© 2006 Cherry
Hill www.horsekeeping.com
Happy
Holidays !
We
wish you, your family and friends, and all of your horses, dogs, cats and other
critters a
Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year !
Our warmest greetings,
and
Farm and Ranch Toys !!
Until
I had my first tractor, I didn't know I really needed one. Now I can't live without
one and all of the time and labor saving implements that make horsekeeping go
so much more smoothly and efficiently. If you are looking for some additional
horsepower to help you with the chores on your farm or ranch, here is an excerpt
from "Equipping
Your Horse Farm" to get your started.
Your
Needs
Although you will probably never eliminate
the need for a wheelbarrow and a fork, the size of your horse operation and its
associated tasks will likely require some machinery to get the work done efficiently.
Such equipment usually falls into one of two categories: a tractor or utility
vehicle with attachments and a truck with a trailer.
Since
you are reading this book, you have likely already considered the options of doing
the work by hand, hiring laborers to do the work, hiring someone with equipment
to do the work, or hiring someone to haul your horses for you.
As
you are thinking of buying equipment for your place, as you balance your budget
with your wish lists, keep suitability and compatibility in mind. You might consider
joint ownership with a friend or neighbor, leasing, or purchasing used items.
The
initial cost of an item and the necessary repairs to get it up and running, if
it is a used item, is just the beginning of budgetary considerations. There will
be regular maintenance costs (routine servicing) and irregular repair costs…the
what broke!? With some used equipment, repairs are more regular than irregular!
There will be operating costs such as fuel, lubricants. And there will be associated
costs such as interest, insurance, and shelter. And, if you’re like most
tractor, truck, and trailer owners, there will be a never-ending list of “toys”
we just have to have to use with our vehicles and equipment.
That’s
why it is so important to make wise choices on the very key items – tractor
and truck – as they dictate what you can choose to pull with them. Therefore,
in this one instance, you can and should put the “cart before the horse”
and think of the things you want to pull with your tractor and truck before you
purchase your tow vehicles.
Keep suitability in mind as you
shop. You want to buy the right implement the first time so you won’t lose
money trading up. Although you need to keep within your budget, try not to cut
corners too much or you may end up with a vehicle that would be difficult to resell.
Think of ease of operation, dependability and warranty – they all add to
peace of mind and, in the long run, are time and cost efficient. Here’s where
working with a knowledgeable, reputable dealer really pays off.
So,
if the activities on your acreage justify investment in a truck, tractor and attachments,
take plenty of time to become informed on the choices and research the market
so that you buy the best equipment to fit your needs.
What
do you need?
Throughout this book, you’ll
find charts, lists and worksheets that will help you figure out what you need.
You’ll find checklists that you can copy to take on buying trips with you.
To start out, here is a general idea of what you can use a tractor and implements
for around your farm or ranch.
- Collect
manure
Spread manure Harrow
fields Mow weeds Clear
brush Haul bedding Haul
and move feed Maintain arena - Plow
snow
| - Grade and maintain roadways
- Maintain
pens
- Move portable shelters and large feeders
Dig
postholes Pull out old posts Power
a water pump or generator Spray, fertilize, and
seed pastures Cut, bale, and stack hay Cultivate
soil for crops or garden
|
2.jpg){kind=small}
