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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing

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  • From: "Beth Spaugh" <lists AT rhomestead.com>
  • To: "'Market Farming'" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing
  • Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:45:04 -0400

I was thinking 6 foot on center, since the 6100 could drive back and forth twice in that area.  Driving to market this morning I realized I need to think of inner wheel spacing as that will determine "bed" width, and look at how the full 42" of the current rototiller fits in.  It might be that a slightly narrower wheel spacing will just straddle one pass of the rototiller for bed prep. I am only 5'4" so don't step across even 4 foot beds well so I use the term "bed" loosely.  I can see planting some things in closer rows than my current 36" will increase production - carrots, mini cabbages, lettuces, ...
 
Thank you.
 
Beth Spaugh
Rehoboth Homestead, Peru, NY
Farm Fresh Food Club CSA - http://rhomestead.com 
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From: market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of sunnfarm AT netscape.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 8:35 AM
To: Market Farming
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing

Do you want a tractor with a 72" center to center tire tread or a tractor that will straddle a 72" wide bed?. I don't think this can be done on  compact tractors like the models you named. The older style JD's in the 38+ hp range from the 1970's used rack and pinion wheels that went out to 90 inches. The same can be done on the older Farmalls. You might want to look into an older tractor just for cultivating that is what every vegetable farm does here in S Jersey. The telescoping lower lift arms you mention are a great time and back saver... Bob.

--- lists AT rhomestead.com wrote:

From: "Beth Spaugh" <lists AT rhomestead.com>
To: "'Market Farming'" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:18:18 -0400

I am going to bite the bullet and get myself a tractor since DH doesn't get things done on time, and I don't like to use his JD 2010 with the funky gears plus idiosyncrasies, plus heaven forbid I might change something. I figure if I mentally spread the cost out over 5 years I can easily increase production (and time for marketing) to make up $5,000/year (So much for the rant).  I have been hemming and hawing for two years on this, trying to decide on bed/wheel spacing.  I finally settled on 6 foot last week and went shopping, expecting to find something that can be 6 feet now and moved back to 5 feet if I change my mind later.  Found some good tractors (good service dealers here are Kubota and JD) with narrower wheel spacings.  Dealers are researching how much the wheels can adjust, and whether the front tires also move out enough.
 
Now I am second guessing myself.  I plan to use this tractor to use the loader/forks, pull a plastic mulch layer (currently layilman/options/market-farming

 

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