Small tractor or ATV and mower?

BamaRob · Jun 1, 2006

I feel the same way. My boys (11 and 16) keep wanting me to buy an ATV. I tell them, "Why? I can go anywhere I want on my tractor." I guess their point is they can't go anywhere they want on my tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

BR

BamaRob · Jun 1, 2006

I feel the same way. My boys (11 and 16) keep wanting me to buy an ATV. I tell them, "Why? I can go anywhere I want on my tractor." I guess their point is they can't go anywhere they want on my tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

BR

coasterez · Jun 1, 2006

The turning radius is also very poor on an ATV. They are cumbersome to change from forward to reverse. Aren't heavy enough either. You want to plow snow snow, move dirt, etc. buy a tractor or skid steer. You want to go anywhere, and do it fast get an ATV. An ATV is a poor snow plow and an even poorer loader. As for cutting grass... well if you already own an ATV then it might be cheaper to get a towed mower. But, in the long run you won't be satisfied.

coasterez · Jun 1, 2006

The turning radius is also very poor on an ATV. They are cumbersome to change from forward to reverse. Aren't heavy enough either. You want to plow snow snow, move dirt, etc. buy a tractor or skid steer. You want to go anywhere, and do it fast get an ATV. An ATV is a poor snow plow and an even poorer loader. As for cutting grass... well if you already own an ATV then it might be cheaper to get a towed mower. But, in the long run you won't be satisfied.

1bush2hog · Jun 2, 2006

You can certainly get by with mowing with an ATV, however, if you go that route I would suggest that you look at the Acrease mowers - they will cost you more than $2K.

Sounds like you would be better off buying or renting a tractor to take care of the heavy duty chores first - then you could realistically maintain the mowing with the ATV if you want to have an ATV for recreation too. If you never plan on using the ATV for recreation, buy a tractor as others have said.

1bush2hog · Jun 2, 2006

You can certainly get by with mowing with an ATV, however, if you go that route I would suggest that you look at the Acrease mowers - they will cost you more than $2K.

Sounds like you would be better off buying or renting a tractor to take care of the heavy duty chores first - then you could realistically maintain the mowing with the ATV if you want to have an ATV for recreation too. If you never plan on using the ATV for recreation, buy a tractor as others have said.

1bush2hog · Jun 2, 2006

I can take my ATV places you would never dream of taking your tractor /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Granted my ATV won't even come close to doing the work my tractor will, it will tow a mower, sprayer, and trailer places I won't take my tractor due to the steepness and/or access of the terrain.

It is nice to have both - besides, my tractor won't go near as fast, but it will do wheelies /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

1bush2hog · Jun 2, 2006

I can take my ATV places you would never dream of taking your tractor /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Granted my ATV won't even come close to doing the work my tractor will, it will tow a mower, sprayer, and trailer places I won't take my tractor due to the steepness and/or access of the terrain.

It is nice to have both - besides, my tractor won't go near as fast, but it will do wheelies /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Hotwheels · Jun 2, 2006

I can also see a need for both. I am trying to think through present and future needs to see if it makes sense to hire out some of the major tractor work such as rock pulling and leveling and then use an ATV and mower for the future. All things considered, I would have both, but if I had to choose one right now, it would be a small tractor. The only question is how small.

Hotwheels · Jun 2, 2006

I can also see a need for both. I am trying to think through present and future needs to see if it makes sense to hire out some of the major tractor work such as rock pulling and leveling and then use an ATV and mower for the future. All things considered, I would have both, but if I had to choose one right now, it would be a small tractor. The only question is how small.

1bush2hog · Jun 2, 2006

Have you checked out the PowerTrac section on this forum? One of those may be your ticket?

1bush2hog · Jun 2, 2006

Have you checked out the PowerTrac section on this forum? One of those may be your ticket?

DmansPadge · Jun 2, 2006

( I can take my ATV places you would never dream of taking your tractor)

Thats what I was thinking. Tractors are just too heavy to compete with an ATV as far as going off-road. That being said... no doubt a tractor will work circles around an ATV.

DmansPadge · Jun 2, 2006

( I can take my ATV places you would never dream of taking your tractor)

Thats what I was thinking. Tractors are just too heavy to compete with an ATV as far as going off-road. That being said... no doubt a tractor will work circles around an ATV.

Hotwheels · Jun 3, 2006

I have looked at the Powertrac section. I need to learn more about those machines. I don't have any interest in using an ATV for recreation, only for working my property, so the Powertrac is something to consider.

I have a neighbor with an older John Deere 35 HP tractor. I asked him to come over today and give me a price on some mowing. He said there are too many rock outcropings for him to feel comfortable doing the job. So, maybe a tractor is not the best longer term option, but I still think a smaller tractor might work.

I will check out the Powertrac since many of the needs are hauling and moving heaviefr loads up and down the property and if I can use a landscpe rake, maybe I can get enouigh rock jup to decrease the amount of weed wacking I have to do.

I still have not eliminated the ATV option, but the Powertrac or maybe a Simplicity might work for me. More research to do. Thanks for the comments, it helps.

Hotwheels · Jun 3, 2006

I have looked at the Powertrac section. I need to learn more about those machines. I don't have any interest in using an ATV for recreation, only for working my property, so the Powertrac is something to consider.

I have a neighbor with an older John Deere 35 HP tractor. I asked him to come over today and give me a price on some mowing. He said there are too many rock outcropings for him to feel comfortable doing the job. So, maybe a tractor is not the best longer term option, but I still think a smaller tractor might work.

I will check out the Powertrac since many of the needs are hauling and moving heaviefr loads up and down the property and if I can use a landscpe rake, maybe I can get enouigh rock jup to decrease the amount of weed wacking I have to do.

I still have not eliminated the ATV option, but the Powertrac or maybe a Simplicity might work for me. More research to do. Thanks for the comments, it helps.

Bob_Young · Jun 3, 2006

Rock outcroppings, what a bummer. That's going to be hard on whatever you mow with. I understand why your neighbor backed out.

That does bring up a question with regard to the ATV mowers. What do you do when you hit something with the mower; be it rock outcropping, stump or whatever? Can you raise the mower quickly to get it away from the obstruction? Can you declutch the drive power quickly to keep the machine from beating itself to death? Or do you just trust in the slip clutch/shear pin? These things are new to me; I don't know how it's done. Seems like it could be a deal-breaker in your situation. A tractor would allow you to do either or both.
Bob

Bob_Young · Jun 3, 2006

Rock outcroppings, what a bummer. That's going to be hard on whatever you mow with. I understand why your neighbor backed out.

That does bring up a question with regard to the ATV mowers. What do you do when you hit something with the mower; be it rock outcropping, stump or whatever? Can you raise the mower quickly to get it away from the obstruction? Can you declutch the drive power quickly to keep the machine from beating itself to death? Or do you just trust in the slip clutch/shear pin? These things are new to me; I don't know how it's done. Seems like it could be a deal-breaker in your situation. A tractor would allow you to do either or both.
Bob

bbse · Jun 3, 2006

Would it be possible to spend some money up front and get the worst of these rocks removed, buried, knocked down ??? Small dozier...backhoe?? Then you could mow with whatever you wish.

bbse · Jun 3, 2006

Would it be possible to spend some money up front and get the worst of these rocks removed, buried, knocked down ??? Small dozier...backhoe?? Then you could mow with whatever you wish.