FEATURE – Tow-behind implements for every application
If you’re farming, you’ll be watching every penny you spend, so the need for replacement or additional equipment for cultivation or livestock support has to be carefully considered.
Tractors, harvesters and other powered equipment eats up a lot of money, obviously, but there’s potential to save money when looking at implements.
Depending on what you’re growing, there’s an implement to suit, including some that are designed specifically to suit a particular crop. There are plenty of general implements, too, like backhoes, mowers, post hole diggers and buckets, but these are more bolt-on implements, rather than tow-behind implements.
All have their uses, and there’s plenty of advice out there about what’s best and what’s essential to have, but ultimately, what you’re farming and how expansive your operation is will determine what you truly need.
A farming essential is a simple, sturdy tray trailer, while the aforementioned post hole digger and tipping bucket will get a workout on most farms, too, but beyond that, things start to get more specialised, with seeders, harrows, spreaders, scarifiers, all sorts of ploughs, rollers, groupers, hay rakes, augers, balers, rippers, sprayers, stick rakes, feeders and plenty more - there’s actually a bewildering array to choose from!
What you choose can increase your farming efficiency, and potentially, your yield, too.
There are other benefits to investing in tow-behind implements and other equipment for your farm, but it’s a decision that needs to be weighed up carefully before plunging in. Considerations include compatibility with your tractor and what sort of strain it may put on it. You also need to think about how often you’re likely to be using a particular implement. Unfortunately, a lot of farming equipment is very specific, meaning implements that are designed for seeding or harvesting have no real use outside those applications. But you do need them, which leads to the next question – should you buy new or second-hand?
Once you’ve determined what you need, ask yourself how often you need it. These will be key factors in determining your final purchase decision. If the need for a particular implement is rare, hiring may make more sense and there are several farming machinery hire options out there. But the nature of farming means most people need the same equipment at the same time of year, leading to the possibility of what you need being unavailable, as it’s already been hired out by someone else. As such, purchasing often makes more sense than hiring.
Once you’ve determined your needs, look at new and second-hand options. New implements have obvious advantages, including no wear and tear, while a warranty means (in most cases) there’s no questions around reliability. However, used equipment can often be just as practical, durable and usable, while potentially saving you a lot of money.
There are plenty of second-hand farm equipment providers out there, but only a few offer a truly wide array of implements to suit different applications. Maryborough Machinery has a huge range of implements on offer – as well as the tractors to pull them!
Stock available at Maryborough Machinery numbers in the hundreds and ranges from simple 3PL accessories for compact tractors and small acreages, up to large scale equipment for broad acre farming. Their range is made up of second-hand equipment, but several units are refurbished, making them just as usable and reliable as new equivalents, but at reduced cost.
Stock turns over pretty regularly, so if you’re in the market for farming implements of all types, contact Maryborough Machinery on (03) 5464 2387, call in to their yard at 4126 Pyrenees Highway, Flagstaff (Maryborough), or visit their website HERE to see what’s currently on offer.
