A friend in need ...how can you help?

[imajeepnut]

I have a dear friend who is very deserving of this thread...and he knows nothing about what I am doing. He's a great daddy, husband, and friend. We have both played and enjoyed bluegrass together for years until last year. He also is/was a computer network technician, as was I in the past. He has had at least 7 brain surgeries due to fast growth tumors. This last surgery took a toll on him though. The tumor had attached itself to the brain stem, and the procedure to remove it this time left him with stroke-like symptoms on one side. He's just 42. Imagine one day being able to split firewood, bushhog your pasture, pick your banjo, and troubleshoot a computer network for the school system...and then after surgery you can barely walk. That's what has happened to Don. He is strong in his Faith, but I know his heart is heavy laden. That's why I'm taking the time to share all this with you. Since we have so many common interests/skills...I can really understand how he must feel.

Like all of us, Don has always enjoyed keeping his place clean and manicured. But he can no longer run his tractor. The old tractor that once belonged to his Wife's Daddy is useless to him at this point. And he sits and worries about all he needs to do , but can't. He has a Cub Cadet riding lawn mower, and a small 4-wheeler. He is trying to come up with ways to keep his pasture cut without having someone else do it. He wants to work.

So I've been thinking about all the different SCUT models out there. He can step up to the height of a SCUT deck I think....as long as it's a walk through. I know he could benefit greatly from one of these small 4x4 sub compact tractors....with a frontend loader, and bushhog. With all his bills coming in, I know he can't afford a new tractor. So I'm searching for a respectable used model that might be bought for a fair price.


Needed is a front-end loader and bushhog.
It needs to be 4 wheel drive
ROPS of some sort to keep him safe.
I think hydrostat would be best for him.
And it should be dependable so that it's not a worry for him.
I could paint it or help update it if need be...as long as it doesn't involve getting in to the engine...I don't think we need that big of a project.


Could any of you make some suggestions while keeping the up front purchase price low enough that it can be afforded? Say maybe a B7100 vintage or similar model would work. Or another model altogether if the price is better.

I'm all ears at this point. I look around tractorhouse a good bit for Kubotas, but I don't know the other makes and brands well so please educate me if you find what you think would be a good canditate. I know this little tractor would be such good therapy for him as it would give him some of his independence back.

Thanks to all who have the time to help,
Jeff

 

[timswi]

What would be considered affordable to him?

 

[TripleR]

Very sorry to hear about your friend. I was in an automobile crash at the age of 21 and have spinal cord injury with stroke like paralysis on the left side. I am 62 now. One of the things that helped me was that I was a weight lifter and ran track prior to my crash and had developed good exercise habits. Rehab is going to be very helpful to him and he will have to work very hard at it. My rehabilitation took years, so he may still gain more mobility.

That being said, your description of needs seems very much in line with what he will need in a tractor. I have found the BX series to fit the bill best for me, but a JD may work better depending on which side is most affected.

As finances are always a consideration, modifying his ATV with a winch and front loader along with a Swisher pull behind "bush hog" might be an option if you can't find an affordable tractor.

Also if you can't find the right tractor, a good fabricator might be able to add aides such as steps, grab handles and such.

You are right in that being able to do things for himself will be very beneficial not only from a mental health standpoint, but it will also get him out and keep him active thus aiding in developing greater strength and learning how best to "work around" some obstacles.

If I come across anything, I will be sure to let you know. What part of the country are you in? I am in SE Missouri, so if I find something it may be prohibitive as far as travel.

Your friend's attitude will be helpful to him in not giving up as I have learned to operate geared equipment and other machinery even with my limitations. Of course grandfather time is starting to kick my butt, but I have had a good run all in all as I wasn't expected to live or ever walk again.

 

[radioman]

Well - I'd say the BX has the lowest floor deck that is easy to get in and sit in that is capable of running a bush hog. Adding a I match quick hitch or simalar would help. Go up in size like a b series is only making it harder to step up and get in. I am not sure of his current physical capabilities.

What do you guys think?

 

[Paul Wise]

Boy, I'm thinking a BX is the way to go. At least to look into. The 2660 does have a deluxe seat that might be of a benifit. I don't know how many used 2660's there are though.

What about assistance programs? Does anybody know of any assistance programs that might be able to help him buy or get a tractor?

 

[TripleR]

There is a program to help disabled farmers with disabilities, but it is only if they are in the business of farming.

Yes, the BX2660 is a great improvement over the earlier BX models as far as comfort, but they may be out of his price range. To get on mine, I lower the deck so the wheels sit on the ground and use the deck as a step and then adjust it from the seat or I have a step I sit beside the tractor if the deck is off.

 

[easygo]

Jeff,

As I'm sure you know JD and Massey also make small SCUT machines but if memory serves me right they tend to be priced higher then Kubotas so you are kind of "stuck" with orange.
Based on the idea of the step stool that Triple R uses you could widen the search to the smaller and older B machines. He would have to pull right up to the steps but that is a small problem. There are a lot of older ones out there that run great and a lot were made with hydro transmission.
When I was growing up (an ocean east of here) I have seen a number of manual transmission cars that were modified so people who lost one or both legs could drive them. If your friend has trouble on his right side some modification could be done so he can push the pedals with his left foot. Just an idea.

 

[imajeepnut]

Thank you all for caring enough to take the time to offer up this good advice. I have been looking for some of the older Kubota hydros from the 80's and early 90's. I've used some of those before and they are great little tractors. He found an 03 model BX2200 w/loader 400hrs, 4' disc harrow for $8200. I've found some for less with more attachments.

He can walk, but his dexterity is limited on one side. FEL Controls could be swapped around I'm sure if need be depending on where they work best for him. I think he feels he could handle the BX line pretty well. He went to look at some yesterday and also took a look at a Mahindra. I don't guess I realized that Mahindra made SCUTs. It's low and wide for stability which is nice...and the specs are pretty good compared to an 1860. Price seems good too. Any SCUT he chooses could be outfitted with wheel spacers though...to make it more stable. With 0% for 60, he might be able to swing a new one...but I don't know that for sure.

Here's the link to Mahindra
Farm tractors for Ag Farmers, Hobby Farmers - Sub Compact, Compact & Full Size 2WD & 4WD Utility Tractors

I think I'll come up with a list of tractors that I've found and post them here and get some feedback from everyone here. Some may have live PTOs and others may not, and I'm not sure I know all of each model's options.

He has 15 acres to keep up, and the BX will do it, but it will be slow. But...I'm thinking the more time on the tractor the better for him We're also checking in to the assistance programs offered for those in the farming program here.

I'll check back soon....

Thanks again,
Jeff

 

[TripleR]

Jeff,

Just throwing stuff out, but your friend "may" be able to use a bigger machine than a BX or other SCUT/CUT. It really isn't much harder for me to operate my 80 hp Case than my BX as it has steps and grab rails as well as a big open operating deck. It is a geared tractor and I use it by swiveling sideways to clutch with my right foot.

I used a friend's older model Kubota last year to help him do some work; don't remember the model number, but it was about a 35/40 horse and while it was an HST, you had to push the clutch to start it and to select the different ranges, so I just used my cane or stood up to reach over and depress it before sitting down and getting to work. Someone over the years had added a step to it; looked like heck, but it worked.

I looked at the B series and it would be a simple matter to add a step to the deck.

I agree that all models need to be evaluated and can't emphasize enough that he will need to crawl on and off of a bunch of tractors.

I have a couple of steps I use; got one from Express Medical Supply and another from Cabela's, but have used bricks, lumber and even a limb when nothing else was handy.

My wife's cousin has been in a wheel chair for over 40 years, so I don't get too hung up on what I can't do.

 

[EE_Bota]

Lots of folks here have seen lots of tractors. Their thoughts can only be aided if you tell which side and which limbs are impaired. If you said already, I apologize, and I missed it.

My Kubota BX2200 is easy on the left side of the body, and all the real work is on the right.

Left has PTO on/off for the left hand to operate, and the differential lock and the parking brake lock for the left foot to operate.

Right has Loader controls, lift controls, 4wd controls, throttle, and all of these are for the right hand. For the right foot is the hydro treadle, and the brake.

I wish your friend all the best, and he already has a very strong advantage by having such a good friend in you.

I played banjo 35+ years, but have switched to acoustic guitar, or more accurately, I have switched to trying to play Classical Gas perfectly on a guitar. That is such a fun and pleasing song, it is not surprising I have spend so much time on it. Banjo got to where it was no longer pleasing to my ear because it lacks low rich tones that are abundant in my Martin guitar.