Tractor/fencing

[LFRJ]

Hi,

We are quickly approaching a major fencing project (goats). We have a farm with @ 4.6 acres in the northwestern United Sates. We are thinking on purchasing a tractor to help out with brush hogging down blackberry bushes, post hole digging and carrying gravel. Our terrain dictates the need for a 4x4 that sits fairly high to clear holes and other obstacles. I would like a diesel, as I have been told they have more torque and power (not to mention better gas mileage). This is my question: How much horse power will I need to dig a 9” wide by 3’ deep hole? Our terrain is not too rocky (some small rocks 5% 2 to 5” wide, fewer larger ones 1% 12” wide, but mostly the ground is all, 94%, soil). Would a 13 horse power tractor be too small? I'm trying to keep the costs down WITHOUT compromising the mechanical necessities the tractor would need to do the job. Anybody have any suggestions? I only want to buy this thing once. Txs for your help. RJ.

[plowjockey]

13HP is too small, plus you will need a good 3 point hitch and PTO, to use bush hog and post hole drill.

The Japanese-made John Deere or Ford, compacts from the late 80's, are about as good as they get. It is possible to find a 4x4 with loader for around $5k. They run about 25-30HP.

Find one in good shape, take care of it and it will be the last one you will need to buy.

[LFRJ]

Txs Plowjockey,

I am planning on purchasing one that has a PTO. However, txs for the advice on the Japanese built 1980 John Deer and Ford tractors. I'll focus on one of those. Just a quick question: Is hydrostatic transmission all that and a bag of chips, or is it just another expensive add-on? Txs again for your help. RJ

[rambler]

The USA designed Kubota tractors are also good from that era. Beware of 'greymarket' models which are made differently, not as well supported here in the 'states.

A13 hp would be a little small. I'd think 18 hp to 25 hp would be a better size. Or you can go bigger, nothing wrong with 35 hp if you find one for your price.

--->Paul

Edit: I forgot, myself I dislike the hydrostatics, they are much harder for me to control, and consume 1/3 or so of the hp in slippage & heat - less efficient. They cost more & cost more to repair.

But you have to understand, I've been driving tractor over 40 years, and do so for a living, so the clutch is much more simple & intuitive to me. A hydro pedal is just a mushy thing that gives me no feedback of what is happening....

[plowjockey]

Originally Posted by LFRJ

Txs Plowjockey,

I am planning on purchasing one that has a PTO. However, txs for the advice on the Japanese built 1980 John Deer and Ford tractors. I'll focus on one of those. Just a quick question: Is hydrostatic transmission all that and a bag of chips, or is it just another expensive add-on? Txs again for your help. RJ

I'd go for the hydrostatic, if you can swing it. If you do a lot of work with the loader, it makes it much easier.

[kruizeag]

I have a 20HP John Deere that handles my 5' bush hog fine. Mine of course is an antique too. It s a1947 model "M". If I had the money to lay out, I would buy a newer JD 790 with a loader and 4x4. They sell new for about $12k-$14K. I prefer gear drive over hyrostatic. In my experience they have better use of the HP and easier to maintain. If a hyrostatic trans goes bad, its big buck to fix it and requires specialty tools. I grew up with a International 656 Hydro with a loader. It was nice to use for big loader jobs like loading manure or feeding large round bales of hay. The farm I worked on in High School had a JD 2020. I found I could shift between forward and reverse just about as fast as the Hydro.

IMO if you are going to use the tractor for field work as well as loader work, go with gear drive. If your budget allows, buy something about 30-50 HP. You will find it will do anything you need it to without the regret of wishin you had bought a bigger tractor. I would also buy a tractor like JD, Ford, IH, Kubota etc, not these cheaper ones you see at Northern Tool or Tractor Supply. This is an investment. A well cared for tractor should last you a lifetime. You will need to buy parts for it in 40 years and the cheap tractor companies may not be around to supply the parts. I can still get parts for my 1947 JD.

[gwithrow]

not to butt in here, but I am also in the market for a tractor...have looked at a JD 8704x4 with loader...about 1500 hours...for 9000 and a brand new farmtrac,35 hp 2wd with quick attach loader for 15000....we do small farming,no baling hay and mostly bush hog work, digging holes..moving hay around...clean up stuff..any thoughts? thanks...

[kjmatson]

Are you sure you will need 4 wheel drive? I have found that there were very few places I really needed it.

[Rowdy]

Well, I got by with a 15hp tractor for several years. Ran a 4' shredder and a post hole digger without a problem. I've more than doubled in size in tractors now, but I still miss that little yanmar sometimes. It was 4x4 too.

Another thing to think about is the slopes on your place. A small tractor does not take slopes well. I've mowed some steep, steep, steep overpasses with a large (over 70hp) tractor, but a small under 20 hp tractor can be a killer on a slope.

[Ramblin Wreck]

I wouldn't want to talk anyone out of a tractor for their farm (too much fun to play on), but for 4.6 acres, you could easily get the holes dug with a rental tractor or maybe even a post hole borer from a rental center (an example from e-bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Petrol-49cc-Post...em380105909218

The goats will take care of your briars and bramble very quickly.

If you are working on steep slopes, take heed to the advice above about safety. Make sure you get a tractor with a roll over protection system (ROPS). Best wishes.

[BTO]

Originally Posted by gwithrow

not to butt in here, but I am also in the market for a tractor...have looked at a JD 8704x4 with loader...about 1500 hours...for 9000 and a brand new farmtrac,35 hp 2wd with quick attach loader for 15000....we do small farming,no baling hay and mostly bush hog work, digging holes..moving hay around...clean up stuff..any thoughts? thanks...

In may of 2008 I bought a JD 5103 new. It's 45 HP, 2wd, no bucket, mechanical drive. I paid $14,500 (new). I bush hog 35 acres and it works great. I hope to add a loader this year. I used to own a JD 950 in the 80s and it was a work horse! BTW, a loader will cost me another $4500 or so for the 5103. That 870 sounds like it would be a good deal.

[plowjockey]

Originally Posted by gwithrow

not to butt in here, but I am also in the market for a tractor...have looked at a JD 8704x4 with loader...about 1500 hours...for 9000 and a brand new farmtrac,35 hp 2wd with quick attach loader for 15000....we do small farming,no baling hay and mostly bush hog work, digging holes..moving hay around...clean up stuff..any thoughts? thanks...

The Farmtracs are made in India, so your best best IMO, will be a used a JD.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by LFRJ

Hi,

We are quickly approaching a major fencing project (goats). We have a farm with @ 4.6 acres in the northwestern United Sates. We are thinking on purchasing a tractor to help out with brush hogging down blackberry bushes, post hole digging and carrying gravel. Our terrain dictates the need for a 4x4 that sits fairly high to clear holes and other obstacles. I would like a diesel, as I have been told they have more torque and power (not to mention better gas mileage). This is my question: How much horse power will I need to dig a 9” wide by 3’ deep hole? Our terrain is not too rocky (some small rocks 5% 2 to 5” wide, fewer larger ones 1% 12” wide, but mostly the ground is all, 94%, soil). Would a 13 horse power tractor be too small? I'm trying to keep the costs down WITHOUT compromising the mechanical necessities the tractor would need to do the job. Anybody have any suggestions? I only want to buy this thing once. Txs for your help. RJ.

..............Just a few added thoughts about building a fence for goats , Use 2x4 wire or they'll continually be getting their horns interlocked in the fence , goats LOVE to lean against a very tight fence and scratch themselves just as a horse loves too scratch their big --- in the same fashion --so I'd suggest running a hot wire inset 5 feet or so from the fence too keep the goats off this will allow you too mow and keep the weeds down . , fordy

[gwithrow]

we looked today at the JD place, can buy that basic 2WD 45hp tractor with loader that has the quick attach bucket for 17900......not too bad...and it looks to be very solid and sturdy...it would certainly do anything we could ever want...and by the by all the goat people here say that hot wire about 4 ft or so up is pretty good insurance ....all of our fences are 'woven' but we would always do a hot wire low, for pigs, high for goats....I like my babies to stay home on our side of the fence...we are still lookin at the tractors...found a 50hp older ford today with loader and bale spear and 800 hours for 14000...I am pretty sure we will not get the little one...we only want to buy one once...and there are plenty of hills around here..thanks for the input...

[m39fan]

gwithrow - Glad to hear you're staying away from the Farmtrac. Neighbor found one cheap and so bought it instead of going orange, blue or green. Now that Farmtrac has gone belly up (bankruptcy), there are valid concerns that parts won't be available much longer. The warranty certainly isn't any good!!!