2 Wheel Tractors - Buying & Using

[farmerboybill]

I don't know if I would want to run 20 acres with a two wheel machine. Are you talking 20 acres in production or 20 acres with half or so in fallow? You should pick up the book "the New Organic Grower" by Eliot Coleman. Eliot claims he did it for years with only a walking tractor but now owns a compact loader tractor. He market gardens 10 acres or so in the Northeast (Vermont if I remember correctly) but has half of it in fallow at any time. Parts of the book won't apply to you since you're in Texas and shouldn't need greenhouses to the extent he does Even if you're not gonna be organic, it's a worthwhile read for anyone thinking about market gardening.

 

[Highsmith]

Has anyone passed up their local BCS dealer in favor of dealing with Earth Tools? There is only 1 dealer in Texas, Waco, and I am about 150 miles from there. I am going to call them and find out what kind of selection they have.

 

[wstr75]

I by-passed my local dealer because the prices after shipping were essentially the same and they did not have the product knowledge especially regarding implements and attachments. I buy from Earth Tools and the BCS Shop. Both give excellent service and ship quickly.

Bill in NC

 

[Highsmith]

Per your suggestions, I called Earth Tools and talked with Joel today. Got my questions answered between numerous holds (that is one busy place). I hope to be able to place an order soon.
One thing Joel said that may be of interest to the group: BCS Italy and BCS America will have a new contract on August 1, 2008. They sign one year contracts and the next one may cause the cost of the machines to go higher in about 6 weeks. So if you want one, get one before August.

 

[Highsmith]

I ordered my 853 (Lombardini) today along with the various attachments: double ridger, cultivator tines, large chipper, riding cart, heavy duty brush hog, 22" pneumatic wheels and 23" steel wheels.

I am thankful to all of you that contributed so much information on this thread. I read through all 19 pages twice as well as researching other places on the web. No one gave as much info as you.

This machine, if it meets my expectations, will have my family in business as Market Gardeners this coming spring. We will be as busy as possible without the debt of a 4 wheel tractor with its various implements.

 

[farmerboybill]

Hey Highsmith,

Wow, you work fast! Congratulations on your purchase. What did Joel say about the cultivator being a poor mans spader?

Bill in WI

 

[Highsmith]

Hey Highsmith,

Wow, you work fast! Congratulations on your purchase. What did Joel say about the cultivator being a poor mans spader?

Bill in WI

As far as working fast, my wife and I have been researching our options for the last 4 years. And I never could get enthusiastic about the purchase of a 4 wheel tractor. I knew I needed something like it, and when I re-discovered the two-wheelers (I stumbled across them a year or two back) I knew immediately this could solve a lot of issues. I am excited about the purchase and very pleased NOT spending money on a 4 wheeler, which, for my current and forseeable future needs, is overkill.

Joel really didn't think the two were comparable. The spader does so much more to the ground than the cultivator and requires so much more from the tractor that it would be a very poor man indeed that settled for a cultivator when he needed a spader. My dirt is sandy loam and I can pick it up by the handful even in this dry, Texas heat so a spader is not necessary whereas I can find plenty of uses for the cultivator.

Joel helped me save money on the cultivator. I wanted the cultivator and the double ridger. He said he could just sell me the double ridger and the tines from the 6 tine cultivator from the Grillo implements. The tines will just clamp on to the framework of the double ridger and, Voila!, a cultivator.

 

[milkman]

Joel helped me save money on the cultivator. I wanted the cultivator and the double ridger. He said he could just sell me the double ridger and the tines from the 6 tine cultivator from the Grillo implements. The tines will just clamp on to the framework of the double ridger and, Voila!, a cultivator.

Looks like you got quite a combo and a machine that will do lots of work for years. Did you get a tiller with the 853, I didn't see it on the list you posted. Let us know when you get all the goodies and be sure to get us lots of pictures. Just try and get some action shots......without a big grin on your face, betcha can't.

 

[Highsmith]

It should arrive around the 29th. Joel could have gotten it here quicker but I will be out of town.

I will definitely take lots of pictures. I will have a big grin and lots of sweat in this Texas heat.

No tiller. I have a 9hp Craftsman that is a beast. It is about 5 years old. I wish I knew who made it for Sears as it is great. I will get the tiller if I ever wear this one out. Same for the lawnmower attachment, when I wear out my current lawnmower.

 

[milkman]

If you haven't tried a tiller on the BCS with a differential, be sure and do so, you'll find somebody you really don't like and give them the Sears.

 

[farmerboybill]

Hey Highsmith,

Don't worry, You'll have that craftsman done for in about 2 years in a 4 acre garden. They're homeowner units for sure, and are made by a low quality, high volume manufacturer like MTD or similar. Sears has been resting on its laurals far several years now. I bought a lawn tractor there a few years back and won't buy anything from them again based on how I was (mis)treated on a warranty claim.

Anyway, Milkman is right. The BCS tiller is a machine to behold and is the best value implement you can get for your 853

I'm curious, you were asking about comparisons for the flail , rotary, and sickle mowers. You decided on the rotary mower. How did you finally decide?

Bill in WI

 

[Highsmith]

I decided no on the sickle due to the fact it is for tall items only. It does not do short to moderate height grass/brush well at all. And the advantages the flail offered over the brushhog were just not of value to me. So I went with the brushhog.

 

[Highsmith]

Received my tractor two days ago. Spent all afternoon figuring out how to assemble the trailer. Finally my son and I got it together and he took it for a ride. Tonight I put on the steel wheels and attached the brush hog, but have yet to try it. I want to read the directions one more time. I have one blue steel bar left over and I have no idea what it is for and want to verify with Joel its purpose before starting up any attachments.

This thing is so big.

 

[milkman]

Wow, sounds like you have Christmas in July, bet you didn't sleep much last night, I know I wouldn't with the new toys you have. Sure would like to see some pictures of the machine with the trailer and also have never seen one with the steel wheels. We GOT to have pictures.

 

[js5020]

I hope no one minds me giving this thread a bump to the top, I just find it very interesting and quite informative as to what these machines are capable of, and with the gardening season creeping up on us I thought it might be a good time.

 

[milkman]

I know it will be about three months till I can get started in the garden, but I'm getting anxious to get the BCS in the dirt again. I was just looking back at some of the posts and pictures in this section, maybe that'll hold me over till the seed catalogues get here. Sure would be nice to see some more action in this thread too.

 

[js5020]

Yes gardening here is many months away, we have risk of frost into May here but it sure is time to get started with the planning. Unfortunately for me my 2 wheeled and 4wheeled machines are of little use in the garden as I use raised beds due to the volume of rock I have in the native "soil" so I use them mostly for mowing, snow removal or utility work here, seems the longer I have them the more I find to use them and if nothing else I get plenty of exercise in the process.

 

[ErikU]

Hi Folks,

I have a hand me down M-F c.u.t. that is really too big for my property (suburban 2 acres). Although I've got a significant amount of use out of it grading and planting trees, I've been thinking of downsizing now that most of the heavy work is completed. My primary needs would be for weed control, tilling, and a powered wheel barrow to move gardening supplies around. My first thought was to purchase an atv, but I've recently become aware of two wheeled tractors and it seems they could fit the bill except for the powered wheelbarrow part. Purusing BCS's website yesterday, they don't seem to offer an attachment for carting things around. Is there another source? Thanks.

Erik

 

[jperry507]

you'll find power wheelbarrow options at earthtoolsbcs.com under "attachments".

~ Jim

 

[ErikU]

Thank you Jim!