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[Don Bowen <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

At 9/14/2006, you wrote:
> What would $2000 buy me in the way of a used tractor? A far as
> implements go, I would like a front end loader and a bushhog.

There are a couple of things you should be aware of in older 
tractors.  Older is something say early 60s and older.  Few were set up for 
a front end loader, the front ends are not nearly strong enough.  There are 
exceptions to this as some industrial versions have much stronger front 
ends.  This is not something that ne easily modified, if you see one with a 
modified front end, turn it down.

Another point is that few older tractors have a live PTO.  Most have the 
PTO running off the same clutch as the rest of the drive train.  What this 
means that something like a brush hog can continue to drive the tractor 
even with the clutch depressed.  You can get an overriding clutch to 
install on the PTO shaft and some brush hogs come equipped with one.  I can 
tell you from personal experience that a spinning brush hog can drive you a 
long ways.

I no longer know prices but I would look for Massey Ferguson or 
International, from the 60s.



Don Bowen              Awl Knotted Up                       KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com
My travel journal
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html

I am omnivagant.  
> From don.bowen AT earthlink.net  Thu Sep 14 13:48:02 2006
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From: Don Bowen <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>
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Subject: Re: [Homestead] Water, water, water, was Ram pump rules of   thumb
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At 9/2/2006, you wrote:
> How much would the tanks cost?
> Where is there a guideline for roof size, annual rainfall in inches and
> resulting gallons?

It has been a while but I am now with a decent connection again so I can 
deal with old emails.

One gallon of water is 231 cu. in.  One inch of rain on one square foot is 
144 cu. in.  So every square foot of roof will collect 0.623 gallons of 
water for every one inch of rainfall.
Roof area * 0.6233 * annual rain fall = Total gallons available.

The real numbers will be less that the calculated due to evaporation and 
other factors but the totals are so high that you have some to spare.  A 30 
by 30 shop roof will collect 60,000 gallons a year with 45 inches of rainfall.

Tanks are cheaper than I thought.  A circular 1300 gallon black or green 
poly tank can be had for around $600.  A tank that size is about 8 ft in 
diameter and weighs around 300# so can easily be transported on a small 
trailer and handled by one person.

The more I research it the better I like the idea of a water catchment 
system.  It would be significantly cheaper than a 200 foot well to install 
and the pump would also be significantly cheaper.  A used recirculating 
pump would be sufficient.  Maintenance might be a little more because of 
needing to keep leaves out of the gutters.   A two tank system would make 
it easy to clean.


> >
> >I did some calculations using the Ozarks rainfall of 45 inches a
> >year.  These were rough with no allowance for dry years, etc.  Using an
> >arbitrary roof size of a 30 by 20 building, I came up with over 60,000
> >gallons a year.  I found the monthly averages and used a spread sheet for
> >the monthly water usage.  Two 750 gallon tanks would store enough to cover
> >the dry spells.


Don Bowen              Awl Knotted Up                       KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com
My travel journal
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html

I am omnivagant.  
> From vdjor AT yahoo.com  Thu Sep 14 13:57:38 2006
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From: VAN DELL JORDAN <vdjor AT yahoo.com>
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Subject: Re: [Homestead] used tractors
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I'm considering buying a Ford 8N that is available for
$1500.  My brother, who has farmed a bit all his life,
points out to me that among other things it doesn't
have a live PTO.  I want it partly for sentimental
reasons, and it will do what I need for now.  But if
it is inadequate for my needs I can get something more
substantial later and keep the 8N as a collectible /
backup. Thanx to the housing bubble and my good luck
to sell out at the absolute top. 
I have seen a couple of 8Ns in that price range,
nothing else less than $3500.00. my limited
observations suggest that the best deal is probably a
Massy, but there is a dealer here so that might affect
prices.

Since I am deciding what tractor to buy.  I would be
interested in suggestions about what to look for, what
questions to ask, what perameters for my search (is
that an impressive phrase or what?...L) I have 95
acres now in grass, 100 acres woods. don't think I
will do much cropping so (I guess) need a utility
tractor.  Any Ideas appreciated.

Bev just turn on the charm.  I'm sure you can get a
bargain that way.

Van Dell
 



> At 9/14/2006, you wrote:
> >What would $2000 buy me in the way of a used
> tractor? A far as
> >implements go, I would like a front end loader and
> a bushhog.