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John Blessing
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 Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 10:09 am Post subject: Tractor suggestion |
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Just about to take on an equestrian property with 16 acres of paddocks (near
Lymington, Hants if that helps). Hope you don't mind helping out a
complete newbie, but I could do with some advice on a suitable tractor.
I've seen relatively cheap (8k) tractors on ebay, but am concerned about
being able to get servicing done locally.
I've also seen combined mowers/toppers/harrowers/poo pickers -
(http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GRASS-TOPPER-FINISHING-MOWER-DUNG-COLLECTOR_W0QQitemZ290119081643QQihZ019QQcategoryZ92021QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
are they "jack of all trades, master of none"?
Any advice would be v. much appreciated.
--
John Blessing |
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Barleycorn
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| Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 2:21 pm Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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Considering where you are I would give Romsey Agricultural Machinery a ring
on 01794 323159. They are Massey dealers, and do a lot around the forest.
Something like a 365 would do you fine, but I would avoid the 135 / 230
Masseys with drum brakes. Personally I would steer clear of 'Budget'
tractors. Basically if you buy an old Massey or a Ford it will always hold
it's value, and parts are available cheaply as there are plenty of 'copy'
parts about for the popular models.
Good luck, Barleycorn.
> |
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| Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 4:53 pm Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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In article <FYw6i.16725$F_4.15044@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>,
blessij@**REMOVE**THIS**gmail.com (John Blessing) wrote:
| Quote: |
*From:* "John Blessing" <blessij@**REMOVE**THIS**gmail.com
*Date:* Mon, 28 May 2007 09:06:45 GMT
Welcome John |
| Quote: |
Just about to take on an equestrian property with 16 acres of
paddocks (near Lymington, Hants if that helps). Hope you don't mind
helping out a complete newbie, but I could do with some advice on a
suitable tractor. I've seen relatively cheap (8k) tractors on ebay,
but am concerned about being able to get servicing done locally.
|
There are several of these Chinese brands about these days and their
reputation is not that wonderful if they are given serious heavy work.
Fine for a bit of harrowing and light muck spreading etc, just don't
expect them to last for ages like an old Massey 135! A local Ag
machinery dealer sells one of the Chinese tractor brands alongside a
European brand and has found them OK, a little delicate with regard to
build quality but for £5K, hardly surprising. It also depends on if they
are assembled here in the UK I gather, I suppose a UK build may well use
better lock washers or a dab of loctite if they know they will be called
out to fix a wheel that has dropped off!! 
I understand that most are now specced to meet UK safety regs, which was
not the case a couple or 3 yrs ago!! Our local importer seems to have
disappeared...
| Quote: |
I've also seen combined mowers/toppers/harrowers/poo pickers -
(http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GRASS-TOPPER-FINISHING-MOWER-DUNG-COLLECTOR_W0Q
QitemZ290119081643QQihZ019QQcategoryZ92021QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) are
they "jack of all trades, master of none"?
|
I have been intending to go and have a look at one of these working for
a week or two now as I am interested in seeing if they could cope with
long grass and rubbish on amenity areas. AIR, they are Italian built so
parts should be available. The Benye folk do not do demos on your
property, but there are one or two dealers who will demo the machines in
the SW, else Benye demo on a farm near Nantwich, Cheshire.
There are also some cheap chinese (I think) flail collectors about, that
will fit nicely on a 35hp compact. Have a look at:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AM
EWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250119383171&rd=1&rd=1
These are also available from proper dealers....
Should poo-pick OK I would have thought and a hell of a lot cheaper than
the Logic machines or the VERY expensive Wessex high lifts.
--
Steve Rawlings |
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greymaus
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| Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 1:29 am Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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On 2007-05-28, John Blessing <blessij@**REMOVE**THIS**gmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
Just about to take on an equestrian property with 16 acres of paddocks (near
Lymington, Hants if that helps). Hope you don't mind helping out a
complete newbie, but I could do with some advice on a suitable tractor.
I've seen relatively cheap (8k) tractors on ebay, but am concerned about
being able to get servicing done locally.
I've also seen combined mowers/toppers/harrowers/poo pickers -
(http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GRASS-TOPPER-FINISHING-MOWER-DUNG-COLLECTOR_W0QQitemZ290119081643QQihZ019QQcategoryZ92021QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
are they "jack of all trades, master of none"?
Any advice would be v. much appreciated.
|
A local dealer would be preferred, ask around for a less-dodgy one.
Spare parts are needed for almost everything, no good having to catch a
plane to get them, like the man I knew years ago who bought a Vicon (i
think) combine harvester.
I would avoid e-Bay like the plague, AfAIseeorhear, every trick used in
livestock trading is changed over to the Net and intensified. What are
you going to use the property for?... (The term `equestrian' either
suggests guys in togas galloping around (on horses), or dodgy property
dealers)
I used to have dealings with a local `equestrian' (chancer!) who
had the land chain harrowed frequently, and rolled during the
appropiate time. The chainharrow would really dictate the tractor, most
would need a good bit of power (even for 15 acres).. might be
worthwhile getting someone else to do that. WhenIWasYoung, it was not
unknown for farmers to cut a couple of whitethorn trees and tie them
together for pulling around to scatter dung that had been spread by
fork.
PS, a local machinery dealer has jumped ship, leaving a couple of
Chinese minitractors standing forlonely on the site, the ownership of
which could be cause for long legal debate.
I was enquiring the price of mowers for quad bikes, not really
practical..
--
Greymaus
Just another grumpy old man |
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John Blessing
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| Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 10:03 am Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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"greymaus" <greymaus@gmaildo.tcom> wrote in message
news:slrnf5m1pn.ttj.greymaus@localhost.localdomain...
| Quote: |
On 2007-05-28, John Blessing <blessij@**REMOVE**THIS**gmail.com> wrote:
Just about to take on an equestrian property with 16 acres of paddocks
(near
Lymington, Hants if that helps). Hope you don't mind helping out a
complete newbie, but I could do with some advice on a suitable tractor.
I've seen relatively cheap (8k) tractors on ebay, but am concerned about
being able to get servicing done locally.
I've also seen combined mowers/toppers/harrowers/poo pickers -
(http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GRASS-TOPPER-FINISHING-MOWER-DUNG-COLLECTOR_W0QQitemZ290119081643QQihZ019QQcategoryZ92021QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
are they "jack of all trades, master of none"?
Any advice would be v. much appreciated.
A local dealer would be preferred, ask around for a less-dodgy one.
Spare parts are needed for almost everything, no good having to catch a
plane to get them, like the man I knew years ago who bought a Vicon (i
think) combine harvester.
I would avoid e-Bay like the plague, AfAIseeorhear, every trick used in
livestock trading is changed over to the Net and intensified. What are
you going to use the property for?... (The term `equestrian' either
suggests guys in togas galloping around (on horses), or dodgy property
dealers)
I used to have dealings with a local `equestrian' (chancer!) who
had the land chain harrowed frequently, and rolled during the
appropiate time. The chainharrow would really dictate the tractor, most
would need a good bit of power (even for 15 acres).. might be
worthwhile getting someone else to do that. WhenIWasYoung, it was not
unknown for farmers to cut a couple of whitethorn trees and tie them
together for pulling around to scatter dung that had been spread by
fork.
PS, a local machinery dealer has jumped ship, leaving a couple of
Chinese minitractors standing forlonely on the site, the ownership of
which could be cause for long legal debate.
I was enquiring the price of mowers for quad bikes, not really
practical..
|
Thanks for the advice. Initially we will only have 2, then maybe 4 horses.
Plan on growing a bit of hay on about 6 acres (I expect to get someone in to
harvest it). Most uses for the tractor will be topping, harrowing, rolling,
mowing - general pasture maintenance.
--
John Blessing |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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In article <slrnf5m1pn.ttj.greymaus@localhost.localdomain>,
greymaus@gmaildo.tcom (greymaus) wrote:
| Quote: |
I was enquiring the price of mowers for quad bikes, not really
practical..
|
From personal experience, useless!! I had a Wessex model with a lovely
sounding V-twin 16hp motor for behind the quad. I found it was a real
struggle to go slow enough for it to work. I now have a little 1.2m
flail for the compact tractor, for footpath mowing and clearing brambles
in our woods and that is excellent. I am told that the finishing mowers
do work if the grass is fairly short and it is an offset model.
--
Steve Rawlings |
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greymaus
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 1:21 am Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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On 2007-05-29, John Blessing <blessij@**REMOVE**THIS**gmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
PS, a local machinery dealer has jumped ship, leaving a couple of
Chinese minitractors standing forlonely on the site, the ownership of
which could be cause for long legal debate.
I was enquiring the price of mowers for quad bikes, not really
practical..
Thanks for the advice. Initially we will only have 2, then maybe 4 horses.
Plan on growing a bit of hay on about 6 acres (I expect to get someone in to
harvest it). Most uses for the tractor will be topping, harrowing, rolling,
mowing - general pasture maintenance.
|
If you are making hay, keep a lookout for something to stirit up for
drying, swath turner, whatever, in wet weather its worthwhile to just
have to get someone to bale it, the preparing part gets stressfull with
everyone in the area looking to have it done at the same time. Good
Luck!
--
Greymaus
Just another grumpy old man |
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greymaus
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 1:21 am Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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On 2007-05-29, srawlings@cix.compulink.co.uk <srawlings@cix.compulink.co.uk> wrote:
| Quote: |
In article <slrnf5m1pn.ttj.greymaus@localhost.localdomain>,
greymaus@gmaildo.tcom (greymaus) wrote:
I was enquiring the price of mowers for quad bikes, not really
practical..
From personal experience, useless!! I had a Wessex model with a lovely
sounding V-twin 16hp motor for behind the quad. I found it was a real
struggle to go slow enough for it to work. I now have a little 1.2m
flail for the compact tractor, for footpath mowing and clearing brambles
in our woods and that is excellent. I am told that the finishing mowers
do work if the grass is fairly short and it is an offset model.
--
Steve Rawlings
|
there is work around here in the new housing estates to mow the
openspaces, but dealers were looking for 2,000 euro plus for golf-club
style machines. Someone is going to have to make a sort of
mini-silage-harvester to cut and remove the grass (where to go with it
is the next problem, there are bunvhes of nettles behind the houses
around where the lawn clippings are dumped out `for the sheep to eat'.)
--
Greymaus
Just another grumpy old man |
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Guest
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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In article <slrnf5obqh.hoh.greymaus@localhost.localdomain>,
greymaus@gmaildo.tcom (greymaus) wrote:
| Quote: |
there is work around here in the new housing estates to mow the
openspaces, but dealers were looking for 2,000 euro plus for golf-club
style machines. Someone is going to have to make a sort of
mini-silage-harvester to cut and remove the grass (where to go with it
is the next problem, there are bunvhes of nettles behind the houses
around where the lawn clippings are dumped out `for the sheep to
eat'.)
|
Well the machine we were pointed to at the start of the thread will do
the job, the problem is the cost as you say. For my amenity clearing, i
have tended to mow and bale and cart off, but it is a long winded 2 man
operation and I want an easier option.
On another tack altogether, I am selling some/most/all of our dexters at
present and have had some interest from Ireland over the past week for
pedigree stock. I cannot quite fathom just what is the drive behind the
interest, but it would appear that the SFP or whatever you have there,
has a degree of encouragement for traditional breeds/cattle raising??
Any ideas?? :-)
--
Steve Rawlings |
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greymaus
Guest
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 2:20 am Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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On 2007-05-30, srawlings@cix.compulink.co.uk <srawlings@cix.compulink.co.uk> wrote:
| Quote: |
In article <slrnf5obqh.hoh.greymaus@localhost.localdomain>,
greymaus@gmaildo.tcom (greymaus) wrote:
there is work around here in the new housing estates to mow the
openspaces, but dealers were looking for 2,000 euro plus for golf-club
style machines. Someone is going to have to make a sort of
mini-silage-harvester to cut and remove the grass (where to go with it
is the next problem, there are bunvhes of nettles behind the houses
around where the lawn clippings are dumped out `for the sheep to
eat'.)
Well the machine we were pointed to at the start of the thread will do
the job, the problem is the cost as you say. For my amenity clearing, i
have tended to mow and bale and cart off, but it is a long winded 2 man
operation and I want an easier option.
On another tack altogether, I am selling some/most/all of our dexters at
present and have had some interest from Ireland over the past week for
pedigree stock. I cannot quite fathom just what is the drive behind the
interest, but it would appear that the SFP or whatever you have there,
has a degree of encouragement for traditional breeds/cattle raising??
Any ideas?? :-)
|
Not really, Dexters were fairly common WhenIWasYoung, havn't seen any
for years. There is a trade in Angus cattle, sold later as Angus beef,
maybe someone wants to try the same with dexters, as they are reputed to
produce quality beef as well. Beside that, many of our newly enriched
people have bought country estates, and need something attractive to
graze the fields beside the drive up to the house .. It has been
noticed that the quality of stock grazing these places falls as you go
further away from the public view. There is a proposal for some sort of
`environmental' (`mental' for short) payment for sheep farmers that
involves keeping three cows as well, someone thinking od that might say
that dexters are easily kept and don't produce much slurry. The decision
was made that Suffolkey type sheep are `lowland' and Chevioty type are
`upland' for nitrates reasons, so you are allowed to graze 2 Cheviots to
1 Suffolk (even if the Suffolkey type one is smaller).. Just gets madder
and madder.
--
Greymaus
Just another grumpy old man |
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Jill
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 10:15 am Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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greymaus wrote:
| Quote: |
Not really, Dexters were fairly common WhenIWasYoung, havn't seen any
for years. There is a trade in Angus cattle, sold later as Angus beef,
maybe someone wants to try the same with dexters, as they are reputed
to
produce quality beef as well.
|
I can personally vouch for Steve's -- its gorgeous, which is saying
something surrounded by Highlanders !!!
--
regards
Jill Bowis
Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk |
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Guest
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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In article <slrnf5r8l2.6ug.greymaus@localhost.localdomain>,
greymaus@gmaildo.tcom (greymaus) wrote:
| Quote: |
Not really, Dexters were fairly common WhenIWasYoung, havn't seen any
for years. There is a trade in Angus cattle, sold later as Angus beef,
maybe someone wants to try the same with dexters, as they are reputed
to produce quality beef as well.
|
Indeed they do, though I am biased!
| Quote: |
Beside that, many of our newly enriched
people have bought country estates, and need something attractive to
graze the fields beside the drive up to the house .. It has been
noticed that the quality of stock grazing these places falls as you go
further away from the public view. There is a proposal for some sort
of
`environmental' (`mental' for short) payment for sheep farmers that
involves keeping three cows as well, someone thinking od that might
say
that dexters are easily kept and don't produce much slurry. The
decision
was made that Suffolkey type sheep are `lowland' and Chevioty type are
`upland' for nitrates reasons, so you are allowed to graze 2 Cheviots
to
1 Suffolk (even if the Suffolkey type one is smaller).. Just gets
madder and madder.
|
I did wonder whether stocking rates might have come into it as I have
used dexters for "manipulating" claims in the past. It is the "hobby"
farming requirements that are driving dexters here too.
--
Steve Rawlings |
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Guest
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Tractor suggestion |
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In article <465e8269$0$8716$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net>,
news@NOSPAMkintaline.co.uk (Jill) wrote:
| Quote: |
*From:* "Jill" <news@NOSPAMkintaline.co.uk
*Date:* Thu, 31 May 2007 09:11:13 +0100
maybe someone wants to try the same with dexters, as they are
reputed to produce quality beef as well.
I can personally vouch for Steve's -- its gorgeous, which is saying
something surrounded by Highlanders !!!
On behalf of the Cows. thank you Jill! |
--
Steve Rawlings |
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