Question from new member

[Helen Naylor]

Hello - I have 2 horses and 5 acres of open field. I live in Maine. I have been told I should get a small tractor - for pushing snow so horses can move around in winter, for loading manure into a pile. I have never used a tractor, where should I start? and do I have to spend a lot of money for a useful one? thanks, Helen

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[Briana03]

Hi Helen, WELCOME to TractorByNet.com!

I have moved your thread to the Buying/Pricing/Comparisons Forum. You'll get a better response there.

 

[TripleR]

Helen, welcome to TBN. Most of us here love tractors and my natural inclination is to say, heck yes you need a tractor. A good tractor for someone with limited mechanical skills is not going to be cheap. You might want to look at paying a neighbor if your needs are limited to those in your post.

Having said that, a tractor along the lines of a Kubota B Series, maybe the 2320 with FEL will be "reasonably" priced and should take care of all of your needs. Of course look at all brands such as JD, Kioti/Bobcat etc. to find the right one for you.

You can get by with something like a BX, but my preference would be for more ground clearance.

 

[the fat kid]

Welcome to TBN! Helen I also live in Maine and am in the market and have 4 acres to care for. I would think with 5 acres of open pasture you must get wicked snowdrifts also. Maybe pushing the snow wouldn't be as good as moving the snow with a snowthrower. I'm not sure what area your in but if you are only doing what you say your doing I'd think a " subcompact" would be fine for you and easier to manuver. You could probably get a small tractor with FEl ( front end loader) mower and snow thrower brand new for under 20k. Just the subcompacts alone seem to run around 13-15k with just a FEl .
FYI if I knew what area you lived in I could send you to a dealership.

 

[RPW]

Welcome to the board.

Most of us would probably say get the most for the money. As you said you have limited knowledge on the subject. IMO I'd start by visiting your local tractor dealers as that is probably going to be your lifeline for repairs etc. There are many good stout machines out there but most would agree for a newcomer to tractors look at the major players such as Deere, Kubota, Massey, Mahindra, New Holand etc. Sit in seat on as many as you can. For 5 acres you'll probably find yourself in the ~30HP range. As far as impliments I would expect something to remove snow from the driveway, a chain harrow to drag the pastures, a rotary mower, a boxblade is indespensible as well as a front end loader. A lot will depend on what your area is like. I wouldn't worry to much about moving snow so the horses can move around as keeping fresh water unfrozen. Horses have are amazing at what they can and can't get around in. As far as expense on your tractor purchase you will most likely have some sticker shock and you should be prepared for it. As for buying used that is also an option but you'll find that prices don't depreciate much on tractors as you might think. With new you get the comfort of warranty. Hate to bring this up but unless you buy from a dealer or have a good neighbor to haul the tractor you'll be looking a a good stout trailer and possibly a truck. This is another reason to take your time in this endeaver. So many options.

Bottom line is a tractor is indespensable around multi-acre properties. Can you get by without? Probably but the amount of work that you can accomplish is amazing. Besides the sheer fun of running a tractor, moving mounds of dirt (or manure) can be very relaxing after a hard day at work.

Good luck on your journey into heavy machinery.

 

[flusher]

Hello - I have 2 horses and 5 acres of open field. I live in Maine. I have been told I should get a small tractor - for pushing snow so horses can move around in winter, for loading manure into a pile. I have never used a tractor, where should I start? and do I have to spend a lot of money for a useful one? thanks, Helen

My first tractor was a new 2005 Kubota B7510HST (21 hp engine, 17 hp pto, 4WD, hydrostatic tranny, power steering) with the LA302 FEL (4-ft wide bucket, 800 lb lift).



Cost: $12.6K plus tax.

The 7510 would handle your jobs easily.



Good luck.

 

[Soundguy]

yes you need a tractor.. doesn't everybody?

let me ask you this first. Do you have common hand tools and can you spin a wrench?

if so, then you can greatly expand your choices from merely looking at up to 10yr old used tractors, which hold teir value good and ar thus nearly as much as new ones.. but lets you now look at classics and antiques.

penies onthe dollar.. IE.. 2500$ gets you a capable tractor.. etc.

post back.

soundguy

 

[Grandad4]

Hello - I have 2 horses and 5 acres of open field. I live in Maine. I have been told I should get a small tractor - for pushing snow so horses can move around in winter, for loading manure into a pile. I have never used a tractor, where should I start? and do I have to spend a lot of money for a useful one? thanks, Helen

What represents "a lot of money" is relative in both horses and tractors. I have one neighbor with an old plug mare who can't afford to keep his 1955 tractor worth $3000 running. Another neighbor buys warmbloods flown over from Sweden and each horse is worth more than my house. Doesn't even own a tractor, by the way. Hires everything out. As noted, you can get a very decent older tractor, if you don't mind a lttle "grease monkey" work, or you can buy a brand new one for about the price of a car. The new one will need less wrench work and will be easier to operate. The array of brands and models is staggering, with many good choices available. Finding a good dealer, regardless of brand, is important, particularly for a first time tractor owner. Being a non-tractor person, you'd benefit greatly if you had a friend or a neighbor with some expertise who could help you shop and choose.

 

[Soundguy]

at least he's come to the correct place for tech support though!

soundguy