bruceha2000
Gold Member
Hi all.
I have been convinced by all the smart TBNers that it is not possible for me to get a "one machine does it all" tractor. Thus I must start with the most pressing need and that is mowing the 1/2 acre lawn.
I found a Cub Cadet 3205 on Craig's List. The listing only said 3000 series but the engine cowl has H (something) 3205. Listed as 20 HP and an '03 model. BUT TractorData.com says this model was made from 1998-1999. Is TD missing something or is the listing wrong?
The tractor has a 54" deck and a 45" CC snow blower which really fits my major needs for this type machine. Priced at $2K, no engine hours listed. OF COURSE: "good condition everything works well".
The pictures show only the belt/pulley side of the deck which makes me a bit suspect of the other side. The blower is shown from the front and an angle shot. Looks to be in good shape with the expected paint loss on the bottom. The people who lease the stalls and pasture mowed about 1 acre 2 weeks ago with a 15 HP lawn tractor. As he said, not ideal but it got the job done. For that work, I'm long term thinking a real tractor and a Caroni Flail. But it does suggest this CC is up to the mowing(~1/2 acre, some hill but not too steep)/blowing (~1/4 acre, fairly flat) tasks for which I would primarily use it (and maybe a bit more).
It has "Ag" tires on it which is a plus for me (I think). It isn't heavy enough to tear up the lawn (the prior home owner had a Kubota BX with R4s and he didn't rut the lawn) and I'm hoping it is possible to:
Put a tiller on the back - So, is it possible? That would make it a pretty good garden tractor for me. The wife wants LESS lawn to mow and MORE gardens.
- Is this a reasonable machine for my needs (if all works well as advertized)?
- What should I look for, potential problem wise? The barn leaser is willing to look at it and he knows a heck of a lot more about small tractors, 3 & 4 wheelers, snow machine than I do.
- What problems should I expect to encounter as time goes by and are they any worse, harder or more expensive to fix on this machine than any other similar garden tractor?
- What SHOULD it cost? I know Craig's List isn't a place you pay the asking price. And it does have the requisite OBRO. I wouldn't want to be UNreasonable but I obviously want to pay a reasonably low price. 22 HP John Deere D140's are selling new at Lowes for the same $2K so I guess it is a question of how much the blower is worth (the paint is shiny and not scraped up on the outside so it may be newer than the tractor) and how much the 9 to 14 year old tractor is worth.
- If the seller doesn't have the owner's manuals, I presume in this age of Google and Amazon, I could get them?
Thanks,
Bruce
I have been convinced by all the smart TBNers that it is not possible for me to get a "one machine does it all" tractor. Thus I must start with the most pressing need and that is mowing the 1/2 acre lawn.
I found a Cub Cadet 3205 on Craig's List. The listing only said 3000 series but the engine cowl has H (something) 3205. Listed as 20 HP and an '03 model. BUT TractorData.com says this model was made from 1998-1999. Is TD missing something or is the listing wrong?
The tractor has a 54" deck and a 45" CC snow blower which really fits my major needs for this type machine. Priced at $2K, no engine hours listed. OF COURSE: "good condition everything works well".
The pictures show only the belt/pulley side of the deck which makes me a bit suspect of the other side. The blower is shown from the front and an angle shot. Looks to be in good shape with the expected paint loss on the bottom. The people who lease the stalls and pasture mowed about 1 acre 2 weeks ago with a 15 HP lawn tractor. As he said, not ideal but it got the job done. For that work, I'm long term thinking a real tractor and a Caroni Flail. But it does suggest this CC is up to the mowing(~1/2 acre, some hill but not too steep)/blowing (~1/4 acre, fairly flat) tasks for which I would primarily use it (and maybe a bit more).
It has "Ag" tires on it which is a plus for me (I think). It isn't heavy enough to tear up the lawn (the prior home owner had a Kubota BX with R4s and he didn't rut the lawn) and I'm hoping it is possible to:
Put a tiller on the back - So, is it possible? That would make it a pretty good garden tractor for me. The wife wants LESS lawn to mow and MORE gardens.
- Is this a reasonable machine for my needs (if all works well as advertized)?
- What should I look for, potential problem wise? The barn leaser is willing to look at it and he knows a heck of a lot more about small tractors, 3 & 4 wheelers, snow machine than I do.
- What problems should I expect to encounter as time goes by and are they any worse, harder or more expensive to fix on this machine than any other similar garden tractor?
- What SHOULD it cost? I know Craig's List isn't a place you pay the asking price. And it does have the requisite OBRO. I wouldn't want to be UNreasonable but I obviously want to pay a reasonably low price. 22 HP John Deere D140's are selling new at Lowes for the same $2K so I guess it is a question of how much the blower is worth (the paint is shiny and not scraped up on the outside so it may be newer than the tractor) and how much the 9 to 14 year old tractor is worth.
- If the seller doesn't have the owner's manuals, I presume in this age of Google and Amazon, I could get them?
Thanks,
Bruce
