Tractor Sizing Should I start thinking of a three tractor plan?

[newbury]

Over on the arborist forum they recommend a three saw plan. well I went 1 better and made it a 4 saw plan by accident. I had a venerable Stihl 021, 2hp. Then I stumbled on a brand new Efco 3600 for $50, about 2hp, then I won a John Deere CS62, 4.7 hp, and finally I bought on ebay a Stihl MS660, 7hp. This is working out very well.

Now I realize there are a number of peeps here with a 3 tractor plan. Since I plan on retiring to manage about 400 acres of timberland I had planned on getting rid of my ride in about a year and getting something more in the 60hp range. But I'm starting to wonder if that will be wise. Maybe I should plan on getting a 60hp tractor and try to pick up something like a used B1500 to carry parts around for the others.

What do you think of the three tractor plan?

 

[TripleR]

Why anyone would need more than one tractor is beyond me

 

[Thomas]

Like most farmers they have two or more tractors..back up or handy.

I feel it would be wise,down time can cost more than part/parts..one can always sell second tractor.

 

[curtisfarmer]

I have 5 tractors....I don't think I'm crazy. I call it "blessed"

 

[magicheater]

Once you have one of everything you start duplicating. A contractor friend of mine just told me he sold all his tools but kept one of everything, I had to chuckle. More than one tractor if you have the use for them and of course the money to buy them is OK. It is like attachments, have all the specific use attachments and use them occasionally. Choice is yours. Personally I have 2 tractors, now the original gets used less. Conversely there are times when only the original will do. If you do have multiple tractors, similar or same control features are a +.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I guess you know my vote.

 

[gwdixon]

Anyone that has three tractors must be stupid.

Oh, and anyone that has 9 chainsaws is doubly stupid. Especially since said moron is looking for another one.

 

[LBrown59]

MY TRACTORING PICTURES. -TractorByNet.com

My 3 tractor plan.

 

[Tom_H]

I can see the logic of different sized machines for radically differing tasks. You couldn't use a full sized excavator to dig a french drain by a house foundation any more than you could use a BX1500 with Woods BH to excavate for a major industrial water main.

It is owning three tractors in the same class that doesn't make sense to me. Now if I were operating a farm or commercial business where all the tractors were in regular use, producing income, that's not the same as having three, and using one while the others sit idle. I couldn't justify the way that takes financial resources away from the needs of the entire family. Unless someone is physically disabled, I just can't see not taking a couple of minutes to change implements on one tractor. I would consider my own self lazy for not doing that. But that's just me; obviously everyone has the right to spend his/her money in the manner the family agrees is right for them. C'est la vie.