Upgrade tractor or get contractor in

j6891

Member
Location
Perth & Kinross
Looking at changing tractor as youngest one is 20 years old now and needing a bit more hp. Tractor to change is 100hp. Biggest job would be round baling and ploughing.
 

DeeGee

Member
Location
North East Wales
Depends a bit on your labour situation as well.
If you are pushed at certain peak times then remember that you also get extra labour with using a contractor. They should also bring up to date high output machinery with all the latest technology and features etc.

I tend to keep the basic implements and handler etc with a few older tractors, but use contractors for most of the heavy work or that which requires more expensive machinery such as combining, mower conditioning, baling, power harrowing and drilling etc. I could never justify paying out for the more expensive machines on a relatively small acreage, nor on buying newer high horsepower modern tractors to power these machines.

Others will probably have different ideas, but it all depends what you think is best for your own farm.
 

Chae1

Member
Location
Aberdeenshire
Looking at changing tractor as youngest one is 20 years old now and needing a bit more hp. Tractor to change is 100hp. Biggest job would be round baling and ploughing.

Do you have any keen farmers sons nearby that would come with daddy's tractor?

Do you have time to drive tractor?
 

j6891

Member
Location
Perth & Kinross
How good is the equipment you are using? Will new tractor lead to new plough..... new baler ... etc etc
It's a slippery slope isn't it. Usually make/sell some hay so like having my own baler (mchale f550). Maybe should punt the baler and get contractor in for ploughing then don't need a new tractor? Small units getting harder to justify having any kit. Goes back to the debate what kit does a farm actually need?
 

DeeGee

Member
Location
North East Wales
How good and prompt are your local contractors? If they are good and reliable that will have a bearing on your decision as well. Obviously some jobs are more urgent than others and if contractors are rare or slow in your area then you already know that you have to bear this in mind.

The jobs that I tend to use contractors for here are those that need the higher priced more complex machines and the higher horsepower tractors. But for basic things like ploughs, cultivators, rollers, fertiliser spinners and hay tedders etc then I try and keep my own stuff reasonably up to date, as their cost is relatively modest and can be run on older and lower powered tractors.
 

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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