choice of equipment

rick in sc · Aug 11, 2012

Hobby farm question; If yall were going to farm a small tract (100 acres or so) in wheat/canola in the winter (here in SC)and soybeans/milo in the summer, what would be your choice regardless of brand in used equipment: tractor, tillage, grain drill, combine, etc. Already own a 5000 Ford tractor, old but still works well. Thanks in advance!!

Kow Farmer · Aug 11, 2012

Hi Rick,
I am already in this situation myself. It all depends on your budget, and parts availability and even your own mechanical abilities. I go to farm auctions to get equipment that will work for me or find farmers who may have smaller equipment they no longer have a use for. This has saved me a lot of money and the equipment sometimes needs some elbow grease, but it can be well worth it too. Just my opinion for what works for me. Good luck to you.
Kow Farmer

Kow Farmer · Aug 11, 2012

I forgot to add that I have probably every color of some piece of equipment. Only major pieces of machinery I don't own is a planter or combine. When it comes time for that I will probably be a little more color conscious. Hope this makes sense to you.
Kow Farmer

johnwayne360 · Aug 11, 2012

With good dealers for all major brands around, I would sit down and do research on everything thats for sale locally. Every brand has its good and bad, and sometimes if you buy a less major brand you can get a great deal-you just have to know whats good and bad in every color. So find things in your price range, and do lots of research. Ask questions. Find neighbors with experience. Then when what you want comes up for the right price, you will know whether to pull the trigger or not.

rrlund · Aug 11, 2012

Retired so you have time on your hands or working 40 hours a week so you have limited time?
The 5000 seems OK to me if it's in good shape. Remember,you're talking 50 acres per crop,not 500.
Combine? For me,something like a Gleaner F or K. The other equipment,your choice.

What you're talking about is a few more acres than I'd like to slow down to. I'm thinking 40 acres with an Oliver 550,or maybe that and keep my 1550 too.

wisbaker · Aug 11, 2012

I'd look at two things, what brands can you best get service or support for? And what can you buy right? I might be more inclined to buy what I can get at a right price that will meet or exceed my needs if it is a brand you can get service for. So if I was looking for a John Deere combine but ran into a deal on a Hew Holland or Gleaner I'd go for the deal.

JWalker · Aug 11, 2012

Rick, just out of curiosity what part of SC ar you located in. To answer your question, you need to ask yourself some questions. Do/will you have neighbors that may have excess capicity that may be willing to trade off some work, ie planting/harvesting? Are you planning on doing everything yourself or will you try to find someone doing custom work? How close/good dealer support do you have from each brand?

Just some food for thought.

rick in sc · Aug 11, 2012

J I'm in Abbeville Co. I've been toying with the idea of trying my hand at some small scale growing; would want to start at less than 100 acres, but most likely would never be over that. Current occupation has worn my back out and I need to consider another line of work. (Like farming would be a whole lot better for my back!! Ha!) The NH dealer in my area that I deal with has been real good on parts for my 5000 and has a good service dept.; Deere support on the other hand has been poor at best unless I drive 100mi round trip to Newberry or Ridge Spring where there are good dealers, (both stores under the same ownership) Might be hard to make a decent living some years with a small operation, but I'm getting to the point of really needing to change my career. Rick

choice of equipment

rick in sc

Member

Kow Farmer

Well-known Member

Kow Farmer

Well-known Member

johnwayne360

Member

rrlund

Well-known Member

wisbaker

Well-known Member

JWalker

Member

rick in sc

Member

Similar threads