Garden vs. Yard tractor for 4 acres...compare, opinions please

[cordobaman]

Wow, this is GREAT information. Seems the consensus here is my initial research was in vane. Checking the newspaper and Craigslist was a dismal failure...anything "tractor" and in my budget is really beat looking and 50 yrs old.

If I choose to stay in Garden Tractor category, is there anything less$ than a Deere X500 suggested?

 

[Beltman60]

now thats a real beauty

 

[8N Ren]

An 8N is plenty nimble enough for a finish mower, heck even a 5-6 ft bush mower will be just fine, just be sure to use a slip clutch. I have an 8N and for around $3 G's I've got the tractor, box blade, grader blade, and a 3 point scoop. I also scored a small garden trailer and 6 sections of drag harrow last weekend for a whopping $0!!! Have I spent $$$ fixing it??? Yup. Do I have a reliable tractor? ??? Yup. I was skidding 15-18" 60-70ft poplars with it last week no problem as long as you do it safely. That old Ford has surprised me many times and has surpassed my expectations.

Ren

 

[murphy1244]

:welcome: from Ohio and try to find a Massey Ferguson 135, I bought a Diesel with two stage and locking diff for 2575.00

 

[dave1949]

The don't make the right mower any more:

From GeneD14:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/farmall-vintage-tractors/61986-farmall-cub-3.html#post940966

That's a beauty, and nope they don't make them like that anymore. Those are probably much harder to find than an 8N is my guess.

 

[Gittyup]

Nice farmall. Lots of those around here going for $3K-$4K range in excellent condition. That would certainly work. THE best GT is the x700 series. If that's not in your budget look for a used 400 series or a 318 if in excellent condition. 8N would also work and be in the $3K or less price range. Old fords and MFs would work too, as well as a few cub cadet models, like a low boy or older GT. Also old gravely's - built like tanks but generally don't have big mower decks.

 

[whistlepig]

My wife has mowed waist high pasture, small saplings, and even mowed a 1" x 45 degree chamfer on our concrete sidewalk with this thing. Motor is under the seat for a low COG and sticks like glue on hills. 8 speed manual shift. Deck is PTO driven. All the weight is on the rear axle. It's awful hard to spin the wheels on this on steep hills:

 

[jenkinsph]

Wow, this is GREAT information. Seems the consensus here is my initial research was in vane. Checking the newspaper and Craigslist was a dismal failure...anything "tractor" and in my budget is really beat looking and 50 yrs old.

If I choose to stay in Garden Tractor category, is there anything less$ than a Deere X500 suggested?

Several of us have already suggested to look for a good used one. Look on Craigs list, tractorhouse and machinefinder to see if you can find something that will work. Frankly, shopping for a new garden tractor with a budget of $3000 or less just won't work, new ones are about three times that. That is one reason I recommended you try to get your lawn smoothed out, that would enable you to use a good riding mower and it would hold up better. I spend alot of time with this type work and can tell you that smoothing out your lawn to start with will save you money and grief as you can mow faster with less strain on you and the equipment.

With the property smoothed up you could likely mow 4 acres with a Deere 360 in two or three hours.

 

[3v0]

I have to agree with jenkinsph. Too many acres for a $3K budget.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have to agree with jenkinsph. Too many acres for a $3K budget.

You don't have to agree with me, I have time to argue for a spell. Just came in the house after hitting my kneecap on the trailer hitch I should have removed this morning and thought I would sit down for awhile.