Do I need a tractor?

[Reddernecked]

Again Best of luck on your decision Doc. Tons and tons of knowledge on this website for sure. You should be able to get anything answered you can dream up here.

 

[Larro Darro]

Doc, all this talk of kids driving tractors got me to thinking of how I learned. Like all farm kids, I had steered tractors and trucks as long as I could sit in my Daddy's lap. As soon as I could reach the pedals on our riding mower, I had the job of mowing. The same with tractors. Back then we had smaller tractors, so I was doing simple farm tasks like bush hogging and discing when I was 10 or 11. When a kid can reach the pedals, he is old enough to learn.

Good luck, and have some fun.

 

[OldMcDonald]

Reddernecked, I like your post #81, and it would indeed be a dull world if we all agreed on everything. I also agree with you that a poll is not the answer, I was merely showing that I was in a small minority rather than standing alone, with the occasional poster unsure - at least at some point in their posts. I am certain that he will go ahead and buy a tractor and some equipment. He wants one, he has the money, so he will buy one.

I will not pursue the practice of children riding on or driving tractors and other machinery, but I do agree with a minimum age limit. The fatalities that have occurred have almost invariably been with kids under the control of a parent. Devastating if it happens.

Thanks for the thumbs up on my writing. It is approaching 6 pm here now and time to go out again for a couple of hours before dinner. Whilst it is not as hot as Australia, it is pushing 100ｺF at present and I tend to hide on hot afternoons until the shadows are longer. It is at these times that I put together odd bits and pieces of articles, mainly from agricultural research projects around the world by other people. Some are published most are not, but form a reference library for me. I have done that all my life and computers make it so much easier. I most certainly do not want to be known, or heaven forbid, remembered, as a writer. I sometimes wish I had not been persuaded to publish my book but just left it for my son. The ironic thing is that there were quite a few people pushing me to do it, yet only one of them bought it!!

Hope you have a nice day too - and apologies to cardiologist for taking it further off-topic.

 

[Larro Darro]

OldMcDonald, I to enjoy your writing. I have done a little writing myself, but I have stuck to fiction. I have written a series of seven novels, all set in 1717 and 1718. The first one of them is ready to publish, but so far I have held off. I'm not too keen on others reading my stuff. But as I get closer to retirement, the few dollars I might make off them will be more important to me then.

Thanks for posting on your blog. One day I might let a little of my stuff out that way. But the long term plan is to sell it on Kindle Direct.


Edit: Sorry for the thread hijack, Doc.

 

[cardiologist]

Share your blog link? I'd love to read more about this.

 

[2458n]

Skipped thru alot of this the simple answer is yes - you need a tractor. People ask why I drive a 4 wheel drw diesel dump truck. A friend sitting next to me seez because he wants to. Enjoy life!

 

[cardiologist]

Thanks all once again. I think I'm going to move up to the 30hp range. Get something a year or two old and still end up under $15k. Still doing research. Advice and experience still welcome!

 

[DB Pilot]

Yes, you need a sub-compact tractor. MMM can be harder to mount and dismount so I like my rear mount mower with rear discharge. Leaves a cleaner looking lawn. As for your mower service people. They will never do as good a job as you would like especially keeping the boundaries pushed back. So you can use them and still touch up the edges when you like. If you have a paved driveway a scraper blade and bucket set up is perfect, and lots of fun for snow removal. snow blowers are just a lot of maintenance. Just too much other things that can be done with a tractor and bucket than can be covered here. Don't forget the bucket makes a great step or lift for reaching high limbs or rain gutters.

Good Luck

 

[Cbrown9064]

I favor Fords...here is one from Toledo Craigslist. A 1989 3910. A little longer than SCUT, but a heck of a lot of tractor for the $. If it were me, I would start with something like this and see how it goes. Then you will know more about what you want/need. I don't know about the price on this particular one, but buying a used tractor like this it is hard to lose money if it is in good shape. A tractor like this will have a good amount of power also.

1989 Ford farm tractor 3910

Note...older tractors do need some MX and TLC, but that can be very therapeutic also.

You didn't say if you like to wrench on things...

Here is another Case IH (newer)...
Case IH DX29 w/LX114 loader

I just found these browsing through "Farm+Garden" on the Toledo Craigslist. Go look at a few and see what you think. All these smaller tractors will have 540rpm PTO and category I 3 point, so 3 point attachments will interchange.
Chris