enough to still clear the woods, and then the issue of cost are all turning my brain to mush. :confused2:

 

[murphy1244]

:welcome::tractor: and try to have fun while Tractor shopping.

 

[jel1988]

Everyone lurks for a time. Visit your local dealers, sit on a bunch, try a few and pick one.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[travlitt]

:welcome:
From Texas

 

[2458n]

You do not have to by new. There is a lot of work being done with used equipment. There are many reasons that the used stuff is for sale. I am just thinking that many people believe that new is the only choice.

 

[Jim Timber]

The new/used issue is availability of the options I want/need and available financing options vs actual money saved.

I've been looking around a lot the last few days and any decent used machine for a good price is already sold (seems like it anyway). The lease returns could be a good move if I go with green. The NOS stuff is also attractive. I don't need the newest/prettiest tractor. In fact, the first thing that's likely to happen to mine is it will get scratched up.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site... which it looks like you already are.