I Need a New Garden Tractor

[rback33]

Fairly new to TBN here and spend most of my time in the Compact Tractor arena, but I am shopping for a new garden tractor and want your input.

From a mowing aspect I only have 2 1/2 to 3 acres to mow with it, so I don't need a super, monster deck.
I do, on the other hand, have a large gravel drive to maintain as well as possibly using other ground engaging equipment to maintain a small riding arena.
My father-in-law is almost addicted to Craftsman, and I am especially impressed with the 10 gauge on their garden tractors.
I have rambled on enough...let me have it with opions and testimonials. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MossRoad]

How much of your money do you want us to spend?

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="green">(How much of your money do you want us to spend?)</font>

Careful -- he is real good at that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SnowRidge

 

[s1120]

I have had real good luck with my Ingersolls. Not cheap, but as strong as a tank. Have a look if you have a dealer near by.

 

[rback33]

Wow, you guys are fast. As with all of us here at TBN I am looking to get the most bang for my buck. With out asking my wife what she thinks, I would say we should do what we can to stay under 3000. In reading some of the older threads I realized one imortant thing I forgot to mention was that my land is very rough and that a tough steering mechanism is VERY important. That is one of the problems I have run into on my smaller, cheaper LT. It was not made for the abuse of the yard at our new house. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[slowrev]

One thing to look at for the rough ground is a heavy front axle and good steering mechanism. Also the larger the tires the better they do on rough fround.

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> Careful -- he is real good at that. </font>

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[gsganzer]

If you're trying to keep it to a small budget, look for a used Case garden tractor. The design was bought by Ingersoll (see them at their website) and is now sold under that badge. They remain virtually unchanged since the 70's. The reason is because they are so durable. Most of the new parts for the Ingersoll's fit the older units. There are also a number of user groups on Yahoo and the like, that can steer you toward parts. I have a 1976 Case 446 that has a 48 inch deck and cat. 0 hitch and it is built like a tank. You can find them on ebay as a Case 444, 446, 448 (the last digit refers to the hp such as 14, 16, 18 hp) for usually around $1500. Even if the engine is a little worn, you can drop in a brand new Onan engine for about $1300. You'll still be getting a better machine then for the equivalent cash for a craftsman etc. Most of the ones I see on ebay are in the midwest.

 

[Will_C]

With your budget and requirements, I would strongly recommend a used tractor as well. The Case-Ingersoll would be a good choice, as well as the 300 or 400 series John Deere. Wheelhorse also is a good brand, can't help you with model numbers there.
It sure seems like you would be interested in 14+ hp, and probably a 48" MMM. Good luck,
Will

 

[s1120]

Well sence I am not the only one pointing out the Case/Ingersolls, heres a little more info for you. This is a thred I started a year or so ago about my Ingersolls.

My Ingersolls

 

[s1120]

Ops sorry the new Ingersoll 4016 pic is gone. If you need more info, or want to find a dealer go here..... Ingersoll garden tractors

 

[deereflugel]

I agree with the used JD318 and JD400 Series. They are readily available on Ebay or where ever you live locally. I bought an 83 JD318 a year ago and found it to be an excellent tractor, so much so that I went to the trouble of restoring it to almost new last winter. They sell in various states of repair or disrepair from what I just watched for a 318 $1575 (not running) to well over $3000. The 318 is reported on many forums to be the best garden tractor Deere has produced. My .02

 

[slowrev]

What about a used Gravely rider ? Great traction with the tranny and engine over the rear axle, and built like a tank. with a mid mount mower deck they weigh in at close to 1,000 lbs. I have a 1973 812 rider and it will outpull/climb any other rider I have tried.

 

[hockeyhead]

2 1/2 to 3 acres to finish, I'd be looking at a 60" deck, 54 " minumum, check out a new Cub Cadet , I have had great luck with little cubs , most of my family uses little cubs for mowing. look at a new cub cadet 2000 series, 16 to 20 hp , direct drive hydros, cast iron front axle, it will care for that drive, 48" blade, and pull a soft drag in that arena. close to 5k, but head and heels above Craftman, Craftmans' best is 4k plus and it's a heavy duty lawn tractor. start looking at light duty tractors, Ingersols are very strong little tractors, but cubs are better mowers that can do more than a bit of tractoring. most brands now are offering 12,24,or 36 months same as cash, there are deals to be had, in today's climate, don't be bashful. happly hunting.

 

[rback33]

So many great opinions it's hard to decide which way to go... thanks for the input and keep them coming, I am certainly lookin into all the suggestions. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif