Tractors?

[briddygirl]

I have a question....I am renting a barn for my horses (I live elsewhere). I do everything on my own -- the people I rent from do not put one dime into the upkeep of this barn, unfortuantely. So far I haven't had to sink too much into it and I refuse to put my own money into property that isn't mine for the sake of uping the value of my landlord's property. With that said, after this snow (I'm in VA) I still have a boatload of snow that has never been cleared from the drive up to the barn and surround area of barn. I've been dealing with it okay, but will be needing a hay delivery in the next week or two....I had someone come today to give me an estimate of what it would cost to clear the drive (200 ft) and surrounding area in front of barn which is approx. 1250 sq. ft. --- he quoted me $700! I told him I just couldn't afford that.....he said it was a big job and would take about 5 hrs. --- I understand he needs to make it worthwhile...anyhow.....I'm thinking ahead now.....would it be feasible for me to purchase a used tractor at one point....it would help with a lot of stuff on the farm for me.....but I just cannot afford an expenisive item.....what would be a reasonable price for a used tractor....basic...not a Kubota (although I wish!)...!!

[palani]

Sounds overpriced for a 200 ft driveway.

A small skid loader for $2k - $3k should handle 200 feet pretty well plus be handy for cleaning the barn. Even better might be an old 1 ton pickup with a blade.

[deaconjim]

You could probably get someone with a 4-wheeler and a blade to clear it pretty reasonably. Where in Va. are you located? From what I'm seeing in the forecast, most of the snow should be melted in a few more days.

[uncle Will in In.]

Get a kids sled and tie it to a saddle and let one of those horses earn part of his keep to get the hay up to the barn. $700 is at least 3 times what it should cost. If you can walk to the barn, forget about plowing snow. God and the rain will take it away.

[blooba]

Tractors do make a nice addition to a farm though you would have think about what you would do with it if you ever got rid of the horses or something. Can you use it around your house? Would you have a way to haul it?

[Bearfootfarm]

This can give you an idea of tractor and equipment prices, and although it's NC, some of these may be within driving distance of you

http://www.ncagr.gov/paffairs/AgReview/class.htm

$700 is WAY too much for one small snow removal job

[fantasymaker]

Spread something dark on it. Coal dust , sand, even spray food coloring on it.

[Beeman]

A tractor is something to ride around on unless you have equipment for it. If you're talking about a tractor with a frt. end loader then you're talking a fair amount of money. Then you get to the tractor with the frt. end loader that won't move snow because it's 2wd so you need a 4wd which is more money and we keep on going. Would you leave a tractor at a property where you don't live? What is the terrible part about fixing up a rented property to make your and your horse's lives better and easier?Old farms without tractors used horses and mules to plow snow. Get 2 long pieces of wood and make a big V and pull it down the road.

[blooba]

Horses, Why didn't I think of that....lol but I think they have about 3ft of wet packed snow still. Think horses could plow that?

[wvstuck]

If you need a tractor for small jobs... Search for used Ford 8n's with a back blade.... Will move all the snow you need and you can get one in fair shape for less than $1500 with a blade. Old tractor, just about all mechanical parts still available at your local NAPA store

[Ross]

5 hrs @$50/hour would get you a backhoe here and everything done. I'd do it for $100 with a 90 hp tractor and an 8 foot snowblower...... and unless you really need a field cleared near the barn or its all up hill or something seriously weird it wouldn't take 5 hours either. I can do our 1000 foot lane and two parking lots in 3 hours after a huge snow fall. Make a note of the guy who gave you that quote and remember to never call him again!! A little MF35 makes a nice little snow mover, pasture clipper, grader blade puller.

[nc_mtn]

Originally Posted by wvstuck

If you need a tractor for small jobs... Search for used Ford 8n's with a back blade.... Will move all the snow you need and you can get one in fair shape for less than $1500 with a blade. Old tractor, just about all mechanical parts still available at your local NAPA store

Hook me up!

[Gary in ohio]

I have my 200ft driveway and 30x30 parking pad cleared for $25 by a local kid with an ATV.. Local trucks dont charge much more. Maybe snow plows are not as common down there but $700 is way to much, You can rent a bob cat for a lot less and do it yourself.

[Wisconsin Ann]

Can you just rent one of those really BIG snowblowers? I don't know if they have such in your area...but around here, you can rent one that kicks the snow 150feet over and can get thru some really NASTY snow.

[Beeman]

Originally Posted by blooba

Horses, Why didn't I think of that....lol but I think they have about 3ft of wet packed snow still. Think horses could plow that?

You'll never know until you try.

[solidwoods]

Maybe someone with a tractor and hay spear could be paid to do the job.
jim

[Wolf mom]

Rent a tractor with a bucket, or even a bobcat. They'll deliver it to the site for you. If I can use one - anyone can.

Or buy a couple bales of hay & wait for the snow the melt before the large delivery. You don't have to lift them - just muscle 'em.

Or if you have a truck (4X4) drive where you want the delivery truck to go & mash down the snow. It should melt there first. No truck? shovel a 2 lane path - one for each tire.

Just some more options...