Search...
Home Subscribe
Pie
Home Subscribe
Recent topics Flagged topics Hot topics Best topics
Search...
Search within meaningless drivel Search permies
Advance search Google search
Register / Login
Green Living Book Paul Wheaton Tour of Wheaton Labs movie with pie you get 2 thumbs up and 1 thumbs down Master Gardener Program permaculture bootcamp design
  • Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
Master Gardener Program thread boost Full online Permaculture Design course and Appropriate Technology Course video apropedia earth Sepp Holzer Desert or Paradise Documentary
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Carla Burke
  • John F Dean
  • Timothy Norton
  • Nancy Reading
  • r ranson
  • Jay Angler
  • Pearl Sutton
stewards:
  • paul wheaton
  • Tereza Okava
  • Andrés Bernal
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
gardeners:
  • Jeremy VanGelder
  • M Ljin
  • Matt McSpadden

Would you rather have a tractor that keeps breaking down or a stubborn mule that never wants to work

 
Matt McSpadden
gardener
Posts: 2815
Location: Central Maine (Zone 5a)
1355
I like...
homeschooling kids trees chicken food preservation building woodworking homestead
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
If you like these, search for "would you rather" on the forums. We have quite a few started. This one is about animal vs machinery when they are both being problematic :)

Would you rather have a tractor that keeps breaking down or a stubborn mule that never wants to work?

"When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind." C.S. Lewis
Visit https://themaineingredient.com for organic, premium dried culinary herbs that are grown, processed, and packaged in the USA.

 
Matt McSpadden
gardener
Posts: 2815
Location: Central Maine (Zone 5a)
1355
I like...
homeschooling kids trees chicken food preservation building woodworking homestead
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Personally I am horrible when it comes to mechanics... I think I would take the Mule.

"When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind." C.S. Lewis
Visit https://themaineingredient.com for organic, premium dried culinary herbs that are grown, processed, and packaged in the USA.

 
John F Dean
master steward
Posts: 7605
Location: southern Illinois, USA
2801
I like...
goat cat dog chicken composting toilet food preservation pig solar wood heat homestead composting
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 6
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I have a tractor that keeps breaking down.   I will keep it.

Some people age like fine wine. I aged like milk … sour and chunky.

 
Timothy Norton
Steward of piddlers
Posts: 5963
Location: Upstate NY, Zone 5, 43 inch Avg. Rainfall
2743
I like...
monies home care dog fungi trees chicken food preservation cooking building composting homestead
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Ohh man, this one is a tough one.

I think I would prefer the mule. I would chalk it up to it's personality and have a laugh about it.

I have a hard time laughing off having to rebuild an engine...

- Tim's Homestead Journal - Purchase a copy of Building a Better World in Your Backyard - Purchase 6 Decks of Permaculture Cards -
- Purchase 12x Decks of Permaculture Cards - Purchase a copy of the SKIP Book - Purchase 12x copies of Building a Better World in your Backyard

 
Jay Angler
master steward
Posts: 13706
Location: Pacific Wet Coast
8053
I like...
duck books chicken cooking food preservation ungarbage
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 5
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I hate breathing tractor fumes, and at least I can compost stinky mule poop, so I guess I'd vote for the mule! Forlorn hope that I'd find the right bribe for the mule.

Visit Redhawk's soil series: https://permies.com/wiki/redhawk-soil
How permies.com works: https://permies.com/wiki/34193/permies-works-links-threads

 
thomas rubino
master rocket scientist
Posts: 6743
Location: latitude 47 N.W. montana zone 6A
3615
I like...
cat pig rocket stoves
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 7
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
This is an easy one for me.  
I'll fix the tractor anytime over dealing with a mule.
Besides my neighbor happens to have pack mules, if I need one he will bring it over.

For all your Montana Masonry Heater parts (also known as) Rocket Mass heater parts.
Visit me at
dragontechrmh.com Once you go brick you will never go back!

 
Scott Weinberg
Posts: 339
Location: North East Iowa, USA
93
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 8
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Weighing the pro's and cons

A tractor--I fuel and fix when needed  Housing optional

With a mule to match what a tractor can do---I can toss in about 4 mules per 10 HP needed,

so I need about 100 of them from time to time.. but not all the time of course. But I still need to keep on hand. Thus.....

I always have to feed,  brush clean, make hay, feed hay, clean out fed hay, house in winter most of the time.  Times the number of head required.

Yes the list is lopsided.  I did not toss in STUBBORN mules.

https://permies.com/t/241976/Batch-Rocket-single-bell-build

 
James Bridger
pollinator
Posts: 226
Location: Nebraska zone 5
88
I like...
hunting chicken building
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 6
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Definitely the mule. You never have to buy parts for the mule. And if all else fails, it can become a pet for the kids.
 
Samantha Lewis
gardener
Posts: 1818
750
13
I like...
homeschooling hugelkultur trees medical herbs sheep horse homestead
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 6
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I will take the mule!   I can do something about the does not want to work.   Maybe he has pain, I can give him body work, balance his feet and his teeth.  Give him good nutrition, more treats and kind words.  

With a tractor...  unless it is basic maintenance...    I gonna have to call somebody.  

Perfect The Dwelling Land

 
C. Letellier
pollinator
Posts: 1088
Location: Greybull WY north central WY zone 4 bordering on 3
327
I like...
hugelkultur trees solar woodworking composting homestead
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I am a farm equipment mechanic.  And my mother would have told you that I had no patience for working livestock.  What you you think is the answer?  Shoot the mule and give me the tractor.

Country oriented nerd with primary interests in alternate energy in particular solar. Dabble in gardening, trees, cob, soil building and a host of others.

 
Sara Hartwin
pollinator
Posts: 207
Location: SE USA, southern Piedmont Uplands, zone 8b
169
I like...
home care tiny house cooking fiber arts seed writing composting
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
This is the first question I've come across that I wanted to answer "Neither!"
I've experienced that "breaking down" thing for extended periods, but never permanently. It's never fun or enjoyable or lighthearted, especially when it's something you rely on daily. I've experienced both different parts having issues and the same part/system having an issue over and over. Not. Fun.
I guess I'd have to go with the mechanical problem over the animal behavior problem. I have zip experience with mules. Much more confidence in my basic level mechanical-troubleshooting abilities.

Aspirations: She seeks wool and flax, considers a field and buys it, girds herself with strength, opens her mouth with wisdom, and does him good all the days of her life. (pieces of Proverbs 31, NKJV)

 
S Smithsson
pollinator
Posts: 246
67
8
I like...
hugelkultur books chicken cooking food preservation greening the desert
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator

Matt McSpadden wrote:If you like these, search for "would you rather" on the forums. We have quite a few started. This one is about animal vs machinery when they are both being problematic :)

Would you rather have a tractor that keeps breaking down or a stubborn mule that never wants to work?



tractor, since I dont know anything about mules!  Although I do know some things about being stubborn...

sandy

Zone 6b, dry, high desert in New Mexico 7500' elevation

have you checked your new USDA Hardiness zone? Check here: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

 
Susan Boyce
Posts: 314
Location: Myrtle Creek, Oregon
23
5
I like...
cooking writing ungarbage
posted 1 year ago
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
    Send
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
A mule, it doesn't need any kind of gas and being stubborn is something I can work with, I do pretty good with animals.
 
Lookout! Runaway whale! Hide behind this tiny ad:
Learn Permaculture through a little hard work
https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp
reply
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
Boost this thread!
Similar Threads
More...