What tractor do I need?

[Z-Michigan]

Wow, I really feel like a moron now. You guys seem to know your stuff. I'm in West Virginia and the land is basically flat to rolling ridgetop. All 54 acres have been used for horse hay and only about 8-10 acres needs any work at all. It had 4 to 6 horses on it all summer and was still cut two times. Over the winter the guy who leased the pasture put about 40 horses on it and kept them fed with the round bales he pulled off during the summer.

I don't like having that many horses as they have been hard on the ground in places. Needless to say I instructed him to smooth the ruts that he made with his tractor caused by repeatedly traveling over the same roadway.

From all you describe I'll bet the field now has some soil compaction. What is the major plant - grass, clover, or alfalfa? Alfalfa has deep roots that tend to minimize compaction, but the others don't, and with that number of horses over winter it's likely compacted some. Chat with a good farmer, or an ag extension agent, to determine if there is actual compaction. Or take a shovel and start digging - the compaction layer, if there is one, is most likely 6" to 12" deep.

If the soil is compacted, your production will be limited. It may still be just fine, but can be greatly improved by removing the compaction. However, all that work is for nothing if the soil doesn't need it. That's why you should investigate, and have someone with farming experience look at it if possible.

Also, FYI, a hayfield that's used and is intended to be in good production will need fertilizing 1-2 times a year. You can do this with a tractor and a spreader rented from the local co-op or feed mill.

As far as haying goes, most people near me are cattle farmers and they seem to use the round bales. But.....there is a local stable that seems interested in the hay and they prefer square bales.

I would want a pretty firm commitment to make my decision based on this. Selling squares, you either need to collect and stack them, or sell them out of the field before it rains. Are you in a position to hire some strong teens to stack if you need to? Do you have a barn to store the hay in between baling and selling?

I am skilled on heavy equipment, but I've only run a tractor about 5 times (my father-in-law has a 60 Hp 2wd New Holland). If I wait a year to buy hay making equipment then I can get pretty much anything I want.

The 5205 belonged to my banker and he only used it to spread a little gravel and to plow his driveway. He also had all servicing done by the local dealer and he is a trustworthy guy.

It should be in essentially new condition if that's how it's been treated. They are good solid tractors and I imagine they will run for over 5000 hours, probably well over, if cared for. If you like it and are thinking mostly fieldwork and mowing, it may be a good option for you.

 

[jgrreed]

The thoughts of picking up square bales makes my back already ache. Are small round bales an economical option?

Don't know who makes them anymore, but we used to have what my Grandpa called a 'stooker'. It would stack 6 bales in a nice tight triangle that was supposed to shed rain, and makes for a lot less stopping and starting while collecting the bales. I just google'd them and there was a bunch for sale in auctions. IMO that'd be by far the best value of cost vs. time saved. If you have the cash grab a NH bale wagon, but that may be a bit of overkill.

-Jer.

 

[mtngrouse]

Thanks for the info. I would agree there has been some compaction and I'll have the extension agent come out and give me a few pointers.

I also miss playing Virginia Tech in football - it was an outstanding rivalry and they were always a great team to play. I'm in Southern WV and the local banter was worth it every year.

The field appears to be a mix of grass and clover. I do have a large barn that was for dairy cows. The farm used to be a dairy many years ago. Since the dairy left, the ponds were reworked (cows are hard on them) and it now looks quite pretty. The only problem with the barn is it is very low inside due to the second story. I plan on renting a concrete saw and cutting the backside out to install two large garage doors. Then I'll take a portion of the second story out from the interior in order to get the tractor put inside.

If not for the vertical clearance issues, the barn could hold three tour buses easily. The entire upstairs was for hay storage and you could play basketball up there!

Luckily the side of the barn has a canopy extended that will house a tractor and all the implements quite easily.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

All the ones that have posted about a tractor gave good information.

On the soil test, your local extension agent should be fine.

About the hay, in my area square bales sell faster than round bales, most people are not setup with a building for round bales, and people
that have goats, horses, ponies__etc... would rather have square bales.

When we bale hay and want to sell some, we let people come in the
field and load their own, other people around me that bales hay may have a
few people that wants round bales, just for cattle.

I see where people that use round balers usually have dozens of round bales pushed to the edge of the field out in the rain.

If you decided to go with the round bales, you would need a large
area to keep it dry, or buy a hay wrap.

And a hay wrap that mounts on your 3pt. hitch costs around $4000 so it really depends what you could sell in your area.

*Do you live close to Beckely WV.?

 

[farmboy12]

I would say square bales. Easier to sell, and easier to store, and better size for you tractor, and you can tow a bale wagon behind it, then just put the wagon directly under shelter. And, if you ever decide to get a few hobby animals, you'll choose square.

As for the tractor, as much as I love Deere, it may be worth it to go check out some other brands as well. Whatever tractor suits your needs best is the tractor you should get.


Kyle

 

[Egon]

Grandpa called a 'stooker'.

I can recall those. My back just naturally started aching just seeing one. fortunately I missed the opportunity of standing on one. Haven't seen one for years.

 

[mtngrouse]

The farm is within 20 minutes of Beckley and I work in the Beckley area.

Storing bales isn't a problem, the barn is plenty big enough for more than I can bale.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks for the info. I would agree there has been some compaction and I'll have the extension agent come out and give me a few pointers.

I also miss playing Virginia Tech in football - it was an outstanding rivalry and they were always a great team to play. I'm in Southern WV and the local banter was worth it every year.

The field appears to be a mix of grass and clover. I do have a large barn that was for dairy cows. The farm used to be a dairy many years ago. Since the dairy left, the ponds were reworked (cows are hard on them) and it now looks quite pretty. The only problem with the barn is it is very low inside due to the second story. I plan on renting a concrete saw and cutting the backside out to install two large garage doors. Then I'll take a portion of the second story out from the interior in order to get the tractor put inside.

If not for the vertical clearance issues, the barn could hold three tour buses easily. The entire upstairs was for hay storage and you could play basketball up there!

Luckily the side of the barn has a canopy extended that will house a tractor and all the implements quite easily.

I would be cautious about storing my new equipment in a hay barn filled with fresh hay. The risk of fire is too great.



Steve

 

[mtngrouse]

Good point on not putting equipment in barn with hay. Like I mentioned earlier the barn has a large canopy that I can put the tractor and implements in. It's a cinderblock barn, so the probability of a fire engulfing the whole barn is minimal. It also has poured concrete interior walls in portions of it.

Previous owner was really into dairy cows at one time.

I called a friend who is into farming yesterday and he gave me the number of a dealer in virginia to call. The dealer looked up the tractor and gave me the price from their book. He said anything under $24000 was a good deal.

Now I just have to go and convince my wife.

 

[farmboy12]

Good point on not putting equipment in barn with hay. Like I mentioned earlier the barn has a large canopy that I can put the tractor and implements in. It's a cinderblock barn, so the probability of a fire engulfing the whole barn is minimal. It also has poured concrete interior walls in portions of it.

Previous owner was really into dairy cows at one time.

I called a friend who is into farming yesterday and he gave me the number of a dealer in virginia to call. The dealer looked up the tractor and gave me the price from their book. He said anything under $24000 was a good deal.

Now I just have to go and convince my wife.

A good thing to do, buy your wife something nice. Something REALLY nice. Give it to her just before you buy your tractor, then she'll be distracted by the gift, and won't notice your new toy...


Kyle