Comparison lawn tractor or atv mower for mixed, rough terrain

[bluelou]

Site: I'm new to the world of outdoor power equipment and I just bought a place with 2 ac of very hilly and uneven grass plus 28 ac of mountainous woods with old logging trails.

Goal: Keep grass relatively short, maintain trails, medium-duty gardening.

Equipment: I'm not sure if a heavier duty lawn tractor like a Simplicity Legacy XL or Cub Cadet XT3 is an appropriate solution. Or, if I should consider an ATV/UTV with a pull mower. I'm undecided on the need for a PTO for attachments. Checklist likely includes 4WD, a strong frame, and lower center of gravity.

Mostly, I think I want something that will keep the grass shorter (doesn't have to look perfect), can pull a bucket, handle mowing rough, uneven hills, and ride very hilly trails for maintenance purposes. Other attachments like a front-end loader would be nice to have but aren't on the shopping list for this year. Maybe this is too much to ask for in a single piece of equipment. I'd appreciate any guidance.

Thx in advance,
Lou

P.S. Budget w/o PTO is +/- $6k-7k, With PTO +/- $10k-11k

 

[silvertramp]

I think you need a real tractor. 30 HP, 4x4, with a loader for starters.

 

[s219]

Those lawn mowers will definitely not cut it on rough terrain -- poor ground clearance, poor tires, light construction. I wouldn't go any smaller than something sized like a Kubota B series. Even a BX is probably not enough.

 

[bluelou]

Those lawn mowers will definitely not cut it on rough terrain -- poor ground clearance, poor tires, light construction. I wouldn't go any smaller than something sized like a Kubota B series. Even a BX is probably not enough.

Thank you, both, for your replies. I know this is a tractor site and not an ATV site but based on your replies I'm wondering now if an ATV/UTV isn't the better way to go. I can get a new Yamaha Kodiak 4WD ATV for $6300 + tow-behind trail mower for +/- $2k and be way under the $14-15k or so I'm seeing for the Kubota B 2301. If anyone would like to tell me why the ATV solution is the wrong or right way to go in this case I'd appreciate it.

 

[groundcover]

Pretty sure you will need both ! I have a bush hog but do most of my mowing with the Kubota zero turn, holds the hills and mows through most anything . Don't have a rough cut mower for the RTV but wouldn't want to be without it for everything else.

 

[CDennyRun]

For $11k you can find a good used compact utility tractor 25-30hp, with 4x4 and loader, and probably with a brush hog. You then have something that you can do just about ANYTHING with. If you spend $8300 on a new ATV and mower, you can only mow, and scoot up trails.

I tractor has a million uses, and will save you so much back pain it's not even funny. With that kind of acreage you're going to need one anyway.

Chris

 

[Citydude]

You really, really need a tractor for 30 acres of woods and grass to manage. Your asking a lot out of an atv however given your budget, sounds like you have no choice. Welcome to TBN!

 

[bluelou]

You really, really need a tractor for 30 acres of woods and grass to manage. Your asking a lot out of an atv however given your budget, sounds like you have no choice. Welcome to TBN!

Citydude,
It appears I wasn't clear in what I'm looking to accomplish. I'm just rough cut mowing 2 acres and maintaining existing trails on the other 28 ac. Not cutting new trails, not doing much else other than light-duty gardening.

Maybe I end up doing what groundcover mentioned previously and buy both. So, the ATV would become a toy and I'd buy a tractor. But, for now, I just don't want to spend the $15k. At least, I'm not there yet...

 

[silvertramp]

You'll be throwing your money away on a Garden Tractor and/or ATV. I bought my Yanmar 276D (27 engine hp), 4x4, loader for 6K. It's been basically bulletproof for 7 & 1/2 years.

 

[CDennyRun]

I got my 27hp 4x4 Ford 1715 with FEL and 5' brush hog for $8k. Low hours, and in amazing shape. I couldn't imagine life without it, and I only have three acres.

Chris