The Garage Thread: Tractors and UTVs

[Ripitz]

A tractor will suit you well since it comes in handy the rest of the year. I’m sure you’ll find uses for it with 60 acres and trails. You’ll also use it to fix all the winter plow damage to your driveway. John Deere sizing is 1-2-3-4 and Kabota is BX-B-L-M. The smaller models are like toys. The larger ones are for farms. The sweet spot IMO is the highest horsepower 2 and B like what @Cork has. They are compact enough to move around but they have lots of power. There’s a difference in overall HP and HP at the PTO. So, if you’re looking at a snowblower, especially a front mounted one using the underbelly PTO you have to match the power. I think JD is cool but prefer the Kabota controls. We also have a JD 2025 with a backhoe and the dang thing shuts off when you get off it unless you shift it into neutral. It’s a small thing but very annoying after a while. Both have incredible financing and hold their values. Get all of the attachments you can in the beginning. As @Tjf1967 mentioned it’s more expensive to add them later. I use a rear mounted spreader instead of a weight box for traction. I fill it with tube sand that I keep inside so they stay dry and don’t freeze then kick it out when I’m done plowing. I’d keep the shed roof off the back of the garage for implements. Bucket with loader arms, power angled plow, snowblower, spreader, forks, york rake and definitely get a grapple those things are awesome. I think the backhoe is like a $6,000 dollar option which sounds expensive but they come in handy and are very fun to use. The cabs are great in the winter but are a PIA the rest of the year. Getting in and out, not fun, reduced visibility and you’ll have clearance issues working in the woods.

 

[tirolski]

I spoke to my builder this am, who's also, coincidentally, my road builder (new, less steep driveway) and my plow guy.
His recommendation in order of preference:
Have him continue to plow
Tractor
Pickup with plow (a distant dead last for him).
For those thinking, of course he wants to keep plowing, yeah maybe. But he pretty much hates plowing, and my driveway is his least favorite.

Yer new road should be easier to plow than the old one.

What’s yer plow guy currently use?

An advantage for tractors is also having a portable PTO thingy

 

[x10003q]

I think this is a pretty easy decision..
how much do you pay per season? Lets say 3k
How many years do you think you will be plowing? Do you want to be plowing 6" of wet slop in freezing mist , at 75yrs old?
a tractor with a plow will cost 30k and ya know it's gonna brake and need to be maintained.. IMO just pay him

This times 10. As you enter retirement age, you might want to pay a pro rather than try to figure it out.

 

[Harvey]

I think this is a pretty easy decision..
how much do you pay per season? Lets say 3k
How many years do you think you will be plowing? Do you want to be plowing 6" of wet slop in freezing mist , at 75yrs old?
a tractor with a plow will cost 30k and ya know it's gonna brake and need to be maintained.. IMO just pay him

I might. I've been paying about 1500-2000 depending on the season.

There's an advantage to getting plowed when you need it, vs when your plow guy gets to it.

Also the tractor would likely useful in other ways.

Personally yes I do want to be plowing in the freezing mist at age 75.

X I thought you liked the truck. It's my least favorite of the three choices. First year I will probably see what I can do with the UTV, call my guy in a pinch and make a decision the following summer. It will be interesting to be there and see WHEN I actually get plowed.

 

[jasonwx]

If yiu pay him 3 k he’ll be there early

 

[gorgonzola]

#_. Buy a sled and pocket $15-20K, you can get wherever you want until the plow guy gets there

 

[x10003q]

My first choice would be to pay the plow guy. With a decent 4wd pick-up and tires and a downhill driveway, you will probably never get stuck if the plow guy does not make it to your driveway in your time frame.

The plow is a small investment (vs tractor and all the other stuff you need with a tractor) if you want to try it yourself. Just doing your 500ft driveway will not wear out a truck.

 

[Cork]

Reading these comments makes me giggle

 

[tirolski]

An advantage for tractors is also having a portable PTO thingy

 

[Harvey]

Ya can get a small PTO generator and keep the juice on at yer place for whenever the shaky Adirondacks electricity goes out.
Shit, ya might even pay for it if ya drug it around town to charge up the electric cars in a pinch.

I didn't watch this, does it tell you how many amps it can put out? How big is the tank? And how long will it run on a tank?

Our plan is to have a propane genny. Seems like less wear an tear per hour.