I need to buy a tractor!

djg · Aug 20, 2005

Orange Al, butting in on your question to ghostbrigade about a good lawn tractor, I bought a used Simplicity 4212H lawn tractor ten years ago. I believe it is now about 20 years old. It has a 12HP B&S engine. I mow about 1 acre. I have had to repair the steering rod by welding rodends on when the threads broke. Other than that, it has been bulletproof. Some people think older stuff was made better. 1000 dollars for ten years beats 3000 for three years, I think.

wushaw · Aug 20, 2005

Orange Al, He has a Huskee not Husky. Huskee is TSC machines.
Husky is Husqvarna...two different manufactures.

bearhawk · Aug 20, 2005

OrangeAl,

I'll just poke in here to say I bought one of those Huskys from Sears. I got the 24hp v-twin B&S HST with a 48" deck for $1799.

The husky has a few more features than the craftsman. My lawn is very hilly and I need to keep playing with the hydro so it won't race down the hills, but it cuts great.

Jim

Ghostbrigade · Aug 21, 2005

No offense taken. I am seeking advice. It is confusing to talk to dealers in regards to comparisons of tractors. I will look at the Kubota B3030. I am not concerned with weight either way. I need a tractor that is easy to operate. So HST is a necessity. I am really looking for the best tractor for the money that has the features I am looking for.

Ghostbrigade · Aug 21, 2005

Actually I have a Huskee by Tractor Supply Company, not a Husquvarna Husky.

mudcat · Aug 21, 2005

Have you looked at the Branson tractors? They are great tractors. If you are still shopping around you ought to check them out.

Bob_Skurka · Aug 21, 2005

Ghost wrote I ahve alot of trees and fences and the HST is essential for me. 

Mudcat wrote Have you looked at the Branson tractors? 

Last time I looked at the Bransons at my local dealer there was not HST option available on them. The only choice was gear. Has this changed? I was looking at them early last month.

OrangeAlex · Aug 22, 2005

( ... I am not concerned with weight either way.

ok.. that changes things a bit.

)

Cant you tell me how often you intend to do the following with this tractor. In units How Many Times/Year.

1. Perform Finish Mowing (lawn). Please specific acreage. How wide of a mower do you want?
2. Perform Bush Removal. Please specify acreage. How wide of a mower do you want?
3. Use the loader to lift very heavy items. Lets say over 1500 lbs.
4. Do you need a backhoe? How deep do you want to dig?
5. Is your yard sloped?? If so, estimate grade.
6. What other implements do you intend to use. Both on the 3 point and front loader? What size?
7. What features do you want in the tractor which are a must have. HST, Cab, Quick attach loader, etc?
8. Please list the brand of tractors dealers are near you and you be willing to have serviced at the dealership. Whatever distance away you find reasonable.
9. What is your budget for tractor including all implements desired?

this should be a good list to get started.

OrangeAlex · Aug 22, 2005

( 

Cant you tell me how often you intend to do the following with this tractor. In units How Many Times/Year.
)

oops that came out wrong..

it should be

Can you tell me....

otherwise it sounds kind of rude.

OrangeAlex · Aug 22, 2005

( OrangeAl,

I'll just poke in here to say I bought one of those Huskys from Sears. I got the 24hp v-twin B&S HST with a 48" deck for $1799.
Jim )

Jim, after doing some more research, this model seems to be the best bang for the buck out there for my usage. I did notice something interesting, although this machine is classified as a Lawn Tractor (vs Garden Tractor) it seems to have the same rail type construction as as the AYP garden tractor (GT) models. The Craftsman lawn tractor versions, DYT4000s, uses channeled steel instead of a rail frame. The Craftsman models only use a rail frame in the garden tractors. (GT5000). In addition the Husqvarna uses powdered coated deck vs simply enamel paint. Anyhow these things are no JD LT/LX, but then again I really don't need that grade of tractor for a smooth and flat 1.5 acre lawn. That last comment was for the people who will want to jump in and tell me that I need to buy a high end tractor. Although I have search the forums extensively and I have yet to see any proof any problems with the higher end AYT tractors (Craftsman GT5000, DYT4000) or the Huskqvarna's or the higher end Briggs and Stratton's ELS engines. Go figure.
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