Making Money Early

[Mackenzie]

Hey Farmers,

My friend and I are playing on my multiplayer map. His idea was to sell everything. All crops and vehicles and pull out what we need in terms of loans to get a top quality harvester, cultivator, sower, fertilizer, tractor, front loader and big trailer thing that the harvester pulls behind it, and basically top quality version of everything we need to manage a field of crops. He even got the front loader thing with a tree log claw so we can sell cut down trees.

I saw -203,000 in leasing costs the next day. Now we're in a massive debt. Is it going to cost 203,000 per day? With the initial three fields all growing fully fertilized and plowed corn crops, will I ever be able to get us out of debt?

I can't do mission because I refuse turning off the multiplayer just so that I can do the missions. Something feels morally wrong gaining money in ways my friend can't, or that we're both not supposed to be able to do in the multiplayer map. So my primary concern in this topic is, how should I be making money with this strategy of his to get out of debt and stay in the green? Is there anything I can do to make more cash other than selling corn? I really am not sure of my options as I'm new to this kind of game and not very savvy about big machinery like this..

[Zourin]

Starting off, you need quantity, not quality. Ditching the starting equipment is going to put you in a hole unless you run missions.

What you need are going to be more land plots, at least one more tractor (utility/front-loader, on lease), and a sprayer. Don't worry about plowing (not a good time investment), or weeding. Also, don't use +1 time, or you're going to bore yourself into a corner watching the grass grow, the paint to dry, and for someone to genuinely care on the internet about your troubles. +1 is 'i'm running behind' speed. +5 is 'working' speed, and anything higher is zooming to harvest time if you 'catch up' and are waiting for the harvest to be ready.

If you're going to go all in, go all in wide, not tall. The biggest throttle on cash flow from the crop plots is harvesting = profit, waiting = not profit. A couple more small plots of land will keep your small/starter equipment busy, and keep you hauling product (or shipping in seed/fertilizer).

Worrying about plowing or radishes or weeding or what not is good for later on to help you stagger plots to minimize 'wait' time. Big equipment is good for big plots. Small equipment is fine for small plots.

You also don't need a big hauler to ship product. Plant wheat, and deliver the harvests to the train station. You've got the biggest, heaviest transport sitting right there for free. The west loop is usually pretty good for wheat sales.

[Papa Gustaf]

Originally posted by Mackenzie:

Hey Farmers,
I saw -203,000 in leasing costs the next day. Now we're in a massive debt. Is it going to cost 203,000 per day? With the initial three fields all growing fully fertilized and plowed corn crops, will I ever be able to get us out of debt?

That huge initial cost consists mostly (~50%) of the base cost for each lease (only charged once). You will need to pay 5% of the machines cost every hour you use it, and then another 1% each day you have it. You should be able to get out of the debt, however it will likely take a very long time...

Farm as hard as you can and watch the fruit prices closely to make sure you sell them at good prices. Also, don't waste any of the outputs such as straw (you can sell it in the barn). Any bit of money will help you recover!

Good luck mate!

[ᵁᴷJezz]

LOL, your friends idea is flawed

[Mackenzie]

Thanks for the advice Zourin and Papa. I'd rather not have to restart as it would be interesting to see us be able to recover with this... flawed.. idea lol. But yes Jezz, I fully agree with you. I'm just trying to go with it and see if I can help stabilize it without missions somehow. He's all "I've been playing this since 13" blah blah blah. Funny how after 5 minutes of research I was able to teach him about the fertilizing system and how it works (+30% yield per fert cycle, up to three cycles per harvest).

So if I ignore plowing, does this make overall yield 190%~ or less?

Also since I'm leasing the biggest baddest plow of all, should I use it to maybe merge the three fields I have and make them into one giant field?

Would cutting trees and selling them whole in realtime help me claw out of debt?

[Zourin]

I don't think there's enough tree on the map to pull someone out of 200k in debt per day with maxed loans and nothing but 'used' farm equipment.

You may be able to get most of the money back, but there's no way in hell you'll afford basic equipment to go back to farming. I'd say you'd be lucky if you can wipe the debt and get a chainsaw and a front-loading tractor.

[Delle(DK)]

When you lease you pay a one time "startup" fee, that is the -203.000.

Now you have allot of nice rented machines on your farm.

For every 1 hour you use a machine it will cost you xxxx money
And for every day you rent the machine it will cost you xxxx money.

Example
You Lease a tractor.
It cost 25.000 to lease/rent
5000 pr. hour you use it.
5000 pr day you "rent it".

If you only have the 3 fields that you start with on your farm then you can earn like 55.000 euro pr. day on Normal difficulty if you seed "canola".. and you can harvest 1 time every day.
Sell the canola at price 1200 or more.
But it will cost you 5000+ for fertilizer and seeds pr. day.

If you have leased machines for 203.000 then I think your farm is doomed, since the cost of using the machines will be very high, and they cost you money just to be parked on your farm every day when they do nothing.
So I am pretty sure that your rented/leased machines cost almost more to use than what you earn every day so i think your farm is doomed and will run out of money.
Better to start a new game..:


The best is really to start with the machines you have and save money and buy a new machine when you can afford it.


here is a better strategy.
when you start a new farm then sell
( if you drive the machines to the shop and park them in the yellow area you get 20% more money when you sell the machine ).
- 1 tractor ( case ih the one that drive the most houres ).
- 1 cultivator
- 1 seeding machine

Lend all the money you can in the bank.
+ buy the vaederstat seeder that can seed and cultivate at the same time
( it cost example 55.000) ( it is red and yellow with many wheels ).
+ buy the very cheap fertilizer spreader.

I know that the new seeder is big and your tractors are small, but you can use your old tractors, but the tractor do not drive so fast, but that is okay, it will still seed the fields faster than you can harvest....
The slowest machine on your farm is the harvester and you should buy a larger one that can harvest example 7m every time.

I know your wagon is very small, but if you harvest canola then you only need to unload your wagon 4-5 times... you can actual put the trailer on the white car and you can drive your harvested canola with 70kmt to the shop with it :-)

Anyway you can earn like 55.000 pr day with the 3 fields that you have on your farm, so i suggest that you save money on machines and use what you have, and then buy new machines when you have money in the bank... it take a long time, but you will not run out of money.

PS. The game have a multiplayer bug with the money. Example if you sell something to a shop, then you will not see that you earn money.. You have to save the game and restart it to see your money.. It is a bug they are aware of and a fix will come very soon ( i hope ).

[Arrancar]

Missions. I make around 200k-300k every day just on missions.

[Tater Snaps]

Originally posted by Zourin:

What you need are going to be more land plots, at least one more tractor (utility/front-loader, on lease), and a sprayer. s.

just fyi all 3 of the starting tractors can accept a front loader - just take it to the shop and park it where you would sell it but instead of selling them MODIFY them or CONFIGURE them depending on your language and add the front loader attachments - costs 1000$ for the modification and 800$ for the attachment peices on the tractor themselves

[Zourin]

Originally posted by Killin U Softly:

Originally posted by Zourin:

What you need are going to be more land plots, at least one more tractor (utility/front-loader, on lease), and a sprayer. s.

just fyi all 3 of the starting tractors can accept a front loader - just take it to the shop and park it where you would sell it but instead of selling them MODIFY them or CONFIGURE them depending on your language and add the front loader attachments - costs 1000$ for the modification and 800$ for the attachment peices on the tractor themselves

yeah, but I typically would rather keep the workhorses working with the heavy tools. I lease the Util as the extra that I use for handling pallettes, and to switch in for spraying/weeding if I'm tied up elsewhere.

The little Lindner is my util of choice since it has the four-wheel steering of a JCB loader, but the hitches to be useful around the farm.

[Lt. Aldo Raine]

If you are not opposed to a restart I have a few recommendations. First, your starting equipment is fine for the most part. It may be small, but it is really all you can afford. If you are playing multiplayer, missions are out of the question as you noted. Therefore money will have to be made through other means.

Now that the GPS mod is released, I highly recommend it. It can really help to keep you driving straight which is essential with the smaller equipment (not wide enough for a huge overlap to cover where you have missed). The starting tractors and combine are very old in the scenario that we are given. Therefore, their daily maintenance is quite high. It would be best to replace them sooner rather than later. Depending on your game settings (difficulty, crop growth speed, plowing requirements etc) it can take some time before you will really make much money from your fields. Also keep in mind it is best to fertilize 3 times as well. This can get expensive.

So there are a few paths that you can go for money. If you are not opposed to cutting trees, there are some nice paying ones around the lumber mill. A frontloader and log fork are cheap enough as is a stump grinder. Selling those taller trees should net you enough money for a loading wagon and a small mower.

Once you have a loading wagon and a mower, you can use it for several different things. You could start cutting grass and filling up the bunkers at the BGA. Silage still sells decently and can bring you in some decent money. You could also start purchasing sheep. The wool pallets are slow to fill up but they do sell for a decent amount. Your loading wagon can also pickup straw from your fields when you plant wheat and barley so it is almost always a good investment.

It really is up to you what you decide to do in the game. It can be daunting to start with. I personally would stay away from leasing equipment starting out. Just my thoughts.

[Zourin]

Originally posted by Iceman:

If you are not opposed to a restart I have a few recommendations. First, your starting equipment is fine for the most part. It may be small, but it is really all you can afford. If you are playing multiplayer, missions are out of the question as you noted. Therefore money will have to be made through other means.

Now that the GPS mod is released, I highly recommend it. It can really help to keep you driving straight which is essential with the smaller equipment (not wide enough for a huge overlap to cover where you have missed). The starting tractors and combine are very old in the scenario that we are given. Therefore, their daily maintenance is quite high. It would be best to replace them sooner rather than later. Depending on your game settings (difficulty, crop growth speed, plowing requirements etc) it can take some time before you will really make much money from your fields. Also keep in mind it is best to fertilize 3 times as well. This can get expensive.

So there are a few paths that you can go for money. If you are not opposed to cutting trees, there are some nice paying ones around the lumber mill. A frontloader and log fork are cheap enough as is a stump grinder. Selling those taller trees should net you enough money for a loading wagon and a small mower.

Once you have a loading wagon and a mower, you can use it for several different things. You could start cutting grass and filling up the bunkers at the BGA. Silage still sells decently and can bring you in some decent money. You could also start purchasing sheep. The wool pallets are slow to fill up but they do sell for a decent amount. Your loading wagon can also pickup straw from your fields when you plant wheat and barley so it is almost always a good investment.

It really is up to you what you decide to do in the game. It can be daunting to start with. I personally would stay away from leasing equipment starting out. Just my thoughts.

Leasing isn't bad. It can get you access to equipment you need as long as you're not being stupid about what you 'need', rather than 'want'. If you're going to get into livestock, you're going to 'need' baling, mowing, and likely feed-mixing equipment. A lease can help pilot those efforts.

It also helps to know when you can afford the leases, i wouldn't do livestock fresh out of a new file, although sheep aren't a bad start. Livestock is just just slow and requires a lot of manual labor rather than automated labor.