52 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | September 2024 Tractors, Trucks & Growing Grain DO THE MATH! Things to consider when buying something new – or new to you. By Ron Settler Back in the 1980s when we swathed a lot, I became concerned with the amount of crop I tramped down with our old pull-type swather when we opened the field. What a waste! Our neighbour had an old self-propelled swather I could buy for a reasonable price, so I did the math. By the time I factored in the cost of the swather and the cost of keeping another engine and drivetrain running, I found that the small amount of crop I saved would not cover the costs of owning another piece of equipment. So, I kept tramping down the crop, but now I wasn’t so dismayed by the whole process. Fast forward to harvest last year. We swathed three quarter-sections of crop using old pull-type swathers that cost us very little. What will a good used self-propelled swather cost now? Is it the right way to go in every instance? Every farm has to make that decision, but a farmer should make that call based on the math and the facts, not what the neighbour is doing, what the salesman tells you, or how pretty things look. Here are a few things to consider when you are looking to buy something new or new to you. Technology Back when Og the caveman invented the hoe, it was probably quite a hit. Over the centuries, a metal blade was added and – voila! – we have the hoe we use today. Not much has changed in technology with that implement. What about farm machinery? We still run our farm with our 40- to 48-year-old Case tractors and they do the job for us. Sure, they aren’t as comfortable as the new ones, but they Whether you're repairing or replacing, do your homework to make the decision that works for you. JodieAldred photo
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