Dragonslayer

There are hay cutters all around me. And I guess I should know about it. In fact the hay cutters meet for coffee at the local store every Saturday morning. I could go up there and start asking questions. My first three concerns would be: 1. If my grass is hay feed quality to be worth anything? 2. Would I get enough yield to make it worth the cost of cutting, bailing, stacking, moving and selling it? 3. And would turn out to be another low paid full time job? At least tractor riding would be fun.

Good question and there is an answer. First of all I'm kinda new at gentlemen farming. I never really believed that I would be able to swing the deal for my dream house on acreage. But as it turned out the cards fell in my favor and here I am. The big draw for me was my dream of being to hunt off my porch but this place turned out to be so much more than that for me. When I leased this place 3 years ago the my friend who was the owner had a tractor here that I used to maintain the property for the first year. But he took his tractor to his lake property and I've been maintaining with a riding lawn mower ever since. It has been a major pita. I thought about raising farm animals such as cows, goats, horses pigs and chickens but that seemed more of a full time job then I wanted to sign up for. So now I'm thinking about raising quail and rabbits and having a very private deer, rabbit, quail and turkey hunting preserve for my closest friends. The habitat is perfectly set up for that but will require equipment to maintain the land which brings me to my tractor search. I tried garden crops the first year and invested about $500 for a $50 return in tomatoes and cucumbers. It didn't take me long to realize that I could bought a sh1t load of tomatoes and cucumbers for $500 with a lot less work. I feel the same way about chickens and eggs. A horse would be nice but I was raised on horseback and know how much work they can be. Not trying to create another unpaid full time job at this stage of life. Being able to stay ahead of the 13 acres of grass is my mission at the moment.

I'll call you in the morning.

I'm ready to cut a deal. Where is it?

Those both look " to purty to get durty" but possible worth a road trip to Ohio. Thanks Don

Thanks those are possibilities.

Dang that is right up my alley. I can wrench pretty Darn good when I want to or put my mind to it. Where can I come and get it. send on pics and details.

Or Kansas

I appreciate the input and agree that a compact tractor is the way to go. The problem is new tractors are price prohibitive for me right now and I can't seem to I can't seem to find a used one worth considering In my price range. Yesterday I managed some time off so I visited the local John Deere and Kubota dealers. No decent used options and the new ones are just to expensive. I did look at some heavy duty 54" zturn John Deere @ 7k and Kubota @ 6.5 k. I don't really trust the auctions and need to be able to check out what I'm buying before i buy it. So I guess I'm still looking.

Don, Your advice kinda reminds me of my younger days when I would be thinking..... Like..... "She sure is pretty" and my mother would be saying... Like... "She'll be nothing but trouble and will leave you broke and heart broken"............... Back then I believe I usually opted for broke and heartbroken. This time I think your right and think I'll keep looking for what I want. Which by the way exactly what you describe. The property is more like gently rolling hills and not that rough of terrain. But there is thirteen acres to mow and with a pto I would have other options for farm implements. So I'm thinking small tractor with a front end loader with a PTO and 3 point hitch. Bush hog and finish mower attachment. The problem is they seem to be pretty proud of the kind I want. So now I'm thinking. If I cut it more than four times a year what would her life expectancy be if I babied her and treated her real nice................... I am talking about farm equipment............. Aren't I?

Don, Your advice kinda reminds me of my younger days when I would be thinking..... Like..... "She sure is pretty" and my mother would be saying... Like... "She'll be nothing but trouble and will leave you broke and heart broken"............... Back then I believe I usually opted for broke and heartbroken. This time I think your right and think I'll keep looking for what I want. Which by the way exactly what you describe. The property is more like gently rolling hills and not that rough of terrain. But there is thirteen acres to mow and with a pto I would have other options for farm implements. So I'm thinking small tractor with a front end loader with a PTO and 3 point hitch. Bush hog and finish mower attachment. The problem is they seem to be pretty proud of the kind I want. So now I'm thinking. If I cut it more than four times a year what would her life expectancy be if I babied her and treated her real nice................... I am talking about farm equipment............. Aren't I?

Been thinking about lawn and farm equipment. I need something to keep the back field mowed about four times a year. Been doing it with a conventional 46" riding mower but it is a slow process. The field is probably about eight acres. In fact out of twenty acres there is probably approximately 13 acres of grass to mow. My neighbor's son is planning to move to Saint Simons island at the end of the month and is moving from a four acre property to a 1/10 acres property. So he doesn't need and has offered me his 54 " John Deere z425 Zero turn with less than 100 hours and a used twice walk behind weed eater / brush mower for $2200. Both appear to be almost new and seem to run and work flawlessly. Question is: Is that a good deal and will the mower keep up with 13 acres of grass?

Best Birthday Boss...

That was Todd. Aka 86r or Bubba

That was Todd. Aka 86r or Bubba

That colonops prep is what I'd be worried about the most. It sounds like you thought the rest of this project thru. If time does not work out on your side the next thing I would suggest is a motel room with good plumbing at least until the coloops is over with.

Me too, you'll find that this a great group of folks. Mainly because the boss don't put up with much snipping. Now frog gigging pond monsters is completely acceptable and is expected. Since you're on up that way you may want to reach out to GeorgeS. I got a feeling y'all would get along. If you ever make it to my neck of the woods look me up. I'm on the list.

How much power does that electric hair brush need?

That usually works for me.

6'=$175 5'=$150

I'm glad you asked cus canes and rockers is sumpn I know a little sumpn about. You see I collect canes. Here is my favorite un. Can anyone guess what thisun is a made of. I'm in the process of starting up my retirement business. Wood outdoor furniture. These two are gonna be the first two in my product line. As far as being a Grand Papi. You're wise to get started young while you still got the energy to make it fun.

If we can handle y'all at Vogel Asheville will be easy. The frog pond is closer for dunking. Jus kidding.

As an old school regular let me chime in by saying great job. It is obvious that you have earned your wheaties and know what you're doing. That musters admiration and respect around here. Its apparent you will fit right in and will be at home with this bunch of lop eared front tire chasers. Especially PUC. I was gonna think on it till spring but your story and project has wet my whistle and about convinced me other wise. OK........... I'm making it official.......... I'll be in the market for a deal on a MK II FIRST GEN. Since the Midnight loaner is finally gone. 7 looking forward to meeting you down the road. maybe Asheville????

I just got a visual of Tweeks drapped in bright purple plastic....... With stickers If your going to Asheville...... I'll be there for sure even if I'm caging it.

Maintenance day project ought to cover it.