looking for an ideal garden tractor

[blivy]

Greetings everyone from Athens, GA.

Looking to get advice on what folks here think would be the ideal tractor for my needs. I'm going to post a similar thread in the larger forum area, but thought I'd start on the vintage tractor page as I own and like working on older things, and frankly don't want to have to drop down $10-25k on a new garden tractor.

A bit about what I'm hoping to do, starting with some info on the property I'm on...
For starters, I have about 5 acres. About an acre is a wooded hillside that i maintain with loppers, bushaxe, spray, as needed. However, sometimes a tree falls and I end up doing a lot of sawing and hauling. The rest is in a floodplain on the river. I removed about 4 acres of privet when I first got the place, and now maintain about 2 acres as a shady lawn (plant fescue, clover, and allow whatever nature wants to come up grow as well--as long as it can be mowed). The other 2 acres is wooded and i just maintain a trail through it that goes to the river. I also have a long gravel drive (about 1,000 feet) that needs to be maintained.

As far as equipment I already have:
I have 2 walk behind Gravelys. One i keep a 40" kidney deck on to mow with. The other has AG tires with dual spacers that i use with my scraper blade to help maintain the drive, use with my tiller or my rotary plow for gardening, or use with my bushog to do a yearly trim of all the areas in the floodplain that I don't mow as lawn.
I also have a small saw mill that came with the property. I don't use it a ton, but occasionally when a friend or family member may have a tree come down or does some clearing it can see a lot of use (I have about 20 trees stacked along my drive right now in various stages of being milled).

I love my Gravelys (how sturdy they are, their versatility and attachments, plus how easy they are to work on) but I'm starting to want something that has a bit more power and that could help me do some jobs faster and easier. And...while I like that I get my steps in when I mow with the Gravely, I would like to be able to ride and carry my little boy along with me (i have a sulky for the gravely, but it's not good for 2-up, nor is it good for going around trees).

I'm thinking about garden tractors as I would like something smaller than a standard tractor (I had borrowed a buddy's Kubota a few years back and while it was great, it just didn't fit into all the places I'd like to go). I like the idea of a garden tractor as I think that it would not rut or compact the lawn area I mow sometimes weekly (but at least every two weeks) down in the flood plain.

Ideally, I'd find a tractor with a belly mower (at least 50"), a front end loader (to help lift up log spars for the saw mill), and the ability to drag an angle blade or a box blade to help maintain the gravel driveway. If one existed that had PTO take offs on the front and rear, I'd love that as well.
Early on I was looking a lot at the Gravely 8000 series or the larger G models (20G, 24G) but I'm not sure of two things:
1) the availability of front end loaders for these
2) whether the hydraulics could support both the front end loader and the belly mower at the same time (or if they'd conflict)

In any case, I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on what they'd recommend.
I don't really have a budget set yet as I'm just starting to learn what's out there.

Any and all thoughts are appreciated. Thank you all in advance!
B

 

[fried1765]

Greetings everyone from Athens, GA.

Looking to get advice on what folks here think would be the ideal tractor for my needs. I'm going to post a similar thread in the larger forum area, but thought I'd start on the vintage tractor page as I own and like working on older things, and frankly don't want to have to drop down $10-25k on a new garden tractor.

A bit about what I'm hoping to do, starting with some info on the property I'm on...
For starters, I have about 5 acres. About an acre is a wooded hillside that i maintain with loppers, bushaxe, spray, as needed. However, sometimes a tree falls and I end up doing a lot of sawing and hauling. The rest is in a floodplain on the river. I removed about 4 acres of privet when I first got the place, and now maintain about 2 acres as a shady lawn (plant fescue, clover, and allow whatever nature wants to come up grow as well--as long as it can be mowed). The other 2 acres is wooded and i just maintain a trail through it that goes to the river. I also have a long gravel drive (about 1,000 feet) that needs to be maintained.

As far as equipment I already have:
I have 2 walk behind Gravelys. One i keep a 40" kidney deck on to mow with. The other has AG tires with dual spacers that i use with my scraper blade to help maintain the drive, use with my tiller or my rotary plow for gardening, or use with my bushog to do a yearly trim of all the areas in the floodplain that I don't mow as lawn.
I also have a small saw mill that came with the property. I don't use it a ton, but occasionally when a friend or family member may have a tree come down or does some clearing it can see a lot of use (I have about 20 trees stacked along my drive right now in various stages of being milled).

I love my Gravelys (how sturdy they are, their versatility and attachments, plus how easy they are to work on) but I'm starting to want something that has a bit more power and that could help me do some jobs faster and easier. And...while I like that I get my steps in when I mow with the Gravely, I would like to be able to ride and carry my little boy along with me (i have a sulky for the gravely, but it's not good for 2-up, nor is it good for going around trees).

I'm thinking about garden tractors as I would like something smaller than a standard tractor (I had borrowed a buddy's Kubota a few years back and while it was great, it just didn't fit into all the places I'd like to go). I like the idea of a garden tractor as I think that it would not rut or compact the lawn area I mow sometimes weekly (but at least every two weeks) down in the flood plain.

Ideally, I'd find a tractor with a belly mower (at least 50"), a front end loader (to help lift up log spars for the saw mill), and the ability to drag an angle blade or a box blade to help maintain the gravel driveway. If one existed that had PTO take offs on the front and rear, I'd love that as well.
Early on I was looking a lot at the Gravely 8000 series or the larger G models (20G, 24G) but I'm not sure of two things:
1) the availability of front end loaders for these
2) whether the hydraulics could support both the front end loader and the belly mower at the same time (or if they'd conflict)

In any case, I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on what they'd recommend.
I don't really have a budget set yet as I'm just starting to learn what's out there.

Any and all thoughts are appreciated. Thank you all in advance!
B

I have owned a Gravely of one model or another for 50 years.
Still have a 12HP Pro with only 25 hours.
Bought it new in 1992, but don't use it anymore.

 

[blivy]

I have owned a Gravely of one model or another for 50 years.
Still have a 12HP Pro with only 25 hours.
Bought it new in 1992, but don't use it anymore

Gravelys are pretty awesome machines. My first is a 5640 that an elder neighbor gave me. it had sat up for a few years and took me a bit of work to get going but now starts on first pull each time.
Those 12 pros are awesome. Does yours have steering brakes?

 

[fried1765]

Gravelys are pretty awesome machines. My first is a 5640 that an elder neighbor gave me. it had sat up for a few years and took me a bit of work to get going but now starts on first pull each time.
Those 12 pros are awesome. Does yours have steering brakes?

Yes.....mine does have steering brakes, and dual wheels, but at nearly 81 I don't use it any more.
I was going to sell it, but one of my sons asked me to hold on.
I have two large storage buildings, so it will probably sit where it is until I croak.
Battery is dead!

 

[Egon]

A Kubota B7100 hst or other similar tractors would be an admiral fit for your needs.

 

[blivy]

Thanks Egon.
do you think the bx1850 models are worth looking at? a quick google search shows that the pricing is similar between both the Kubota models. However the BX1850s are newer and they have smaller (more garden tractor sized) wheels.
both have comparable horse power and weight.
Given the ages, I'd assume that the BX1850 tractors would be pricier than the B700s. is there a quality issue that separates the two?

 

[kenmbz]

Also have the small GC1723/1725 Masseys and the smaller JD's in that market.

 

[fried1765]

Thanks Egon.
do you think the bx1850 models are worth looking at? a quick google search shows that the pricing is similar between both the Kubota models. However the BX1850s are newer and they have smaller (more garden tractor sized) wheels.
both have comparable horse power and weight.
Given the ages, I'd assume that the BX1850 tractors would be pricier than the B700s. is there a quality issue that separates the two?

I am with Egon on this!
The larger wheels on the B7100 are actually a distinct advantage over the Bx1850 for garden use.
You should note that the last B7100 was manufactured in 1985.
B7100 style/type tractors by various manufacturers are extensively used by family plot farmers in Japan.

 

[fried1765]

Also have the small GC1723/1725 Masseys and the smaller JD's in that market.

Yanmar too!

 

[oosik]

I've had a Ford 1700 4WD ( 27 years ) and now a Kubota M6040 4WD ( 12 years ). I've never found the "ideal" tractor. There are always those few projects where you wish for a bigger or smaller tractor.

On my 80 acres with mile long gravel driveway - I do find the M6040 is a better "fit".

 

[stevem5215]

I use a Steiner 420 with a few attachments on my 4 acres here. I use the Steiner with a 48" mower (backup to my Simplicity ZTR Citation), a full loader asm (mostly yard work), 54" rotating brush (winter snow removal), leaf blower unit (smaller one that only blows leaves into neighbors yard). It's been a great machine for the size and smaller things that smaller yards need. And can tow full trees with the AWD system these use.

 

[Vigo327]

I have a B6100 and B7100. One thing to consider comparing them to the more modern stuff is that the old B7100 is in NO way shape or form a 'step through design'. Getting on and off the tractor is much more physical, especially with FEL towers (my 6100 has fel). It's not like its a big tractor. I've gotten the feeling i might fall to my death climbing onto some of the larger vintage tractors and it isn't like that. However, it's not easy and if you have any special requirements (big in any of the directions, really) it could be majorly more comfortable to go with the newer model. Im 37 and dont mind swinging one leg over top of the steering wheel for a quick dismount. My 66yo father is the same 'size' as me other than weight but does not enjoy my tractor as much. I admit to being far larger than the average japanese male in 1980, but at 6'0/180lb i feel pretty dang normal and being much bigger would be an issue on this thing.

Depending on how big that physical factor is for you, it COULD outweigh the other pros/cons. If it's not a factor at all for you, then i really like my old tractor's old-school looks and utter lack of complexity and i'd almost rather have something that looked cool than something that worked 10% better. It's good enough for me (actually im in love with it). Im also putzing around on 5 acres of mixed wooded/field with it.

 

[Egon]

Thanks Egon.
do you think the bx1850 models are worth looking at? a quick google search shows that the pricing is similar between both the Kubota models. However the BX1850s are newer and they have smaller (more garden tractor sized) wheels.
both have comparable horse power and weight.
Given the ages, I'd assume that the BX1850 tractors would be pricier than the B700s. is there a quality issue that separates the two?

Questions I really can’t answer as I’m not familiar with the tractors you have mentioned but a slightly larger wheel size’s would probably be preferred.

 

[blivy]

Thanks all! Great comments. hadn't been looking too much at some of those models (like i said I'm coming out of being a gravely guy and the 8000 or G series was about as big a tractor as i was considering).
I do really like the B7000 series. They look like they could do good work. They may be less of the finish mower i was looking for, but are likely better for doing the drive, working the saw mill, etc. I also appreciate Vigo's comments about comfort. I'm a touch older than him but in good shape and limber. As long as I feel comfortable enough with my little boy in my lap I'm good to go (that's where feeling like I'm too high could be a problem)

A few more questions/thoughts:
1) Egon and others mentioned that the rear bigger wheels may be advantageous. I'm guessing that is an issue of weight? (Where I come from in the 2-wheel walk behind world, the bigger wheels just mean more top speed which is not always desirable).
2) would bigger rear wheels do some things better than others? Is it a safe assumption that they would be better for carrying heavy loads, pulling a bush hog or a scraper blade, but NOT as good for doing finish mowing (as they'd need wider turns and could rut or compact more)?
3) in y'alls opinion, should i be looking for two machines instead of one that can do it all? (a good tractor with a FEL and PTO/3pt hitch as well as a zero turn for efficient mowing?)

thanks again for all the thoughts!

 

[timbatrader]

Your description of your place almost sounds like you are describing my place along with the privet problem and the rarely used sawmill for may years my main machine was an old bobcat skid steer loader much better for dirt work than any tractor & attachment combination and the four in one bucket makes a great grapple for lifting dragging logs I have since collected a few more machines a 50hp leyland tractor and 5 ton tip trailer for moving gravel from the river onto trails a small bulldozer to maintain a couple of mile of step tracks in the jungle area and a small excavator just because they are fun to play with

 

[Egon]

The bigger tires give a better ride and usually a little more clearance. With an hst there is no problem with speed.

 

[blivy]

Timbatrader--that's a beautiful place you have there. Does remind me of my little slice of land as well.
Didn't realize that privet was a problem in New Zealand as well.
I've gotten mine under control--it is possible but does take some investment in time, sweat, and some cash doesn't hurt either. I still have little sprigs pop up all the time, but I'm reducing those each season as well (it's more like crab grass weeding now than jungle clearing!). My suggestion for long term is to keep as healthy a forest as you can (in the areas you want forested) and to concentrate on getting the desirable native plants thick on the forest edges. Then only a seasonal spot spray or cut can really keep it down and reduce it year by year. (I could on an on about this subject!)
hope you make good progress against yours.

 

[Vigo327]

Bigger rear tires have one advantage of holding a lot more weight in 'fill' if you end up filling the tires with liquid to aid in traction. My rear tires are not filled on my Kubota but since it is a mechanical 4wd with a rear diff lock the limits of traction are pretty high to begin with for something so small. If it were a 2wd tractor adding weight to those drive wheels would be a huge factor. They did sell them both ways so be careful.

As far as having your boy with you, it's a tiny tractor and I don't think it would be a great idea, but if you want to do it consider that they made gear tractors and HST versions of these so the HST would be a lot more drivable while holding something in your lap. They never put power steering on them to my knowledge and while that probably wouldnt be a problem for the kind of driving you'd do with a kid in your lap, its just something to consider. FEL is what takes it from 'not a problem' to 'a problem sometimes'. Although the FEL does also allow you to pick up the front wheels off the ground, steer them with no resistance, put them down and then set off in your new direction. I do do that when working in tight confines sometimes.

 

[CalG]

IF the older stuff is in your interests.

The Bolens HT-20 or HT-23 are something to consider in a capable "garden tractor".

The one I have has pulled the York rake, pushed snow with the hydro angled blade, blown snow with the front pto, pulled carts etc.
I fabbed up a three point rear assembly for it some years back. Great for the soil ripper and for some trailer ball applications.

The Hydrostatic drive is a boon, the HT-23 has hi-Low range gear box. Some models come with power steering. some have been fitted with loaders.

The only trouble mine has given me is a blown head gasket about five years ago. Don't ask what I did to deserve that, but I can advise to NOT park under the drip line of an eve with an upturned exhaust ;-)

 

[oldnslo]

BX 50 series had an issue with the HST stopping quickly which was an annoying feature at times. The BX is a work horse but you would have to consider a skid plate to protect the HST filter and plastic cooling fan. The hi lo range is also a great feature that some similar sized garden tractors do not have.