Originally posted by cmfulmer:
I'm new to the forum. My wife and I just purchased 38 acres in central Arkansas. We will build a 3-4 acre pond within the next few years. I was wondering what you guys have in the way of tractors and implements. I believe I will need one, not for building the dam, but for bush hogging, adding detail to the lake bottom, and general use. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Originally posted by Agent:
TractorByNet is a daunting place. I get lost over there. PondBoss is much more user-friendly.
After I posted, and after I read Agent's comments, I started thinking about "gotta-haves." Here is my list in order of importance:
Reasonable parts/dealer support
Diesel Engine
4WD (MFD, or whatever the maker calls drive to all four wheels)
Loaded Rear Tires
Three point "quick hitch"
Rotary Rough Cut Mower (Brushhog)
Rear Blade
Drawbar with a swivel lock
Front End Loader
After that, things become "nice-to-haves."
A box blade sure can move and level a lot of ground.
A post hole digger can be used for a lot more than setting posts. I have a 12-inch auger on mine, and we use it mostly for planting tomatoes, bushes, and small trees.
Like a front-end loader, a backhoe becomes indispensable once you have one.
A 3-point hitch carry-all is good for moving everything from appliances to small building.
I like R4 industrial tires, so rear tire chains are more than a luxury when I'm plowing snow up the side of our mountain. They are a must if you have turf tires, and they can help even with R1 bar-tread Ag tires.
Transmissions -- personal preference. Everybody likes their kind of transmission better than all the rest.
The differences in tractor manufacturers is much like with cars. Just make sure the brand/model has good parts support and has been around for a while.
Size really doesn't matter a whole lot either, unless you are doing things like baling hay.
Happy tractoring,
Ken G.
(Edit: I guess I was writing my response when DD1 was posting his. I'm glad we didn't give conflicting advice. Lot's of other good ideas from Dave too -- like chainsaws and a trailer. A "come-along" and lots of chains are real handy too.)
