5 ms·

The problem with this example I think is the price of 45000 USD. I went down a research rabbit hole in this once and largely concluded some cheaper options are

The problem with this example I think is the price of 45000 USD. I went down a research rabbit hole in this once and largely concluded some cheaper options are either to - question why you really need a tractor. There's some organic growers on her small plots using push-driven tools rather than riding tractors. - look into the ge elec-trac community (google it). A tractor built back in the 70s gas crisis that people still cherish. Notably most electric tractor r&d I've seen tends to be done around a gas price crisis (early 70s, 2008) - seriously consider why you need a tractor if it's small acreage. I've wanted to gift a scythe rather than see people close to me futz with tractors they can't maintain

masonhensley 6y ago
Here's a few (75 acre, non farmable use case): - cutting grass - pulling a stump - leveling a gravel road after a heavy rain wash out - pushing around a brush pile - moving some big rocks around
- seltzered_ 6y ago
  Good point! Think what I was thinking about was the large suburban homeowner (around 2 acres)
  - atmartins 6y ago
    I am that homeowner. Here are some things I use my tractor for: turn compost (6ft tall piles), till a large garden, grade landscaping for drainage, dig holes for posts and plants, distribute mulch, repair driveway and distribute gravel, and help my neighbors with many of these same items. I also use it to move heavy items like wooden beams and Mac's mom. All of this could be done without the tractor, so I wouldn't say it's necessary. My back is not wrecked right now, though, I'm glad I have it. Also, I imagine my use will slow after having lived here for longer (only been a few years so far) - we have several projects we want done at the moment. The way I figure I could rent a tractor for about $150/day when I need it, or buy an old one for $6k to use for many years and then sell it... probably for near $6k (I know I've spent money on maintenance). Renting every other weekend is annoying, and I often work 1 hour in the evening. Anyway, hopefully this helps answer your question about why someone with a few acres would own such a thing.
    - bryanlarsen 6y ago
      My Dad bought a JD2130 in the 1970s for ~$17K and sold it in 2007 for $17K.

masonhensley 6y ago

Here's a few (75 acre, non farmable use case): - cutting grass - pulling a stump - leveling a gravel road after a heavy rain wash out - pushing around a brush pile - moving some big rocks around

seltzered_ 6y ago
Good point! Think what I was thinking about was the large suburban homeowner (around 2 acres)
- atmartins 6y ago
  I am that homeowner. Here are some things I use my tractor for: turn compost (6ft tall piles), till a large garden, grade landscaping for drainage, dig holes for posts and plants, distribute mulch, repair driveway and distribute gravel, and help my neighbors with many of these same items. I also use it to move heavy items like wooden beams and Mac's mom. All of this could be done without the tractor, so I wouldn't say it's necessary. My back is not wrecked right now, though, I'm glad I have it. Also, I imagine my use will slow after having lived here for longer (only been a few years so far) - we have several projects we want done at the moment. The way I figure I could rent a tractor for about $150/day when I need it, or buy an old one for $6k to use for many years and then sell it... probably for near $6k (I know I've spent money on maintenance). Renting every other weekend is annoying, and I often work 1 hour in the evening. Anyway, hopefully this helps answer your question about why someone with a few acres would own such a thing.
  - bryanlarsen 6y ago
    My Dad bought a JD2130 in the 1970s for ~$17K and sold it in 2007 for $17K.