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There has been some pretty good advice so far on this subject, however more people have been focused on what you should buy.
The thing that I think is important here, is rather than selling some of what you have, you should save your money for a while until you can buy a tractor.
If the guns really are "extra" you should have sold them a few months ago, as prices are falling rapidly, and will probably bottom out soon, as every goofball sells off all the stuff he bought for inflated prices with the plan of resale. At this point, unless you can find someone willing to give you a fair price, I would just hang on to them, as SF pointed out, they will be more valuable later this year, or next.
As far as buying a tractor, figure out what you want, put your pennies away, and relentlessly hit craigslist machinery trader and all the other places (don't forget the random encounter of someone selling a tractor by the road side). I have been on a buying spree lately for used industrial equipment, vehicles and all kinds of other stuff. I just hit craigslist every few days with a well crafted set of search terms, and I usually check areas near by that might have what I'm looking for. When it comes to this kind of thing my patience is constantly rewarded. I've bought a few used machine presses for under $100, an older (giant) lathe for $300, etc etc.
As far as getting a tractor "now", renting can be a good option, renting from neighbors can also be a good option. If you need to get the yard mowed you might be able to rent your neighbors lawn tractor in exchange for some kind of maintenance, if you're handy, offer to change the oil and bring it back full of gas for permission to use it.
I've had really good luck doing stuff like this in the past, I remember some years ago I had to dig a 600' long trench and the leach field for my septic system, I talked to one of my neighbors who was about a mile away, he let me borrow his nice case skiploader that had a bucket on the back, in exchange I changed the oil and pressure washed it and brought it back full of diesel. After that he gave me a key for it and said I could use it any time I liked as long as I gave him a few hours notice (just in case he needed it for something).
Owning a thing that makes you less reliant on others is valuable, but it can also be expensive, having a relationship or set of relationships that accomplish nearly the same end may be more valuable, but with lower cost in the long run. I know I am a lousy farmer, however I am a skilled mechanic, machinist, armorer and engineer. My bet is that I can barter those skills with someone who is a farmer as a means of feeding myself and my family.
I'm positive that come SHTF, there will be farmers in need of security, of people who can fix their equipment, and people who can engineer irrigation systems to bring water to their crops. At the same time, I have the skills needed to destroy equipment, create insecurity, and divert water resources towards my own ends. I will eat one way or another.
The thing that I think is important here, is rather than selling some of what you have, you should save your money for a while until you can buy a tractor.
If the guns really are "extra" you should have sold them a few months ago, as prices are falling rapidly, and will probably bottom out soon, as every goofball sells off all the stuff he bought for inflated prices with the plan of resale. At this point, unless you can find someone willing to give you a fair price, I would just hang on to them, as SF pointed out, they will be more valuable later this year, or next.
As far as buying a tractor, figure out what you want, put your pennies away, and relentlessly hit craigslist machinery trader and all the other places (don't forget the random encounter of someone selling a tractor by the road side). I have been on a buying spree lately for used industrial equipment, vehicles and all kinds of other stuff. I just hit craigslist every few days with a well crafted set of search terms, and I usually check areas near by that might have what I'm looking for. When it comes to this kind of thing my patience is constantly rewarded. I've bought a few used machine presses for under $100, an older (giant) lathe for $300, etc etc.
As far as getting a tractor "now", renting can be a good option, renting from neighbors can also be a good option. If you need to get the yard mowed you might be able to rent your neighbors lawn tractor in exchange for some kind of maintenance, if you're handy, offer to change the oil and bring it back full of gas for permission to use it.
I've had really good luck doing stuff like this in the past, I remember some years ago I had to dig a 600' long trench and the leach field for my septic system, I talked to one of my neighbors who was about a mile away, he let me borrow his nice case skiploader that had a bucket on the back, in exchange I changed the oil and pressure washed it and brought it back full of diesel. After that he gave me a key for it and said I could use it any time I liked as long as I gave him a few hours notice (just in case he needed it for something).
Owning a thing that makes you less reliant on others is valuable, but it can also be expensive, having a relationship or set of relationships that accomplish nearly the same end may be more valuable, but with lower cost in the long run. I know I am a lousy farmer, however I am a skilled mechanic, machinist, armorer and engineer. My bet is that I can barter those skills with someone who is a farmer as a means of feeding myself and my family.
I'm positive that come SHTF, there will be farmers in need of security, of people who can fix their equipment, and people who can engineer irrigation systems to bring water to their crops. At the same time, I have the skills needed to destroy equipment, create insecurity, and divert water resources towards my own ends. I will eat one way or another.
