To me, some of getting a tractor is economics, but a lot is just 'I want.' I went through the economic justification thing and belaboured my wife with cases for this and that. She finally said something like: 'You want a tractor? If we can afford it, then just get a tractor.' I guess she could have added that quite a few people get cottages because they want them, and then don't spend enough time there to actually JUSTIFY them.
Tractors are nice things to have. I suppose some economics should be there, but I'd put the idea of a tractor on the 'I want it because I want it' list. On the economics side, I figure I'm getting enough justification if I keep the tractor busy something over 100 hours a year and use it for around 90% of work I'd otherwise contract out. The 90% figure sort of determines a desirable sized tractor. Too small, and most of the larger jobs get contracted out. Too big and too many things can't be done due to maneuverability and turf damage problems. I've got a 24hp tractor and two 1-acre lawns with landscaping to mow. I still use a riding mower for the lawns, because it takes longer to maneuver the tractor around buildings and landscaping than just using the riding mower. The tractor also doesn't do nice things to the turf during wet spells, even with turf tires. However, the tractor earns its with its plowing, digging and material handling. Besides, I wanted it. In addition to its uses, it's my toy. I went with the tractor, and didn't get an ATV, snowmobile, boat etc--at least yet. I figure that I use the tractor more than I would all of the other sorts of toys taken together, and I accomplish something more than just recreation as well. From that perspective, the tractor seems like a bargain. However, I did get a used tractor so I could get enough implements to keep it busy.
Regarding your questions about loaders: If you have one, you'll use it a lot, but loaders really aren't very good at either snow plowing or grading, or digging for that matter. Using a loader for plowing and grading is a great way of putting a lot of hours on a tractor. Well, maybe a lot of hours would justify the purchase, but I'd rather go with: 'I want it and it's useful too.' I guess my conclusion is to get a tractor mostly because you want one, but get one and enough implements to make it really useful. Fighting with the tractor while trying to use the loader for jobs it isn't good at isn't fun for very long. Oh, a blade on gravel is fine after freeze-up. Skids help, but gauge wheels are better. Before freeze up, I use the loader with the bucket curled back and the lift floated. That works better for me than trying to hold a blade or blower off the ground.
