Just purchased a small pecan orchard

[Pecan Bill]

We have just purchased a 7 acre pecan orchard near Granbury Tx. The previous owner sold his equipment at auction and I need to start the process of piecing together the equipment I will need to control grass, spray trees, till a vegetable garden, etc. I have not purchased a tractor since the 60's and am very disappointed by the predominance of Indian and Far East tractors. I don't want to purchase something that I cannot get parts for and need advice. I was raised on a small row crop farm less than 200 acres and we did everything with Ford 8N and 460 tractors.

Please let me know what you have learned about the tractor(s) to consider, finish mowers vs. brush hogs vs zero turn mowers with large decks, loader uses, and tillers that work well for small gardens.

Thank you.

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[Bob77064]

Welcome

 

[creekbend]

Just a suggestion. Why don't you browse the forums here on TBN in regards to the makes and models of Tractors. There is a specific Attachment forum that you might find informative also. BTW, good to have you aboard and the best of Luck in your endeavors.

 

[moored4]

:welcome: to TBN! :thumbsup:

Happy :tractor: ing!

 

[Pecan Bill]

Glad to be here and it appears that you share my enjoyment of cooking in dutch ovens outdoors.

 

[TripleR]

Welcome to TBN. We used finish mowers for several years when we reforested, but now use only bush hogs as we don't mow as frequently.

As mentioned, do some searching and reading to cover some of your areas of interests as there are probably a hundred different makes/models that will work well for you.

I grew up row cropping with Ford 600 and 800 tractors also.

 

[Pecan Bill]

Thanks TripleR. Nothing like the smell of freshly turned ground on a spring morning. I am still lookin through reviews. I looked at Mahindra yesterday along with New Holland. I have steered clear of John Deere because everyone talks about he expense but now wonder if it is an issue. At least I feel confident of getting parts if needed years down the road. Case seems to be coming on strong with the new line of FarmAll tractors even the model B. So much to choose from. Please respond if you have experience with any in the 30 hp range.

 

[TripleR]

There is a thread on here somewhere addressing the joys of plowing, as you say, nothing quite like the smell of freshly turned earth in the spring.

I have no recent experience in the 30HP machines, but certainly wouldn't discount John Deere as the price in that size is not always a lot higher than some though the Mahindra and LS will be considerably cheaper. The Kioti/Bobcat will be somewhere in between. LS makes some of the tractors for Case and NH now.

With some of the makes, it is hard to know who actually makes which model any more.

 

[mguitas]

:welcome: