Many dream of turning their backyard into a farm, where they can grow fruits and vegetables, raise chickens, and even keep goats. Prepping your land is key to success, whether you’re planning to create a chicken coop, a goat pen, or a small orchard. Compact track loaders (CTLs) are the unsung heroes for projects like these. They combine versatility, power, and efficiency to help you transform your property. 

In this Shop Talk Blog post, let’s dive into how these machines can help you build the backyard farm of your dreams.

Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts you might find of interest:

• Skid Steer Loaders in Agriculture
• Skid Steer Maintenance Challenges in Agriculture
• Hydraulic Motors and the Cotton Industry

Why Choose a Compact Track Loader?

Compact track loaders (CTLs) are known for their maneuverability, ability to handle uneven terrain, and wide range of attachments. Their rubber tracks provide excellent traction, even on soft or muddy ground, making them ideal for backyard farming tasks. Compared to full-sized equipment, CTLs are compact enough to work in tighter spaces while offering plenty of power.

Some benefits of using a compact track loader for backyard farm projects include:

• Efficient Land Clearing: Quickly remove trees, brush, and rocks to create open space for farming.
• Soil Preparation: Grade and level your land for better water drainage and planting conditions.
• Attachment Versatility: Use specialized attachments like augers, tillers, or pallet forks to tackle various tasks.

Preparing for Livestock: Chicken Coops and Goat Pens

Image courtesy of Jagarga on Pixabay.

Building a Chicken Coop

Compact track loaders can make short work of creating the ideal space for your chickens. Here’s how:

• Clearing the Area: Use a brush cutter attachment to clear grass and underbrush. A grapple bucket can help lift and haul debris for trees or large stumps.
• Leveling the Ground: Uneven terrain can cause water pooling and make cleaning more difficult. A grading attachment will help you level the area for proper drainage and a stable foundation for your chicken coop.
• Transporting Materials: Use a bucket attachment to move gravel for the base or carry wood and fencing supplies to the site. CTLs are small enough to navigate narrow pathways while still being able to lift heavy loads.

Image courtesy of RitaE on Pixabay.

Setting Up a Goat Pen

Goats are active, curious animals that need a safe and durable enclosure. Compact track loaders streamline this process:

• Fence Post Installation: An auger attachment allows you to drill holes quickly for fence posts, saving hours of manual labor.
• Land Grading: Smooth out uneven terrain to reduce trip hazards for your goats and make the pen more manageable.
• Building Shelters: CTLs can carry heavy materials like lumber or prefabricated panels, making constructing a sturdy shelter for your herd simpler.

Growing Your Food: Small Orchards and Gardens

Compact track loaders are also excellent tools for creating custom spaces to grow fruits, vegetables, or even a small orchard. The first step, however, is preparing the soil.

Image provided courtesy of lumix2004 on Pixabay.

Preparing the Soil

The foundation of any successful garden or orchard is healthy soil, and that requires a significant amount of soil preparation. CTLs equipped with a tiller or harrow attachment can:

• Break Up Compacted Soil: Loosen soil to improve aeration and drainage.
• Incorporate Compost: Mix in organic matter to enhance fertility and structure.
• Remove Debris: Clear out rocks, roots, and other obstacles hindering plant growth.

Planting Trees and Crops

Planting a small orchard? A compact track loader can simplify the process:

• Digging Holes: An auger attachment allows you to dig uniform holes for fruit trees quickly.
• Transporting Saplings: Use a bucket attachment to move trees, mulch, and other supplies around your property.
• Water Management: Grade the area to create swales or slopes for optimal irrigation and prevent soil erosion.

Building Raised Garden Beds

Raised garden beds can be a game-changer for growing vegetables. With a compact track loader, you can:

• Move Soil: Transport high-quality topsoil or compost to your garden area.
• Build Beds: Use a grading blade to create uniform mounds or flat surfaces for raised beds.
• Lay Pathways: Add gravel or wood chips to create paths that make your garden more accessible.

Attachments

Compact equipment can handle a variety of tasks, but the right attachments will maximize their efficiency. Some useful attachments for building your small farm include:

• Brush Cutters: For clearing overgrown vegetation.
• Grapples: For picking up logs, branches, or debris.
• Trencher Attachments: To dig irrigation ditches or utility trenches.
• Pallet Forks: For moving heavy pallets of feed, fencing materials, or soil.
• Backhoe Attachments: To dig deeper holes for larger projects like ponds or septic systems.

Tips for Success

Before you start prepping your backyard farm, keep these tips in mind:

1. Plan Your Layout: Before you do anything else, sketch a map of your farm to decide where to place livestock areas, gardens, and pathways.
2. Rent or Purchase the Right Attachments: Research the attachments that best suit your needs, such as augers for fence posts or tillers for soil preparation. Local dealers can help you figure out the best option for your CTL.
3. Check Local Regulations: Ensure you comply with zoning laws, permits, and any livestock or land use restrictions.
4. Maintain Your CTL: Regular maintenance is critical to keep your compact track loader running smoothly. Remember to always clean attachments after each use, and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for servicing.

Conclusion

Creating a backyard farm is a rewarding project, and compact track loaders can help you accomplish it efficiently and effectively. Whether you’re building a chicken coop, setting up a goat pen, or planting an orchard, the versatility and power of CTLs make them indispensable. With the right equipment and a solid plan, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying fresh eggs, milk, and produce right from your property.

And if your CTL, skid steer loader, or mini-excavator needs a final drive motor, look no further than Texas Final Drive. We have a massive inventory of the final drives you're looking for, including both aftermarket and reman. Contact us today to learn more about how we keep you running!