Buying Advice.... Too Many to Choose From

Wagswook · Aug 7, 2006

Hey all,

My wife and I just purchased 5 acres in southern Indiana

(steep rolling hills) and I am looking for recommendations on a tractor (lawn or full size) that would allow me to mow the 5 acres in the least amount of time. (Couple of hours).. Cost is an issue and really can't spend more than about 6,000

. What would you recommend?

Oh, and if I can purchase a snow blade for the front that would be great as well. (that's not included in the 6000)

Thanks

Wagswook

aesanders · Aug 7, 2006

Are you going to be mowing all five acres? Or does it also contain a house and barn etc.

Wagswook · Aug 7, 2006

aesanders said:
Are you going to be mowing all five acres? Or does it also contain a house and barn etc.

Mowing will be about 4.5 acres of steep rolling hills. Eventually we will be putting in a larger garden (approx 30X50) and maybe another out building. so in the future it will only be 4 acres, but for now it's 4.5.

DAP · Aug 7, 2006

While you might find something to use for 6000, I can pretty much assure you it won't be to your liking.

In addition to low-balling a machine to maintain those 4 acres, you're also omitting the fact that whatever you get must be safe on "steep rolling hills" ..

Safety in machines is also factored into its market value. The more safety based capabilities that one requires, the more prepared they must be to pay for those capabilities.

6 thousand will get you a small new chinese tractor, or a really big horse power crop type tractor with thousands of hours on it or a medim size compact tractor again with a high usage profile to it.

Those are the facts.

Bob_Skurka · Aug 7, 2006

DAP makes excellent points.

In your price range I would look at a grey market tractor. Contact Wayne who posts under the name LMTC here on TBN, you can search LMTC and find him. At 4+ acres you will very quickly destroy a gas powered garden tractor.

Another option is a large ZTR instead of a tractor. However those require reasonably smooth ground or you will rattle your fillings out of your teeth. But for mowing speed the ZTRs can't be beat, you will probably cut your time by 30% to 50% versus mowing with a tractor. The other problem with a ZTR is the cost. At your price range you are just barely entering into the quality units, and if you are mowing 4+ acres on a weekly basis for 7+ months a year, then you need to get into the heavy duty range.

Wesdor · Aug 7, 2006

I see that I took too long to post this reply. Bob Skurka beat me to this conceopt, so at least I feel like I'm in good company.

You say that you are looking for a tractor or lawn tractor to mow most of 5 acres. This leads me to wonder if you need a tractor. Have you considered a Zero Turn Mower (ZTR)? There are some great models out there and many of them can be purchased for under or around $5,000.

I don't own a ZTR, but from what I understand, you can cut the mowing time considerably by going to a ZTR. Also, if you purchase the right model, they are very stable on steep hills. Should you wish to investigate the ZTR, there are some good discussion of ZTR owning and operating on this site.

Good luck on making the decision that is right for you.

Soundguy · Aug 7, 2006

Wow...

gotta mow 5 ac in a couple hours.. or ASAP

gotta pull a 5' mower to do that.. thus ya need 25+ pto hp preferably.

Steep rolling hills

Gotta have rops, and 4wd is greatly recomended

Snow blade? Can't have it by itself.. thus you either need a loader setup or a special front mount bracket for the blade ( probably half as much as your tractor budget.. minimum..

And lastly.. 6k$

Hmm.. about the only thing I can see is a new 20-25 hp 4wd chinese tractor with rops and a 4' mower.. and you won't get the lawn mowed in under 2 hrs I'm afraid. And the snow blade may be 25-33% of the tractor price once installed. Unless you go to a rear blade.. then the price drops way way down..

Other options are used domestic.. but at 6k$.. it's hard to even get a good antique that has the options you need ( 4wd, loader or bracket, rops.. etc.. )

I think You will either need to go super economy and just have a rear blade and 20-25 hp chinese unit, or.. spend more money..

Soundguy

Wagswook said:
Hey all,

My wife and I just purchased 5 acres in southern Indiana (steep rolling hills) and I am looking for recommendations on a tractor (lawn or full size) that would allow me to mow the 5 acres in the least amount of time. (Couple of hours).. Cost is an issue and really can't spend more than about 6,000 . What would you recommend?

Oh, and if I can purchase a snow blade for the front that would be great as well. (that's not included in the 6000)

Thanks

Wagswook

MessickFarmEqu · Aug 7, 2006

Steep Rolling Hills = Kubota GR2000. Those are just over $6000 and are 4WD, power steering, hydraulic PTO. I'd stay away from ZTR's you'll probably have hill issues.

Soundguy · Aug 7, 2006

ZTR.. yuck!.. locks you into a machine that can pretty much.. just mow.. perhaps pull a small cart.. but that's it.

I don't ever recall seeing a ztr pulling a hay ride (GRIN )

Soundguy

roxynoodle · Aug 7, 2006

If you are sure mowing is the only thing you are going to do, I would recommend the ZTR for the speed factor and the low center of gravity. However, if you are going to be doing landscaping or other tractor tasks, I'd say look at the grey market tractors also. They are older but have low hours and are well built and easy to use and maintain and come in your price range. You can buy one with a ROPS, which you want with those hills, from LMTC. I was at his place 2 weeks ago to buy implements and he does have not only good mechanically running units but they look nice as well. He also won't sell you something that doesn't fit your needs just to make a sale. He will make sure you get the right tractor for your needs with safety in mind. I don't know your location but if someone with a good reputation is closer to you, he will tell you that too.