Pioneer Homesteader

[JayChase]

I was wondering if anyone that owns one of these has actually reviewed it somewhere? I have searched and searched, but all I come up with is people wanting to sell one. My questions are pretty simple – is this a good piece of equipment for a first timer at soil preparation? Although it has a hefty price tag, $3000+, is it more cost effective/efficient than used individual equipment? Would it suit my needs for <20 acres with my haflinger team?

I’d love t hear from anyone that used one or from someone that may have used equipment that would suit my needs…
Thanks,
Jay

[Jonathan Shively]

I personally think the price is pretty substantial. But then I get to thinking of all the sales I attended trying to gather that amount of equipment, the frustration of finding what I bought was sprung either from a runaway or someone pulling it behind a tractor. My time at sales where I couldn’t afford anything or what was advertised was incorrect or everything was junk. My gas money. My time away from the farm. In the end, for a brand spanking new piece of equipment with a warranty from a very reputable company, it probably is cheap in the long run. Very unique idea and wish I had thought of it. Rural Heritage magazine either this issue or the last had a review on it, think there was a post about it also on the porch. I think it would be ideal for my Fjords or your Haflingers.

[dominiquer60]

I have seen a the Homesteader in action a few times now. It is a good piece of equipment for an already established garden on somewhat level and not too rocky ground. For this application it works well. You may find it frustrating to break new ground, work newly plowed ground or work on a hill side or with many large rocks. It is not the end all or be all single solution to all of your gardening needs, but if you could hire a neighbor to start and work new ground until it mellows this could be a reasonable solution for a homestead garden that is neither steep or rocky.

I hope this helps.

[JayChase]

Erica,
What makes it more difficult to break new ground? Why are. Rocks more of a problem?
Thanks,
Jay

[JayChase]

TY Jonathan

[dominiquer60]

The homesteader is a light implement, the plow is small. On old ground it works effectively, I have never seen it used to plow sod, but after watching it at HPD in drought stricken Michigan, I imagine that it is not heavy enough to stay in the ground. This tool was made light and easy for the wife or kids to manipulate and use it to tend to the homestead garden or small market garden. A good rock may cause the homesteader to buck you off, as will hilly or rough ground, this I have witnessed.

[Ronnie Tucker]

just because you call it homesteading it is still farming.you are going to have to use real farm equipment even for truck patches.

[Billy Foster]

I agree with Ericka it is light. The one time I saw it used was at HPD. The harrow was mounted on it and they had it on rougher plowed ground, it bounced around did not do a good job. I think it would do a great job in an established garden.

[Mac]

Amen to Ronnie. I watched one of my friends use his. It doesnt like rocks very well. We had a little contest to see who could plow and disk the most in a day’s time. I used a 62 Chattanooga walking plow and my team. Had a 1/2 acre plot plowed by noon, and disked by 2:30. He was still plowing when I made the last round on the disk. Its a good rig for what it’s for, which IMHO is to use as a cultivator. I’d hate to know I had to plow much more than my garden with it. Not trying to run anybody’s product down. I like Pioneer, and have a set of their spring-harrows that beat my old JD’s to bits and pieces.
Mac

[Andy Carson]

@Mac 38333 wrote:

Its a good rig for what it’s for, which IMHO is to use as a cultivator.

This is what makes this the best multi-purpose implement that I have seen. I do think the multi-purpose implement concept is limited for all the reasons pointed out above. That said, if someone really had thier hearts set on trying one, going with a homesteader will give you a good riding cultivator after you end up buying a committed plow, disc, etc.

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