[Dprglist] Tractor Time

[ed at okerson.com]

I have recently been tractor shopping as well. Wow, new ones are 
expensive. For only 4 acres I would have serious doubts you will get 
your money's worth out of even a small one if you buy new. The used 
marked is hit and miss. You really don't know what that machine as been 
through. A friend bought a really nice older used Kubota and got about a 
year's use out of it until a previous band-aid fix on a cracked block 
failed. He had no idea the block was cracked. It has been sitting dead 
at my place for several years while I search for a new engine. He bought 
another used tractor, and it was also a basket case. He finally gave up 
and bought a new LS tractor last week.

I bought a much older Case tractor, and eventually put a new Honda 
engine in it. I also put a larger hydraulic pump, and it is now a beast. 
Front end loader, tiller, box blade, home made backhoe, post pounder, 
etc. It all depends on how comfortable you are working on engines and 
hydraulics, or how deep your pockets are.

For a small acreage like yours, I would look at much smaller solutions. 
Maybe something like this:

https://www.wildharemfg.com

These implements on an ATV would be much easier to maneuver, require 
less storage space, and much easier on the wallet.

Feel free to contact me, I love to talk about tractors.

Ed Okerson

On 2020-10-16 15:54, Karim Virani via DPRGlist wrote:
> Seriously off-topic - apologies and fair warning. Feel free to tell me
> to back off if you find this kind of post annoying. But I know there
> are some folks on this list with some non-suburban properties to
> maintain and I'm interested in guidance.
> 
> The number one question is where should I be asking these questions?
> There are probably a number of decent interest groups and I'd be happy
> for recommendations.
> 
> I'm looking at moving to a home on a heavily treed (and overgrown) 4
> acre lot. It's also quite sloped down to a creek at the back of the
> property. There is a 700ft pavement driveway to maintain mostly by
> cutting back saplings and trees.
> 
> We'll be putting in a detached workshop on a fairly rocky part of the
> property. The grading/excavation work to be done by pros - that is not
> what this little toy is for.
> 
> Uses include
> 
> 	* Pulling/stacking logs/branches while clearing the undergrowth
> gradually over a few years.
> 	* Small areas grading to create walkable paths.
> 	* Moving mulch around.
> 	* Lifting loads in/around the workshop (poor man's forklift)
> 	* Maybe some trench digging or minor excavating - though I've been
> warned back hoes are about the most under used attachments.
> 	* Brush hogging is not a requirement - there are no fields/glades to
> maintain. Not sure about a power rake.
> 
> Use would be sporadic. If I have a limit of a single utility vehicle
> investment, I'm thinking jack of all trades, master of none.
> 
> So right now I'm thinking about a compact utility tractor with a front
> end loader. Maybe something like a used Ford 1520. Just to make it
> more interesting - how about an EV conversion? Again, sporadic use.
> Wouldn't imagine using it for more than a couple of hours in a day
> every other week.
> 
> OTOH, I could give up the lifting capability and drag smaller branches
> around with a UTV which would do better at the more regular job of
> moving people (incl robotics students) around the property.
> 
> So what's the most useful piece of equipment for maintaining that kind
> of property?
> 
> Thoughts?
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