Mowing Tractor

SKOALMAN · Feb 21, 2005

Hi All!
Don't want to make this a long post. But saw spencer200 post about "too many TC24's" and No Interest for 48 months. I recently bought a 2003 TN65 with Bush Hog Loader. I have this tractor for the 27 acres of Farm land to take care of.

What I now need is a mowing tractor. I have about 3 acres of hilly East Tennessee yard to take care of. My Dad mowed this place with a JD LT240 with a 50 inch deck. Takes 4 hours Non-Stop to mow and that is not including doing the trim. There are 3 extremely steep banks on the place that requires mowing as part of the yard. My Dealer saw the yard and he recommended to stay away from the Zero-Turn Mowers and to go with a TZ24DA for the yard. I have a 10 and 8 year old daughters and now am learning the worries a parent goes through because thinking of one of my "angels" on those steep banks or my city slicker wife just scares me to death. Of course it will be a couple of years for the kids, but the time is coming.

These are my thoughts:

1. 90% of task is to mow 3 acres of Yard (TN65 for everything else!)

2. Want 4WD to make it safer and easier!

3. Want a ROPS

4. Want a MMM as the yard is NOT mower friendly today!

5. Tried HYDRO and that is the "Cats Meow" for a yard machine! Really Smooth fast and surprising for an ole Gear head!

6. Looking for a "Quality Cut" mower, Not Golf Course but something that doesn't leave streaks or tear up yard too bad!

7. Looking for a Quality Machine that will still be around 20 years from now (With Good maintenance practices)

I have tried out the Kubota 2230 and the TZ24 at the Dealer and both are "FINE" tractors. Never been on a HYDRO and that is so smooth. I looked at the MF GC2300 and again another fine tractor. But IF I could get a little more tractor such as the TC24DA would you do it????????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I would take any of the previously mentioned I guess the only one I did not try is the JD2210. I am sure that the Sub-Cut would be more than adequate for the tasks that I have. But I could get the TC24DA (Little more tractor) and wondered what the thoughts were of others here and maybe recommendations. I have PM'd a couple and believe that the TZ or B series would "Get it Done" . But Zero % for 48 months is very attractive and thought maybe someone could share thoughts and maybe been through this decision making process and could share what worked for them! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks!

Inspector507 · Feb 21, 2005

The TZ will be o a smaller frame and some where around 400lbs lighter than a TC if that makes any difference.

hazmat · Feb 21, 2005

For 90% mowing, I'd get a subcompact - New Holland or other. There are many Kubota BX's out there - good chance of getting a deal on a used one to save some $$$.

hazmat · Feb 21, 2005

For 90% mowing, I'd get a subcompact - New Holland or other. There are many Kubota BX's out there - good chance of getting a deal on a used one to save some $$$.

pekabu · Feb 21, 2005

I own a TC24d. It's a lot of tractor for just mowing. It's a higher than a TZ series which I think it doesn't make it the best choice for you. If the weight isn't a problem, maybe you can try one out? It's a great tractor though, but I think a sub compact would be a better choice since you have a utility tractor to do everything else.

jinman · Feb 22, 2005

Skoalman, I think you know what you want to do, but let me play "devil's advocate" and suggest a different plan.

You already have a tractor with loader and 3PH implements. Any additional implements you buy will probably be for that tractor. Why buy another tractor and pay for a 3PH if all you are going to do is mow? Will you end up with two sets of implements that do the same things, but are different sizes for both tractors?

The 0% interest is very tempting, but I would not buy more tractor than I needed for that reason.

You are talking about your kids getting bigger and helping you with the mowing. I can go down to Tractor Supply and buy four HST Cub Cadet mowers with 50" decks for the price of one TC24. I'm not suggesting 4 mowers, but I am suggesting two. Two people can get the mowing job done in half the time of one person. So if it took your Dad four hours. Wouldn't two people on two mowers be able to get the job done in about 2 hours?

What if one of the mowers breaks down? You still have one working mower while the other gets fixed.

I don't think Cub Cadets come with ROPS, but with a wide deck and low center of gravity, you won't be nearly as likely to roll one of those as a sub-compact tractor.

I'm not sure what I'd do, but I just wanted to suggest a different option. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif