PTO???

[MarkV]

SilverHawk congratulations on the land purchase and we will look forward to having you here in Georgia.

I don't care if you buy HST or Gear, I have both. [don't want to get greenmule going] You do owe it to yourself to try both. As far a repairability of one vs the other, if you are buying new for maintenance on a small tract of land the likely hood of having to work on either in your life time is very small.

I also understand your husbands desire for a backhoe, it is a guy thing, I have two. You do need to understand the limitations of the small backhoes that are used on compact tractors. It is unlikely you will do any major work on a pond with one unless it is drained and dries for a long time. They just don't have the reach to get more than a few feet from the bank. And, when you say develop a swampy area into a creek, I think stuck with a compact tractor. For a leach field you better investigate if the local authorities will allow you to install you own septic system. Many counties require you use a licensed septic installer. For water and power lines a day rental of a Ditchwith trencher will get it done faster and leave much less damage than a backhoe.

I am not saying don't get a backhoe but do understand the limitations before spending the big bucks.

Good luck,
MarkV

 

[greenmule]

Well,to be honest[now that I've stirred the gear verses hst pot good],they do have their uses[hst I mean of course],and for a newbie,might even be the thing.

Just taking up for the geared tractors with shuttle.And telling her the other side as best I can.

 

[SilverHawk]

MarkV, I totally forgot about a ditch witch!!! A few years back while in WA, a group of us put french drains in 24 paddocks in 2 days. Quite a handy machine. Thanks.

GreenMule, I appreciate your input on the geared tractors. I love the feel of the stick in the Jeep compared to our commuter car. There is a back to basics/ primal feel that just doesn't compare with anything else. I also acknowledge that I like the automatic for pulling a trailer.

Now, I know a tractor is not an automobile. That's where this lively discussion has helped me. Our place is fairly groomed all ready, almost park like. There will be a fair amount of clear mowing and then there is a fair amount of maintaining the path and area under the perimeter trees that will require a brush hog. We each have differing opinions based on preference and experience and that's exactly what I wanted. Thanks.

 

[greenmule]

Well good hunting. You'll know so much after reading all this stuff on here that the dealer will just say,yes mam!

 

[kthompson]

I think I read this fully but if I missed understood this forgive me: There is so much difference between a HST and auto auto transmission it is unreal. One very simple difference is YOU select the range with the HST or gear it is in.

I also join the crowd of owning both and agree each has advantages. My thoughts from using them: for plowing, spraying fields or pasture go gear. For mower work, (hay fields I would use gear) or loader work go HST. There is no way I can not take my HST and cut faster and/or have less turf damage than a gear model will. For any work where you need to change speeds or directions (Forward/reverse) to me HST is just best. For heavy pulling or steady speeds gear is best. Also, if you have any issue that limits your ability to work the clutch such as knee problem or such then HST can be best option.

Something don't think has been mentioned and very seldom is, try getting off of and on the tractors dress ever how you will when operating it. That rules out such as flip flops. Might seem odd but some tractors have levers and platforms that can catch your clothes or as one of my brother's tractors I was on last Saturday, easy on but a real pain to get off of. Had been a few years since last on it and forgot had bad to climb off of. You will also find some brands or models will have steps where they should be to find them as you climb off back wards and others you will have to hurt for them before stepping down. This also goes to trying the tractors as but some may have switch or levers where for you is just not comfortable. An uncomfortable work area will be work and not fun.

 

[Soundguy]

There is no way I can not take my HST and cut faster and/or have less turf damage than a gear model will. .

Hmm.. I'm not sure i see a direct corelation between tranny type and turf damage??

cut faster? I'll race ya.. you in your hst.. and me in my gear... target field 10ac open grass.. pasture.. can you beat 2 hours?

soundguy

 

[Altex]

...cut faster? I'll race ya.. you in your hst.. and me in my gear... target field 10ac open grass.. pasture.. can you beat 2 hours?
soundguy

Open grass pasture (probably flat in FL). The perfect contion for driving steady and straight. Sounds kind of boring guy.

But, if you have alot of obstacles, trees, rocky islands, slopes and patchy pasture where you have to go fwd and back often, Gear will definitly lose to HST.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Open grass pasture (probably flat in FL). The perfect contion for driving steady and straight. Sounds kind of boring guy.

But, if you have alot of obstacles, trees, rocky islands, slopes and patchy pasture where you have to go fwd and back often, Gear will definitly lose to HST.

You do not need a tractor for that work you need a ZTR. My neighbor runs Ferris ZTR's with 37 HP Kawasaki and a 72" deck. Does 7+ acres a hour at 80% efficiency. My place is 3 acres minus my house and drive and he did it in 36 minutes with lots of trees from off the trailer to on the trailer. I timed him because he charges by the hour. Takes me 1:20 minutes with my 28Hp Jinma and 6' Caroni Rear Discharge Finish Mower plus another 30 minutes to trim. But hey, I enjoy the seat time.

IS® 3100Z Series, Ferris® Industries, Zero-Turn, Riding Mowers, Ferris Mowers, Mowers, Mower, Commercial Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawnmowers, Suspension, Independent Suspension, Munsville New York, Syracuse, New York, Central New York, Mohawk Valley,

Only cost $14,000.00

Chris

 

[laen64]

Welcome to augusta GA. I'm a Bota man myself. Nothing against JD" but should you consider do See Zimmerman @ jenkins on Hwy 56 and let him know Larry said hi, He'll set you up with the just what you need

 

[Altex]

You do not need a tractor for that work you need a ZTR. My neighbor runs Ferris ZTR's with 37 HP Kawasaki and a 72" deck. Does 7+ acres a hour at 80% efficiency. My place is 3 acres minus my house and drive and he did it in 36 minutes with lots of trees from off the trailer to on the trailer. I timed him because he charges by the hour. Takes me 1:20 minutes with my 28Hp Jinma and 6' Caroni Rear Discharge Finish Mower plus another 30 minutes to trim. But hey, I enjoy the seat time.

ISｮ 3100Z Series, Ferrisｮ Industries, Zero-Turn, Riding Mowers, Ferris Mowers, Mowers, Mower, Commercial Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawnmowers, Suspension, Independent Suspension, Munsville New York, Syracuse, New York, Central New York, Mohawk Valley,

Only cost $14,000.00

Chris

That would be nice. But, I'm taking rough cutting, not finish mowing. Anyway, I don't think I can trade my 3PT Brush Hog for a $14K ZTR (unless you know someone). And I do need the tractor for other things.