Newbie Needs Tractor Help?

Parker21 · Feb 4, 2004

I currently have a 1979 Wheel Horse C-81 lawn tractor that i use for lawn work. I would like to upgrade to something that I can still use as a lawn tractor, but would also provide snow removal. Here's the particulars: I live on 2.5 acres in Weston, CT. There is aprox 1.5 acres of lawn. My driveway is approximately 350', with short steep section of perhaps 10-12 percent grade (a rear-wheel drive vehicle will not make it up the drivaway if we get ANY snow or ice). We get on average around 35" of snow per year, although the last two years it's been closer to 60"

I'm currently paying aprox $1,200 per year for snow removal. I considered getting a plow for my truck, or a walk-behind such as the Honda HS1132, but I have space limitations (2 1/2 car garage), and cannot fit the Honda and the Wheel Horse.

Is there a good option out there, or should I just keep the wheel horse, and continue pay for plowing.

Thanks In Advance

SteveH_CT · Feb 4, 2004

Welcome to the board - There are several folks here from CT.

If you look through the various brand threads you'll see a lot of discussion about the various models out there. What is right for you depends on a lot of things, how much $$ you want to spend, what dealers are around you, and what your top priorities are. Besides getting a great tractor I wanted a great dealer - that was a top priority for me since I'm a very poor mechanic! I recommend you look at as many brands as possible. I've just bought a Deere 4310, but I found several brands that would have worked out just as well, Kioti and Kubota to name a couple. New Hollands look great, but the dealer near me was getting a lot of money for them. A NH comparable to the 4310 I bought was about $3000 more.

So have fun and look around - you're bound to find the right combination of dealer, price, and tractor performance.

Take Care,

jimg · Feb 4, 2004

So, you just want to mow and move snow? CUTS will do a lot more like loader work, grading, digging, tilling, etc. Do any of those tasks sound interesting? If not then a cost/cash flow analysis for the mowing/snow removal should give a good picture of which way to go. If so then Id rethink my task list (as well as you can) and start to visit local dealers for more info and some test rides. My place is about as big as yours and I settled on a TC24D. I'm doing improvements and need a loader for moving dirt/gravel/rocks/firewood/manure. I also need to mow, move snow, till, drag trees and grade.

Golfgar4 · Feb 4, 2004

( Is there a good option out there, or should I just keep the wheel horse, and continue pay for plowing.
)

Sure there's good options out there for you. You just need to go out there and find them. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Based on the limited information that you've supplied, the Kubota BX series machines or the New Holland Class I's would probably fit your needs very nicely. I think Massey now offers a similar sized machine also. Something in the 18 - 24 HP range would be a good fit.

But as Steve mentioned, take some time and review the many posts in the various forums. You can also use the search feature at the top of page when you have some specific questions to ask.

Enjoy your hunt! And welcome to TBN!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

zuiko · Feb 4, 2004

A garden tractor with snowblower would do the job if you didn't have a use for a loader or backhoe. It would pay for itself in no time at all with that kind of plowing bill. If you wanted a loader and hoe, the Kubota BX22 or the MF GC2310 would be good options.

jimg · Feb 4, 2004

"but I have space limitations (2 1/2 car garage), and cannot fit the Honda and the Wheel Horse. "

Almost missed this...if youre short on space now youll certainly be short if you acquire a tractor and implements...unless you put them all outside.

beenthere · Feb 4, 2004

I recall the good 'ol days with a Wheel Horse (1968 model, and really liked it). Now I have a different breed (animal) and really like it too.

This is my son removing snow.

RalphVa · Feb 4, 2004

A BX1500 with an FEL for snow removal and MMM for mowing would likely fit in your limited space. You just have to look at them and do the measurements.

A Gravely with front bush hog or perhaps a 40 or 50" finish mower deck and a 48" plow with tire chains would likely handle everything. You'd have to have the steering brakes to use it for mowing and use chains to have it work for snow plowing. It's not a woman's machine.

Ralph

44trxfun · Feb 4, 2004

I have the MF GC2300 (2310 w/o the backhoe). It's been a great tractor, with only a few limitations, but I haven't had it all that long. Do a search for my posts or feel free to contact me for more info. I echo the advice of finding a good dealer--might be more important than which tractor you select. Good luck with your search!

SacandagaBrad · Feb 4, 2004

( If not then a cost/cash flow analysis for the mowing/snow removal should give a good picture of which way to go. )

Don't forget the resale value on the CUTs. That was somewhat of a comfort zone for me when I was trying to justify a tractor. I'm not saying you're going to buy a new machine off the lot and then decide to sell 6 months later at a profit, but your not going to lose your shirt either. There have been a lot of discussions here about selling tractors for nearly what they were bought several years prior. Proper maintenance and they should last for a long time, the CUTs are built to withstand far more than most home owners dish out.

On snow removal - I would suggest a snow blower for whatever type of machine you decide on. Especially with the steep driveway, with the blower you are not pushing load, and you don't need to keep pushing the banks back for the next storm. Nice and neat, and the snow is gone. Even my TC24, with chains and loaded tires weighing over 2800 pounds with the loader, will kick sideways with the rear blade when scraping the heavy stuff. The blower (I have a rear mount) just cuts right through anything.

I also plan to mow with my machine, although I haven't had a chance yet since I just bought it in October. I have a mid mounted mower, and with the hydrostatic drive and tight turning radius, I think (hope) it will be as easy to mow with as my Gravely.

Bottom line is there are lots of options. I prefer not needing to rely on someone coming to take care of the road (ours is private and not plowed by the town). That piece of mind is worth a lot to me. I really bought more than I need, but on morning like today, I could make very quick work of 10" of heavy snow and get on with the day. In the few months I've owned my machine, I have used it for things I never even thought of while I was trying to decide whether or not to buy. Good luck and have fun shopping.

Brad

surfran · Feb 4, 2004

Sounds like a one of the following would do what you need and more if desired..........take your pick on favorite mfg/dealer/color etc.

Kubota BX Series (1500,1830,2230,23)
John Deere 2000 Series (2210) or 4000 Series.
Massey Fergusen GC2300, GC2310
New Holland's new TC/TZ? series

Of course many other options as well, but bottom line, half the fun is going out to the dealers and taking them for a test ride /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Can't beat that with a stick!

Good luck on your search, and welcome to the greatest tractor forum on EARTH!!! (at least I find it that way)

TBrown · Feb 4, 2004

There are a couple other subcompacts available now, besides those already mentioned. Cub Cadet has the 5000 series, and Simplicity has introduced their Legacy XL. I find it interesting that Simplicity, an AGCO company, could have saved themselves alot of trouble by simply rebadging the excellent Massey GC2300, but instead chose to beef up their existing Legacy model. It has a Shibaura front axle, and the deisel engine is a Diahatsu, rather than an Iseki.

If you're not too kean on diesels, the Cub and the Simplicity are the only two subcompacts I'm aware of that are available with a gas engine as well as a diesel. Diesels are obviously more fuel efficient and durable than gas motor, but not everyone is enamored with them. I have an old Bobcat 610 skid steer, gas job, with 2200 hours on the meter, and the meter hasn't worked in, well, I don't think its ever worked since I've owned it. If properly maintained, you can get a lot of life out of them. But certainly, diesels will last longer.

All of the subcompacts have a fairly small footprint, you'll probably find that you can fit them in your garage along with your car. It might be tight, though. "All right, everyone has to get out on the driver's side !!" /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

JerryG · Feb 4, 2004

TBrown,
AGCO re-badges Simplicity tractors as theirs, but AGCO doesn't own Simplicity. They are an independent company.Simplicity History

Shawangunk · Feb 5, 2004

Not sure what your budget is for the combined snow removal/lawn mowing upgrade - though here's another option:

Build a shed and buy a newer used garden tractor (14-20hp) with snowblower, 48" mower deck, wheel weights, chains (and other options) for under $5000.

What shape is the c-81 in? Is it 8hp? For sale?

AndyM · Feb 5, 2004

I bought my New Holland TC18 this past September and I love it!!! I cut my 3.6 acres of grass and I use the rear blade to plow 250 feet of driveway. The tractor also gets used for whatever else we can find for it!

I have a 20 by 20 garage and I have the tractor stored in there, along with the mower, the rear blade, my box blade, rear scoop, pallet forks, and middle buster all stored in there, right next to my wife's car.

Check out the attched photo... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

RalphVa · Feb 5, 2004

I've my Gravely in the smaller-doored side of my carriage house. It sits there with its snow plow on now, cart and sulky behind it and snow blower off to left of garage door and garden plow tucked under the stairs up to the attic. I stored the bush hog underneath my growing rack in the basement of the carriage house.

In the future, I plan to put the cart downstairs and the Gravely and (probably) BX1500 or 1800 with FEL and ballast in garage kinda end to end. Prolly will store the bigger bush hog downstairs, too.

Think almost any of the smaller sub compact tractors will replace your Wheel Horse and fit in there.

Ralph

Parker21 · Feb 5, 2004

Thanks everyone for the advice thus far; it's been very helpful. I guess next step is to check out some dealers; Kubota is only 5 miles away.

Price wise, I wanted to stay around $6k, but looks like that may be tough.

If I upgrade, I will be selling the Wheelhorse, and it's a beauty. It was in storage for the last 10+years; and is basically in brand-new condition. It has the Kohler 8 hp, the 36" deck, and the utility cart.

BillG_in_TX · Feb 5, 2004

Parker21,

I'm surprised no one has suggested Power-Trac yet! Where is FOURTEEN? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

They have a unit that starts at $4500. With 42" loader bucket, 48" mower deck and 48" snow blade, you're looking at about $6k. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Oh yeah, check out MossRoad's PT425 web page and the Power-Trac forum here on TBN.