Farmstead and Shop Planning and Tractor Sizing

Farmstead and Shop Planning and Tractor Sizing

by Bob Schultheis Natural Resource Engineering Specialist for Building It from the Ground Up Program Osceola, MO March 31, 2016

Photo credit: http://www.agriculture.com

What We’ll Cover • Steps to good farmstead planning • Protecting hay quality • Planning farm shops • Tractor sizing and selection

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Farmstead Planning

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Good Planning Allows…. • Improved efficiency, higher capacity, better

labor use, more convenience, and/or more profit over existing system

• Arranging facilities to leave space for future changes

• Unobstructed flow of traffic to various farm activities

• Flexibility to adapt facilities for different uses • Separating family from farm safety hazards

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Steps to a Good Plan 1. Identify your farm & family goals 2. Sketch to scale the existing facilities 3. Appraise old facilities 4. Sketch your ideal plan 5. Develop budgets to evaluate return on investment 6. Make wise compromises 7. Test flow patterns for restrictions

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1. Identify Goals

• Expanding an enterprise to increase income • Adding facilities to improve labor efficiency • Developing a new enterprise • Increasing value with minimum investment • Improving family living environment • Separating family living from farm enterprise

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Land Use • How much land is needed? • Fencing • Gardening • Livestock • Crop production • Wildlife/hunting • Recreation • Income

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Maps and Photos

Obtain: • Aerial photos and

topographical maps • Soils maps • Crop and conservation

records

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Resource Agencies

• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) • Farm Service Agency (FSA) • Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) • MU Extension • State and local government

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Sources of Maps • USDA Service Center (FSA & NRCS)

offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app • Ag Site Assessment Tool (MU Extension)

agsite.missouri.edu • Center for Applied Research and Environmental Systems (CARES)

cares.missouri.edu/portfolio/item/missouri-map-room/ • USDA Web Soil Survey

websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm • U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

www.usgs.gov/pubprod/ • Water Quality Web Links

extension.missouri.edu/webster/water-quality.aspx

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2. Sketch to Scale….

• Slopes • Building locations • Utilities (above &

below ground) • Roads & easements • Other physical features

Graph paper: incompetech.com/graphpaper/multiwidth/

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Slope Measurement by Elevation Change

Slope in % = (vertical / horizontal) x 100

Two types of instruments • Builder’s level + measuring rod • Line level + string + tape measure + stake

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Slope Measurement by Direct Reading

Two types of instruments • Clinometer (Abney level) • “Smart” level (electronic)

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More Planning Factors

• Power lines and utilities (call before you dig) https://www.mo1call.com

• Hazards and potential hazards • Nearby land use • Regulations or zoning in your area • Flood-prone areas

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Site Selection • Geology determines location in the Ozarks

– “Slight”, “Moderate” & “Severe” ratings

• Many current sites limit future growth – 4 acres per 100 dairy cows for facilities – 1 acre per 100 dairy cows for lagoon area – 0.2 to 1 acre per cow for spreading manure

• Speed of rural residential growth • Production facility size dictates farm/family

association – Large operations = separate farm from home – Smaller operations = “zone” plan around home

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Geology

Soils evaluation

“Losing” stream 16

Fault Lines in Southwest Missouri

Sinkholes & Abandoned Wells

Trash disposed in Laclede County sinkhole. Dye tracing shows this sinkhole provides

recharge to Ha Ha Tonka Spring

Plugging is the responsibility of the

landowner 18

Farm Dumps & Trash Dumps

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Former Meth Labs

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Example of Farmstead Sketch

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3. Appraise Old Facilities • Usefulness for a given purpose • Adaptability for new purpose • Condition

– Replace if over 50% of retrofit cost

• Location – Gates, tight corners & wrong locations waste steps & time

• Maintenance vs. elimination over time – 2/3 of working time on livestock farms is spent

in & around the buildings 22

Appraise Old Facilities

Older buildings and tight turning space for larger trucks 23

Appraise Old Facilities

Lack of space limits options for waste management 24

Poor Site Selection 1

Bankrupt 60-cow dairy on 0.8A triangle of land 25

Poor Site Selection 2

Holding pen faces north, runoff drains down driveway

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Moving the Farm

Drainage & expansion ability better at new site

New farm site

Home & old farm site

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Vehicle Turning Area 1

55 ft. turning radius 30 ft. turning radius 28

Vehicle Turning Area 2

16-20 ft. minimum turning space at end of barn 29

Drainage • Ideal land slope = 2-6% (1/4”-3/4” per ft.) • South slope best for natural drying & livestock

feeding, then East, then N or W • Ozarks historically has 41”- 42” of rainfall &

36” of evaporation annually – Dirt lot runoff = 17,500 gal. per 1000 sq.ft. roof – Concrete lot = 26,000 gal. per 1000 sq.ft. roof

• Control surface runoff with diversions • Control subsurface water with curtain drains • Odors in still air move downhill like water

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Roof Gutters & Downspouts

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Interceptor (Curtain) Drains 1

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Interceptor (Curtain) Drains 2

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4. Sketch Your Ideal Plan • Check DNR & zoning regs. & building codes • Visit other farms for ideas • Planning consultants charge up to 3-4% of

facility construction cost • Observe required separation distances • Mistakes on graph paper or computer are less

costly & easier to change • Check proposals with stakes & twine • Dream a little! 34

Farmstead Planning

Aim for efficient layout

• Think in zones • Review MU

Extension Farmstead Planning Handbook

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5

4

3

2

Site Selection - Smaller Ops.

1

Zone 1 = Family living Zone 2 = Machinery center Zone 3 = Grain, feed & some livestock Zone 4 = Major livestock facilities Zone 5 = Waste management

N

Road

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Farm Layout 1

37

Farm Layout 2

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Farm Layout 3

39

Farm Layout 4

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Layout Planning • Distance

– Size, pollution, nuisances, appearance

• Topography • Climate

– Wind currents

• Services – Roads, water, electricity, fire prevention, safety

• Neighbors 41

Manure Separation Distances Distancefrom

StorageStructure

HauledManure

IrrigatedManure

Sinkhole, cave,losing stream

-- 300 ft. 300 ft.

Well or watersupply structure

100 ft. min.300 ft. pref.

300 ft. 300 ft.

Non-owneddwelling or publicuse area

50 ft. 50 ft. 150 ft.

Property lines -- 50 ft. 50 ft.

-- Earthen structures must be above 25-year flood level at top and 4 feet above water table in bottom. -- Areas flooded >1 in 10 years cannot be sole spreading site.

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Windbreaks • Can reduce heating bills 20-30% • Reduce wind velocities 10-20 tree heights

downwind – 30 ft. high trees = 300+ ft. of downwind protection

• Screen production facilities from roads • Filter noise and odor • 80%-solid wind fence

better than solid fence

“Wind Rose” 43

January Wind Currents

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July Wind Currents

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Windbreaks

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Styles of buildings

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Buildings • Design: 90+ MPH winds, 25+ psf roof load

– Embed posts 4+ ft. deep, 12+ ft. high walls

• Raise floors 8”-12” above outside grade • Space at least 50 ft. apart for fire protection • Clear-span construction

preferred for flexibility • Steel cheaper than

wood over 40 ft. wide • Take advantage of solar

– E-W orientation for buildings – N-S for feed bunks, high tunnels

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Ventilation

• Warm or cold? • Insulation? • Vapor barrier • Ventilation system

– Fans – Inlets

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Hay Storage

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Typical Forage

Harvesting Losses

51 51

Storage -35%

Harvesting -14%

Feeding -30%

Field curing -26%

30% Left

100%

74%

64%

41%

29%

Optimum Forage

Harvesting Losses

70% Left

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Storage -5%

Harvesting -8%

Feeding -8%

Field curing -12%

100%

88%

81% 77% 71%

Outside-Stored Round Bales

• Less dense more squat more damage • Under trees less drying more damage • Flat ground less drainage more damage • Rounded sides touching more damage • Smaller diameter more damage

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Amount of Dry Matter in Outer Layers of Round Bales

Bale

Diameter (feet)

Outer Layer Depth (inches)

2” 4” 6” 8”

-------------- % Dry Matter ------------------

4.0 16 31 44 56

5.0 13 25 36 46

6.0 11 21 31 40 54

Pyramid Stacking + Rock Base

End ropes tie to post under stack. Rebar “Ts” in grommets hold sides.

After 6 months outside storage

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Large Round Bale Outside Storage

Cover Hay with Reinforced Plastic or Canvas

Ground Slopes Awayfrom Stack

4"-8" of 2"-4"Crushed Rock

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Hay Barn Planning

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• What type? • Wood truss • Steel truss • Metal hoop

Hay Barn Location and Layout – Site Selection

40’

40’

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Sizing Hay Barns Small Square

Bales

250 cu.ft.per ton

Large RoundBales

310 cu.ft.per ton

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Inside Storage Stacked Square Bales

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Inside Storage - Pyramid

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Inside Storage - On-End

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Ownership Cost Summary for Clear-Span Wood or Steel-Truss Barn

Assumed: a. 40' W x 60' L x 16' H barn rated at 25 psf total roof load. b. Barn holds 200 bales weighing 1200 lbs. each, 66" L x 66" D (120 tons) c. $7.50/sq.ft. cost = clear-span, colored metal, dirt floor, 15-20 year life. Construction cost at $7.50 per sq.ft., including labor = $18,000 Annual Barn Cost (depreciated over 10-year life of 9% loan): a. Depreciation ($18,000 ÷ 10 years) = $ 1,800 b. Interest (2/3 of annual interest rate on loan = 6%) = 1,080 c. Repairs (0.7% of construction cost) = 126 d. Taxes (1% of construction cost) = 180 e. Insurance (0.3% of construction cost) = 54 Total Annual Cost = $ 3,240 = $16.20/bale 63

Round Bale Storage Economics

Outside: 28'W x 120'L x 8"H rock pad, $4,090 total cost ($1,363/year) Inside: 40'W x 60'L x 16'H barn,

$18,000 construction cost ($3,240/year for 10 years)

Bale

Size

(L’ x

D’ x

Wei

ght)

Annual Cost per Bale ($) 64

Affordability of Storage ($$ value of hay lost)

Reference: Oklahoma State University factsheet BAE-1716 Round Bale Hay Storage http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Rendition-6342/BAE-1716web.pdf

= Tarp & Rock Pad = Barn

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5. Budget/Evaluate R.O.I.

• “Partial budgets” provide estimates of costs & return on investment

• Get help & costs from – FINPACK software through Extension – Midwest Plan Service (plans) – Building contractors – Farmers who built similar facilities

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6. Make Wise Compromises • Does it make good economic sense? • What is payback time of improvements? • Replace older buildings in phases • Don’t let sentimental value of old buildings limit

proper placement of new facilities • Bury utilities now that can be used later • Strive for intensive use of costly facilities • Size dictates management (people vs. animals) • Consider resale value of improvements 67

7. Test Flow Patterns • People

– Safety from livestock & vehicles

• Vehicles & machinery – Minimize gates & mixing with livestock

• Feed – All-weather driveway access

• Manure – Visibility to roads, odor impact, enough acres

• Livestock – Access to water, restrict visitors 68

Avoiding DNR Visits • Keep farmstead neat = positive public image • Plant grass/tree buffers to filter & hide • Fence & rotate pastures to reduce animal damage • Inform neighbors when spreading manure • Roof animal traffic areas • Gutter roof, lot & driveway clean water • Budget funds & time for the waste system • Make improvements compatible with DNR

regulations 69

Farm Shops

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A Well-Planned Farm Shop…. • is energy-efficient • is a place to assemble, service, repair, adjust &

modify machinery and equipment • is a place to work on farm, family and recreational

vehicles and hobby projects • encourages preventative maintenance of equipment • is a headquarters for farm management, employees

and daily callers

What’s the price of a day lost to a breakdown during planting or harvest that could have been fixed in a good shop?

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Top 10 List of Shop “Musts” by a poll of farmers

• Size • Ventilation • Lighting • Heating • Wall covering • Drainage

• Water • Office space • Electrical outlets • Pneumatic lines • Extinguishers • Tools and accessories

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Initial Planning 1

• Warm-weather or year-round shop? – How handy are you?

• Make it big enough for equipment 5-10 years from now – Build length with expansion in mind – Research how to hold costs down

• Locate shop within 150 feet of house • Storage for service manuals & records • Energy-efficiency

– Lighting, heating, insulation – Insulate shop like you would your house

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Initial Planning 2

• Think about grade before construction – Will you have floor heat, water drains? – Floors at least 12” above existing grade; slope 5% away

• Shop size – Size door with at least 2 ft. of side clearance and

1 ft. of head clearance for largest equipment – Install 36” service door to save energy – Add room for work benches, welders, tool caddies and

walking room around machinery

• Utilities – Telephone, running water, rest room, future office? – Run electrical conduit for future needs 74

Warm-Weather Shop Layout

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Basic Farm Shop Floor Plan

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40’ x 48” Farm Shop Floor Plan

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Concrete Floor 1

• A necessity – Durable and easier to clean – Easier to find dropped parts – Easy to roll shop tools around – Reduces dust problems

• Subgrade preparation – Remove all sod, vegetation, manure, etc. – Compact fill soil in moist 4”-6” lifts, or

allow soil to settle 6-12 months before building

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Soil Compactive Effort Man 8-12 psi Bulldozer - D5 Cat.

- D7 Cat. - D8 Cat.

7- 9 psi 8-10 psi 10-13 psi

Ag. tractor - rear - front

15-20 psi 35-45 psi

Rubber-tire scraper 40-60 psi Sheepsfoot roller > 300 psi Woman in high heels > 860 psi

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Concrete Floor 2

• Use 6-mil plastic over soil to stop moisture migration – Add 2” rigid foam over plastic if heating floor – Install electrical conduit for future needs

• Add a 4” thick compacted gravel or sand base • Slope the concrete floor 1” per 10 ft. toward a

drain or the entry door • Use 3,500 psi concrete, add 6% air-entrainment in

outdoor slabs • Thicken outer 16” of slab to reinforce edges

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Slab Thickness (Unreinforced)

Use

Thickness

Relative Strength

4" = 100% 1/2-ton pickup or less 4" 100%

Small trucks, farm machinery, few larger trucks, loaders, manure tankwagons

5" 145%

Frequent large trucks, grain wagons or manure tankwagons

8" 400%

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Ordering Ready-Mix Concrete • What you want concrete for • How much you need (in cubic yards) • Strength of concrete you need (in psi)

– Price is based on compressive strength

• Durability: – Water:cement ratio, OR – Gallons of water per bag of cement

• Air entrainment (in percent) • Slump (in inches) • Other needed properties 82

Lighting 1

• General indoor lighting (20 foot-candles at floor level) – ½ watt fluorescent per sq.ft. floor area, or

2 watts incandescent per sq.ft. floor area – Equals 1 double-tube, T-5 or T-8 4-ft. fluorescent fixture at

8 ft. height per 80-100 square feet of floor area – Light-colored ceilings and upper walls help

• Indoor task lighting – Use double-tube, 4-ft. fluorescent fixtures mounted 4 ft.

above the work bench and positioned toward the front half

• Use incandescent or LED lamps over rotating tools like grinding wheels to avoid the strobe effect

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Lighting 2

• General outdoor lighting – Use 200-400 watt high-pressure sodium or metal halide

lamps, mounted at a 15-25 foot height, with photocell control

– Space up to 125 feet apart for best lighting conditions – Place a 150-watt spotlight, with motion sensor activation,

on one or both sides of the entrance door instead of over the door, to keep out flying insects

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Electrical 1

• Minimum 200-amp, 240-volt service – Locate near service door for emergency shut-off

• Outlets – Locate max. 10 ft. apart around walls at 4 ft. height – One 20-amp duplex outlet for each 4 ft. of work bench;

put under front edge to keep cords off the bench – One for each permanent motor-driven tool that is

½ HP or less

• Use GFCI/AFCI outlets in damp & outdoor locations

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Electrical 2

• Individual branch circuits must be used for outlets serving motors larger than 1/2 HP – Plan for one circuit to serve no more than three 1/3 HP

motors, two 1/2 HP motors, or one 1 HP motor or larger

• Use at least a 50-amp, 240-volt, 2-wire with ground circuit and outlet for a welder – Locate it just inside the door, OR – Add a second weatherproof outlet

on an outdoor yard pole, so larger machinery can be repaired outside

Photo credit: http://images.lowes.com

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Insulation • Warm-weather shop

– R-5 in ceiling or roof to relieve summer heat, condensation

• Year-round shop – R-18 sidewalls – R-30 to R-49 ceiling – R-10 doors – R-10 under heated concrete floors,

R-5 if unheated

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Ventilation • Wall-mounted exhaust fan

– Allow 1,000-2,000 CFM airflow per welder

• Vent engine exhaust outdoors with rubber hose or metal ducting – Provide 100 CFM airflow per vehicle in shop

Photo credit: http://www.sentryair.com

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Wall Covering • Fire-resistant wall board for insulated shops • Durability

– 5/8” plywood or 3/4” particleboard around welding area and workbenches

• Build firewall between shop and machinery storage if both are under same roof

• Perforated metal on upper walls good for sound control

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Heating Options 1

• Temperature – Occupied = 45-60°F – Not in use = 40-45°F

• Radiant (infrared) heaters – Ceiling-mounted or portable floor-type – Provide the most instant heat – Are easily changed and relatively safe – Makes a room at 60°F feel almost as comfortable as one at

70°F degrees with forced air heat – Raising heater height increases area heated – Size at 40 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour,

per square foot of floor area. 90

Heating Options 2

• Gas-fired or waste-oil forced-air furnaces – Good for heating large areas – Ceiling-mounted units help keep

hot air from stagnating near the ceiling – Waste oil units are economical to operate

• Provide a quick heat source • Most will burn No. 1 or No. 2 fuel oil as well as waste oil

– Size at 50 BTUs per hour, per square foot of floor area. – Use a minimum of 70,000 BTUs per hour if the shop is

fan-vented at 1,000 CFM to remove welding fumes, engine exhaust or dust.

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Heating Options 3

• In-floor heaters – The most expensive to install – Electric resistance cable or hot water pipes

buried in concrete over rigid foam insulation – Make the floor warm to work on, are quiet,

and reduce dust circulation – Takes the system several hours to warm the shop

to a comfortable temperature – Work best in conjunction with a ceiling-mounted

forced-air furnace near the door – Size electric heat cables at 15 watts per square foot – Size water pipes at 50 BTUs per square foot in the

bench area and 4 feet out into the service area – Keep max. floor temperature < 80°F for foot comfort

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Heating Options 4

• Unvented fuel-fired space heater – Offers relatively inexpensive supplemental heat – Must have outside ventilation of 4 CFM per 1000 BTUs

per hour of heater capacity to prevent CO buildup

• Electric resistance heaters – 100% efficient – Use several smaller units instead of one large unit,

due to their high operating expense • Solar

– At the mercy of Mother Nature – Warm air can be directed at ceiling or floor

93

Top 12 List of Shop Tools from Terry Halleran

1. Welder – MIG (under 3/16”); stick (3/16” & larger)

2. Oxy/acetylene or oxy/propane torch

3. Right-angle grinder

4. Metal-cutting bandsaw

5. Drill press (½” chuck)

6. Pedestal grinder (for sharpening tools)

7. Wrench set/socket set – up to 1” (quality)

8. Wrench set/socket set – 1”-2” (cheap)

9. Air compressor / ½” air ratchet / driver

10. Sliding miter saw or table saw (woodworking) / chop saw

11. Shop safety – fire extinguisher / clean water / safety glasses / dust masks

12. Misc. hand tools – hammers / ½” drill / circ. & hand saws / clamps / grease gun / 50’ x 110v and 25’ x 220v ext. cords / wiring tools

Photo credit: http://store.millerwelds.com

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Pneumatics • Makes repair jobs easier • Air compressor

– Minimum of two-stage, 2-5 HP, 60-gallon unit, 150-200 PSIG – ½” air hoses (25 ft. and 50 ft. lengths

• Air ratchet (½”) • ½” and ¾” black (gas) pipe

with quick-couplers around shop walls

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Tools & Parts Storage 1

• Reclaim your floor space – Any flat spot will collect stuff – Throw away stuff not needed

• Put everything on wheels – Portable worktables – Welders (stacked) – Tool caddies

• Floor hooks • Hoist • Oil barrel rack & lubrication cabinet on wall • Water heater overhead on wall

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Tools & Parts Storage 2

• Loft storage • Plastic crates to store equipment

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Tools & Parts Storage 3

• Shipping containers - $3200 each

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Safety • Fire extinguishers

– At least two ABC dry chemical units in welding & lube areas

• Water for fire protection • Electrical shut-off near service door • Vent hoods and hoses • Personal protection

– Safety glasses, leather gloves – Face shields & goggles for grinding, sanding – Dust masks & respirators for sanding, painting – Vent hood and helmet for cutting, welding – Respirators for painting, pesticides

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Tractor Selection & Sizing

Thanks to Charles Ellis, MU Extension natural resource engineering specialist, for use of this presentation.

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Asking the Right Questions • What are my long-term

goals? • Why do I need or want

equipment? • What enterprises will I

pursue? • What activities are

time-sensitive? • Do I have alternatives? • What uses?

• What size will meet my needs?

• Who will use the equipment?

• Accessibility? • How much money do I

have to invest? • Who will service or

maintain the equipment? 101

Tractor/Equipment Genealogy

• John Deere • Kubota • Case New Holland • Agco • Many “short line” companies manufacture

implements

102

CNH

CNH

New Holland

Ford/New Holland

Ford

New Holland

Case/IH

Case International Harvester

103

Agco

Agco

Deutz Allis

Allis Chalmers

White

Oliver Minneapolis Moline

Massey Ferguson

104

Tractor Sizing

• Horsepower • Hitch size • PTO • Hydraulic remotes • Lift capability • Physical size

105

Nebraska Tractor Test

106

Tractor Horsepower Comparison

• Nebraska Tractor Test – http://tractortestlab.unl.edu/

• The University of Nebraska Tractor Test

Laboratory is the officially designated tractor testing station for the United States

107

Nebraska Tractor Test

• Horsepower data • Fuel consumption • Sound levels • Tractor design data • 3-pt. hitch performance data • Dimensions

108

Tractor Horsepower Engine

Horsepower 135 HP

PTO Horsepower

115 HP

Drawbar Horsepower

98 HP

85%

73%

109

Tractor Horsepower

• Engine size does not necessarily equal horsepower • Turbocharging • Intercooling • Engines will be used in multiple models • Case Tractor 273 cubic in. • New Holland 410 cubic in.

110

Hitch Size • Hitch size will change

with tractor size – Cat I 20 to 45 HP – Cat II 40 to 100 HP – Cat III 80 to 225 HP

111

3 pt. Hitch Size • Category 0 - CAT 0

Small Tractors 5/8" Diameter Top Link Pins 5/8" Diameter Lift Arm Pins

• Category 1 - CAT I Compact - Medium Tractors From 15 - 45 HP 3/4" Diameter Top Link Pins 7/8" Diameter Lift Arm Pins

• Category 2 - CAT II For Medium Tractors 45 - 95 HP 1" Diameter Top Link Pins 1 1/8" Diameter Lift Arm Pins

• Category 3 - CAT III For Large Tractors 95 HP & Up 1 1/4" Diameter Top Link Pins 1 7/16" Diameter Lift Arm Pins

112

Lift Capacity

• 3 pt. hitch size – Does it match the implement? – Hitch has a designed lift capacity in pounds

• Are the back tires capable of supporting the load?

• Is front ballast adequate? – Safety of keeping the front of the tractor on

the ground 113

Hydraulic System

• Open-center – Fixed displacement pump – Typically found on older and smaller tractors

• Closed-center – Variable displacement pump – Typically found on larger newer tractors

• Number of remotes will vary • Pump capacity

114

PTO • Three Sizes

– 540 RPM 6 spline – 1000 RPM 21 spline – 1000 RPM 20 spline

• Some models support both • Two drive types

– Transmission driven – Independent

115

PTO

• 540 rpm PTO – Smaller tractors – Mowers under 15 ft. wide – Balers – Tractors under about 80 HP – Larger tractors may have this, in addition to

1000 rpm PTO

116

PTO

• 1000 rpm PTO – Typically on 100 HP plus tractors. – Some tractors may have both 540 and 1000 rpm

PTO shafts – 2 sizes of 1000 rpm PTO shafts – For larger mowers/rotary cutters typically 15 ft.

and larger – Silage cutters – Balers

117

Physical Size • What the tractor will be

used for will affect the need for weight – Loader work – Pulling wagons – Tillage – Baling

8600 lbs.

>12,000 lbs.

118

Tractor Options/Setup

• Front end/wheels • Engine type • Driver platform • Transmission • Hitch • Tires • PTO • Accessories

119

Front End/Wheels

• Tricycle front • Wide front • FWD

120

Engine Type

• Diesel – Newer tractors likely diesel – More powerful and fuel efficient – Repair cost higher

• Gas – Older smaller tractors prior to 1970’s – Cheaper to buy/run

121

Driver Platform

• ROPS – Older tractors may not support a ROPS

122

Driver Platform

• Cab – Sound level

• Noises of 85 decibels or greater affects your hearing if you work around it for more than eight hours a day

– Temperature control

123

Driver Platform

• Control layout and seat – Consider your physical condition/capabilities

124

Transmission

• Gear type – 4-24 plus gears – Power shift style – Shuttle shift

• Hydrostatic – Small tractors – Maneuverable – Easy to use

125

Tires

• Style – Bar type – Turf

• Type – Bias – Radial

• Ballast

126

Determining What You Need

• Price • Size • Uses

$22,000 57 hp

$21,000 180 hp

127

Tractor Buying

• Budget • New or Used (Used based on hours of use) • Age (50+ year old tractors can still have some use) • Size needed • Reputation/quality of models • Hours of use per year • Uses • Ease of use

128

New or Used • Advantages of new

– Warranty – Ease of operation with

newer technology – Safety

• Disadvantages of new – Initial price – Depreciation – Do the hours justify a

new tractor?

129

New or Used • Advantages of Used

– Lower initial price – Price will match use

• Disadvantage of Used – Possible higher repair

costs – Possibly not as easy to

operate – Operator comfort

130

Size Needed

• Uses – Loader work – Tillage – Mowing – Baling

• How much time you have – Theoretical field capacity in acres/hour

= Speed x Width x Efficiency / 8.25 131

Loader Work

• What will it be used for? • Is FWD needed? • Type of transmission • Weight distribution

132

Loader Tractor • FWA with shuttle type

shift – Provides better pulling

power – Handles front end weight

better – Manages muddy

conditions better – Higher maintenance

133

Loader Tractor • Rear weight distribution

– Steel rear weights – Fluid in rear tires

• Typically water with calcium chloride (ex. 1000 lbs./tire)

• May or may not be needed in tractors with FWA

134

Loader Tractor • Transmission

– Older style – Newer style with shuttle

lever

135

Loader Tractor • Hydraulics

– How is the tractor plumbed? – What is used for loader

controls?

136

Loader

Versatility needed/wanted

137

Tractor and Equipment Shopping

• Manufacturer’s website • Dealer website • Auctioneers • Websites such as Iron Search • Craigslist

138

What Brand to Buy

• Dealer support • Parts availability • Company history • Price • Quality • Usage

139

Matching Implements to the Tractor

• Adequate horsepower • Proper ballast • Correct tires • Hitch compatibility • PTO compatibility • Hydraulic compatibility/capacity

140

Adequate Horsepower Drawbar HP Requirements

Per Ft. of Implement Width

Operation Speed (mph) DBHP/ft. width

Moldboard Plow 4.5 12.6

Chisel Plow 4.5 8.6

Tandem Disk 5.0 4.5

No-till Planting/Row Unit 5.0 7.2

Grain Drill 6.0 1.95 141

Adequate Horsepower Rotary Power Requirements

Per Ft. of Width Implement PTO HP/Ft. Width

Mower, Cutterbar 0.5

Mower, Disk 2.0

Mower-conditioner, Cutterbar 1.8

Mower-conditioner, Disk 3.3

142

Tillage

• Plowing

– 15-18 hp./ft. 2 WD

• Disking – 6-8 hp./ft. 2 WD

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“Bush Hog”

• Refers to rotary cutters • 6-8 HP per foot • PTO powered

– 540 rpm – 1000 rpm

• Mounted • Pull type • Various “grades”

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Proper Ballast

• Adequate weight of the tractor and distribution

• Provide weight for traction • Provide weight for safety

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Ballast

• Steel weights • Fluid in the tires

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Proper Ballast

Tractor design/Implement type Front Rear

Two-wheel drive/Trailing implement 25% 75%

Two-wheel drive/Semi-mounted implement 30% 70%

Two-wheel drive/Mounted implement 35% 65%

Front-wheel assist/Trailing implement 40% 60%

Front-wheel assist/Mounted implement 45% 55%

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Ballast and Tire Pressure

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Before you buy • Learn machine history

– Where it came from – What it was used for – Maintenance records

(professional / self-serve) – Known issues – Accident history – Clear ownership

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Correct Tires

• Bar tire – Tillage – Dirt moving – Brush hogging – Snow removal

• Diamond tread – Turf applications

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Hitch Compatibility • Drawbar

– Is the implement pulling level?

– Is the drawbar and hitch pin strong enough?

• 3 pt. hitch – Compatible size

Mounted

Semi Mounted Pull Type

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PTO Compatibility

• 540 and 1000 rpm shafts

• Smaller/lighter implements will be 540

• Larger implements will be 1000

• Some implements can be modified to use both

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Hydraulics

• Compatibility • Number of outlets

– 1-4 – Older tractors had

different ends by manufacturer

• Capacity – GPM needed

• What you are using – Cylinders, motor, etc. 153

What to look for -- Tractors • Fluids

– Leaks – Smell – Appearance – Crackle test: detects

water in oil up to 500 ppm (0.05%) depending on type of oil

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What to look for -- Tractors

• Belts: cracks, wear • Hoses: cracks, leaks, rub

locations • Clutch: engagement,

travel, smoothness • Gears: engagement,

disengagement, excessive movement, all present?

• Live PTO 155

What to look for -- Tractors

• Structure: noticeable weld/repairs

• Battery: age, corrosion • Wheels: noticeable

bend/wobble, “test drive”, fluid/ballast? (if yes, rim rust?)

• Tires: cracks, cuts, wear, common size?

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What to look for -- Tractors

• Accessories included: or previous uses (dairy farms and/or loader tractors commonly have increased wear)

• Zerk fittings: do they appear to have been used?

• Safety equipment: ROPS, seatbelt, SMV, lights, guards

• Cab: do the instruments work?, A/c should be about 40⁰F

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For More Information • Presentations on Webster County Extension Center website

http://extension.missouri.edu/webster/presentations.aspx

• University of Missouri Extension publications http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/

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Robert A. (Bob) Schultheis Natural Resource Engineering Specialist

Webster County Extension Center 800 S. Marshall St.

Marshfield, MO 65706 Voice: 417-859-2044 Fax: 417-468-2086

E-mail: schultheisr@missouri.edu Web: extension.missouri.edu/webster

Program Complaint Information To file a program complaint you may contact any of the following:

University of Missouri MU Extension AA/EEO Office

109 F. Whitten Hall, Columbia, MO 65211 MU Human Resources Office

130 Heinkel Bldg, Columbia, MO 65211

USDA Office of Civil Rights, Director

Room 326-W, Whitten Building 14th and Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250-9410

The University of Missouri does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Questions??

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