Need help finding a good lawn tractor??

[rb4410]

hello and welcome to TBN. i too have alot of hills and rough ground,i have an old JD 316 which works fairly well.it's a heavy machine but a little short on power by todays standards.i purchased a new JD X320 2 weeks ago and let me tell ya,what a nice machine.it is almost scary stable on these hills and will out manuever most other riding tractors out there.it will leave a 16" circle in the middle with the steering turned stop to stop which will get you around most obstacles in you're yard. i believe it weighs in around 800 lbs. and they offer a front mount 44" blade for it as well.i mow around 3acres and the first time i used it it only spun 2 1/2 hours on the hour meter. not bad ! not only does it cut nice it's fast too.i would highly recommend the X 320 to anyone.it's heavy enough to haul you're cart to and traction is not a concern. JD is running a program on the X series right now and it makes it very affordable. it does cost twice what the crapsman machines cost but there is a reason for that and one ride on either will confirm what i'm saying. the 320 is $3999. and the X300 is $2799. try one out at you're local JD dealer and remember,they also have a 30 day free ride on the X series so if you don't like it for any reason,return it,but you will absolutely love it !
good luck on you're choice /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[rb4410]

hello and welcome to TBN. i too have alot of hills and rough ground,i have an old JD 316 which works fairly well.it's a heavy machine but a little short on power by todays standards.i purchased a new JD X320 2 weeks ago and let me tell ya,what a nice machine.it is almost scary stable on these hills and will out manuever most other riding tractors out there.it will leave a 16" circle in the middle with the steering turned stop to stop which will get you around most obstacles in you're yard. i believe it weighs in around 800 lbs. and they offer a front mount 44" blade for it as well.i mow around 3acres and the first time i used it it only spun 2 1/2 hours on the hour meter. not bad ! not only does it cut nice it's fast too.i would highly recommend the X 320 to anyone.it's heavy enough to haul you're cart to and traction is not a concern. JD is running a program on the X series right now and it makes it very affordable. it does cost twice what the crapsman machines cost but there is a reason for that and one ride on either will confirm what i'm saying. the 320 is $3999. and the X300 is $2799. try one out at you're local JD dealer and remember,they also have a 30 day free ride on the X series so if you don't like it for any reason,return it,but you will absolutely love it !
good luck on you're choice /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[AZinOH]

"or I would need to but a snowblower attachment to put onto a tractor (not sure how expensive these snow blower attachments are). "

In many cases, the cost of a snowblower attachment for a tractor will equal or exceed the cost of a high-quality walk-behind snowblower. I use a 7hp Toro on a 160 ft gravel driveway and it handles a foot of snow very well. Your mileage may vary.

AZ

 

[AZinOH]

"or I would need to but a snowblower attachment to put onto a tractor (not sure how expensive these snow blower attachments are). "

In many cases, the cost of a snowblower attachment for a tractor will equal or exceed the cost of a high-quality walk-behind snowblower. I use a 7hp Toro on a 160 ft gravel driveway and it handles a foot of snow very well. Your mileage may vary.

AZ

 

[JohnSinVA]

coasterez laid out some good options including the JD 4x5 series. A couple of things to point out though. If you opt for an all wheel steer version you will NOT be able to outfit it with the JD loader. The way the mounting brackets are fitted to the tractor will interfere with the rear wheels when turning. Also, the 40 loader that fits to the 4x5 series is pretty light duty as far as lifting capacity. It'll scoop and move but if you want to load a pickup with topsoil you'll likely be disappointed. The 4x5 will take rear pto and 3ph, and I am fairly certain the cat 1 hitch from the X-series can be fitted to the 4x5 without modification.

With your budget, consider looking for a JD 318. They can be regularly found in good condition for around 2K. They have full hydraulics and can be fitted with FEL, rear pto, and 3ph (Cat 0). They are hydrostatic, but the hydro is lever controlled on the dash. They also have individual rear brakes which allow for tighter turns.

 

[JohnSinVA]

coasterez laid out some good options including the JD 4x5 series. A couple of things to point out though. If you opt for an all wheel steer version you will NOT be able to outfit it with the JD loader. The way the mounting brackets are fitted to the tractor will interfere with the rear wheels when turning. Also, the 40 loader that fits to the 4x5 series is pretty light duty as far as lifting capacity. It'll scoop and move but if you want to load a pickup with topsoil you'll likely be disappointed. The 4x5 will take rear pto and 3ph, and I am fairly certain the cat 1 hitch from the X-series can be fitted to the 4x5 without modification.

With your budget, consider looking for a JD 318. They can be regularly found in good condition for around 2K. They have full hydraulics and can be fitted with FEL, rear pto, and 3ph (Cat 0). They are hydrostatic, but the hydro is lever controlled on the dash. They also have individual rear brakes which allow for tighter turns.

 

[garchib]

Gatorboy, why would you not recommend Sears ? I have several family members who have owned them for years without so much as a fart or hiccup. I think they are great lawn / garden tractors for the buck.

 

[garchib]

Gatorboy, why would you not recommend Sears ? I have several family members who have owned them for years without so much as a fart or hiccup. I think they are great lawn / garden tractors for the buck.

 

[Fordlords]

We have kicked around our little Craftsman LT with 42" deck and 16 HP Kohler Command engine for the light mowing and yard tasks around the house for over 10 years and as was stated without a fart or hiccup. It has been a very decent little tractor in the, "inexpensive," category, which was the original intent of it. The light tasks have been mowing one acre of yard with a tow behind sweeper and pulling a utility cart with rocks, tree branches, etc. That is has lasted 10 years has amazed me, but it's even still got a few more to go. Only parts bought for it gave been a few of the springs for the deck brake mechanism, new blades a few times, and maintenance items.

It sure helps others if one posts a response on something that they at least take the time to back that post up with some facts or opinions of their own as to why they do or don't recommend it /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

-Fordlords-

 

[Fordlords]

We have kicked around our little Craftsman LT with 42" deck and 16 HP Kohler Command engine for the light mowing and yard tasks around the house for over 10 years and as was stated without a fart or hiccup. It has been a very decent little tractor in the, "inexpensive," category, which was the original intent of it. The light tasks have been mowing one acre of yard with a tow behind sweeper and pulling a utility cart with rocks, tree branches, etc. That is has lasted 10 years has amazed me, but it's even still got a few more to go. Only parts bought for it gave been a few of the springs for the deck brake mechanism, new blades a few times, and maintenance items.

It sure helps others if one posts a response on something that they at least take the time to back that post up with some facts or opinions of their own as to why they do or don't recommend it /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

-Fordlords-

 

[garchib]

I like the Sears L & G line and think they offer a good "bang for the buck", however, lately they seem to be right in line with the low-end Toro, Cub Cadet and JD tractors. I am not sure which one to buy as my second rig, as there are so many options

 

[garchib]

I like the Sears L & G line and think they offer a good "bang for the buck", however, lately they seem to be right in line with the low-end Toro, Cub Cadet and JD tractors. I am not sure which one to buy as my second rig, as there are so many options

 

[jd2210]

I like the used 400 series deere idea. It would have enough frame weight for pushing snow and would easily handle your mowing with ease.

Strictly as a rule of thumb, if you looking for a quality mower anything with a Kawasaki engine will be faily well built. Generally as the quality of the deck, frame, steering components etc go up usually the engine quality goes up as well.

My personal preference would be to stay away from MTD products (Cub Cadet, MTD, Yardman, etc) in part because of quality and in parts because of poor parts support. I'm not trying to start an argument, just giving my opinion.

Simplicity/Massey Ferguson/Snapper builds some decent machines, and if you want to go Electrolux, Husqvarna gives good parts support.

If you are going to go with new remember that you ALWAYS get what you pay for. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jd2210]

I like the used 400 series deere idea. It would have enough frame weight for pushing snow and would easily handle your mowing with ease.

Strictly as a rule of thumb, if you looking for a quality mower anything with a Kawasaki engine will be faily well built. Generally as the quality of the deck, frame, steering components etc go up usually the engine quality goes up as well.

My personal preference would be to stay away from MTD products (Cub Cadet, MTD, Yardman, etc) in part because of quality and in parts because of poor parts support. I'm not trying to start an argument, just giving my opinion.

Simplicity/Massey Ferguson/Snapper builds some decent machines, and if you want to go Electrolux, Husqvarna gives good parts support.

If you are going to go with new remember that you ALWAYS get what you pay for. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jeffinsgf]

I am going to put in another vote for a used 4x5 and support it with a copy of a post I put up on the Weekend Freedom Machines forum a couple weeks ago:

In praise of the 455

A few weeks ago I asked about the towing capacity of the 455 in reference to pulling a pretty big spreader. One guy said not to pull anything heavier than the tractor. Another said that he had pulled a 4000 pound trailer with an X485. I decided to try it empty first and then see how much of a load of top dressing material I could safely add to the spreader. I am happy and proud to report that the 455 handled even a heaped up hopper of wet sand with no problems whatsoever. Those loads had to be pushing 2700 to 2800 pounds. When I was pointed downhill, all I had to do was ease off the hydro a little to slow down or stop. No slipping or sliding at all. Going uphill, I had to lean on the pedal a little, but it never stalled, slipped, or stopped.

Good thing, too. The spreader is a Turfco Mete-R-Matic II. I bought it off evilBay back in March, took it completely apart, cleaned everything, replaced what needed replacing and sprayed the whole thing JD Green. It lays down a perfectly even layer - 5 feet wide - of whatever you're spreading. I spread about a quarter inch of compost and then an eighth inch of sand on an acre of lawn. A hopper of compost lasted about 5 minutes and a hopper of sand lasted about 10. If I had been forced to use my big tractor for both filling and towing the spreader, it would have made for a very long day. With the 455 spreading and the 4410 filling, I got the whole thing done in about 3 hours.




Now the original poster is going to have a hard time getting a 425, 445, or 455 for "around 2k". But, he could probably find a serviceable 140 or maybe even a 318 for that kind of money, and personally, I would rather have that than a brand new 2k machine.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I am going to put in another vote for a used 4x5 and support it with a copy of a post I put up on the Weekend Freedom Machines forum a couple weeks ago:

In praise of the 455

A few weeks ago I asked about the towing capacity of the 455 in reference to pulling a pretty big spreader. One guy said not to pull anything heavier than the tractor. Another said that he had pulled a 4000 pound trailer with an X485. I decided to try it empty first and then see how much of a load of top dressing material I could safely add to the spreader. I am happy and proud to report that the 455 handled even a heaped up hopper of wet sand with no problems whatsoever. Those loads had to be pushing 2700 to 2800 pounds. When I was pointed downhill, all I had to do was ease off the hydro a little to slow down or stop. No slipping or sliding at all. Going uphill, I had to lean on the pedal a little, but it never stalled, slipped, or stopped.

Good thing, too. The spreader is a Turfco Mete-R-Matic II. I bought it off evilBay back in March, took it completely apart, cleaned everything, replaced what needed replacing and sprayed the whole thing JD Green. It lays down a perfectly even layer - 5 feet wide - of whatever you're spreading. I spread about a quarter inch of compost and then an eighth inch of sand on an acre of lawn. A hopper of compost lasted about 5 minutes and a hopper of sand lasted about 10. If I had been forced to use my big tractor for both filling and towing the spreader, it would have made for a very long day. With the 455 spreading and the 4410 filling, I got the whole thing done in about 3 hours.




Now the original poster is going to have a hard time getting a 425, 445, or 455 for "around 2k". But, he could probably find a serviceable 140 or maybe even a 318 for that kind of money, and personally, I would rather have that than a brand new 2k machine.

 

[jd2210]

Ditto

 

[jd2210]

Ditto

 

[JohnSinVA]

jeff that was me that told you not to exceed total ballasted weight of the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[JohnSinVA]

jeff that was me that told you not to exceed total ballasted weight of the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif