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Scott,

I was in your situation 6 months ago... my wife and I bought a 10-acre farm. We have 1 acre for the homestead, 3 acres are pasture for our 2 horses, the remaining 6 acres will be used for apple, peach and apricot trees as well as pumpkins, corn and sooner or later a couple of bee hives. I looked first at buying a used tractor, went to several consignment auctions and bankruptcy sales and was not encouraged with what I saw. If I had the time and mechanical ability to rebuild/ restore I might have gone with a used tractor. Next I looked at "gray market" tractors... heard that there are some problems getting parts and service for this type of equipment so I stayed away from them. Lastly I went to three well-known dealers and looked at the Kabota L3000 and the John Deere 790 with a 60" bucket and a 5' rotary mower. Both machines are extremely similar in quality, hap, size, weight and capabilities but the JD was several thousand dollars cheaper ($15,250 for the package here in north west NJ) and JD offered a very attractive loan package at 8% interest over 5 years. The only stipulation JD had was that I take out an "inland marine" insurance policy on the tractor in the event that I try to plow the pond so the kids could ice skate and wind up sinking the tractor or roll it over by trying to mow a 45 degree slope I guess, the policy cost me a couple of hundred per year. I would agree with the previous posters that going with new is the best route to take - unless you are lucky enough to find a dealer with a clean, well maintained (ask if there are any maintenance records) used piece of equipment - from one of the "big three". As per the equipment... used, barn kept equipment should work for years I have seen quite a few pieces at the auctions and sales we went to this year. The 790 can handle a 60" rotary tiller, a single 16" bottom plow or even a double 12" bottom plow. Good luck! Doug

Know nothing about tractors
Operating and Attachments
Replies 7 Post by DCB

Dave,
I have a JD 790 with a 5' Woods XT-160 medium duty rotary cutter that I use on 3 acres of pasture to cut very aggressive thistle - until I can reseed with pasture mix - as well as to cut 4 acres of weeds and brush. I've been very happy with the cutter. The only option I wish I had sprung for - and I will in the future - is to have chain guards installed on the front of the deck rather then the rubber guards which are standard. The deck does dig in if I cut the brush any shorter then 3", but I'm not looking for a manicured lawn. The cutter cost me $650.00. Good luck... Doug

bush hog brush hog rotary mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 12 Post by DCB

Hello all! I have been lurking around on the boards here for the last two months and got some great advice on tractors. I'm now the proud owner of a JD 790 with bucket and brush hog which so far has done a great job on our 10 acre slice of heaven which is soon to become a small orchard. I have a question on pheasant pens and how to remove them. The former owner of the property attempted to raise pheasants, did not do well and let the top netting settle down on the ground and the weeds have grown up into the nets. How can I get the netting up?<br>(burning is not an option) I have cleared two of the six pens by cutting the edges of the netting loose then using the bucket to get under the edge of the netting then pushing it to the back of the pen. Any suggestions?

Pheasant Pens - how to clear
Parts and Repair
Replies 1 Post by DCB