Large tractors

From Tiny Farm Wiki

There are several tasks that may need to be done on a tiny farm with a larger machine than you have available. These tasks may include:

Contents 1 Plowing 2 Discing or Cultivating 3 Spreading Manure 4 Getting Large Tractor Work Done

[edit] Plowing

Especially when starting a growing area in a hay field or heavy sod it may be wise to plow under the existing growth. This accomplishes a couple of things; it kills off the current plant material in an earth friendly manner, and immediately incorporates it into the soil as organic matter. A smaller tractor with a rototiller can accomplish the same task, but a larger machine is simply more efficient at putting large amounts of plants under. Plowing is generally done in the fall. Once plowed under the furrows can be left fallow, or if the plot is small enough a late season cover crop could be raked onto the furrows (oats or rye).

[edit] Discing or Cultivating

This is a followup to plowing, but occurs in the spring. Although a smaller tractor with a rototiller can go directly into plowed furrows in the spring it may be wiser to have a large tractor with a disc or cultivator break up the large clods of dirt. A disc is a series of metal disc that turn as they drive over the soil. A cultivator is a series of steel teeth that are drug through the soil.

[edit] Spreading Manure

Manure or composted manure can be spread by hand, or with a small tractor and loader, but if preparing a larger piece of ground to use for the first time (over 1/2 acre) it may be wise to use a large tractor with a manure spreader to quickly cover the ground with manure or compost.

[edit] Getting Large Tractor Work Done

It is not necessary to purchase all of the expensive equipment needed to do large tractor work. Many local farmers will be willing at a price to come and do any work you require. Farmers are generally friendly and helpful people, and the cost may range from $10-$35 dollars an acre, or simply the cost of leaning on a fence post and talking for an hour.

Edit note: Poster will go out and take pictures of all the above equipment shortly.