Horsey horsey...
Discussion
I can see the attraction of owning your own kit.
Boys toys, and being able to do stuff when you want to.
When we owned 8 acres of Norfolk paddocks, we didn't go that route, mainly because we didnt have the cash and the maintenace expertise, and realised that we would never have the right tool for the current job.
Instead we simply found (one recommending another) local farmers who would do the main topping/fertilising, mowing, hay making for us, using their own kit.
We were fortunate, in that the land was in a long thin strip with a track all the way down one side of it and road access from both ends.
Having 3 acres mowed when it got too long cost us £20. Having 100 small bales of hay cut and baled cost us £1 a bale.
We did/still do have a 4x4 and suitable trailer to move smaller stuff about.
Bigger hay and straw bales were delivered and unloaded by the supplier straight into our store.
The 10 foot deep ditches down the side of the land were maintained by the Drainage Board with their 20 tonne digger. Drainage rates were £31 a year
Prices are 10-15 years ago, but it really surprised me how little farmers charged to hire them, their knowledge and their decent sized modern equipment.
Boys toys, and being able to do stuff when you want to.
When we owned 8 acres of Norfolk paddocks, we didn't go that route, mainly because we didnt have the cash and the maintenace expertise, and realised that we would never have the right tool for the current job.
Instead we simply found (one recommending another) local farmers who would do the main topping/fertilising, mowing, hay making for us, using their own kit.
We were fortunate, in that the land was in a long thin strip with a track all the way down one side of it and road access from both ends.
Having 3 acres mowed when it got too long cost us £20. Having 100 small bales of hay cut and baled cost us £1 a bale.
We did/still do have a 4x4 and suitable trailer to move smaller stuff about.
Bigger hay and straw bales were delivered and unloaded by the supplier straight into our store.
The 10 foot deep ditches down the side of the land were maintained by the Drainage Board with their 20 tonne digger. Drainage rates were £31 a year
Prices are 10-15 years ago, but it really surprised me how little farmers charged to hire them, their knowledge and their decent sized modern equipment.
We have 15 acres and a lot of things were left behind by the previous owner and we've supplemented a couple of things. We were left
Ford 4600
Bolens Lawn Tractor from 1974 for the manege
Countax ride on mower which we use for pulling the flail
Chain Harrow
Cambridge roller
Drag for manege
Various spares
Stihl strimmer
Brush cutter
and loads more things
We have a local farmer who comes and does things but his equipment is heavy and on clay it's not always suitable and it also costs. We use him for big jobs like cutting back dense shrub and moving rubble around etc. Have also used him for muck spreading
We have bought
- Wessex flail - Amazing bit of kit
- Millcreek muck spreader
- Flat roller for the manege
- Bale spike
So the final leg for us is a front loader and then I think we are pretty much done hence the question above.... And everyone who visits wants to drive a tractor
Ford 4600
Bolens Lawn Tractor from 1974 for the manege
Countax ride on mower which we use for pulling the flail
Chain Harrow
Cambridge roller
Drag for manege
Various spares
Stihl strimmer
Brush cutter
and loads more things
We have a local farmer who comes and does things but his equipment is heavy and on clay it's not always suitable and it also costs. We use him for big jobs like cutting back dense shrub and moving rubble around etc. Have also used him for muck spreading
We have bought
- Wessex flail - Amazing bit of kit
- Millcreek muck spreader
- Flat roller for the manege
- Bale spike
So the final leg for us is a front loader and then I think we are pretty much done hence the question above.... And everyone who visits wants to drive a tractor
Bit late to the party, but I’d recommend going a bit larger if you can.
Our small tractor is a 50hp New Holland and for the sorts of jobs you describe it works pretty well. If you go much smaller, your front loader capacity will be quite limited. One with a cab (and air con) is much more civilised if the budget will stretch to it. Man maths also helps as they hold their value as many smallholders/horsey types want them.
Tractors are a slippery slope. We started with the above and soon ended up with various other bits of kit…
If you’re wanting something for loading/moving work and already have a tractor, consider a telehandler. Ours is used far more than the front loader on the tractor. Forks, bale spike. and a large capacity bucket make light work of many jobs. Often overlooked, they can sometimes be found at a decent price.
Our small tractor is a 50hp New Holland and for the sorts of jobs you describe it works pretty well. If you go much smaller, your front loader capacity will be quite limited. One with a cab (and air con) is much more civilised if the budget will stretch to it. Man maths also helps as they hold their value as many smallholders/horsey types want them.
Tractors are a slippery slope. We started with the above and soon ended up with various other bits of kit…
If you’re wanting something for loading/moving work and already have a tractor, consider a telehandler. Ours is used far more than the front loader on the tractor. Forks, bale spike. and a large capacity bucket make light work of many jobs. Often overlooked, they can sometimes be found at a decent price.
Since we moved house, my horse (we are now down to one) is at the farm across the road from me.
They run a livery stables with about 20 horses, plus have about 15-20 of their own (farmer's wife and daughter are into dressage and eventing big time).
They do have tractors around, shared between 2 farms, but they are mainly for the arable farm work. The telehandler gets far more daily use, both for moving bales and also for shifting the muck heap. Great piece of kit, so versatile
If the muck heap gets much bigger the scouts will be setting up base camp on it in the summer holidays, with a view to conquering it by 31st August
They run a livery stables with about 20 horses, plus have about 15-20 of their own (farmer's wife and daughter are into dressage and eventing big time).
They do have tractors around, shared between 2 farms, but they are mainly for the arable farm work. The telehandler gets far more daily use, both for moving bales and also for shifting the muck heap. Great piece of kit, so versatile
If the muck heap gets much bigger the scouts will be setting up base camp on it in the summer holidays, with a view to conquering it by 31st August
Thanks for the counsel.
We have a 75hp Ford which does our harrowing, moving large bales , cambridge roller Millcreek muck spreader etc
We have a couple of lawn tractors which pull a flail, arena drag, flat roller, sprayer etc
We just want to load muck onto the small muck spreader, occasionally carry a few bits around (bigger stuff we put on the big tractor )
Its just that maneuverability is needed in a smaller tractor as we only have 15 acres and most of the time we only need to do small jobs. I think we are going to go and have a look this Saturday to see how realistic a smaller vehicle would be
Cheers
We have a 75hp Ford which does our harrowing, moving large bales , cambridge roller Millcreek muck spreader etc
We have a couple of lawn tractors which pull a flail, arena drag, flat roller, sprayer etc
We just want to load muck onto the small muck spreader, occasionally carry a few bits around (bigger stuff we put on the big tractor )
Its just that maneuverability is needed in a smaller tractor as we only have 15 acres and most of the time we only need to do small jobs. I think we are going to go and have a look this Saturday to see how realistic a smaller vehicle would be
Cheers
LooneyTunes said:
Telehandlers have 4 wheel steer, which also helps with manoeuvrability (probably better than our 50hp with loader). In our case, a 120hp tractor (without loader) and telehandler sort most jobs.
Thanks, Let me talk with the other half who deals with the horsey farm side as it's a good question you raise 
If it helps, to give an example of capacity, this is the bucket we have on our telehandler: https://quicke.uk.com/products/implement/gl-genera... (GL+180)
The machine itself is the smallest JCB make but together the bucket capacity is several times greater than that on our 50hp tractor, and it’s lifting capacity is greater. Muck heap is pushed back in minutes and much easier/faster to load a spreader.
The machine itself is the smallest JCB make but together the bucket capacity is several times greater than that on our 50hp tractor, and it’s lifting capacity is greater. Muck heap is pushed back in minutes and much easier/faster to load a spreader.
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