Mowing Small tractor for mowing 1acre.

[Soundguy]

A neighbore down the road uses a 1300 with a 4' bushhog to do his 4 ac. peice. He cuts it every 2 weeks, and it almost looks like it has been cut with a finish mower, because he keeps up with it so good. The other neighbor a little farther down has a 1500 and a 5' finish mower for his 1ac peice.


I was using my 1700 for 3ac until I got 2 other tractors to fight over it, then had to go and add some more land to ballance it all out.

If you can find something like a 186 you should be in good shape. The american # will better ensure you replacement parts in the years to come. You will probably pay less than the 4k for a small yannie and mower. Good luck.

Soundguy

 

[MarkStewart]

Thanks for replies, I think the yanmar might actually be overkill for just mowing the lawn. But I can see many other uses for it also. Also I definately don't need something over 20 hp. Probably be ok with 13-16 pto. I was also considering putting chains on it and doing some snow repositioning on my 100' driveway. BTW what's a 186? Newer fx series? Probably costs alot more?

 

[pruntyc]

It might be kind of over kill, as you say. But you might also think of how long it will last. A whole lot longer than a lawn tractor. and will do a lot more too. I've been both routes so I know, these lawn tractors are OK for a very few years and then they are done. But the Yanmar will just keep on ticking as they say.

 

[DavesTractor]

A 186 refers to a YM186, which is a US model of about 18HP built between 1980 and 1982, if my chart is correct.

Many people make the mistake of buying a fairly expensive lawn "tractor" by Craftsman, etc, when they really could use a small tractor. Most people will wear out such a machine in just a few hundred hours, and will be replacing parts and welding things up before then.

A real tractor, even a small one, will last a lifetime with good care, and will retain it's value.

I will admit though, I mow the lawn right around the house with a Snapper rider and bagger. Everything beyond that gets mowed with a tractor.

Check out the F-7 I just got in. I just took it out of the container and haven't even put all the lugnuts on the wheels yet. 16.5 PTO HP, about 20 at the engine, rear tilt, 3-cylinder, under the hood hidden muffler, very neat little rig.

Dave

 

[Soundguy]

Sweet looking F-7. And ditto on the lawn tractor. My neighbor just across the street just bought a big huskie... paid nearly 3k for it... I paid just less than that for my 8N.. and equal to that for my yanmar.
I just can't see putting lotsa money into a lawn mower. Mind you I do use a cheaper little murry 12.5hp / 42" ( on sale from wallymart 3ys ago for 699 + tax ) to cut right around the house, but use the tractor / bushhog for the pastures.

I couldn't pass up the rider for that price.. and when the mower deck wears out.. I'll tinker with it and convert it to some kind ok little utility vehicle..

Soundguy

 

[jimstractors]

I agree with Dave. My neighbor thought that a 1401d with a new loader, new 3pt and box, used tiller was too much at $6500. She has 2.5 acres with horse arena and stalls. So she went out and bought a new Craftsman riding mower/"tractor" for around $4000. But now she has to hand dump the manure in a trash dumpster because she has no loader. She also has to dig the pee holes out by hand, plus shes wearing the thing out dragging the arena smooth. When we get a good snow this winter, I will go dig her out.

 

[gws]

Re: Small tractor for mowing 1acre.

As much as I like my yanmar, The 1500-1800 series yanmar is just to big for a 1 acre plot. Were talking about 200x200ft piece of land. Now a smaller 1100 or maybe even a 1300 might work, but they might even be to big. If the back blade is is maybe item, I would suggest a GOOD garden tractor/mower and hire out the maybe back blade work.

Pircewise, figure 3k and up for yanmar tractor, another $1 and up for a finish mower. You can get a good new lawn tractor for #4k+ and a nice used garden tractor.

Depending on what obsticals are on the land, the finish mower and larger yanmar are not a good fit. A few trees and a nice flower garden are at risk with such a large combo.

 

[pruntyc]

Re: Small tractor for mowing 1acre.

Yes, he is right about that. But you might check and see if a belly mower might be available for a small Yanmar. They will sure out last a lawn or garden tractor by a long ways. I would check and see if you can find a small Yanmar, 1100 to 1400 that you could get a belly mower to go with it.

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Small tractor for mowing 1acre.

I've got a neighbor that mows 4ac with his 1300 and a 4' mower... looks great!

Soundguy

 

[gbirky]

Re: Small tractor for mowing 1acre.

I have a YM1301D that I put a YMM-45 belly mower on. You can take a look at it on <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/gregbirkymustang/>my website</A>. I also attached a photo here. The YMM-45 was the OEM belly mower for the YM135, YM155, and YM155D (the gray equivalents are the YM1100, YM1300, and YM1300D respectively). It runs off an electric clutch on the front of the tractor.

The 1301D is still a pretty big machine at 1300 lb. I also have two YM1110D's. I plan to put a belly mower on one at some point, but I hear they will pull a 4' finish mower. The 1110D weighs in at about 900 lb, and is no bigger than a garden tractor. And whats better is it has a powershift transmission!

If you get a YM1401D, then the Woods 348 belly mower would be the OEM mower for the closest US Yanmar, the YM169D. I know where there is a 348, but it doesn't have the front pto electric clutch.