So what kind of equipment do I need?

[Chainsaw]

Thanks Dave, I’ve requested some info. I’ll look for the woodsman’s show.

You are welcome Tom. Be prepared for things like Oregon chains for 18 to 20 inch bars for maybe $11 or $12.95 and prices like that. Chainsaw prices and Oregon chain sharpeners are also usually far below retail as are most products. Most of the best forestry related equipment manufacturers are represented. It is my mostly annual go to buy place. I really enjoy the tree cutting demonstrations and the Game Of Logging contests. The saws in the contestants hands are like extensions of their arms; it is really something to see a guy strip all of the branches off a downed tree in literally seconds. Go early because surprisingly the day goes by so quickly. And being around the third week of August it is not uncommon to see 80 degrees which for us up here is a bit warm! This sounds funny but dress the part (what ever that means) for the best prices.

Also if your hearing is still good brings plugs for your ears.

 

[Tap]

My opinions, fwiw...definately want a tractor, not an ATV. 4wd is great but millions of acres are farmed with 2wd. Are you on hills or level ground?
Heavy tractors pull better but also compact soil a little more than a lighter tractor.
I'd prefer a cat 2 three pt over a cat 1, simply because a cat 2 can employ cat1 implements by adding bushings but a cat 1 can't handle cat 2 implements as easily.
Then the basics are...
A FEL. I don't know how I lived without one.
Brush hog. Gotta have one.
Discs. 3point are convenient and easier to use in tight spaces or where you need to back up a lot, but drag discs work a lot better otherwise.
Cultipacker. Great tool, but a cultimulcher is better.
3 pt spreader. Wish I had one. I still do it all with shoulder spreader...very laborious.
3 point sprayer. Size depends on your needs but, IMO, stay away from tow behind sprayer. I've used both and I absolutely hate the tow units.
2 chain saws. 1 large, 1 small.
And I'll predict that your habitat plan will evolve. You will most likely reevaluate your layout, plot size, planting method, etc. I suggest you start more with the basic, essentials until you are there and operating for a couple years. Hey, if money is no object, then the sky is the limit on tools, but for most of what we do, you can handle a lot with just the basics.
The throw and mow technique has simplified our tool needs quite a bit.

 

[George]

Good answer.

G

 

[Double L]

Budget is the reality that we all must live around, so buy the best thing that you can afford. Retirement should be the golden time of your life. I totally love working at my place, but i have been blessed to be able to get the equipment to help take the "manuel" out of labor. I work alot at my job which is what pays the bills but if I had to mow and do work at the farm and have it be a PITA i would probably not be doing it to the extent that I am now. So if $ permits get large enough tractor with loader and a good no-till drill. 60 hp 4X4 would be smallest I would go. I got 85 with 10" rotary mower and if I am doing 5' tall over grown grass its all it wants. I am trying to learn more about the no-till, no-spray planting myself so i think tractor and drill would be first to budget to buy. Just my 2cents

 

[shaman]

Sorry I haven't replied.

It was right about this time in April (around the 4th)that we found out KYHillChick had cancer. She is my girlfriend/wife of 20+ years. She's had her surgery and she's recovering nicely. We think we go it in time that it hasn't spread.

Life comes at you fast. Yikes.

I really appreciate all the responses. I like the idea of letting the place start to go fallow and then mowing only 1/4 per year. That would be about 10 acres-- quite doable.

 

[Tap]

Sorry I haven't replied.

It was right about this time in April (around the 4th)that we found out KYHillChick had cancer. She is my girlfriend/wife of 20+ years. She's had her surgery and she's recovering nicely. We think we go it in time that it hasn't spread.

Life comes at you fast. Yikes.

I really appreciate all the responses. I like the idea of letting the place start to go fallow and then mowing only 1/4 per year. That would be about 10 acres-- quite doable.

Prayers go out for your lady.
Yes, life does come at you fast. You never know what's in store.
I'm sitting here waiting for a bone marrow biopsy as I type.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[shaman]

Tap: My prayers coming back your way. Best of luck to you!

 

[Drycreek]

Shaman, sorry about your wife. Hopefully she makes a full recovery. Lots of good info above, which is normal for this site, but I'll add one thing. ( and this goes for everyone ) If you purchase a pto type seeder for a tractor and it's made of metal, before you ever use it, get a pro to shoot the insides and the spreader plate with bedliner. I did this to a new one in 2004 and I'm still using it. I need to take some spray-on bedliner to the plate before I use it again, but I doubt very many folks have used a steel spreader that long without it rusting out. I still maintain it as if it weren't lined, but 14 years is a long time to spread fertilizer and not rust out. Good luck !

 

[shaman]

That's a great idea. Many thanks!