Buying Advice How long can I get by without one?

[MGH PA]

I have a new home build over in the Rural Living section here.

We're moved in, and with warmer weather arriving soon, I'm moving on to outside work. I have a lot of landscaping/tree removal yet to do, and we've been cutting and skidding with my dad's JD 990. We live on 25 acres, but it's on my parents 200+ acres. I have a 1/2 mile long driveway (mostly flat and through ag fields) that I will have to maintain.

To give you and idea of location and setting, here's my backyard:




Most people here would say I need a tractor, buy I do have access to my father's (he lives right by us). I was considering buying my own tractor so we could supplement with implements he doesn't have (like a land plane, grapple, etc.), plus his isn't a HST, and I like the idea of going that route. I will have about a 2 acres to mow (grass), plus the fields you see above, but we use my dad's 990 and LP 72" bush hog for that. I don't want to buy a tractor for the sake of buying one as it's a big expense, but part of me feels like I would utilize one quite often not to mention sometimes it's pain to borrow equipment.

Since my dad as a 40hp tractor, I thought of maybe supplementing with something like a B series or the new LX series. Either way, I would want a cab since it would be used for mowing and snow removal. I don't know. Seems crazy, but it seems like everyone recommends having a tractor when you live on acreage, but we grew up on 90 acres and my dad just had Ford 8n for much of that time, and we survived

So, I suppose, this isn't really a buying question as much as it is just general advice on my situation. I'm sure I would use one, but is it really necessary?

 

[coobie]

IMHO I do not like to borrow other folks equipment family or not.I would buy my own tractor.

 

[Trillium Farm]

What you really need and maybe not depending on your driveway's length, is a snow clearing machine, the rest is a "Wish List"

 

[metalbender]

Does dad's JD have a fel? Make a list of wants, needs and already have it. If sharing is good with dad, then more attachments can be purchased, possibly splitting the costs, benefitting both. I'm keeping my son's quarter warm till he retires. I bought a new tractor as I'll be here for the duration. He's come to the ballpark on a few implement purchases that he'll be using when he gets his new house built and setting up the yard.

 

[MGH PA]

Does dad's JD have a fel? Make a list of wants, needs and already have it. If sharing is good with dad, then more attachments can be purchased, possibly splitting the costs, benefitting both. I'm keeping my son's quarter warm till he retires. I bought a new tractor as I'll be here for the duration. He's come to the ballpark on a few implement purchases that he'll be using when he gets his new house built and setting up the yard.

Yep, and we use it a lot (the FEL that is).

 

[rScotty]

What does your dad think?

 

[MGH PA]

What does your dad think?

He is VERY frugal. So he's against it.

 

[4570Man]

He is VERY frugal. So he's against it.

My family is about the same way. I don’t spend recklessly but I’m more of the mindset of what use is having money if you won’t buy anything nice. I think if you want a tractor and can afford it you should have one.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
Most people here would say I need a tractor, buy I do have access to my father's (he lives right by us). I was considering buying my own tractor so we could supplement with implements he doesn't have (like a land plane, grapple, etc.), plus his isn't a HST, and I like the idea of going that route. I will have about a 2 acres to mow (grass), plus the fields you see above, but we use my dad's 990 and LP 72" bush hog for that. I don't want to buy a tractor for the sake of buying one as it's a big expense, but part of me feels like I would utilize one quite often not to mention sometimes it's pain to borrow equipment.

Since my dad as a 40hp tractor, I thought of maybe supplementing with something like a B series or the new LX series. Either way, I would want a cab since it would be used for mowing and snow removal. I don't know. Seems crazy, but it seems like everyone recommends having a tractor when you live on acreage, but we grew up on 90 acres and my dad just had Ford 8n for much of that time, and we survived

So, I suppose, this isn't really a buying question as much as it is just general advice on my situation. I'm sure I would use one, but is it really necessary?

Does your dad's have SSQA?

For 25 acres your going to need a tractor near the size of your dad's anyways. I'd recommend you get a grapple and land plane first, then eventually get your own tractor. Choose the implements so they can be used on whatever you eventually get.

You wrote

but we grew up on 90 acres

And now your dad has 200, if you do the same you may wind up with a square mile or so and need a much bigger tractor!!

 

[nards444]

i dont like borrowing stuff either from anybody. But if I helped maintained the equipment and maybe bought somethings to go with it, and we had that relationship where if I broke it and it wasnt a big problem, maybe I would go that route, no sense spending money to just spend it, although caskets dont have pockets either and enjoy it.

I think if you do yeah something 25 hp or less probably would work, B or BX series.

Another option is maybe convince him to sell or trade and maybe you go in together on a new machine.

 

[crashz]

A 990 is not a huge tractor. And together, you guys have 200 acres to take care of. I'm guessing that farming is not your main source of income, so during the week you are busy at work. It would be nice to be able to tackle tasks together and knockout the bigger mowing and maintenance tasks that much quicker.

You mention nothing about budget, so if I were you, I'd look at a similar size tractor (4000 series?) so that you could share buckets and implements. Your fathers tractor would probably have the JD quick attach if any, so that would slightly steer me to JD first.

Beautiful view!

 

[Thomas]

Honestly you got to go with your gut feelings.

 

[RalphVa]

I'd say you could use a B model. Both the 2301 and 2601 have dual brakes which JD seems to have shucked in its gen. 2, 2 series.

Whether you need the much heavier L or JD 3 series depends on how much soil movement you need to do. Otherwise, just pushing those heavier machine up and keeping them from thundering down those hills would require more hp. My back hill down to the creek looks similar to your back yard. Would not want to have to keep an L or 3 series JD from rocketing down the hill and wouldn't want to keep putting more fuel in it to just get a naked tractor back up the hill.

A man needs a diesel powered wheelbarrow, e.g. a tractor with FEL. Gotta have 4wd for those hills (I tried doing with a Gravely: no good).

Ralph

 

[ovrszd]

There's no way I'd buy a smaller tractor than you already have. Or for that matter, a similar size tractor. The existing tractor is handling all those chores just fine. I would need a tractor that's big enough to do those things Dad's won't. I'd be looking at a 75-100hp tractor with FEL. Then add tools to that tractor to relieve some of the heavier chores from Dad's. All of the driveway work and timber work would be done with the larger tractor. With the heavier tasks relieved from Dad's tractor it will last way beyond his lifetime and probably yours. Same with the large tractor.

 

[4570Man]

There's no way I'd buy a smaller tractor than you already have. Or for that matter, a similar size tractor. The existing tractor is handling all those chores just fine. I would need a tractor that's big enough to do those things Dad's won't. I'd be looking at a 75-100hp tractor with FEL. Then add tools to that tractor to relieve some of the heavier chores from Dad's. All of the driveway work and timber work would be done with the larger tractor. With the heavier tasks relieved from Dad's tractor it will last way beyond his lifetime and probably yours. Same with the large tractor.

Just because they have 200 or more acres it doesn’t look like much of it is workable. His dad’s tractor had proved adequate for their needs. I think buying a 100 hp tractor would be way overkill for their needs.

 

[ovrszd]

Just because they have 200 or more acres it doesn’t look like much of it is workable. His dad’s tractor had proved adequate for their needs. I think buying a 100 hp tractor would be way overkill for their needs.

I have 150 acres, 45% tillable. I worked the snot out of a 44hp tractor trying to take care of it. Sold it and bought a 95hp tractor. Then bought a 47hp tractor better suited for the small tasks.

Tillage isn't the reason to buy a larger tractor. It's to spread the ability to accomplish all tasks on the land between two tractors.

What would be the purpose in buying something to duplicate what's already there?

What would be the purpose in buying something that does less work than what's already there?

 

[4570Man]

What would be the purpose in buying something to duplicate what's already there?

What would be the purpose in buying something that does less work than what's already there?

Because he wants his own machine with HST and a cab. He apparently feels satisfied with the work done with his dad’s tractor or he wouldn’t be looking at smaller options.

 

[ovrszd]

Because he wants his own machine with HST and a cab. He apparently feels satisfied with the work done with his dad’s tractor or he wouldn’t be looking at smaller options.

Then he should go for it.

Couple years from now we can have a new thread about upsizing.

How many times do we see that?

 

[k0ua]

Then he should go for it.

Couple years from now we can have a new thread about upsizing.

How many times do we see that?

Oh, about a hundred threads a year or so..

 

[Jstpssng]

Getting back to the original question...
Only you know what your finances are like. If you can easily afford a new tractor you will never regret it. Having access to your father's JD puts you in a postion to look around, but there's something to be said about owning your own tools and equipment. It took me a long time to realize that borrowing comes with a cost. Now if I can't afford to buy something I will go without. And what I do have I don't lend.