Rookie 101 Question - Garden Mower vs. Tractor

TxSteve · Dec 12, 2005

Great Blessed Day everyone,

2 Questions
1. Garden Mower or Tractor
2. Tractor as mower only or front loader

History - Area
My wife and I are moving to a small 3 acre tract of land and placing a double wide on it. The land is smooth with good dirt very few rocks. Almost no trees. Looking for something to use to mow. No hills to climb. Will make the move to Bertram Texas October 2006 - researching now...

Local Hardware Mass Merchant
Pro: 1,500-3,500k - not bad price for novice investment
Con: Riding mowers claim usefulness up to 3 acres. However, it seems that while they can mow it, I anticipate that will be there all day doing it. No front loader

Tractor
Pro: Can get 5 to 6ft shredder and front loader attachments
Con: Can't seem to find one new for under $8500 w/front loader

Has anyone purchased a tractor with a front loader that really did not want it and then found that they can't live without it? Just wondering how often you use the loader. I am attempting to justify spending another 3k should I go the tractor route.

beenthere · Dec 12, 2005

By all means, tractor with FEL. Double the money double the fun. (buy more acres to use it on). /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

KubotaSteve · Dec 12, 2005

I had always wanted a loader, and when I finally got one I don't know I ever managed without one. It will more than pay for itself when you go to move mulch for landscaping, stone for driveway, etc.
The other downside on lawn tractors is that they can wear out fast and are not built as strong as a tractor.
Definitely get the loader.

RobS · Dec 12, 2005

I can't think of anyone ever buying a front loader and regretting it. On the other hand, many people have tractors without them and are happy. If you've ever used one you'll want one but if not you may not miss what you don't have. Only you can decide /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ronjhall · Dec 12, 2005

Welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
If you plan on spending a few years on the 3 acres. You will not go wrong purchasing a tractor with FEL. Of course its more than just the tractor. You will need attachments and then someplace to store them and the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
A 60" mower on a tractor should be able to cut about 2 acres per hour. Depending on how smooth the lawn is.

TxSteve · Dec 12, 2005

THank you for the response. That is what I am going to tell my wife! It will double our fun, giving us more time to enjoy other things in lieu of spending all day mowing...

TxSteve · Dec 12, 2005

( I can't think of anyone ever buying a front loader and regretting it. On the other hand, many people have tractors without them and are happy. If you've ever used one you'll want one but if not you may not miss what you don't have. Only you can decide /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Good comment. I'm a bit of a techie and that is along the lines of what I tell people.

Example: If all you use is dial up, you may be happy and not need anything else. However, once you use DSL...you will never go back.

TxSteve · Dec 12, 2005

( Welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
If you plan on spending a few years on the 3 acres. You will not go wrong purchasing a tractor with FEL. Of course its more than just the tractor. You will need attachments and then someplace to store them and the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
A 60" mower on a tractor should be able to cut about 2 acres per hour. Depending on how smooth the lawn is.
)

That's like the miniblind story... In essence it goes something like this..

My wife wanted new blinds. So we installed a nice faux wood set in our study. Suddenly the walls were ugly and needed new paint, then the blinds needed a window treatment to match the new wall color, then the carpet needed to be replaced and so on and so on.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

That's great to hear about the 2hr time. And raises a question. I see many sites offering a 5 foot and 6 foot shredder. Why the two sizes. It seems logical that you would want the larger size to mow faster. Are there issues with maintenance or hp?

Or are the two sizes offered simply for folks that may have trees/shrubs to content with.

Farmwithjunk · Dec 12, 2005

Several random thoughts...

Garden tractor. Now there's a vague term. If that's a name brand, top-of-the-line garden tractor, it could be something. If it's a stamped-steel, throw-away, low dollar "lawn mower/garden tractor", well, save your money.

There's a huge difference with-in this broad generalization. To me, a real garden tractor could pull a small plow, or run a tiller, or some other usefull purpose besides just cutting grass. AND it would be substantial enough to hold up to that sort of use for a fair amount of time.

A "riding lawn mower" or even a real "garden tractor" can only be counted on for so long, to do chores beyond their intended capabilities. With your land being recently purchased, and probably in a rough state as far as a lawn goes, you will turn a garden tractor loose on it's ultimate test AT THE BEGINNING OF IT'S LIFE. That takes a few years off of the expected life, plus puts you into the "middle" of it's life after torturing it for a few years.

Not the "best case scenario" in my book.

I'd opt for "over-kill" at first. Even if you decide to sell off the bigger tractor in a few years, after you have your lawn established, they (bigger tractors) hold a great re-sale value, as they hold up under use (and even Abuse) better than their smaller counterparts.

Imagine life without sliced bread. Think of no more shirt pockets. There's what life with-out a loader is like AFTER you've owned one. They are all that AND a bag of chips!

If it were me, I'd look around for a small to mid-sized USED tractor (or COMPACT tractor) with a loader at a fair price. (They are out there) You can get in the game without breaking the bank that way. Use it for a few years, then re-evaluate your circumstances. You may want to sell it and buy a lawn (garden) tractor, or you may be like 99% of the REST of us, and looking for more/bigger tractors!

TxSteve · Dec 12, 2005

( Several random thoughts...

Garden tractor. Now there's a vague term. If that's a name brand, top-of-the-line garden tractor, it could be something. If it's a stamped-steel, throw-away, low dollar "lawn mower/garden tractor", well, save your money.) I was leaning towards the "You get what you pay for" line of thinking. Thank you that helps confirm that.

(
I'd opt for "over-kill" at first. Even if you decide to sell off the bigger tractor in a few years, after you have your lawn established, they (bigger tractors) hold a great re-sale value, as they hold up under use (and even Abuse) better than their smaller counterparts. ) That's a great idea. I had not looked at it from that perspective. Thank you.

(
Imagine life without sliced bread. Think of no more shirt pockets. There's what life with-out a loader is like AFTER you've owned one. They are all that AND a bag of chips!
) he-he.. I like it!

(
If it were me, I'd look around for a small to mid-sized USED tractor (or COMPACT tractor) with a loader at a fair price. (They are out there) You can get in the game without breaking the bank that way. Use it for a few years, then re-evaluate your circumstances. You may want to sell it and buy a lawn (garden) tractor, or you may be like 99% of the REST of us, and looking for more/bigger tractors! )

Thank you that's good stuff!