I am a 53 year old woman who inherited an 80 acre piece of land that was let go for 20 years. I haven't driven a tractor since I was 14. I am in the process of starting a you-pick-blackberry farm and I NEED a tractor. I will need to till, push or pull out bushes and small trees, cut the crp areas once a year, dig, push snow, grade the drive which is 1/10 of a mile, and who knows what else. I have been out to see the new Kubotas, New Holland, and John Deere so far. They are very expensive. What do I look for in a good used tractor that is user friendly. I can use all the advice I can get at this point.
Need Advice on type of tractor to purchase
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I am a 53 year old woman who inherited an 80 acre piece of land that was let go for 20 years. I haven't driven a tractor since I was 14. I am in the process of starting a you-pick-blackberry farm and I NEED a tractor. I will need to till, push or pull out bushes and small trees, cut the crp areas once a year, dig, push snow, grade the drive which is 1/10 of a mile, and who knows what else. I have been out to see the new Kubotas, New Holland, and John Deere so far. They are very expensive. What do I look for in a good used tractor that is user friendly. I can use all the advice I can get at this point.
bbse
Platinum Member
You will get tons of advice with that set of questions. I would suggest you fill out your user profile, at least the location part. Then if someone knows of a good deal in your area they can send you a private message about it.
BTW, what is your price range and what implements do you need? Do you need a front loader?
BTW, what is your price range and what implements do you need? Do you need a front loader?
bbse
Platinum Member
You will get tons of advice with that set of questions. I would suggest you fill out your user profile, at least the location part. Then if someone knows of a good deal in your area they can send you a private message about it.
BTW, what is your price range and what implements do you need? Do you need a front loader?
BTW, what is your price range and what implements do you need? Do you need a front loader?
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Messages
- 51,575
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- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
Also.. give us an idea on size limitations. In general I like to reccomend a big tractor for big land.. i.E. your 80ac would do well with a 50-100 hp machine.. however.. for the type of bush farming you do.. you might well need a rel narrow machine.. perhaps with orchard fenders.. thus a small CUT or large SCUT Like a NH TC 2X or so.. 24/29 etc..
Post back with more info.
Soundguy
Post back with more info.
Soundguy
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Messages
- 51,575
- Location
- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
Also.. give us an idea on size limitations. In general I like to reccomend a big tractor for big land.. i.E. your 80ac would do well with a 50-100 hp machine.. however.. for the type of bush farming you do.. you might well need a rel narrow machine.. perhaps with orchard fenders.. thus a small CUT or large SCUT Like a NH TC 2X or so.. 24/29 etc..
Post back with more info.
Soundguy
Post back with more info.
Soundguy
Get a farmer with some serious machinery to till it and get it back into shape. Then you come in and do the 'easy" work.
Bob
PS You will be money ahead letting the big boys run their big machines that can take a beating before you do anything. I have 15 acres that was let go for awhile. I have a local farmer who is working the land for the next 4 years. I am now in my second year. The changes he has made are amazing!!!!!!! I would have ruined a CUT doing it myself. He tills it, gets rid of the weeds, plants corn and beans and pays me for the use of the land. In 2 more years, it is all mine. I am slowly taking small pieces back, and working them (sort of practice) . I call it baby steps.
Bob
PS You will be money ahead letting the big boys run their big machines that can take a beating before you do anything. I have 15 acres that was let go for awhile. I have a local farmer who is working the land for the next 4 years. I am now in my second year. The changes he has made are amazing!!!!!!! I would have ruined a CUT doing it myself. He tills it, gets rid of the weeds, plants corn and beans and pays me for the use of the land. In 2 more years, it is all mine. I am slowly taking small pieces back, and working them (sort of practice) . I call it baby steps.
Get a farmer with some serious machinery to till it and get it back into shape. Then you come in and do the 'easy" work.
Bob
PS You will be money ahead letting the big boys run their big machines that can take a beating before you do anything. I have 15 acres that was let go for awhile. I have a local farmer who is working the land for the next 4 years. I am now in my second year. The changes he has made are amazing!!!!!!! I would have ruined a CUT doing it myself. He tills it, gets rid of the weeds, plants corn and beans and pays me for the use of the land. In 2 more years, it is all mine. I am slowly taking small pieces back, and working them (sort of practice) . I call it baby steps.
Bob
PS You will be money ahead letting the big boys run their big machines that can take a beating before you do anything. I have 15 acres that was let go for awhile. I have a local farmer who is working the land for the next 4 years. I am now in my second year. The changes he has made are amazing!!!!!!! I would have ruined a CUT doing it myself. He tills it, gets rid of the weeds, plants corn and beans and pays me for the use of the land. In 2 more years, it is all mine. I am slowly taking small pieces back, and working them (sort of practice) . I call it baby steps.
BungeeII
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2006
- Messages
- 371
- Location
- Lapeer County, Michigan
- Tractor
- Ford 860, 861, Bolens GT2000, Eliminator 1700, Cub LT2180
I'm kinda with Bob on this. We have only 10 acres that was let go for only 8 years. Plus, there's the fence rows that have been here for 100 years. It's very hard work, which is good, but it takes a lot of time, too. I could have had 2 guys with 2 machines @ 200 per hour total do as much work in 1 day that I did in 3 summers. It depends on what's really there, though. I have pictures in my head of my place times eight. yuck
BungeeII
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2006
- Messages
- 371
- Location
- Lapeer County, Michigan
- Tractor
- Ford 860, 861, Bolens GT2000, Eliminator 1700, Cub LT2180
I'm kinda with Bob on this. We have only 10 acres that was let go for only 8 years. Plus, there's the fence rows that have been here for 100 years. It's very hard work, which is good, but it takes a lot of time, too. I could have had 2 guys with 2 machines @ 200 per hour total do as much work in 1 day that I did in 3 summers. It depends on what's really there, though. I have pictures in my head of my place times eight. yuck