Lets talk tractors...

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by TheRealBadger

What jobs are you going to do? A 4044 seems like overkill on the land you mentioned. As for post joke diggers, almost universally I’ve been told not to get one for the tractor. They are hard on the tractor and hard to actually get lined up. Renting a dingo with an auger is way easier than using the tractor, as I’ve been told.

Not sure where you heard that but there was no fence on my property when my wife and I bought it. We immediately began fencing and fenced for about four years straight. All with a Bush Hog brand auger. One steamy Fourth of July weekend, I had an 800 foot line to do. One hundred holes. All in a straight line. I laid them out using a 300 foot surveyor's tape and a can of orange marking paint. I got my tractor centered on the dots and went to town. I dug 100 holes in 105 minutes that day.

Now, one thing that people probably don't realize is that once the holes are dug with an auger, you still have to go back with a fence hole digger and clean them out. Because when you lift the auger out of the hole, a pile of loose dirt falls back in the hole. It isn't hard to do because it is all loose and everything, but it still needs to be done before setting the post.

That was 24 years ago. Never hurt the tractor one bit. And I still own the auger after miles and miles of fence.

[Sea Six]

My 3 point auger works just fine. I did have my fiancée helping me line things up. With her it was a breeze. Not so sure about doing it without another set of eyes.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Sea Six

My 3 point auger works just fine. I did have my fiancée helping me line things up. With her it was a breeze. Not so sure about doing it without another set of eyes.

A set of eyes on the ground would be very helpful in keeping the auger plumb.

[Sea Six]

Lars, what is your plan for those 33 acres? How much of that acreage do you need that tractor to do work?

That's a really nice tractor, and I understand the issues with availability (although I was amazed the last time I drove past Smith Tractor Co in Jay... their tractor stock had dwindled to an embarrassingly low amount over the past couple of years, but they had filled back up to about 75% of where they were when I bought my 3025). But if you're just going to be bush hogging and putting in a few fence posts, it sure seems like you've got way overkill with that tractor.

If you need the extra lift capacity, like moving 3000+ pounds on a semi-regular basis, or you have some serious need for PTO horses, that 4044R sure seems like a hell of a tractor.

And I do understand getting a little more than you need, because eventually you just might need it. I'm just curious as to how much and what type of tractor work you'll be doing on those 33 acres.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Sea Six

Lars, what is your plan for those 33 acres? How much of that acreage do you need that tractor to do work?

That's a really nice tractor, and I understand the issues with availability (although I was amazed the last time I drove past Smith Tractor Co in Jay... their tractor stock had dwindled to an embarrassingly low amount over the past couple of years, but they had filled back up to about 75% of where they were when I bought my 3025). But if you're just going to be bush hogging and putting in a few fence posts, it sure seems like you've got way overkill with that tractor.

If you need the extra lift capacity, like moving 3000+ pounds on a semi-regular basis, or you have some serious need for PTO horses, that 4044R sure seems like a hell of a tractor.

And I do understand getting a little more than you need, because eventually you just might need it. I'm just curious as to how much and what type of tractor work you'll be doing on those 33 acres.

Build a house and barn/shop is priority #1.

The 1st major tractor job is grapple work. The property has been selective harvested of the pine and they leave one hell of a mess behind.
Pretty much covers the entire 33 acres. Mostly flat but there are some hilly areas.
This will be ongoing and I plan to do only as much as necessary, about 5 acres in front of the house for now. (I have a guy who will haul it to a nearby pit so I don't have to burn).
Not sure if I'll let the stumps rot or grind them. We will dig up stumps and root rake the homestead and barn and any pasture areas.

Of course grading the homesite and barn site before, during and after construction.

Grading the driveway, about 1000 foot of gravel.

Moving equipment and materials around during construction...and forever on the property.

The mentioned bush hogging and eventually I'll probably throw Bahia seed in the more natural areas for weed/brush control and to look nice.

I will likely clear and develop a pasture/field of 5-10 acres, to start and see where it goes.

Some kind of farming operation. Considering tree nursery or maybe cultivation of some kind. My neighbor has a horse farm and already told me he'll take all the hay I can sell him. I may grow perennial peanut hay (Florida's alfalfa) the horse folks love that stuff and will pay a premium for it. (growing and harvesting hay does require a lot of pieces of equipment )

And fencing. A lot of fencing.

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by LATB

A set of eyes on the ground would be very helpful in keeping the auger plumb.

Precisely. That's my wife's job. Due to the arc of the three point hitch, it is beneficial to start the hole with the bit leaning slightly rearward. It straightens itself out on the way down. My job was to drop the point of the auger on the orange dot. My wife would then direct me forward or back to get the correct attitude. We quickly got into a routine and got very fast at the process.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

Precisely. That's my wife's job. Due to the arc of the three point hitch, it is beneficial to start the hole with the bit leaning slightly rearward. It straightens itself out on the way down. My job was to drop the point of the auger on the orange dot. My wife would then direct me forward or back to get the correct attitude. We quickly got into a routine and got very fast at the process.

They are real good at that.

[CurtP]

Originally Posted by LATB

Another question for the experts…

Your opinion of a front loader mount hydraulic post hole auger vs a rear 3-point hitch mount pto drive auger?

Seems from my noob view the front mount may be more convenient but the PTO drive is maybe a better performing unit?

Rear mount PTO. Easier to see where you're positioning it, especially on an open station tractor. I'd much rather have a gearbox than a hydraulic motor, especially with a smaller tractor.

[Sea Six]

Sounds like the 4 series is going to be a good choice

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Sea Six

Sounds like the 4 series is going to be a good choice

Thanks-
It may be a little bit more than necessary but I’d rather have it than not.
About 5K to step up to the 4 series from the 3 series (of similar HP) and another 5K to step up to the better equipped “R” level.

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by LATB

Thanks-
It may be a little bit more than necessary but I’d rather have it than not.
About 5K to step up to the 4 series from the 3 series (of similar HP) and another 5K to step up to the better equipped “R” level.

Always err on the larger size. When I bought my place back in '98, a friend of mine told me that I should be shooting for a 40hp tractor. So I went to the local New Holland dealer and told them that I needed a 3930. The Saleshole started filling out the paperwork and told me that, while they didn't have one on the lot, they had one in North Carolina and could get it up to me in a week. I told him that would be fine.

After a little more paperwork, he excused himself and went and spoke to the Sales Manager. Well, the two of them came back in and the Manager told me that he had two 4630's on the lot and asked me if I would be interested in one of those. I asked him the rating on the 4630 and he told me that it was a 55 hp tractor. I smiled and told him that was more tractor than I was looking for. The two of them left again and I could see them talking out in the lobby. Well, they came back in and the Manager made me a deal. They would sell me the 4630 for $1,000 over what they wanted for the 3930. I thought about it and accepted. It was September and I don't think they wanted to go into winter with two of them on the lot.

I've never regretted that decision.

[LATB]

So it seems tractor dealers are not a whole lot better than car dealers.

[Datawiz]

I'm on my 2nd JD since 2004. My original one still works great and I gave it to Marcus. I wanted something new, with a bigger deck due to the 1/2 acre that I cut. Very pleased with how both have performed.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Datawiz

I'm on my 2nd JD since 2004. My original one still works great and I gave it to Marcus. I wanted something new, with a bigger deck due to the 1/2 acre that I cut. Very pleased with how both have performed.

My little S140 with the 48" mower deck has less than 10 hours on it. I love this machine.

I'm looking to get his bigger brother.

[CurtP]

Originally Posted by LATB

So it seems tractor dealers are not a whole lot better than car dealers.

Some will bend you over on the initial purchase. Some will go in dry with parts costs, especially maintenance items. Some will give you DP on both purchase and parts. Don't be surprised if they're not very friendly initially and don't expect preferential treatment on a $50k purchase. Hopefully your closest dealer will treat you well.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by CurtP

Some will bend you over on the initial purchase. Some will go in dry with parts costs, especially maintenance items. Some will give you DP on both purchase and parts. Don't be surprised if they're not very friendly initially and don't expect preferential treatment on a $50k purchase. Hopefully your closest dealer will treat you well.

I’ve located a unit I’d want out of town with “free” delivery. Salesman has been responsive with quotes on the tractor and the implements. But doesn’t appear there’s a lot of room to negotiate. I suppose in this market it’s expected.

[CurtP]

Originally Posted by LATB

I’ve located a unit I’d want out of town with “free” delivery. Salesman has been responsive with quotes on the tractor and the implements. But doesn’t appear there’s a lot of room to negotiate. I suppose in this market it’s expected.

I'd consider myself lucky if I could get it at MRSP these days. Price consumables. I'd only run OE filters while it was under warranty - they don't believe in right to repair and Magnum Moss doesn't apply to tractors.

[snide]

Originally Posted by LATB

So it seems tractor dealers are not a whole lot better than car dealers.

You should see if @WOEII can get you a deal on a tractor.

[WOEII]

Originally Posted by snide

You should see if @WOEII can get you a deal on a tractor.

[Raazor]

cliffs on the Farmer Lars thread?