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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Tractors

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  • From: Mark Weinheimer <mrw601 AT gmail.com>
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Tractors
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 15:30:51 -0400


We manage about 15 acres with a 95 hp diesel 4wd high clearance tractor with a creeper gear and front 3 pt. hitch, a 50 HP diesel 2WD utility tractor with a quick attach front end loader and home built quick attach forks, and an old Gas Farmall Super C that we recently modified by building a 3 point hitch that is mounted high enough that it doesn't hang down below the bottom of the tractor, so we can get over the top of our raised beds. 
The creeper gear is critical for our use of the waterwheel transplanter.  We looked at lower horsepower tractors when we purchased the high clearance tractor, but there was not a significant cost difference between the 70 hp units and the 95 hp unit, and we have been happy to have the extra horsepower and carrying capacity of the larger tractor.  We find that, because the larger motor isn't straining for most tasks, it actually uses less fuel than the 50 hp utility tractor except for mowing and tilling where we need to keep the rpms up.
We do get in a bind in the early part of the season, when we need the big tractor for spreading compost, tillage, transplanting, and cultivating, all at the same time.  The C should help, next season, by taking on the cultivation.
Consider the larger units as they can speed up tillage and more safely handle bedforming and transplanting equipment, especially if you have to move from farm to farm on the road.
Good luck in your equipment search.
Mark
--
Mark Weinheimer
Farm Manager
Regional Food Bank of NENY
965 Albany-Shaker Road
Latham, NY  12110
(518) 339-5726
(518) 786-3691
(518) 786-3004 Fax
www.regionalfoodbank.net
https://www.facebook.com/PatroonLandFarm



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