Conference noted::equitation

    We (when hubby lets ME drive! :-)) have a Wheelhorse 310
    series tractor that was the best investment we ever made.
    It is much less expensive than the John Deere equiv. !!
    We use it 12 mths a year, (chains on tires for winter)
    for hauling manure, snowplowing, dragging ring, mowing
    lawn, etc.  HOWEVER, the 300 series does not have the
    rototilling capabilities.  The next series of Wheelhorse
    tractors, #500 I think, has rototilling, etc. capabilities.
    It's very simple to shift gears, etc.  Somewhat difficult
    to change attachments, but no more than JD.  We have the
    mowing and the plow attachments.  Yearly tune-up/check over
    ran under $100.  I recommend the chains, too, as an item
    to purchase.  The tractor is light, and with the chains,
    it does and goes just about anything/anywhere!
    
    Happy tractoring!
    
    L-  

    
    
    On our small (4 horse) 40 acre farm we couldn't live w/out
    our 650 John Deere/Diesel - 4 wheel drive.  It has a bucket,
    rotary mower (like a bush hog but is a real mower) post  hole
    digger, ring dragger, and we bought a wonderful attachment
    which airates the pastures (I can't remember what it is called)
    a small manure spreader and a trailer to pick up around the 
    place with..
    
    I do drive it when I need to - Jud preferes to do those farm
    chores himself mostly... (makes him happy).
    
    We till the garden w/a smaller tiller - and we mow the lawn
    w/a small FORD riding mower..........  We found that we needed
    the bigger tractor for (as Jud describes it) "real farm work"
    and the smaller tractors couldn't stand up.
    
    So probably the message in all this is that you need to evaluate
    the work that you'll do w/it... and if youre thinking of moving
    your manure pile and doing heavy work then you'll need a bigger
    tractor than the smaller/yard type.
    
    holly

    Kiirja...
    Have Ed talk to Robert...he would definitely agree with Holly.
    Small for small and big for big...but what is big, e.g. post holes,
    snow removal, manure hauling.  It is a never ending battle.
    Kathie
    

    
    	there is a tractor notes file...I keep forgetting to see where it's
    	located.
    
    	I agree w/ the previous advice....small for the small and big for
    	the big.  The riding lawn mower we plan on getting will be for
    	mowing the lawn....they also have attachments to pull small manure
    	carts/spreaders around.  We'll get a big Ford or Massey Ferg. for
    	the post hole digger, mower deck (for mowing fields), ect.
    
    

   We know we need a small one, that's what I'm asking for info
   on. We don't need a big one yet and can't afford a it right now 
   anyway. I'm looking for what_you_liked/what_you_didn't_like info
   from people who have shopped around and driven a few...
    
   I looked into the CUJO::TRACTOR_MACHINERY file, but it deals
   mainly with old and antique machines. But thanks for the pointer
   anyway, Michele, it might be useful later...

    Sears has a reasonably priced Craftsman 12 HP tractor/mower.  I think
    you can get it on sale for ~$1200.  This is the one we are planning to
    buy.....we have had a lot of good comments about it, plus it is easier
    to get repair/replacement parts (as opposed to some of the foreign
    vendors).
    
    We talked to a few vendors at the Woodstock fair.  Fosket Equip. was
    running a special, a 12.5 hp w/ bagger riding mower.  I forget the
    vendor name, it was american and the top of the line.....cub cadet???
    WEll anyway, it was about $2600.
    
    One thing we have found is that the shifters can be placed on the
    floor, so you have to reach beteen your legs to shift.....harder than
    if the shifter was on the side or infront of you.  
    
    Not sure of the exact attachments, but a sears riding lawn mower person 
    or similar salesman for the other places could probably tell you.  I'm
    pretty sure there is a rake and manure cart.
    
    Foskett Equip, inc.  (203)928-5748  S. Woodstock CT.
    
    not sure of the name, but there is a tractor dealer on RT 9 in spencer.
    he said you couldn't miss it.  They were real nice, and had some of the
    older Ford 8n' and 9n's for sale.
    
    Good luck, and I'd be interested in learning what you find out and 
    eventually decide on.
    
    

        There is a really good article in the Sep/Oct issue
        of Country Journal about many of the questions brought
        up in .0, concerning uses, attachments, models, buying new
        versus used, gas vs deisel, size etc.
    
        The dealer on route nine in Spencer is called Klem's
        and he sells Fords. I have found his prices high,
        but he's the only dealer around.
      
        I have a 27 hp Ford 1710, 4wd for general horse farm
        duty. I think 4wd is about standard these days, no one
        will buy a used tractor without it because it is necessary
        for front loaders etc. Also very helpful on hilly terrain.
    
        Any tractor equipped with a 3 point hitch will universally
        accept all attachments from any vendor, so your choices
        can be nearly unlimited.
                                

    We only buy John Deere tractors and attachments.
    Can't say enough good things about the product or the company.
    
    We bought them from Padula Brothers in Lunnenburg, MA
    It has since changed ownership -- we always dealt directly with one
    of the Padula family members... Since we haven't needed repair type
    work or anything like that we don't know how the new management is.
    
    About 2 years ago we bought one of the 240's.  That's the riding
    lawn mower - think it's almost the largest model without actually
    getting a tractor.  Also got the pull behind wagon attachment just
    for fun really.
    
    Recently we bought a house with 15+ acres here in NH so we bought a 
    1989 1050 Turbo, 33HP, 80 loader (1/2 ton+ bucket), 4WD.  As well as 
    these PTO options: 12" hole drilling augur (for installing several hundred 
    fence posts), the back hoe (altho I'm not exactly sure for what...
    these are my husbands "toys"), the york rake (for maintaining the 
    riding ring), 6 1/2 foot 2 stage snow thrower (since the driveway 
    is ~1/4 mile long).  Equiped with "ag" type tires.
    
    OK, so none of this is cheap.  What is?  We love our home and horses
    as well as careing for them.
    
    We could have worse habits!