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Best Tractor for small operation

Manitoba_Rancher said:
As far as I m concerned the best place for a 730,830,930 Case is as far in the bush as you get it. :)
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Just out of curiosity, why do you say that MR? Square fendered 730s and 830s had good power steering, smooth clutches, were more maneuverable than any other tractor of the same size, and extremely tough. Round fendered ?30 series Case tractors had a poor power steering ram on them, but could be changed over to the new style easily and for about 200 bucks. Have you had other experiences?

I certainly wouldn't want one as a primary loader tractor for 400 head of livestock, but if I recall correctly, Judith is looking to start small, with around 20 head. Spending big bucks on new iron, or even spending average dollars on renting/leasing new iron is just pouring money down the toilet.

Come to think of it Judith, see if you can find a 732 or 832. They'll have square fenders with a great 8 speed transmission.

Rod
 
I got my hay hauled 30 miles one way and placed for $6 a bale. I give my neighbor $5 a bale for feeding. It works for me is all I can say_I've owned tractors I know what they cost to run and own. I can care less what the rest of you do all I know Judith would be better off hiring out the amopunt of feeding 20 horses take.
 
I didn't mean to come across as criticizing NR, because I wasn't. I was just curious about the costs associated with leasing equipment. Do you buy your hay as well, or how do you get your hay put up?

Rod
 
The other thing about the Cases, their front end was a lot heavier built than the same size JD.

I guess if a guy can get by without a tractor, more power to him. I still can't imagine a snowstorm without a tractor. A neighbor with a tractor is going to be busy with his cows first, unless your checkbook is open......
 
We buy all our feed-for what interest,fuel,depreciation and repairs were costing me I could get it bought. Trust me I custom hayed for several years I know the ins and outs of the haying business. I don't like equipment and my back is to screwed to ride a tractor for 16 hours a day anymore.
 
Well Rod for one thing my opinion is any old two wheel drive tractor is not considered a feedlot tractor. I ve seen a lot of people get hurt over them. Best place for them all is in the Bush!! MFD is the only way when working around the feedlot and moving bales.
 
I find that interesting NR. Perhaps because I'm running older equipment that didn't cost much in the first place, I find the exact opposite. On years like this year, hay is selling cheap: 1.5 cents a pound. I figure I'm breaking even by baling my own, including depreciation, repairs, land costs ect etc etc. However, it was only 4 years ago that hay was selling for 6 - 8 cents/lb and buying would have left me badly broken. It averages 3 cents/lb in my area.

Rod
 
Manitoba_Rancher said:
Well Rod for one thing my opinion is any old two wheel drive tractor is not considered a feedlot tractor. I ve seen a lot of people get hurt over them. Best place for them all is in the Bush!! MFD is the only way when working around the feedlot and moving bales.
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MR, I agree that MFD tractors are great: I'd love to have one some day. But if someone gets hurt using a 2wd tractor, its not the tractors fault, its the operator. I watched a fool carrying a round bale with a Massey MFD, and pitched the tractor onto its side when he lifted the bale high, and turned sharp at a high rate of speed. Not the tractors fault, although some of the guys hemmed and hawed about how poorly balanced that Massey was. You just have to modify your operating speed and style for the equipment.

Rod
 
Well in the drought my neighbors with equipment were paying the same as me and still had equipment payments to make-to each his own I guess-lots of guys smarter than me quit haying before I did lol.
 
I figured the cost per ton at custom rates this year, and it worked out to $26 a ton. The best I have seen hay offered at is $40.

That means I have $14 a ton to make my equipment payment.

I pay $4500 a year plus interest of $28 a month. That's a total of $4836 or 345 tons I need to make. I'll make over 900 tons.

Plus I make custom wages based on that (calculated at $18/hr).

Repairs and fuel are included in custom rates.

My equipment will still be viable after the loan is paid off, so next year I have no payment and will just make custom rates plus the difference of cost below price of hay.

If I had other income that would pay more than $18 an hour, at a bare minimum because of the extra 600 tons at $14, it would be cheaper to buy hay.

Every situation is different, but it can pay to hay.
 
Raise hell and put a block under it-like I said I've done my math and NEVER doing the hay thing again-I'd rather A'I cows than sit in a tractor-why I lazed away today doing a 100 heifers lol. Then relaxed by moving a herd of pairs a few miles-I love this slothful life I lead. Custom rates where I'm a'i'ing now are $30 bucks a ton on a 1 1/2 ton crop and bales still have to be hauled and fed. But I'm sure Jason and I atre smart enougfh to juggle numbers till the cows come home to suit both our arguments. I flat out don't like equipment so I manage my operation to avoid it as much as I can.
 
Northern Rancher said:
I flat out don't like equipment so I manage my operation to avoid it as much as I can.
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Certainly NR, but just like you not owning equipment works for you, for some people/areas, not owning your own equipment simply doesn't pay either. In my neck of the woods, you'd be losing money buying hay, since land is so cheap and productive. To each their own. :)

Rod
 
Northern Rancher said:
Raise hell and put a block under it-like I said I've done my math and NEVER doing the hay thing again-I'd rather A'I cows than sit in a tractor-why I lazed away today doing a 100 heifers lol. Then relaxed by moving a herd of pairs a few miles-I love this slothful life I lead. Custom rates where I'm a'i'ing now are $30 bucks a ton on a 1 1/2 ton crop and bales still have to be hauled and fed. But I'm sure Jason and I atre smart enougfh to juggle numbers till the cows come home to suit both our arguments. I flat out don't like equipment so I manage my operation to avoid it as much as I can.
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The fact that you go A.I.ing, bears on the bottom line. If you were haying you wouldn't have that income.

Here the cows are all bred earlier so there is no A.I. work available during hay season. If I wasn't haying chances are I would be just sitting doing nothing.

Like I said each situation is different.

I have seen people who shouldn't own equipment too. Some people can't drive a brand new fancy rig, let alone an older has it's quirks machine.

If yer not handy with a wrench, a field mechanic can take the profit out of any deal in a hurry.
 

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