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Subject: Market Farming
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- From: "frank ventura" <frank.dragonflyfarms AT gmail.com>
- To: "'Market Farming'" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing
- Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:45:53 -0400
I went through the same exercise this spring and don’t
envy you and your decision. We had a Farmall A and a compact tractor and
we were looking for a larger tractor to manage larger fields quicker. This
year we took on about 25 acres of which more than half is in cover crop and I
didn’t want to spend weeks managing it with a 2 bottom plow and small light
disc. My goal was to try to match the wheel spacing with my compact
tractor so that either tractor could be used in a pinch. When my compact
tractor is eventually replaced I could then bump out the wheel spacing on the
newer tractor. My compact tractor (Century 45hp) had to be set at 52”
c-c, straddling a 40” bed so that a larger tractor at its most narrow
setting could straddle the same bed. With this setup I do one or two rows
per bed and can lay 4’ plastic. Sometimes we do 3 rows/bed for lettuces,
but it’s harder to cultivate. We bought a slightly used JD 5525. I think your challenge will be that the tractors you are looking
at won’t go wide enough for two rows with your smaller tractor and they
won’t go small enough to match the spacing of your smaller tractor.
Perhaps I am wrong though. I think you need to bump up to the utility
class rather than the compact to go 72” c- c. Things I would look for would definitely be the telescoping
links, creeper gear for transplanter, loader that can lift a full pallet(2000-2500lbs)
from a delivery truck, rear remotes. As a side note I hate the new box/pin
three point arm stabilizers. The old style turnbuckle is much easier and
accurate to work with. Thx, Frank V. Dragonfly Farms From:
market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Beth
Spaugh 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 Become
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Lappe From: market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of sunnfarm AT netscape.com 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. 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
Netscape.
Just the Net You Need. |
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing,
sunnfarm, 09/15/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing,
Beth Spaugh, 09/15/2010
- Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing, frank ventura, 09/15/2010
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing,
KAKerby, 09/15/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools,
Sean Albiston, 09/21/2010
- Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools, BarbaraJ, 09/21/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools,
frank ventura, 09/21/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools,
Etienne Goyer, 09/22/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools,
frank ventura, 09/22/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools,
MAsteveINE, 09/22/2010
- Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools, Thomas P Hurtgen, 09/22/2010
- Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools, Richard Stewart, 09/22/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools,
MAsteveINE, 09/22/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools,
frank ventura, 09/22/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools,
Etienne Goyer, 09/22/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing - tillage tools,
Sean Albiston, 09/21/2010
-
Re: [Market-farming] new tractor - wheel spacing,
Beth Spaugh, 09/15/2010
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