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On one of the automotive news groups, a detroit engineer commented that engine life would be doubled if engines were equiped with electric oil pumps, and that people waited until the pressure got up to standard before turning the engine over.

Synthetic oil makes a big difference in winter. I use it in my car and truck on the first oil change after Halloween.

Aside from expense is there any reason NOT to use an appropriate spec synthetic?

Block heaters do I need one
Parts and Repair
Replies 27 Post by sgbotsford

I'm impressed with the quality of advice I'm getting.

Tom:
You mention an older non-compact tractor. In my groveling around on ironsearch, it appears that smaller ag tractors are much cheaper used than are compact tractors. Part of this is age, but even with ones in the youthful under 20 group, the 30-50 HP tractors are cheaper than many compact tractors. Is there a non-compact tractor message board anywhere close to the quality of this one?

Tractors seem to get a few hundred hours per year, so the capital outlay would be a big share of the expense, followed by maintenance. I suspect that the actual running costs are small by comparison.

I've got an old Case 416 garden tractor that I use for the lawn and garden. Since I've got 80 acres, the minimum
spacing is not that critical.

I won't need any kind of spade for the first several years

What tractors should I be looking at for the startup phase of the nursery?

Steve and Tom both recommended seeing an accountant and ssetting up as a business to claim the business expenses. You've convinced me. It's added to my list as a todo before I spend major money on this.

Working at a nursery is a good idea too, although it's not clear how to do that while holding down a present job. I'm also starting coursework with Olds College. That's done by correspondence.

Steve suggested putting in drain tile. The fields are not *that* wet. It's just that balling field stock happens fairly early
in the crop year. Edmonton only gets 18" of precipitation a year, and lately, only 60% of that. Usually what water we get we want to keep.
The utility of a bobcat for ag work is interesting. With small tires and low ground clearence I'd expect them to get
stuck very easily.

Murf:
I think you're correct about two machines. It's not clear to me what they should be yet. As pointed out above, I don't need to get the spade until I've got trees big enough to warrent it. However, once they are that big, rental is not viable. The harvest season is not just a week. While spring time is the big crunch, specimen trees can go at any time. A spade is also used for root pruning. E.g.
Come up to the tree, and insert the blades half way to sever part of the sprawl. Commonly this is done for 1-3 years before a
tree is moved to reduce transplant shock. Done on a routine basis, a tree can be transplanted, or potted anytime during the
growing season with good success. This has the attraction for clients that they don't have to take delivery on the entire year's
crop at one go.

I have a suspicion that by the time I have 2000 5 year old trees, I'll have a better idea what I want.

Recommendations for Tree Farming Landscaping
Operating and Attachments
Replies 14 Post by sgbotsford

My experience with tractors is small.
My experience with cold weather is large.

1. Get a block heater.
2. Get a battery blanket.
3. Splurge and put synthetic oil in the critter,
if manufacturer allows it.

The use of synthetic oil for cold weather starts
saves a lot of wear and tear on the engine and
starter.

The battery blanket in effect makes the battery
twice the strength as it is cold.

Using a timer. Set the timer to turn power
onto the plug about 4 hours before you want
to start. (May require some experimentation for
time.)

In *really* cold weather (below -30) throw an old
blanket over the engine. (consider fire risk) The
heat you pump in has a harder time getting out.

If you use synthetic oil, you probably can move it
within a minute after starting. Move it outside, let it
finish it's warmup while you finish your coffee.

Experience:
My day job does not have electric plugs. Using
synthetic oil alone of the above tricks has allowed
my pickup to start without fail at temperatures as low
as -45 C.

Starting tractor indoors exhaust plumbing
Parts and Repair
Replies 4 Post by sgbotsford