conkli48
Bronze Member
I am by no means an expert, but I went through a similar situation in the last 2 years myself.
I have 4.5 acres, 1.5 acres pasture, 2 acres woods, 1 acre yard. Have two horses, 2 pigs, 10 chickens.
First off,
1. Nicer lawn tractor with 46 deck or larger with snowplow blade (probably $3500
>>>>>I tried to do this got a husqavarna with attractive financing 0% at 4 years, got a 52 inch deck garden tractor variety, with locking rear end. It is nice and does more than i could ask of it, but i have a circle drive that is all slanted and on hill, it makes it hard to justify using a plow with the lawn mower. The plows are not cheap, similar to cost of a rear blade 3pt attachment. I used this to haul a wagon for manure for horses and to mow. I still shoveled at this point.
2. Zero turn 46-50 deck $3000 so need to add plow to my truck for driveway. Plow = $1000-1500 new.
>>>>> To be honest, I never considered a zero turn. I got my mower to try snow removal and other chores. Zero turns mow nice, but that is all they do well.
3. New Compact utility tractor (25hp, 60 + belly mower, loader, and plow ($14,000 plus) not feasible in 2017 or 2018... maybe 2019
4. Old small tractor from 70痴 or 80痴 or some decade with a pull behind finish mower attachment. ($3000-$8000?)
>>>>>Here is where my story takes a turn. I wanted a tractor for snow, so I luckily had access to an old tractor of my dads a yanmar ym1500 a 1970s diesel 18 hp tractor, no loader. But had good 3 pt and was going to use a blade and maybe plow up a garden. It didnt run i knew it needed work. I put 500 dollars into new starter and new front tires and battery. I was able to get it running well last summer and drove it around, didnt really have any attachments yet. Then it started getting cold and before i got into buying a blade, i wanted to make sure it would start reliably in the winter. All **** broke loose, Ignition switch went out while cranking, so i didnt buy a blade and shoveled for awhile, i tried again on a warmer day. No go. it started leaking from rear axle seal, fron crankcase cover, and fuel line. It kind of sucked. I was disheartened. Got through winter, warmer than usual not as much snow. Started to look at tractors in the spring. Decided to sell the yanmar and save some money up for another tractor, looked at used ones on craigslist and roadside. Was looking at kubotas or and old ford 8n or something for around 2 to 3000, Well kubotas for whatever reason people think a 1980s b is still worth 9000 dollars and i really would like loader which jacked up price on most used. So i started looking at new tractors, got quotes, on a kubota b and L and got quote on kioti ck series, as well as massey ferguson, (didnt look at john deere to rich for my blood), mahindra, new holland, LS,Branson, and more. Some where comparable but due to dealers being close i narrowed it down to kubota and kioti. I thought of a subcompact bx or cs(kioti). But decided if i ever move i dont want to outsize my tractor upon getting more property. Moved on to the kubota b and the kioti ck 2510. These are comparable size, handy good size for property capable and can lift more as well as have mid mount mower options. I didnt need a mid mount mower as i had a great mower, so I could save some money by jumping up in size to the larger frame compacts. I was down to the L2501 kubota and CK 2610H kioti. These where substantially beefier in all ways, motors are bigger displacement but tuned down to be below emissions requirements. So i decided i would like the larger frame to better suit myself for future use.( both these lines can have bigger motors with more hp but cost more) I got a qoute of 20000 for the l2501, It was a little high for my blood, thats before tax. I went to kioti dealer and got a quote for 16500 before tax. The kioti also offered 6 year 0% intrest with 6 year warranty. (better than what kubota was offering at the time). So i went with it and got the CK2610 Kioti. I have had it for a month, put 8 hours on it so far. Use it for cleaning stalls, plowed up garden, cleaned up pasture, hauled wood in my woods to campfire and cleared out a new trail. Used to move mulch around. I plan on adding gravel in front of barn as well as keep up general maintenance. Have not been through a snow season with it but i am sure i will love it.
Moral of the story is, I originally went with a garden tractor, quickly realized it didnt meet my needs. Now i could have bought a lighter yard tractor to mow with and saved alot of money, but what is done is done. But I have found so many uses for the tractor and am happy I went with it. Every land owner I have talked to that got a compact tractor says they wish they bought one years ago and said they will never go without. They are expensive long term investments. But you will find a use for them. Also with attractive finiancing, it really isnt too bad, I put zero down 6 year 0% interest. my payment is like 240 a month. And that is the bigger frame tractor line. a subcompact, i think would suit you well. they are capable and even if you wanted more, it will be more capable than a mower,zero turn, or old tractor without loader. You also get the whole tractor hobby that goes with it. I spend time looking for deals on implements i may want. Cleaning it, and working it. It is fun, my wife said motor cycle or a tractor, not both. I will never look back now and regret my decision.
I have 4.5 acres, 1.5 acres pasture, 2 acres woods, 1 acre yard. Have two horses, 2 pigs, 10 chickens.
First off,
1. Nicer lawn tractor with 46 deck or larger with snowplow blade (probably $3500
>>>>>I tried to do this got a husqavarna with attractive financing 0% at 4 years, got a 52 inch deck garden tractor variety, with locking rear end. It is nice and does more than i could ask of it, but i have a circle drive that is all slanted and on hill, it makes it hard to justify using a plow with the lawn mower. The plows are not cheap, similar to cost of a rear blade 3pt attachment. I used this to haul a wagon for manure for horses and to mow. I still shoveled at this point.
2. Zero turn 46-50 deck $3000 so need to add plow to my truck for driveway. Plow = $1000-1500 new.
>>>>> To be honest, I never considered a zero turn. I got my mower to try snow removal and other chores. Zero turns mow nice, but that is all they do well.
3. New Compact utility tractor (25hp, 60 + belly mower, loader, and plow ($14,000 plus) not feasible in 2017 or 2018... maybe 2019
4. Old small tractor from 70痴 or 80痴 or some decade with a pull behind finish mower attachment. ($3000-$8000?)
>>>>>Here is where my story takes a turn. I wanted a tractor for snow, so I luckily had access to an old tractor of my dads a yanmar ym1500 a 1970s diesel 18 hp tractor, no loader. But had good 3 pt and was going to use a blade and maybe plow up a garden. It didnt run i knew it needed work. I put 500 dollars into new starter and new front tires and battery. I was able to get it running well last summer and drove it around, didnt really have any attachments yet. Then it started getting cold and before i got into buying a blade, i wanted to make sure it would start reliably in the winter. All **** broke loose, Ignition switch went out while cranking, so i didnt buy a blade and shoveled for awhile, i tried again on a warmer day. No go. it started leaking from rear axle seal, fron crankcase cover, and fuel line. It kind of sucked. I was disheartened. Got through winter, warmer than usual not as much snow. Started to look at tractors in the spring. Decided to sell the yanmar and save some money up for another tractor, looked at used ones on craigslist and roadside. Was looking at kubotas or and old ford 8n or something for around 2 to 3000, Well kubotas for whatever reason people think a 1980s b is still worth 9000 dollars and i really would like loader which jacked up price on most used. So i started looking at new tractors, got quotes, on a kubota b and L and got quote on kioti ck series, as well as massey ferguson, (didnt look at john deere to rich for my blood), mahindra, new holland, LS,Branson, and more. Some where comparable but due to dealers being close i narrowed it down to kubota and kioti. I thought of a subcompact bx or cs(kioti). But decided if i ever move i dont want to outsize my tractor upon getting more property. Moved on to the kubota b and the kioti ck 2510. These are comparable size, handy good size for property capable and can lift more as well as have mid mount mower options. I didnt need a mid mount mower as i had a great mower, so I could save some money by jumping up in size to the larger frame compacts. I was down to the L2501 kubota and CK 2610H kioti. These where substantially beefier in all ways, motors are bigger displacement but tuned down to be below emissions requirements. So i decided i would like the larger frame to better suit myself for future use.( both these lines can have bigger motors with more hp but cost more) I got a qoute of 20000 for the l2501, It was a little high for my blood, thats before tax. I went to kioti dealer and got a quote for 16500 before tax. The kioti also offered 6 year 0% intrest with 6 year warranty. (better than what kubota was offering at the time). So i went with it and got the CK2610 Kioti. I have had it for a month, put 8 hours on it so far. Use it for cleaning stalls, plowed up garden, cleaned up pasture, hauled wood in my woods to campfire and cleared out a new trail. Used to move mulch around. I plan on adding gravel in front of barn as well as keep up general maintenance. Have not been through a snow season with it but i am sure i will love it.
Moral of the story is, I originally went with a garden tractor, quickly realized it didnt meet my needs. Now i could have bought a lighter yard tractor to mow with and saved alot of money, but what is done is done. But I have found so many uses for the tractor and am happy I went with it. Every land owner I have talked to that got a compact tractor says they wish they bought one years ago and said they will never go without. They are expensive long term investments. But you will find a use for them. Also with attractive finiancing, it really isnt too bad, I put zero down 6 year 0% interest. my payment is like 240 a month. And that is the bigger frame tractor line. a subcompact, i think would suit you well. they are capable and even if you wanted more, it will be more capable than a mower,zero turn, or old tractor without loader. You also get the whole tractor hobby that goes with it. I spend time looking for deals on implements i may want. Cleaning it, and working it. It is fun, my wife said motor cycle or a tractor, not both. I will never look back now and regret my decision.
In my case it's probably better that I bought the tractor first. Once my wife saw how long the mowing took, there was less resistance to getting a faster mower. I work enough as it is without spending my free time mowing. My wife is also scared of the tractor but is less intimidated by the mower. That way I can get some help with the yard work... at least on the flat areas.
