Garden Tractor Needed?

[BurntGasket]

I have been very impressed with this forum and was hoping I can get some opinions on an upcoming purchase.

I have a 0.75 acre property with approx 42 mature trees. The primary purpose for the lawn/garden tractor will be to collect leaves with Cyclone Rake or similar. However, I have visions of also using a core aerator, roller, etc. I can also see helping out (charging?) neighbors with both leafs and aerating.

It sounds like those activities are on the borderline of requiring the transmission of a garden tractor. I am hoping to keep the tractor spend to <$3,000 so I was looking at the Husqvarna YTH24V42LS (24HP Kawasaki, 42" Deck, K46 Transmission).

For the few hours/year I may be doing ground engaging, I am not sure I can justify the $4,000 spend needed to get larger transmission. Additionally with my property, I really do not need the >50" deck that seems to come with Garden Tractors.

Thanks so much for any input!

 

[Gittyup]

Might want to post in the lawn and garden forum. But, if it were me I'd be looking for a good used JD400 series. Best there is, and can be had with all-wheel-steer, which you will appreciate with all your trees. These tractors are way better than anything new for under $6000.

 

[jenkinsph]

Agree with Gittyup^^^^^^

Also I have a 48" deck for my x749 so smaller decks are still available.

 

[High Compression]

:welcome: to TBN. Don't waste your time or money on the "Box Store" riding lawn mowers. Regardless of the brand name, they are all made by MTD and they are all junk. You'll be lucky to get 2-3yrs out of the best one before you have to replace it. Your better off to get, like the others said, a good JD series from the dealer or other brand equivalent. You want a garden (tractor) not a riding lawn mower. An example, my father-in-law bought the biggest, most expensive, top of the line Cub Cadet from tractor supply $4000.00. In a year less than 80hrs, engine problems, later trans problems, and finally the mower deck. He mowed 1.5 acres with it and he was later told that was too much for that mower. Now it's in the scrap pile. John Deer, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, Poulan, etc. If you see it at Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply, Wal-Mart, Sears, etc. they are all the same piece of scrap.

 

[KU Gator]

I would agree with the above comments. When we bought our current house, the owner offered to sell me his 4 year old John Deere GT245 with 200 hours for $3K with a front blade for snow and tire chains and the 54" deck. Hard to swallow since I could buy a new one at Lowes with the same name on it for less. Went to local John Deere dealer in FL at the time and he said it was a pretty good deal. Bought it for about $2500 and other than a broken belt and tie rod and battery, it has performed flawlessly for now 200 more hours. I have used it for mowing mostly, but also pulling rental airater, sprayer, and seeder. Used it the first year for the snow and it did an acceptable job on our 400' drive but now have a larger Kubota that I use on the drive. Parts are usually available at the JD dealer and if not, the have them in a couple of days.

 

[bp fick]

Disagree with the "all made by MTD" part, as many are made by Briggs and many others by Husqvarna, but the point is spot on.

Do not buy a lawn/yard tractor, regardless of puffed up deck size, and puffed up horse power. That stuff is eye candy and marketing.

Educate yourself as to the upgraded transmissions in a better GT series tractors. You'd never regret it. I'll personally never buy another small tractor without a quality transmission again. Just not worth it if you expect to pull anything substantial, traverse up a hill, etc.

 

[p95loser]

Disagree with the "all made by MTD" part, as many are made by Briggs and many others by Husqvarna, but the point is spot on.

They are actually made by either MTD or AYP. Briggs doesn't make mowers, they make engines.

 

[dbear]

If you look at used machines, I'd toss the Ingersol 4000 series and Simplicity Legacy/MF 2900 in there with the JD 400 as a couple other darn sturdy GTs too. Down side of the Simp/MF would be lefthand mower discharge might make it difficult to add non-OEM leaf collection.

Just to stir things up a little, the tasks you mention can also be done using a decent (read at least prosumer or entry level commercial) ZTR. Case in point, my DC Silver Eagle can easily pull 1000# roller, and full-sized models are rated for 2000#. Also would cut your mowing time significantly. Might be able to snag a used commercial unit in good shape in your price range if you're not in a rush.

 

[bp fick]

They are actually made by either MTD or AYP. Briggs doesn't make mowers, they make engines.

Ah.... Simplicity, Snapper, Murray?

Yes, AYP is one of the divisions of the whole Husquarna/Electrolux complex.

The original point that was made was a good point, don't buy a big box store machine without realizing that MTD makes many, many colors and "names", but MTD doesn't make them all. AYP makes a bunch of "names" too; many Craftsman, Husquarna, Poulan, etc.

Perhaps this discussion is just a bunny trail anyhow. Buy quality, that is the point.

 

[aczlan]

If looking at used, the Deere 400 series have a good name, as does the CubCadet GT3000 series (IMO, they are very much comparable).
Hydraulic deck/attachment lift, power steering, diff lock, great machines.
The hotel I worked for recently bought a Cub Cadet GT3200 with ~600 hours with a mowerdeck, plow blade and snowblower for under $4000

Aaron Z

 

[Jay4200]

...they are all made by MTD and they are all junk.

Not that MTD = junk, at least since we're starting to talk about older machines...

How cool is this beasty thing? (70's through early 80's MTD 990 for anybody wondering)

JayC

 

[Gittyup]

JD345 also wouldn't be a bad choice, or a late model Gravely.

 

[nwngunner]

If you can find your self a jd 318 that has been repowered you will not find a better machine. Mine has foward and rear hydro connections you can even get a loader for them for lite duty work. One thing you have to consider is the weight of these machines. The 318 takes two strong men to lift even one end of it. Most of these new mowers you can throw around like nothing.

 

[Mike476]

I have to smile to myself when I read the "don't buy box store riding mower" comments. I couldn't disagree more, I spent less than $2K on a 22HP Sears (Husq) close to 10 years ago now and it runs like the day I bought it. Like anything else I own I take care of it, use it to the max of its capabilities and I have to say I'd buy another.

I mow somewhere between 1.5 and 2 acres, every week in the Spring and every two weeks in mid-Summer through to Dec. My wife hauls rock / compost with it to her gardens, horse feed to the stables etc and loves it.

I take the mowing deck (42") off every fall, pressure wash it and repaint if required, change the oil and filter, give it a once over for loose hardware before putting it away.

Do I haul 1000 lb loads, no, do I skid logs, no.......... thats what I have a tractor for.

Don't tell my wife or daughters its a piece of scrap, they have a different opinion, and that's all it is...................

You might be better posting in the riding mower threads to get a broader perspective.

 

[bp fick]

I'm far from being bigoted against big box riders, for mowing. I've got a Craftsman (AYP) myself, have maintained/repaired it and used it for nearly 8 years. I expect another 4-5 years of reasonable service from it, easily. Yes, I'd buy another for that kind of light duty.

However, once you ask an LT to work pulling of heavier implements?

Check the warnings that come with most of these light duty machines about using them, in any meaningful way, as a tractor and all bets are off. FWIW.

 

[Mike476]

I don't disagree with you, as I said I don't use it to skid logs or haul heavy loads. It will however haul the polymer trailer full of dirt up and down and all around my property, and has, without any sort of transmission issues throughout its life.

The point I guess I'm trying to make is that the OP said he has .75 acres with mature trees, sees himself with a rake and plug style aerator. I wouldn't hesitste to advise that these types of ride on mowers will fill the bill.

Like most others on this site I believe in buying something once and that more is almost always better, but I won't dismiss or try to disgrace something that will do the job to push something that will do it better. Advise that they consider something else as an option, absolutely! JMHO

 

[BurntGasket]

I appreciate all the helpful comments. As my very first task for the tractor will be hauling rock (several tons over multiple trips), my focus should be on the transmission. Pretty much all of the tractor offerings at the Big Boxes seem to be geared more towards mowing task. It seems as long as I stay away from the entry level K46 and Intek B&S, I am on the right track of my needs.

I am still not sure used is for me (although the offerings in Lancaster County area seem o' plenty). I would gather get new so I can take care of it from day one and every scratch will have a story!

I am currently leaning towards CC GTX2000 with 42" deck ($4,000), as it has the beefy, servicable transmission and smaller deck size. The JD 320 is a close second, but the cast tranny in the CC is appealing to me and the dealer stands out more for offering long-term service.

I really wish the Husq YTH42V42LS was available with beefier tranny. It seems silly to me that the 16HP tractors have the same tranny as some of the 26HP ones, you would think they would scale up together. I read some posts that you can replace a K46 with K66. I am doing to ask the local Husq dealer (family owned business) his thoughts on that. For $2,500 with a Kawaski 24HP and 42 Fab deck, that is a nice platform for me. And I really like their instrument cluster far better than either CC / JD, not that I would buy on that alone. If I had a way to upgrade the Husq transmission should I run into issues, I could sleep better at night.

Feel free to chime in. I realize comparing the $4,000 CC with the $2,500 Husq is not really apples to apples. I see it as buying top of the line low end unit (Husq), or entry level GT (CC) with a tranny that I do not need to think about. Even if I never actually own the core aerator, snow blade, etc., knowing I CAN is important to me.

Thanks again, what a great forum!
-John

 

[bp fick]

John, thanks for posting back with more details.

Your focus on the transmission is important and a focus I agree with. I don't personally get all impressed with 16 vx 24 hp. I'd rather have a quality built 16 horse Kawasaki or top drawer B&S than a cheapo 24 horse built to impress with big numbers, but at too low a price point and inferior components. Getting a quality engine, at 24+ hp? Nice.

The over sized tires of GT over the LT is also a big plus in my book, as is the heavier frames and upgraded steering that OEM's usually reserve for their GTs. A good seat for my aching back is a must. But... back to the trans.

A high quality, serviceable trans is going to cost you, but it's worth it. I'd be sure I couldn't get a comparable machine from Deere at that price point. I'm sure you've price the X340 type Deere?

 

[sam5570]

Not that MTD = junk, at least since we're starting to talk about older machines...

How cool is this beasty thing? (70's through early 80's MTD 990 for anybody wondering)

JayC

jay i want that tractor when will you be going on vacation or what time do you leave for work excetra please leave it out im not good at breaking in.

 

[case245]

get your self an older cc ih i have a 1973 i fixing up to mow with my current mower is an 1988 bolens 120 its on its last legs tranny problems junk hydro stat or get an older wheel horse frm the 70s or early 80s