Our Tractor 

When we told people we were going to be building our own house, we typically got the same two piece of advice from most people we talked to.: [1] Buy a tractor and [2] Buy a shed. We heeded both pieces of advice, starting with the purchase of our tractor in January 2000. At first we were going to by a full-size tractor with back-hoe. We looked at the various prices of both new and used tractors (both extremely high). After much thought, we decided to settle on a compact tractor - primarily because it is more negotiable in tight spaces, and has the option of a number of swappable implements. A year later, we're still very happy with our decision.

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	Where we first saw the tractor at LR Sales in Albuquerque. Mike looks on, longingly!
	We both got a lesson in how to operate the tractor from LR Sales owner Lorenzo. Mike is pictured here receiving instructions.
	Loading the tractor onto our friend Kurt's trailer so we can take it to the land.
Some of the various tractor implements & other cool tools we have in use!
	Forklift: We've used this to transport heavy green logs. January 1, 2001
	Snow-blower: This obviously only serves one purpose. Mike is pictured here in the process of hooking it up to the tractor. December 2000
	Snow-blower in action: This photo shows the snow-blower in action. It fits on to the back of the tractor, and you have to drive it backwards which is a neck-cricking annoyance - but it seems to work pretty well! December 2000
	Front Loader: We have used the front loader for all kinds of things. Mike is shown here, leveling our new road. February 2000
	Road Grader: Mike using the road grader over our new road. This road was in the early stages of creation - so you can see in this photo how rough it was. January 2000
	Back-Hoe: Just to prove, that when I'm not taking photos, I do get some work done. This is me (Jo) using the back-hoe.
	12" Auger (see it in use as we build our sawmill shed)
	The 6" inch auger - and you can see the 12" in comparison, stacked to the side. Incidentally, this is the new home for the transportainer.
	Tree- Jack: Another of Mike's innovative projects. This little puppy wil help you determine which way a tree will fall while you are chopping it down!!!