Lots of acres, LONG drive + snow, woods, acreage for hay need tractor

[bfitzgerald3]

I'm new to the tractor and small farm world. I need to get a significant snow blower soon as I live in snow country and will eventually dive into some farming at the hobby level. ...roughly 60 acres primed for hay.

Advice on models? I live in northern michigan...if you know of someone who wants to part with somethign suitable, feel free to pass their info along. I'm looking at the L-Series but am not sure how big I should or will need to go.

thanks!

 

[Eric McCarthy]

What kind of tractor are you working with so we know what direction to point you in as fas as snow blower size is concerned.

 

[Bluegill]

We have 400 acres and over a mile of drive way, uphill. The L3800DT works very well for me. But we do have a larger L3750.

Most any 4wd between 30-50hp will do ya fine.

 

[Kingcreek]

I really wish I had a cab on the Grand L and I don't live as far north into the winter country as you.

 

[bfitzgerald3]

Some of my neighbors are suggesting that 30hp will work. I think for just snow, this would be fine. My significant-other has insisted that a cab will be included if she is to ever participate in clearing snow...I think that call has been made for me!

I wonder about running a small baler/mower, etc. The money tree isn't looking too full right now, so small is better, but I need to make sure I can get 'er done. Eric... I'm not sure which tractor I need to start with...part of my conundrum. It seems like I'm going to end up in the L-Series.

Thanks again!

 

[hodge]

It takes power to blow snow, so the more hp you can afford, the bigger the blower you can get. A mile of driveway is a lot of snow to displace.
We don't deal with snow here in Va like you do, but we have had some deep snows (24"+) in the past to deal with. My dad has a NH3930, 50 hp, with a 6' Woods blower. blowing deep snow full tilt takes a lot of that 50 hp.
I have a friend that used to have a 28hp Dragon (any tractor that comes with an extra engine gasket kit, new, should tell you something), and a 5' blower. That 2 cylinder wouldn't do much.

 

[bosshogg]

I believe your haying operation will require a lot more horsepower then your snow removal needs. Find out how many hp to run the required mowers and balers and you will have your answer. I am betting you should be looking at the 80 to 100 hp range.

 

[bfitzgerald3]

Bosshogg...80-100hp would be great...I don't think I can afford. It seems like older equipment can run on quite a bit less...with that and me being small scale ???

I did just run across this recently:
http://nmi.craigslist.org/grd/3409956006.html

Reasonable price? No idea on the number of hours yet and I'm always leary of getting something that looks like someone painted it to make it pretty.

Thanks to all for dealing with a newb!

 

[Bluegill]

Bosshogg...80-100hp would be great...I don't think I can afford. It seems like older equipment can run on quite a bit less...with that and me being small scale ???

I did just run across this recently:
http://nmi.craigslist.org/grd/3409956006.html

Reasonable price? No idea on the number of hours yet and I'm always leary of getting something that looks like someone painted it to make it pretty.

Thanks to all for dealing with a newb!

Nice rig! Not a bad price if the hours aren't too high.

 

[bfitzgerald3]

2400 hrs
Bought at auction
Owned by community college, purchased to flip
Plastic was cracking on cab...replaced
Paint faded from outside storage presumably
All else "runs well no leaks problems."

Opinions welcome!

 

[Bluegill]

If I needed one, I'd be very interested. Not terrible high on hours, but not low either. The hours would not scare me at all, but I'd like to buy it for about 2k less.