Lawn/Garden Tractor Options

[PilotRPI]

I'm getting a small 8 acre horse farm soon, and am trying to figure out my tractor options. I have a 2 acre pasture that is rough grass, and about 2 acres of lawn and nicer pastures. They are all flat. My thought process is to get an L2501 for the big work, and a lawn/garden tractor for the 2 acres. I was going to get a big tractor (B2650) with a MMM, but for the same price can almost get a separate lawn tractor that will get into tighter areas.

For this lawn tractor, I'd like 48 or 54" deck, and something that can pull a yard sweeper for leaf season. Again, pretty much flat property. Will tow the sweeper into the woods to dump which have decent trails. I looked at a JD X350, and the wife thought it was confortable. It is about $3700 with the mulching kit and discounts. I wonder if that will be OK with the K46 to pull the lawn sweeper and maybe get a little cart for pulling hay and stuff to horses in the pastures.

Looked at a Husky TS354XD. Seemed less refined than the JD, but has the K66 and a diff lock which would be better for tower and not getting stuck in the woods. The seat adjustment is terrible, as it will be used often for me and the wife. Also, are bushings instead of bearings on the front wheels a big deal?

Another option is the Cub Cadet XT2 GX54 D. K62 appears decent, diff lock, better adjustment for seat, bearings on front wheels, but deck spindled are sealed and can't be greased. Also seems to be a lot of unhappy CC customers in the past, but maybe that is improving?

Any thoughts on these or other options I should consider? Trying to stay in this price point, so the higher priced JDs like the 500s and 700s aren't going to work new for me.

Thank you,

Jesse

 

[GeneV]

I got a Craftsman 27048, basically same thing as that cub cadet. Here's a write-up I did on it: https://www.mytractorforum.com/327-massey-ferguson-scut/1130953-gc1710-can-power-72-finish-mower.html#/topics/1303379?page=1

 

[4get gto]

I got a Craftsman 27048, basically same thing as that cub cadet. Here's a write-up I did on it: https://www.mytractorforum.com/327-massey-ferguson-scut/1130953-gc1710-can-power-72-finish-mower.html#/topics/1303379?page=1

Not sure that's the write up you wanted.????

 

[Kingsqueak]

I only have one season on my TS354X, but the diff lock is very effective, I have irregular sloping features I ride it up all the time and it really works well, particularly when it's wet. They only had the Kohler version when I got mine, but it's been reliable, uses very little oil, plenty of power. My property is very rough, roots, rocks, definitely not a nice flat lawn and I've really banged this mower up many times hitting small stumps, rocks etc and it's hanging in there. I've been impressed with the build quality so far.

It's my first riding mower, so really no idea vs anything else, but I'd buy it again so far. Pulls my yard cart (got the metal dump cart from them) well and I'm certain it would pull a sweeper like it wasn't even there.

I don't love the side discharge, the only thing I would do differently is the rear discharge and mulch plate for the deck option. Side is annoying as you have to remember to start cutting the outer edge in one direction and then reverse again so you don't build up clumps.

 

[radios1]

for 2 acres, you'll want a Garden tractor that will last.. "Looked at a Husky TS354XD. Seemed less refined than the JD, but has the K66 and a diff lock which would be better for tower and not getting stuck in the woods..... Also, are bushings instead of bearings on the front wheels a big deal?" there is probably a retrofit kit for that, like JD has, which replaces the friction bearings with ball bearings. the rest of that tractor is the best buy though!. the K66 transmission is a true Garden Tractor transmission.. K66 - Tuff Torq Corporation

 

[PilotRPI]

Going to try and give the CC a look this weekend. My wife and I will be sharing it a bunch, and the seat adjustment alone might be annoying enough not to go with that.

 

[GeneV]

Not sure that's the write up you wanted.????

No comprendo this.

 

[IH3444]

1999, 20 year old Scotts 2554 by John Deere, built on the GT275 frame, Tufftorq K66 hydrostatic transmission, with the JD 11 gauge 54" deck, twin cylinder Kohler 25hp engine with oil cooler, and the cylinder head gasket problem, since replaced with new head gaskets, with no problems so far. The K66 has preformed flawlessly. Pull the cyclone rake with it in the fall for leaf collection. Never a hick-up, trans has never given any indication of slow down, falter, etc. 20 year perfect record. Buy the Husky TS354XD with the K66. You'll most likely never regret it. I have read that the Husky decks don't discharge as well as others, but so what! Easier to clean a deck, than replace a trans. As others have said, stay away from the K46. The K66 has a charge pump, all the others, K46, K57, K62 don't.

 

[bigtiller]

For this lawn tractor, I'd like 48 or 54" deck, and something that can pull a yard sweeper for leaf season. Again, pretty much flat property. Will tow the sweeper into the woods to dump which have decent trails. I looked at a JD X350, and the wife thought it was confortable. It is about $3700 with the mulching kit and discounts. I wonder if that will be OK with the K46 to pull the lawn sweeper and maybe get a little cart for pulling hay and stuff to horses in thepasturesJesse

Instead of the X350 and pulling a sweeper, take a look at the X350R. It is an X350 with a built in bagger. The mower deck is a rear discharge type that dumps into the hard sided bagger and dumps the clippings by pulling a lever without ever leaving the seat.

 

[radios1]

Instead of the X350 and pulling a sweeper, take a look at the X350R. It is an X350 with a built in bagger. The mower deck is a rear discharge type that dumps into the hard sided bagger and dumps the clippings by pulling a lever without ever leaving the seat.

the K46 won't last, even for mowing, especially on 2 acres!!.. there are many posts about how quickly the K46 fails just mowing lawns, and on much smaller properties, too!..

 

[PilotRPI]

What does a charge pump do?

Also, a dealer told me to avoid 54 inch decks. Have issues compared to 48. Any truth to that, or was he just trying to sell me what he had in stock?

 

[nyone]

With 2ac of lawn to mow i would be looking at a zero turn not a slow to mow lawn tractor. Why even collect the leaves? I have been mulching mine in for 2 years and by the first snow fall you wont even see the bits under the grass.

 

[IrishStout]

If buying an L2501, why not package that with a Kubota garden tractor and try to leverage a better deal. If not, look into the X500 series. I've got an X580 purchased used and it is a good machine. I looked heavily at the top line Cub Cadets, read as much as possible online, and watched any youtube video I could find. I did not get a good feeling for longevity. As a matter of fact, my last visit to a dealer to look at the Cub, there was a used XT3 for sale outside that had been returned 1 week after purchase. Did not instill confidence.

 

[airbiscuit]

Good Plan!