Member of the Month: Tosa Ranch

Your Name: Paul (Tosa Ranch)

Post Count: 41 (#8130 of all members)

Location: Chico, California (about 80 miles north of Sacramento)

How long have you been a member of TractorByNet.com?

I’ve only been a member of Tractors By Net for a few months now but have been a forum stalker for several months before that while I hunted out the right tractor for our property. There were several tractor forums online to choose from but I found that the topics I was interested in were best addressed by the contributors to the forum here at TractorByNet.com and furthermore, everyone here was very active and eager to help anyone who was looking for answers.

What do you like best about TractorByNet.com?

The people here are what make this the best forum online. Everyone is helpful and courteous with their advice. I’ve run a few tractors through various jobs but never owned one and was (and still am really) a novice to most things associated with tractors, implements and repairs/maintenance. The folks here approach each question or discussion with patience and I never feel like my questions or met with attitude. People here genuinely want to help you and promote the sort of activities that we all get to enjoy while owning and working on our property and equipment.

What type of tractor(s) do you own?

I own a Mahindra 3016 HST with only 25 hours on it so far, but am racking them up quickly!

How long have you owned or operated tractors?

I’ve only own my Mahindra for a few months now. Previously I was borrowing a friends Case IH construction tractor but he uses it for his business and I didn’t want to be always asking to borrow it, so I bought one of my own. Previous to that, I operated a 30 HP Kubota that was owned by the fire department I was working for. It was mostly used for snow removal in the winter months.

What do you enjoy most about tractors?

What don’t I love about tractors?! They make hard jobs easy and I can always find a purpose for mine. Right now, I have more jobs lined up at home than I have time to devote to doing them. It’s so much fun to use that even if I didn’t have work to do, I’d find an excuse to get out on it. It’s becoming a hobby for sure.

How often do you use your tractor?

As a firefighter I work an odd schedule that keeps me away from home for several days at a time but, I usually get on it and do at least 2 hours of work a week when life is busy. I can easily spend 16 hours a week when time allows/

Tell us about your property (how much acreage, home, buildings, etc):

We only own 1 ½ acres but aside from the 1700 sq. ft. house and 800 sq. ft. shop, the property is completely undeveloped/untended to. The previous owners had the place for 30+ years and never did anything with it. As they aged, the house and property were not well maintained and we have spent many hours clearing the property and building/mending fences so that we can start landscaping. Unfortunately, we still have a few more things to do before the landscape work can start.

What sort of tools, attachments or equipment do you use with your tractor on a regular basis? Tell us about them:

Currently I only have a FEL and box scraper with a single spool top link, but in the near future I will be picking up a post hole digger. I’d also like to add a flail mower and rototiller to that but the pocket book needs a rest.

What do you mainly use your tractor for?

Currently I’m attempting to level my property and prepare the ground for drainage and landscaping. We’ve already brought in 100 yards of fill dirt and need another 100 yards at least. Then top soil and a 550 ft long drainage ditch for winter run-off. Might be adding a pond as well. Then, fencing the whole property.

Do you maintain crops?

We have a small garden that we’d like to expand but I may opt for a greenhouse instead. The pest issues we’ve had are getting ridiculous. We grow pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, zucchini, cucumber and several different tomatoes, peppers and herbs.

Do you keep livestock?

Yeah, currently we have a few goats and originally had plans to grow that to 10 or 12 however… now that the property has been cleared, the novelty of goats has worn off on me and I’m ready to get rid of them. Hahahaha!

What do you like/dislike about the area you live in?

I love our part of town. We are just outside the northern edge of Chico and live on a private road. We have all the benefits of shopping in town but get to easily escape to a more rural area with a small chunk of land. Would love more property where we couldn’t see our neighbors from the house, but maybe down the road that option will present itself.

What’s something most TractorByNet members don’t know about you?

Aside from working as a firefighter and playing with my tractor at home, I enjoy rock climbing in my free time (so not very often LOL).