So this isn't completely firewood related, but I know a lot of y'all have tractors and are in the know so I'm looking for some advice.
Thinking about getting 1st tractor for the homestead and trying to narrow down the search and see if what we want/think we need is realistic with our budget. Also looking for experience/recommendations for certain models. I have operated tractors (and do so currently on a limited basis for part of my work) in a limited capacity, but never come close to owning one and really don't have a solid grasp on all the makes and models and what's worth what yet.
Uses/implements I can see a need for our potential tractor: * for ones that would be immediate uses
*Breaking ground for gardening, plow, disc, auger capacity, etc
*Bush hog
-Mow flat sections of yard (finish mow) - not critical bc I know this can tear up the yard if it's wet or you're not careful
*FEL for so many things…can't even list all the times I've wished I had a loader here for something. Bucket would be great, but really need pallet forks at least. Lifting needs include firewood baskets, logs, timbers, hog slaughtering, compost, etc. My baskets are between 1/3 and 1/2 cord each so lets say at least 2000 #.
-Light duty log skidding, but don't have much big timber on our property.
Most of property can be quite steep and definitely can be wet so 4wd is a must. FEL is a must. Roll bar/canopy is also big on the priority list. Will likely fill the rear tires with anti-freeze/whatever else is a good idea to add to the counterweight for FEL. Diesel is a must in my opinion. Big fan of the Perkins 3 cyl. My co-worker has a MF 253 (4wd w/ FEL) that I operate on a regular basis that I really like, but I feel like it's a little bigger than we need on our property and likely out of budget. Really love that Perkins, though. Sips the fuel most of the time. We only have about 4 acres currently, but have big plans underway concerning homesteading and small scale farming. There is also the potential to acquire adjacent property with more pasture/timber access down the road.
Budget is under $10k….with FEL and 4wd. Am I dreaming trying to get all this at this price? Would rather have something older, solid, and a bit weighty (4000# or so +) than a compact that I can't do half of what I will really need to.
Having a hard time finding older, farm style tractors in 4wd. Seems like MF 240 could be a good choice on paper, but really don't know. Case IH 485, Ford/NH 2120? Not even sure how much engine hp/PTO hp I really need for some of this stuff. I think weight and counterweight potential will be a big concern with the pallet fork lifting.
Thoughts, advice, warnings? Thanks!
Thinking about getting 1st tractor for the homestead and trying to narrow down the search and see if what we want/think we need is realistic with our budget. Also looking for experience/recommendations for certain models. I have operated tractors (and do so currently on a limited basis for part of my work) in a limited capacity, but never come close to owning one and really don't have a solid grasp on all the makes and models and what's worth what yet.
Uses/implements I can see a need for our potential tractor: * for ones that would be immediate uses
*Breaking ground for gardening, plow, disc, auger capacity, etc
*Bush hog
-Mow flat sections of yard (finish mow) - not critical bc I know this can tear up the yard if it's wet or you're not careful
*FEL for so many things…can't even list all the times I've wished I had a loader here for something. Bucket would be great, but really need pallet forks at least. Lifting needs include firewood baskets, logs, timbers, hog slaughtering, compost, etc. My baskets are between 1/3 and 1/2 cord each so lets say at least 2000 #.
-Light duty log skidding, but don't have much big timber on our property.
Most of property can be quite steep and definitely can be wet so 4wd is a must. FEL is a must. Roll bar/canopy is also big on the priority list. Will likely fill the rear tires with anti-freeze/whatever else is a good idea to add to the counterweight for FEL. Diesel is a must in my opinion. Big fan of the Perkins 3 cyl. My co-worker has a MF 253 (4wd w/ FEL) that I operate on a regular basis that I really like, but I feel like it's a little bigger than we need on our property and likely out of budget. Really love that Perkins, though. Sips the fuel most of the time. We only have about 4 acres currently, but have big plans underway concerning homesteading and small scale farming. There is also the potential to acquire adjacent property with more pasture/timber access down the road.
Budget is under $10k….with FEL and 4wd. Am I dreaming trying to get all this at this price? Would rather have something older, solid, and a bit weighty (4000# or so +) than a compact that I can't do half of what I will really need to.
Having a hard time finding older, farm style tractors in 4wd. Seems like MF 240 could be a good choice on paper, but really don't know. Case IH 485, Ford/NH 2120? Not even sure how much engine hp/PTO hp I really need for some of this stuff. I think weight and counterweight potential will be a big concern with the pallet fork lifting.
Thoughts, advice, warnings? Thanks!