Iron addiction

[freewheat]

Vvalk. The only times I have had trouble getting a crop in or off, has been when the WEATHER has sucked. There are years we never seeded a dang thing, because of mud, and falls that would make a southern Alberta guy quaver with complete lack of understanding.

I have never had input troubles, I am not sure where you got that from??? That is plain strange.

Just thought I would clear the air. I am in an area where you could have 3 combines an acre, but if it rains every day, it would hardly matter if you had 4...

[freewheat]

Vvalk. Yes my repairs on my tractor have been 50 cents an acre. Why such a shock? And probably the most shocking to some of you? My tractor is a 1992, and has, "GASP" a whopping 6500 hours on it.

It can be done. With ease. I don't get the shock and assumption I am lying.

I bought the tractor for 50 000 bucks 6 years ago. Do you know what it is worth today at most sales? 60 000.

Negative depreciation. I know some will struggle getting their heads around that, but I can not help the truth...

[grassfarmer]

vvalk, Those are genuine costs for an old tractor that I use to feed cows in winter. Might need a $3000 or $5000 job done on it next week but thus far it hasn't needed anything. Don't wear a lot of tires driving on snow. Got lucky - bought an old tractor that had been exceptionally well cared for.

[freewheat]

The bottom line, is some of us pencil in a general expectation that machinery costs money, in the 20 buck an acre range or whatever per piece, and some of us struggle to comprehend that fact, and have much lower budgets for iron.

My neighbor has a blade for his quad track worth more than my whole snow pushing set up.

Which is more financially expedient? We will all have our own varying answers.

Same thing happens with fuel costs etc. Land rent, land investment costs. They are all gunna be different for each farm. And that is good. Neither way is correct or right, or the only way.

Look, if you are farming today, and are still able to keep farming, you are obviously doing something right, whether you have 10 000 acres you and new iron, or 1000 acres and not so new iron. We all have been dealt uneven and often completely different hands: From weather, to grandpa and uncle Tom, and dad, we all have a different situation going on. Why there is a seemingly angry reaction by the bigger guys who refuse to believe some of us smaller guys costs, is hard for me to understand? What exactly is the issue?

The debate comes with who is the lowest cost producer potentially?

[furrowtickler]

I agree with bucket on this tier 4 b/s. I burn a lot less fuel with our old 9370's than any new tractor. And still go back and forth at the same speed. Had to put new tires on one and a seat after 7800 hrs, other than that , never touched the ole girl - oil changes only.

[furrowtickler]

I do have an addiction to tin though - beer cans and gleaners ....

[SASKFARMER3]

I disagree on the tier 4 engines. My S690s 2014 models burned less fuel than my s680s from 2013.
My Massey swathers use less fuel than the series before .
But you spend on DEF.
Cost on combines is just over 10 . I feel it's in line.
These will last for three to 4 years then flipped. 1000 hours or 750 hours.
Every farm is different like free wheat says and that is good.
Big big drills will be worthless at auctions this spring. Dealers know this. Play with them Ritchie's won't guarantee them a price at auction.
On tractors if it's a mechanical small once paid why sell or trade it's good till 10000 hrs.
Ah farming, grass we have 90 days to get a crop from seeding to harvest them one month if that till late sep rains hit and October is a maybe month.
You need equipment that can get the job done and done fast.

[seabass]

I agree sf that tier 4 is cheaper on fuel just not as cheap to fix when warranty is gone. By the sounds of last falls posts u might wanna buy another 690 so u don't have to combine in october. Lol

[SASKFARMER3]

HA HA HA, their is three don't need 4.
But when we finish harvest we go finish neighbours. Harvest isn't done till were all done.