Buying Advice Advice for new toys

[rossgtn]

Finally, saved enough to purchase a few additions for my CT235. I need your input/advice. I'm going to TSC for a 7' landscrape rake. I am also going to get a Box Blade, and a Finish Mower. Here's where I need advice. I can't decide if I should get the 5' or 6' KK (countyline) BB. Bobcat spec says the CT235 can handle a 6' BB, anyone using one? The other issue is that they have a older (but new) Caroni 5' FM for $1,150.00 or a NEW KK 6' FM for $1,500.00. I really want a 6' mower since I already have a 54" deck on my Cub Mower. But is the extra foot worth the additional $350.00? That could start my savings account for the tiller I want to get for next year..

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[rus_geek]

I haven't saved enough to buy anything for my CT225 yet, but for your box blade question, I would go to the 6' since the 5' probably won't cover your tracks. I'm not sure what tires you have, but my R4s are about 64" and the 225/235 chassis is the same size. So same argument on the mower.

-rus-

 

[Sprocket]

I haven't saved enough to buy anything for my CT225 yet, but for your box blade question, I would go to the 6' since the 5' probably won't cover your tracks. I'm not sure what tires you have, but my R4s are about 64" and the 225/235 chassis is the same size. So same argument on the mower.

-rus-

I respectfully have a comment. I have a CT225 with R4's and the 5 foot mower and boxblade seem to work well. the R4's are wider than 60" at the sidewall but seem to leave contact tracks less than 60" (my Bush Hog boxblade measures just a hare over 61"). I would not like my boxblade any wider because it would be too easy to snag it on things as I drive by (Like my garage door for example). I wish my loader bucket was only 60" instead of 68".

Please do not take any offense Rus as none was implied.

Mark

 

[rossgtn]

Your assumption is correct, I have the R4 tires. And yes, the 5' would not cover the tire track. My FEL has the 68" bucket and it looks like it covers the rear tires by about 2" on each side so that would make the track about 64". Since I don't have and don't want to load the tires, I'm just wondering if there is enough pull the handle the 6' BB. That's my main concern. Thanks for the response.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a 5' blade and it does fine. Outside to outside is about 60.75 inches. The outside to outside distance of the R4 lugs are about 61.5 inches. That means you are only dealing in fractions of an inch.

 

[FlyingMN]

Finally, saved enough to purchase a few additions for my CT235. I need your input/advice. I'm going to TSC for a 7' landscrape rake. I am also going to get a Box Blade, and a Finish Mower. Here's where I need advice. I can't decide if I should get the 5' or 6' KK (countyline) BB. Bobcat spec says the CT235 can handle a 6' BB, anyone using one? The other issue is that they have a older (but new) Caroni 5' FM for $1,150.00 or a NEW KK 6' FM for $1,500.00. I really want a 6' mower since I already have a 54" deck on my Cub Mower. But is the extra foot worth the additional $350.00? That could start my savings account for the tiller I want to get for next year..

Thanks for your suggestions.

I would recommend looking at a few different finish mowers too. I was going to buy a King Kutter but their quality concerned me. I bought a 5' land pride for about $1850. I don't recall what the 6' cost. I have some tree lines that the 6' wouldn't work unfortunately. I'm really happy with my decision but maybe the KK's are fine too.

 

[leveller]

Finally, saved enough to purchase a few additions for my CT235. I need your input/advice. I'm going to TSC for a 7' landscrape rake. I am also going to get a Box Blade, and a Finish Mower. Here's where I need advice. I can't decide if I should get the 5' or 6' KK (countyline) BB. Bobcat spec says the CT235 can handle a 6' BB, anyone using one? The other issue is that they have a older (but new) Caroni 5' FM for $1,150.00 or a NEW KK 6' FM for $1,500.00. I really want a 6' mower since I already have a 54" deck on my Cub Mower. But is the extra foot worth the additional $350.00? That could start my savings account for the tiller I want to get for next year..

Thanks for your suggestions.

I have a CT235 with a 6' box blade. tractor handles it well and covers my tracks. I like the fact that it sticks out past the rear wheels, allows me to get close to buildings, curbs, etc. My vote is for the 6' blade

 

[galaxie428]

How much acreage are you going to mow? That might make a difference on the size of mower you want. Also, unless you just want new, you can find some pretty good deals on used finish mowers. I bought a 72" Caroni for $400 and it mows great. I really wish though I had held out for an 84". The dealer said my 230 would handle it and it would cut down on my mowing time.

I found my mower on craigslist.

I don't have any experience with a BB or rake but again, if you have much acreage, I would go bigger, unless time is not an issue with you.

 

[articatsopro]

Hydraulic top link for your box blade. Makes grading roads and drives alot easier to put the crown in.. Especially a top and tilt.. It makes hooking up to implements easier, tilting mowers and tillers to aid with cleaning , lift them higher when going onto a trailer, etc. Worksaver makes some good affordable products, I own a york rake I'm happy with it from them. Alsom thesmartfarmer.com has some good deals as well as ive ordered from them in the past.

 

[rossgtn]

Well, thanks to everyone for their input. I now have new toys to play with. I am glad I ask as I did go with both the 6' BB and 6' fm and having them hooked up to the tractor, I don't think I would have been happy with the 5' versions. The 6' covers my tracks with a couple of inches to spare. Which is actually less than I thought it would have been. Even the old rusty boom pole my father-n-law had came in very handy in getting everything off the trailer.

However, with the new attachments I've discovered that the control of the 3 point is not as smooth as on other tractors I've used. Has anyone else had this problem. It's very "jerky" when raising, I'm hoping it's just part of the new, as I've only gotten 21 hrs. on the tractor.