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Dragonslayer

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Posts posted by Dragonslayer

    Zero turn input

    in Watering Hole

    Posted · Edited by Dragonslayer

    I get it, makes sense. But, what about hay? It's kinda like grass and needs to be mowed at specific times. There might be someone in your area who does hay and might be encouraged to mow it for free or even for a cut of the produce.
    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.

    Zero turn input

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    Now that you have decided on a tractor, I'm curious to know why you have so many acres to occasionally mow. Just mowing instead of cutting and bailing hay. How about some four footed mowers like sheep or cows? Might be a bit more work but there is an income in there.

     

    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.

    Zero turn input

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    how good at wrenching are you? my son has a 1939 ford 9n that needs some work and I believe it has about a four foot bush hog with it. could be had for $600. He inherited it from his granddad and I got it running but that's as far I'm going with it. :mo money:

     

    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.

    Zero turn input

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    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.

    Zero turn input

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    The price sounds fair enough but in my opinion, that mower is not going to hold up to mowing that much grass. Especially as high as the grass will be just mowing it 4 times a year. John Deere makes some heavy duty mowers that they sell through John Deere dealers and then they make a light duty mower that they sell at the big box stores. That model is the light duty type that is sold at the box stores. It has a stamped deck and not built nearly heavy enough to do what you are asking. It will very likely be no faster than the mower you are using.

     

    If I were looking for something to mow as much as 13 acres, I would be looking at a small/compact tractor. If I were just going to mow it 3 or 4 times a year, I would likely be looking for something with a rear PTO and then use a 5 or 6 ft. rotary mower powered off the tractors PTO. Something like a small Bush Hog. For that much property and letting the grass get that high, you are going to go through a lot of deck belts and probably drive belts as most of the light duty mowers use belts for the primary drives. Most of those cheaper stamped deck mowers have cheap pullies and etc. and you'll probably go through some of them also.

     

    Another thing to consider would be is the property mostly flat or are there hills? Zero turns do not work as well on hills.

     

    Even an older tractor like an 8N Ford or something along those lines would be a consideration. Around here, you can pick up old 8Ns in great running condition in that price range.

    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?

    Zero turn input

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    The price sounds fair enough but in my opinion, that mower is not going to hold up to mowing that much grass. Especially as high as the grass will be just mowing it 4 times a year. John Deere makes some heavy duty mowers that they sell through John Deere dealers and then they make a light duty mower that they sell at the big box stores. That model is the light duty type that is sold at the box stores. It has a stamped deck and not built nearly heavy enough to do what you are asking. It will very likely be no faster than the mower you are using.

     

    If I were looking for something to mow as much as 13 acres, I would be looking at a small/compact tractor. If I were just going to mow it 3 or 4 times a year, I would likely be looking for something with a rear PTO and then use a 5 or 6 ft. rotary mower powered off the tractors PTO. Something like a small Bush Hog. For that much property and letting the grass get that high, you are going to go through a lot of deck belts and probably drive belts as most of the light duty mowers use belts for the primary drives. Most of those cheaper stamped deck mowers have cheap pullies and etc. and you'll probably go through some of them also.

     

    Another thing to consider would be is the property mostly flat or are there hills? Zero turns do not work as well on hills.

     

    Even an older tractor like an 8N Ford or something along those lines would be a consideration. Around here, you can pick up old 8Ns in great running condition in that price range.

    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?

    Zero turn input

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    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?

    Hold your breath I'm going in.....

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    Hold your breath I'm going in.....

    I mean that both figuratively and literally.

    Tonight I start breaking the concrete floor in the basement to track down and hopefully be able to repair a sewer pipe break. Somehow I just know this is going to turn into a really crappy job.

     

    I think I know where the pipe is broken based on how far I could get a snake to go before it ran into impenetrable dirt, clay, and stones. A drain camera was no help either. I have already used a concrete saw to cut about half way thru the concrete and am hoping that the sledge will leave me a fairly clean edge. The basement ceiling is not high enough to get in a full swing so if I can not get enough to break it then I will have to go rent a demolition hammer. Once I get thru the floor then I get to dig down thru what will most likely be some nasty mud till I find the pipes. Then I get to try to cut 100 year old clay AND cast iron pipes without shattering them so I can splice in new PVC. Then I have to find a place to dispose of the dirt and broken cement and pipes. I will use gravel around the new pips like there is supposed to be.

     

    The current sewer pipe is 6 inch clay, there is 4 inch cast iron feeding into that below the floor. My plan is to do all replacements with 4 inch PVC and just join that to the 6" clay with one of those rubber boots. Is there a reason that I might want/need to keep the under floor part 6" and then transition to the 4" as soon as it goes above grade like it is now. Most houses have 4" sewer all the way to the street. I could only push the power snake about 5 feet into the clean out, so the break starts within 3 feet of the 90° elbow that goes from the vertical to the horizontal.

     

    I called a couple of plumbers and got estimates of $3,000-8,000, I am looking at $400-500 in parts to do it myself. Me being both cheap and poor and still able bodied, means that I have to at least try this on my own. I may very well get in there and find it is way above my pay grade and have to still call someone in. At least I will have saved some of there precious time buy already having a hole in the floor and most of the dirt gone. Doing it myself I do not have to pour the new cement right away, I can wait till spring or summer to get to that part. A pro will want to do it right away.

     

    My biggest fear is that once I get in there I will find that there is a lot more pipe in pretty bad shape beyond the cave in that I know of. I could end up trenching across 50 feet of basement floor and then having someone come in and dig a trench to the middle of the road in front of the house, in whic case this job will end up well into the 5 figure price range by the time I also pay for road repairs, sidewalk repair and yard repair.

     

    I have never done anything like this before, any tips would be helpful, if not wish me luck.:mo money::scared:

     

    This will be a scary weekend. It has to be working by Monday night when Erika starts her colonoscopy prep......:scared:

    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.

    New 1st Gen project

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    Thanks for the warm welcome, I appreciate it. I've stayed away from forums for a while, have been on a few for bikes and other vehicles but don't care for where they always seem to go. I lurked for a while and you guys seem like folks I could get along with. Never enjoyed the company of folks who like to snipe at each other, life's too short.

     

    Asheville sure sounds like fun, but man that's a haul for me! I'm up in the Pacific Northwest, darn near to Canada. I'd be up for the trip, but not until I semi-retire in a few years. Then I'm planning a good long cross country trip, but no firm plans where. Heading south sounds good. :)

     

    Tim

    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.

    Looking for cane and rocking chair recommendations!!!

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    :backinmyday: 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.

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    Asheville 2018

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    Hey Randy unpack the sticks and stones I got my vacation so all y'all will have to put up with me and Trina. :dancefool:

     

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

     

    Jus kidding.:stickpoke::happy-emoticon:

    New 1st Gen project

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    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????

    Asheville 2018

    in Watering Hole

    Posted

    If I get feeling better and if Venturous Randy decides he really is done riding and ever puts that amazing 83 of his with the modified transmission up for sale here in the club and if I can afford what he needs to get for it and can find a U-Haul truck to go down there in Tennessee and get it so I can buy it from him, bring it home and combine Randy's bike with the one I got from Carbon One last year that I combined with Tweeks so Tip and I can get a chance to experience an 83 with that awesome modded tranny, that the math genius gear ratio master Randy almost had me convinced to come to his house and do to Tweeks, all before ride season gets here, it would be a riot to take that bike after getting things all switched around on it and see if it could find it's way back to its home down south even after it had a bunch of Yankee parts put on it and a trip to Ashville would be the perfect way to test it ... Maybe some of those stickers from rides past down yonder would help it find its way,, maybe not,, but maybe..

    :big-grin-emoticon:

     

    I LOVE the south!!

    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.

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