Stay @ home dad

[Belloyowie]

Hi people.

I hale from the Mid North Coast of New South Wales Australia.

I just joined this forum as I am trying to research suitable tractors and implements that will do a variety of tasks on small to medium acreage and at times fairly steep country.

I am on a disability pension due to a workplace injury and a few other issues and am only able to work for small periods of time on an irregular basis which rules out working for some one other than myself.

I live in an area that has a large proportion of hobby farms and small (under 100 acre) properties that are mostly owned now by ex-city people looking for a lifestyle change. Many of my friends fall into this category and are constantly complaining that it is near impossible to get in some one to slash/clear or prepare beds for garlic growing on a regular/reliable timely basis.

This got me thinking there may be an opportunity to get into this as I could work around my kids school hours and mostly my health. Because I have such a low fixed income I cant afford to just go out and throw $$$$ around on the first thing I see so I have enrolled in a Small Business Course to educate myself in a business sense and not just because it seems like a great idea.

This brings me to here. I would like some experienced people to educate me on machinery requirements, what brands to stay away from ect. I see a lot of adds for cheap imported tractor package deals, some of them I have not read anything good about while others seem to hold their own for what they were purchased for. Do I look at second hand perhaps? If so are there inherent problems with particular tractors and how many hours is too many? (I know this depends on the work the machine has done). This is all information I need to get some feed back on.

I am not a tractor newbie/novice as I grew up on a farm way back when, when I was often used as a counter balance on the bonnet of the old fergie when things got steep before I was old enough to drive it myself.

I understand garlic season will not make up much of the time (although more and more small acreage owners are planting more and more every year and more would if they could get the ground prepared for them) but here slashing paddocks and reclaiming land from years of neglect covered in lantana and privet would make up a majority of work. A lot of these people don't own tractors for various reasons ie; the initial outlay and the time it would actually be productive, they don't really have enough land to justify it or they work full time and have just moved here for the lifestyle so lack the skills needed.

Please, don't think I am thinking about turning professional with this. It is as much about teaching my children about work ethics and my mental state (just being productive) as it will be making a few dollars here and there.

I do know there is a small market for this after researching that part, now I just need to find out the correct way to set up for it. I estimate there is a constant demand for between 10 and 20 hrs per week in this area.

This is how I see my "needs" list of machinery and where I need advice.

A 4x4 tractor somewhere between 40hp and 55hp
5ft slasher
4ft rotary hoe
A ripper
How handy would a 4 in 1 bucket be? Is it something I should add to the "must have" list? Is there anything I have missed?

Sorry for rambling on for so long, I just have do do this right.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to any advice or information that you can share.

Have a great day.

 

[Egbert]

I'm afraid I don't know squat about this ... BUT ...

I was really impressed by your post. I wish you great success in this endeavor!

 

[Belloyowie]

Thanks Egbert, hopefully it goes somewhere. Have a good day

 

[Looking4new]

Very impressive story.

A front bucket in my opinion would be an asset. If for no other reason than as a bumper if you should lose control going down a hill or stab it into the ground to stop you from being totally 'out of control'.
Because you are on the disabled list, if can you get a grant or money from the government that would help you start up.

 

[Belloyowie]

Thanks mate, I was thinking about the same thing for the bucket and I am sure once you have one it will be used way more than imagined. As for the "government help" well that's not really an option here, well that I have info on at least.

Have a good 1

 

[creekbend]

Welcome aboard and sincere best wishes regarding all your future endeavors. A FEL would definitely be an asset. Take care.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Cobber and welcome to TBN from Tassie.

I've only had my tractor for just over a year and bought it new with practically the same implements that you listed, including the 4in1. Negotiated the deal (with 1st 200hr service) for just over A$42,000. I don't know the used market so I'm no help there.

The bonus to you (not knowing what your disability is) is that a lot of the new CUTs are HST which means there's no gear shifting... the diesel runs 2 or 3 hydraulic pumps which then operates everything else.

If you're not in that much of a hurry, find out if there's going to be a local Field Day & you'll be able to check out most of the rigs (operate them) at one time. Getting the best deal, whether new or 'previously loved' is all well and good BUT the most important part of owning a tractor is a reputable Dealership that is going to support you in the end. Ask 'in the pub' who's the best in the area.

Good luck, Mate.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[Belloyowie]

Thanks for the reply Wagtail, good to hear from a fellow Aussie.

I have given myself till Christmas to do all my research and fact finding as I can't afford to not get it right first time.

Is this HST like an auto box in a car? Sorry if its a dumb question but we don't have many dealers locally (only 2) to ask and they only stock the big named brands which when you add all of my wish list will come to over 60k and on top of that they all rubbish the opposition and big note their own product. I HATE THAT, its a sign to me they are insecure about their own product.

Going to take a run out to Agquip at Gunnedah NSW Commonwealth Bank AgQuip Field Days in August but that's a long way off yet and want to be equipped with enough info to pressure the sales guys and see what sort of deals can be done.

Do you mind if I ask what tractor you purchased and what your honest thoughts are? What could be improved and what works really well?

Cheers

 

[Belloyowie]

Thanks Mate, looking forward to edumacating myself on tractoring :tractor: