Self propelled or Mounted .....Transport Box

An Gof

Member
Location
Cornwall
I have a big capital expenditure decision to make. The old transport box that father bought about 30 years ago has finally succumbed to tin worm and i need a new one.
Now i have put together several complex spreadsheets to analyse this purchase because i really fancy a self propelled transport box, something like a JD Gator with all the extras. The spreadsheet tells me that for a smart farmer like me its a "no brainer`` :ROFLMAO:
But i thought i should compare it against a more modest mounted transport box. The SP transport box will be about £20k fully loaded but i reckon i can get a mounted one (new not even s/h) for less than £600.
Fortunately i have an old tractor used for corn carting that i can use to hitch it too, its an 80`hp JD. Will that be adequate? The tractor has doors so it will match the spec of the Gator (y) but there is no buddy seat in the cab so its a single seater ...... but thats not a problem with current self isolation rules.
Can the TFF members help me make the right decision here ....... i really want to keep up with all the "big boys" and run a super sexy JD Gator ....... but can i justify it over the more modest mounted version. Will my neighbours laugh at me if i take the mounted option? How many acres and head of cattle do i need to justify the Gator?
I can get interest free finance on the mounted transport box and a 5 year warranty. Also the mounted version is available fully galvanised as an option and does not need an expensive belt (y)
 

melted welly

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
DD9.
I have a big capital expenditure decision to make. The old transport box that father bought about 30 years ago has finally succumbed to tin worm and i need a new one.
Now i have put together several complex spreadsheets to analyse this purchase because i really fancy a self propelled transport box, something like a JD Gator with all the extras. The spreadsheet tells me that for a smart farmer like me its a "no brainer`` :ROFLMAO:
But i thought i should compare it against a more modest mounted transport box. The SP transport box will be about £20k fully loaded but i reckon i can get a mounted one (new not even s/h) for less than £600.
Fortunately i have an old tractor used for corn carting that i can use to hitch it too, its an 80`hp JD. Will that be adequate? The tractor has doors so it will match the spec of the Gator (y) but there is no buddy seat in the cab so its a single seater ...... but thats not a problem with current self isolation rules.
Can the TFF members help me make the right decision here ....... i really want to keep up with all the "big boys" and run a super sexy JD Gator ....... but can i justify it over the more modest mounted version. Will my neighbours laugh at me if i take the mounted option? How many acres and head of cattle do i need to justify the Gator?
I can get interest free finance on the mounted transport box and a 5 year warranty. Also the mounted version is available fully galvanised as an option and does not need an expensive belt (y)

???
Thread of the week!
 

Banana Bar

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Bury St Edmunds
I have a big capital expenditure decision to make. The old transport box that father bought about 30 years ago has finally succumbed to tin worm and i need a new one.
Now i have put together several complex spreadsheets to analyse this purchase because i really fancy a self propelled transport box, something like a JD Gator with all the extras. The spreadsheet tells me that for a smart farmer like me its a "no brainer`` :ROFLMAO:
But i thought i should compare it against a more modest mounted transport box. The SP transport box will be about £20k fully loaded but i reckon i can get a mounted one (new not even s/h) for less than £600.
Fortunately i have an old tractor used for corn carting that i can use to hitch it too, its an 80`hp JD. Will that be adequate? The tractor has doors so it will match the spec of the Gator (y) but there is no buddy seat in the cab so its a single seater ...... but thats not a problem with current self isolation rules.
Can the TFF members help me make the right decision here ....... i really want to keep up with all the "big boys" and run a super sexy JD Gator ....... but can i justify it over the more modest mounted version. Will my neighbours laugh at me if i take the mounted option? How many acres and head of cattle do i need to justify the Gator?
I can get interest free finance on the mounted transport box and a 5 year warranty. Also the mounted version is available fully galvanised as an option and does not need an expensive belt (y)

Think someone is taking the pee
 

An Gof

Member
Location
Cornwall
It’s all down to cost of ownership, purchase price is irrelevant. Or is it?

Yes, thats why i like the idea of the galvanised one, it will resist the "tin worm" (y)

This one from Ritchie even has a tipping bed o_O
Photos Library.jpg


This is the 4' model but it is available in a 6' version for BIG FIELDS. What sort of extra output could i expect from the 6' model over the 4'? I don't know what speed i travel at but normally I'm in high 6th at 1400rpm (y)
 

Alistair Nelson

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
E Yorks
I know a chap who was talking to someone in the pub a couple of years ago who had bought a s/h box for £50 at a local auction that was better than a new one and has subsequently sold it for £50.5 a profit having rebuilt it like triggers broom . So why would you ever want to buy a new one which will depriciate.

sorry couldnt resist
 

An Gof

Member
Location
Cornwall
Remember if you go for the no brainer option to get a couple of pairs of salmon cords ‘thousand acre trousers’

(y)
Reading what @Banana Bar said on "the other thread" if I'm making 2+2=4 i think i have also been to your farm. In fact if its the farm i think it is, depending on your association with it, you might even have been at Harper at the same time as me.
 

Tim G

Member
Livestock Farmer
I have a big capital expenditure decision to make. The old transport box that father bought about 30 years ago has finally succumbed to tin worm and i need a new one.
Now i have put together several complex spreadsheets to analyse this purchase because i really fancy a self propelled transport box, something like a JD Gator with all the extras. The spreadsheet tells me that for a smart farmer like me its a "no brainer`` :ROFLMAO:
But i thought i should compare it against a more modest mounted transport box. The SP transport box will be about £20k fully loaded but i reckon i can get a mounted one (new not even s/h) for less than £600.
Fortunately i have an old tractor used for corn carting that i can use to hitch it too, its an 80`hp JD. Will that be adequate? The tractor has doors so it will match the spec of the Gator (y) but there is no buddy seat in the cab so its a single seater ...... but thats not a problem with current self isolation rules.
Can the TFF members help me make the right decision here ....... i really want to keep up with all the "big boys" and run a super sexy JD Gator ....... but can i justify it over the more modest mounted version. Will my neighbours laugh at me if i take the mounted option? How many acres and head of cattle do i need to justify the Gator?
I can get interest free finance on the mounted transport box and a 5 year warranty. Also the mounted version is available fully galvanised as an option and does not need an expensive belt (y)
Is this even a question? Surely no self respecting farmer would dare to admit to having an 80hp tractor that's used for anything other than running the log splitter, for fear of being laughed off of twitter.
 

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