Rookie 101 Question - Garden Mower vs. Tractor

TxSteve · Dec 12, 2005

( A lawn mower for 3 ac? yes it will do it. Yes it will take all day.. Yes you will need a new mower in 3ys.

My neighbor mows 3 ac with a jd riding mower. He replaced it once already since I've been there.

Soundguy )

I'm learning there are lawn mowers, garden mowers and tractors (sub compact, compact and reg.) Sounds like I am headed towards a sub or compact tractor.

BillG_in_TX · Dec 12, 2005

"... do you know anything about some place called Johns on 183 by a Shamrock station?" 

I used to have some property just NE of Seward Junction, and my father lived in Jolleyville, so I would drive up 183 quite often to the Liberty Hill area. That was a few years back, though, and Bill's Tractors wasn't even in Liberty Hill at that time. I would caution you against the Farm Pro roadside dealers unless you're real handy with a wrench.

There are some reputable dealers around that can provide some support, but I doubt "Johns" is one of them. The Mahindra dealer in Liberty Hill, on the other hand, is part of the BIG dealership in San Antonio, and they have a pretty good reputation.

unreconstructed · Dec 12, 2005

I used a wheelbarrow, grubbing hoe, and shovel for 20 years on less than 3 acres. My left hip hurts most of the time and my knees just ain't what they used to be. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Get the FEL. You'll save money, especially if Uncle Sam finally decides that Medicare is going to bankrupt the country and you end up having to pay for new knees instead of the taxpayers paying for them. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Besides, its a lot more fun to smell diesel than sweat. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

strokerduster · Dec 12, 2005

BERTRAM is world famous for rocks and speed traps. might run down to marble falls, big jd and big kubota dealer almost next to each other. make sure to take a towel to wipe the drool off the new machines............ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BillG_in_TX · Dec 12, 2005

Are the attachments generic enough to fit any mower? Do people buy one brand of tractor and then attachments from someone else? 

I think you meant "fit any tractor?", right? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Yes, most attachments are generic. Think of it like a computer. You can buy a computer and monitor and printer that all say Dell. Or you can buy a Dell computer and a Viewsonic monitor and a HP printer, and it will all work fine. You may save a little money one way or the other, just shop around.

"I'm learning there are lawn mowers, garden mowers and tractors ... " 

Actually, there are lawn mowers (walk behind), lawn tractors (light duty ride-on), garden tractors (heavier duty) and Real tractors (SubCUT, CUT, UT, Ag). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BillG_in_TX · Dec 12, 2005

" BERTRAM is world famous for rocks and speed traps" 

I've heard about the speed trap, but never had the "pleasure". On the other hand, I looked at some property near Oatmeal before I bought my current place, and it had the prettiest dirt I've seen west of I35. Now if you want to talk rocks, check this thread, or this picture of our future home site:

OK - Hijack completed. You may now return to your regularly scheduled discussion. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

rk246 · Dec 12, 2005

I have been using family tractors for years and decided that the fel is indespensible, I have only had my tractor for a couple of weeks now but definetely have put the fel to major use... it comes in handy for more things than you can think of...

flusher · Dec 12, 2005

With only 3 acres, you're almost certainly in the sub-CUT class (15-20HP) tractor.

I have a Kubota B7510HST with LA302 FEL for my 10 acres of flat land (few trees, mostly weeds). Bought it last May for $12,600 (10% down, 0% APR for 36 months). My new house will be finished by Christmas (1800 SF, 3BR/2BA, double wide on a permanent foundation).

Added
A King Kutter (KK) 48" box blade ($375 at Tractor Supply).
A KK 48" brush hog (rotary mower) ($675 at TSC)
A KK middle buster (potato plow)/sub-soiler ($139 at TSC)
A used Yanmar rototiller (48" wide) ($300 from local grey market tracter guy).

I find the FEL to be indispensible. I had the dealer weld three chain hooks onto the top of the bucket. That adds a lot to the FEL's usefulness. Without the FEL, the tractor is pretty much limited to pushing and pulling. You'll find that the lifting/toting capabilty of the FEL will be extremely useful.

If $8-9K is your pain threshold, you probably should be looking at a used tractor in the 15-20HP range with under 1000 hours on its clock. Everyone tells me that modern tractor diesels should run over 5000 hours before major maintenance.

strokerduster · Dec 12, 2005

YEP, those are some mighty good lookin rocks you got there bill. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

kevincook · Dec 13, 2005

I only have 4 acres and 30hp. I can see where some people might think this is overkill but for me it is perfect.

The last tractor I owned didn't have an FEL and I managed to get by with it. However, the FEL makes many projects significantly easier and faster. I would never buy another tractor without an FEL.

Good Luck,
Kevin