Quad bike or small tractor?

7 posts
Thu, 12/22/2016 - 15:26 #1

Member for

7 years 10 months
KymNPaul
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/22/2016 - 15:18

Quad bike or small tractor?

We have a small hobby farm in the SW of WA.  We are wanting something that can haul loads and also perhaps assist with digging, in particular, post hole digging.  Are there any quad/ATVs that come with 3PL or similar to fit attachments?  Or are we better off purchasing a small tractor?  Either way, what options are there, what brands etc are worthy of a look and which ones should we steer clear of?  I have been trying to research myself, but I dont seem to be finding the information I want.  Thank you in advance.

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Tue, 12/27/2016 - 13:53 #2
bigdave06
Last seen: 11/29/2019 - 19:39
Joined: 04/24/2016 - 09:37

Hi and welcome I hope you had a great Christmas.

Your question is a bit like apples and oranges.I have a polaris side by side on our new farm ( new price $13,000) and I thought it was going to be a luxury that  I would hardly use well its fantastic and so handy but it will never take a post whole digger or do a fraction of the things a tractor can do.To do that we have and  old Fiat that is worth 10k (55hp) and it has done everthing I have asked of it I could not do without either the tractor or the Polaris.

Dont buy a quad they are dangerous and there are some great deals on side by sides to stop people buying them.

Happy farming.

Regards Graeme

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Thu, 01/05/2017 - 11:55 #3
KymNPaul
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/22/2016 - 15:18

Thanks bigdave06.  You've helped us as we are having trouble finding a quad or side by side that is capable of doing the things we need it to do.  We were hoping to get away without having to purchase a tractor as a tractor just seemed too extreme for such a small property, but at least we know it is able to do the hard yakka for us.  Our ground is clay with bauxite rocks through it, so digging by hand is back breaking work, and we have fairly extensive fencing to install.  Looks like we may have to invest in a small tractor.  Most likely money very well spent though.  Thank you. KymNPaul

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Thu, 01/26/2017 - 19:30 #4
Len6163
Last seen: 01/26/2017 - 20:59
Joined: 01/26/2017 - 18:55

Hi

Have a look at a Chamerlain 306 tractor.

They are an older basic tractor but there are plenty of them around so parts are not a real issue.

They have a very reliable Perkins diesel engine.

I have seen farmers with 2 or 3 of them with attachments to do various tasks as they just leave them on set up ready for use.

Most have cabs, they have power take off and 3 point linkage. Some have been fitted with drills or borers for post hole digging you may find one with that fitted already.

 

Hope that helps

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Fri, 01/27/2017 - 13:19 #5
KymNPaul
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/22/2016 - 15:18

Great, thanks for that Len, will look into it.  Thanks for responding.

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Mon, 01/30/2017 - 21:45 #6
frisbie
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 09/23/2011 - 16:27

Hi!

 

A late response ... for what it's worth.

 

That's one of the things that makes small farming tough ... you still need machinery, even though it's hard to justify. I tried to get by without a quad bike for a few years. Now that I've got one, I realise I should have bought it right at the start. I use it more than anything else, including my 4WD car.

 

However, if your main objective is to do things other than transport, the tractor is what you need most. The tractor can be used for transport (although slow and inefficient). There are some lovely small-holding tractors around, although they are pretty expensive. The quad bike can't be used to cultivate or dig post holes. However, it can be used to slash grass with a tow-along slasher, and it can also be used for herbicide spraying.

 

I bought an 8 year old Japanese quad bike for $2k. I can still buy parts for it and I can get it serviced.

 

You will probably end up getting both anyway :)

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Mon, 01/30/2017 - 23:36 #7
KymNPaul
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/22/2016 - 15:18

Thanks for that.  Yeah, mostly need equipment for earth works/moving, spraying and some minor transport.  Was hoping to avoid the large price tag attached to a tractor, but there just doesnt seem to be anything else that can do the same things.  A mini digger (dingo type) might do some of it, but the advantage to having a tractor just keeps mounting.  Thank you to everyone who replied - looks like a tractor is the go.

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