How much is it going to cost you to equip your horse property with a small tractor and a lineup of useful maintenance implements? The following ballpark figures for new equipment in the mid-Atlantic market offer a general idea of the expenses involved:
* 30-horsepower, four-wheel-drive compact tractor: $12,000 – $17,000
* 72-inch “bush/brush hog” mower: $900 – $1,100
* manure spreader: $2,500
* front-end loader: $3,000
* chain drag: $400 – $500
* posthole digger and drive unit: $850
* rear scraper blade: $325 – $375
* utility cart: $400 and up
TOTAL: $20, 375 – $25,725
Prices of used tractors and equipment vary widely, depending upon age, condition, hours of use, horsepower and features. Cost may also be influenced by parts and service availability in your area. A 40-year-old tractor that costs $2,500 in one part of the country may cost $4,000 elsewhere.
