[Dprglist] Tractor Time

[Karim Virani]

Thanks Ed. I was completely unaware of that category of light duty
hydraulics for ATVs. At first glance it definitely looks more nimble, but
I'm a bit cautious about the stability/safety and load capacity (300lbs). I
imagine there is some kind of suspension lockout? Looks like I have some
videos to watch and research to do.

I'll also be looking for a used market. If it doesn't really exist, that
says something about the durability and value. I accept used is risky. It's
buying a bunch of future maintenance issues. But buying new is just a
postponed list of maintenance issues and a guarantee of rapid depreciation.
Though tractors seem to hold value pretty well. Still I intend to be able
to do a fair amount of maintenance work myself. I like the example of
Andrew Caramata's Youtube channel. Extreme practicality.

And yet I'm as conflicted as the next guy. You can argue that an electric
tractor conversion is far from practical. It would still be interesting to
do. How big is that Kubota with the busted engine?


On Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 7:47 PM <ed at okerson.com> wrote:

> 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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