Implement/Equipment List

I like your idea of not buying equipment too quickly, the pitfall is that most guys will buy a tractor that's too small and get equipment to fit the tractor, then, when they realize that they are unhappy with their tractor size and get a bigger one all of their equipment is also too small.
I buy a lot of my stuff at used farm equipment auctions, you get it at a much cheaper price than at a dealer, and ag equpment is made for heavy farm use, so if you buy pieces that are not modern enough for the big farmers anymore they are still better than required for food plots. For example I can buy a used 10' AG disc for the price of a new 3' ATV disc.
 
Also, the most important thing before you buy a piece of equipment is, ask yourself; who is going to repair it or fix it if it breaks? Because it will need fixed at some point, sometimes sooner rather than later, especially if it's an older piece.
My recent repairs; Oil leak on tractor, hose on CTL, windsheild on CTL, Hyd outlet cover on tractor, tire on mower, welding on scraper blade, welding on disc, etc. My newest equipment take the least amount of fixing by far, but is more expensive if it does need fixed.
This will make a difference on what dealer you buy from, what brand you buy, or what type and size of equipment that you buy. Finding a good local repair shop can be a big bonus, and moving bigger equipment to and from the farm is also a consideration.
 
Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't.


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The suggestion on the DR Mower is smart... I dont have a DR, but a Billygoat brush cutter (same thing)... these machines are awesome. Im going to sound like Jeff Sturgis here, but Ive been using a walk behind brush cutter since the early 2000s. I couldn't afford anything else as I was in college and I rented them on the wknds (cost me $100). I eventually bought one 5 years ago instead of renting...It was the only thing I would use for creating access trails, deer trails, micro food plots, social areas up until 4-5 years ago... it did everything... so you can get a great return for just a little bit of an investment. Probably the one piece of equipment I would buy if I only had a few grand to spend and you can buy a used one for $1000-2000 (I think I paid around $1500), make sure you get a hst model (I have gear drive).
 
The suggestion on the DR Mower is smart... I dont have a DR, but a Billygoat brush cutter (same thing)... these machines are awesome. Im going to sound like Jeff Sturgis here, but Ive been using a walk behind brush cutter since the early 2000s. I couldn't afford anything else as I was in college and I rented them on the wknds (cost me $100). I eventually bought one 5 years ago instead of renting...It was the only thing I would use for creating access trails, deer trails, micro food plots, social areas up until 4-5 years ago... it did everything... so you can get a great return for just a little bit of an investment. Probably the one piece of equipment I would buy if I only had a few grand to spend and you can buy a used one for $1000-2000 (I think I paid around $1500), make sure you get a hst model (I have gear drive).



Was thinking about a brush mower and a swisher pull behind rough cut mower to use behind the ranger...


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The advantage of the walk behind is that you can easily maneuver into tight places that you can't go with a tow behind. It is awesome around trees and awkward, or tight places where there is no possibility of using a tow behind.

A tow behind would be better out in open spaces where you had to cover a lot of ground. It would save you a lot of steps and time. However, I can do that with a tractor and bushhog. Plus, why spend time on a exercise machine when you can grab the handles of a DR mower. It will keep you in shape.

Plus, there is something therapeutic about a walk behind when you ride down a big sweetgum and pieces just fly everywhere. It's like an addiction.........
 
Thank you. It would be more for mowing the road, around camp and food plot for throw n mow.


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Native hit the high points. I would choose a pull behind based on what you stated....or buy a zero turn. I currently mow all my access trails and plots if need be with with my zero turn, really a faster option but more expensive than the pull behind.

From another perspective, I used to have a garden tractor which served the same purpose as the other two options, though not as fast as the zero turn and not as mobile in tight areas or can’t take on saplings like the walk behind, still another option. My garden tractor was used to mow during growing season and up until gun season and cut my plots. My hack was ensure you use it on a specific day during the week all season to mow (I checked trail cameras off it)... just as long as it was not during deer rush hour. As another point I used the garden tractor to haul all my deer out and kept it running when I was retrieving and loading the deer into my wagon, obviously not the same day or time as the regular mowing but I suspected it was much less invasive and deer were used to it... plus I love the smell of fresh grass :)


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I’m late to the game in this thread, most everything has already been covered I’d imagine. The destination plot is the game changer in your question. Either buy small for the little plots and have the bigger field done by a local farmer, or get a bigger tractor. We bought bigger years ago buying an ‘89 case 62 horse front wheel assist with a loader. I was told the 4 wheel drive added approximately 20 horses. We needed every one of the ponies to pull a 13’ disk that used to have wings. We bought it at an auction w/o the wings for $300. One of the best purchases we ever made; sucker is HEAVY and will cut through just about anything, but a 45 horse tractor wouldn’t touch it. As far as other implements, I’m guessing those have been covered. Good luck, you have some frustration and hard work ahead; but it won’t compare to the satisfaction!
 
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I’ve looked some of the rough cut mowers. I sure like the idea of a Dr vs Swisher due to the Dr motor having more HP. Even used, it looks like the Dr is going to run $1000+. Ive seen where I can get a an older smaller tractor and shredder for not much more. At that price point, I probably won’t be able to get a tractor with enough HP to do much more than mow. Seems the tractor would likely have more maintenance issues than the pull behind mower.

For mowing the camp area and food plots that I will have already sprayed, seems I may be better off getting the Dr.

Am I missing anything, or would you guys agree?


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I shouldn’t even admit this because it’s super dangerous, but I’ve pulled my walk behind mower with my atv to speed things up....it really depends how much you mow and your taste for walking. If it was me I’d probably get the DR (I think they make a 30 inch cut).... and def don’t do what I suggested pulling it around to speed things up ;)


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I was looking at a 44” cut pull behind. Looks like a pretty solid option


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Oh sorry I was confused... yes I’d go dr vs swisher for pull behinds.


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I shouldn’t even admit this because it’s super dangerous, but I’ve pulled my walk behind mower with my atv to speed things up....it really depends how much you mow and your taste for walking. If it was me I’d probably get the DR (I think they make a 30 inch cut).... and def don’t do what I suggested pulling it around to speed things up ;)


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.......falls into the "hold my beer,watch this'' category

bill
 
As far as pull behind mowers go...check the metal on the deck (thickness) and how good/big the welds are. I wasted 1000$ on a swisher rough cut pull behind several years ago....it rattled to pieces in a year mowing my yard and pasture. I pulled it at reasonable speed over not real rough...but not golf course smooth...ground and it just broke, welds, deck etc. That thing was junk. Years later when again in the market for a pull behind I bit the bullet and spent the money on a Kunz rough cut mower from Illinois. I spoke alot with the owner manufacturer and was very impressed with the quality. That thing is a tank. 3x more than the swisher I had costs now, but will last 20x longer.
 
Does anyone use a flail mower? They just look like they would make a much finer top product than some of the mowers I have used.
 
I use a 3pt flail on my tractor for all brush and grasses plus it does a really good job whenever I use it on my plots. It is a lot more forgiving if you hit a rock or any high spots because the cutter knives can give where the fixed blades just take the full brunt of whatever you hit.
 
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