Upgrading my lawn tractor to something bigger

[Will_C]

I'd pick the big garden tractor unless you want a FEL or see the need for 3pt attachments, then a sub-compact is for you.

Will

 

[murphy1244]

I am buying at 4500 series Ventrac with 50 inch deck.

 

[Red Bull]

What is the general color of mowers you see in your area?? I wonder why?? In my area it's "green" 4 to 1.

Most of them are that junk from lowes.

 

[ovrszd]

Most of them are that junk from lowes.

Awe, bummer...

 

[ajd187]

I suggested the x758 because I think it is better for mowing. Often the people with the subcompacts feel the low range is too slow and the high range is too fast for mowing. The 0 to 8.5mph single range hydro works well on the 700 series. Now if you want a fel then the 1000 series is a better choice, both the x700 series and the 1000 series are poor choices if you need a real larger tractor. Be careful what you choose and pick according to your needs, I suggested the x758 because it met the uses you described. Good luck with it.

Thanks. I will have to look at those too - it makes sense especially given the ranges. I didn't realize the 1 series was dual range. If the high range is too fast, and the low range is too slow, then that is the same problem I have now but with a lot more money out the window. Personally, I'd prefer a manual over an HST for the finer control. But it doesn't look like JD makes these, at least on the 1 series anyway.

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks. I will have to look at those too - it makes sense especially given the ranges. I didn't realize the 1 series was dual range. If the high range is too fast, and the low range is too slow, then that is the same problem I have now but with a lot more money out the window. Personally, I'd prefer a manual over an HST for the finder control. But it doesn't look like JD makes these, at least on the 1 series anyway.

It's hard to find anything in the SCUT and down size with gear drive.

My Brother has a larger L3240 CUT with HST. I find it to be unsteady and I'm constantly adjusting to get the right speed.

My JD 2210, which is the predecessor to the now 1 Series, is HST, two speed range. I'm 95% high range but I don't have an FEL. I'm usually doing mowing tasks or light 3pt work. It's HST is very smooth and predictable. I wouldn't consider changing it to gear drive, even if I could.

 

[ajd187]

What is the general color of mowers you see in your area?? I wonder why?? In my area it's "green" 4 to 1.

While you're at it, get out of the lawn tractor business and step up to a SCUT. Lot's more versatility later on when your needs grow,,,, as they will.....

It's green by about 10 to 1 I would guess. We have a lot of farms and big (5+ acres) lots near us. Most of them are the real thing too (ie, no Lowe's/HD "0.5 acre homeowner" models).

I'd pick the big garden tractor unless you want a FEL or see the need for 3pt attachments, then a sub-compact is for you.

Will

I didn't think I would need an FEL, but while discussing this with the wife she said "well you never know". I think you can also use one to push snow? If that's the case it might not be worth it - push the snow then use the FEL to move it into piles.

 

[buickanddeere]

Deere 4105. Bullet proof and costs about the same as a high end lawn tractor. Will handle real farm implements instead of lawn implements. Enough weight and traction to pull out a stuck vehicle. Enough power to run an ordinary low buck pto generator for your home and family. Still fits in the garage.

 

[buickanddeere]

If you insist on gear drive. JD 4005.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks. I will have to look at those too - it makes sense especially given the ranges. I didn't realize the 1 series was dual range. If the high range is too fast, and the low range is too slow, then that is the same problem I have now but with a lot more money out the window. Personally, I'd prefer a manual over an HST for the finder control. But it doesn't look like JD makes these, at least on the 1 series anyway.

When you look around you will notice that almost everything in the smaller machines is hydrostaticic. People like them, they work well and are here to stay. I prefer them for my work building landscapes too. All the new tractors I have purchased in the last few years are hydro and feel were a good choice overall. Very good for the close quarters work I do so frequently. I use my x749 for light touch up work with an assortment of rear implements and it does save me some time and labor money but neither the x700 or 1000 series can compete well against a larger compact for the bulk of the larger jobs. For the most part I prefer to keep the x749 as light as possible for mowing tasks, I can easily add or subtract the front weights as needed. Would not even consider liquid ballast or rear wheel weights that would be hard to remove on a mower.

 

[ajd187]

I'm not attached to the manual idea at all really, and I do understand why the hydrostatic is popular. The same reason automatics are popular in cars - ease of use, and the fact that most people have no clue how to work a clutch. I only mentioned it because I'm used to working a manual and figured it would give a bit better control over the ground speed. A few of the Kiotis do come in gear drive but that's about it.

I'm going to talk to the Kioti/MF dealer today after work, and I have emails out to the Kubota and JD guys as well.

 

[94BULLITT]

I only mentioned it because I'm used to working a manual and figured it would give a bit better control over the ground speed.

You have that backwards. You have way better control of speed with a hydro. If you are running a gear tractor at 540 PTO RPM you are stuck with one speed. With a hydro you have anything from nothing to full speed ahead.

Kubota and JD have gear tractors.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I'm personally partial to green, but that's not what prompted me to chime in.

I've been to Rochester in the winter. I would think seriously in terms of a front mounted blower rather than a blade...or maybe both. The blade is great for dinky little October snows...but you don't want to try and move a lake effect 3 footer with a blade.

JD makes a very nice blade to fit on the FEL for the 1XXX, there are a couple of blower options, and what would tip the scales for me is the drive over deck. If I could swing the money, I'd trade my 455 for a 1026 to get that deck. They have it for the X7XX, too, but the price difference between the X7XX and the 1XXX makes the 1XXX very appealing.

 

[ajd187]

I've only been here for 13 years, but I have heard from several lifetimers that we just dont' get the snow we used to and the snow we have the reputation for. I can think of precisely one time this past winter when I had a beast of a time clearing my driveway - and even that was only because I let the snow go for 18 hours since I was so sick I couldn't even get off the couch.Every other time, though, I was able to keep up and do it every 4-6 inches at a time.

 

[ajd187]

Regarding the FEL vs the blade...the sales guy yesterday did his job and sold me on the FEL. He said you can use it for just about anything and that the cost to get it later would be very high. So based on that I'm going with the FEL.

I still need to call the Kubota guy back and haven't heard from the JD dealer.

The MF/Kioti dealer priced me right around $17000 with a loader and 60 inch deck. The MF was a GC1700, and the Kioti was a CS2410. Does that sound about right for this class of tractor?

 

[Edward. S]

You have that backwards. You have way better control of speed with a hydro. If you are running a gear tractor at 540 PTO RPM you are stuck with one speed. With a hydro you have anything from nothing to full speed ahead.

Kubota and JD have gear tractors.

But with long use of a hydro for a few hours gives you a sore foot. Pushing down all day. I prefer gears much more. If you are working the PTO, you can always choose a different gear.

 

[94BULLITT]

But with long use of a hydro for a few hours gives you a sore foot. Pushing down all day. I prefer gears much more. If you are working the PTO, you can always choose a different gear.

What are you wearing, flip flops? Hydro tractors do have cruise. Usaully with gear tractor (mostly compacts) one gear is to slow and the next one is too fast.

 

[murphy1244]

What are you wearing, flip flops? Hydro tractors do have cruise. Usaully with gear tractor (mostly compacts) one gear is to slow and the next one is too fast.

:laughing:

 

[Edward. S]

What are you wearing, flip flops? Hydro tractors do have cruise. Usaully with gear tractor (mostly compacts) one gear is to slow and the next one is too fast.

No I don't wear flip flops. I set my self up for that one :laughing:

 

[scaredychicken]

(the smaller) McCormick tractors also have the Kioti engines