Birdbrain
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2008
- Messages
- 35
- Location
- Slower Lower Delaware (Sussex Co.)
- Tractor
- Kubota L3400, Farmall A
Hello Everyone,
This is my first post to this forum. I am in the market to buy a new tractor and would like some opinions. A little background
My location is southern Delaware (or slower Lower Delaware to some). The land is flat, climate is moderate.
I grew up on the farm. My grandfather and father farmed until 1985 when they sold out (I was 12). We had several tractors Farmall B, H, M, a 450 and a 1066, but they were all sold at auction. Since 1992, we have maintained a 1-acre garden with a Farmall A, an ancient worn-out 2 bottom plow (it has steel wheels) and a disk that bounces as much as it disks. It worked for what we needed.
Now I own the 50-acre family farm. I have taken it out of ag production and enrolled most of it an Environmental program through the state. The heavy construction is almost complete with 6 new ponds being built. Wetlands will take up 16 acres and 24 more acres will be planted in native grasses. On the remaining 5-6 acres of existing fields, I plan to have an expanded garden and some wildlife plantings (sunflowers, sorghum, etc.).
So here is what I think my needs will be:
1. 5-6 acres to plow, disk each year. Perhaps this will dwindle as I add permanent plantings.
2. Approx 10 acres of the grass areas to mow once each year in order to maintain it as grassland. Possible maintenance of pond slopes (5:1), possibly muddy areas.
3. Temporary use (one-time) this spring to plant the grasses (using an 8 foot drill available from the state).
4. Possible use for finish mowing, but parts of the yard that I am not too concerned about like behind the barn and the back lane.
5. Possible use to remove the every so often big snow.
I am looking at tractors in the 25-30 hp range. As yet, I have no preference of manufacturer and have dealers of all major brands within a reasonable distance. I think 4WD is good, either Gear or HST is fine (HST not a must). For attachments, I want a plow, disk and mower now (I have fun plowing so I do not want a tiller). Possibly adding a landscape rake, finish mower and rear blade in the future.
So here is my list of questions (for now):
1. Do you think I am on target for the size tractor I will need?
2. Can a 25-30 hp tractor handle a 2 or 3 bottom plow? What is the minimum hp for 3?
3. Can it handle the one time use of the drill?
4. I am considering a sickle bar mower over a rear mounted one. I don稚 like the idea of driving through all the tall grasses to mow them. Starting from the side seems much easier. What are the pro/cons of a sickle bar mower?
5. Is there any online source for prices, even a ballpark idea? I can find the exact MSRP of a car I want to buy, but tractors seem to be a big secret. I would like to have some clue before I contact any dealers.
Thanks for any and all opinions,
Glen
This is my first post to this forum. I am in the market to buy a new tractor and would like some opinions. A little background
My location is southern Delaware (or slower Lower Delaware to some). The land is flat, climate is moderate.
I grew up on the farm. My grandfather and father farmed until 1985 when they sold out (I was 12). We had several tractors Farmall B, H, M, a 450 and a 1066, but they were all sold at auction. Since 1992, we have maintained a 1-acre garden with a Farmall A, an ancient worn-out 2 bottom plow (it has steel wheels) and a disk that bounces as much as it disks. It worked for what we needed.
Now I own the 50-acre family farm. I have taken it out of ag production and enrolled most of it an Environmental program through the state. The heavy construction is almost complete with 6 new ponds being built. Wetlands will take up 16 acres and 24 more acres will be planted in native grasses. On the remaining 5-6 acres of existing fields, I plan to have an expanded garden and some wildlife plantings (sunflowers, sorghum, etc.).
So here is what I think my needs will be:
1. 5-6 acres to plow, disk each year. Perhaps this will dwindle as I add permanent plantings.
2. Approx 10 acres of the grass areas to mow once each year in order to maintain it as grassland. Possible maintenance of pond slopes (5:1), possibly muddy areas.
3. Temporary use (one-time) this spring to plant the grasses (using an 8 foot drill available from the state).
4. Possible use for finish mowing, but parts of the yard that I am not too concerned about like behind the barn and the back lane.
5. Possible use to remove the every so often big snow.
I am looking at tractors in the 25-30 hp range. As yet, I have no preference of manufacturer and have dealers of all major brands within a reasonable distance. I think 4WD is good, either Gear or HST is fine (HST not a must). For attachments, I want a plow, disk and mower now (I have fun plowing so I do not want a tiller). Possibly adding a landscape rake, finish mower and rear blade in the future.
So here is my list of questions (for now):
1. Do you think I am on target for the size tractor I will need?
2. Can a 25-30 hp tractor handle a 2 or 3 bottom plow? What is the minimum hp for 3?
3. Can it handle the one time use of the drill?
4. I am considering a sickle bar mower over a rear mounted one. I don稚 like the idea of driving through all the tall grasses to mow them. Starting from the side seems much easier. What are the pro/cons of a sickle bar mower?
5. Is there any online source for prices, even a ballpark idea? I can find the exact MSRP of a car I want to buy, but tractors seem to be a big secret. I would like to have some clue before I contact any dealers.
Thanks for any and all opinions,
Glen
