Up Grading to Bolens G174

[rayl]

Hello first post here looking for advise. I have an early 90's 18hp murray lawn tractor with cutting deack and snow plow. This is my first garden tractor but now find I need to up grade to something better. The murray was ok at our old location but we have since moved. Our new home has about 1 1/2 acre to mow but it is very rough terraine with steep hiil to climb, I also have a parking lot here about 1/2 acre large that I have to snow plow. The murray is just not heavy duty enough for this property, last summer I cracked the transmission/rearend housing, It will not climb the hill even with chains on the tires it just spins, samething trying to plow this large lot, not heavy enough. I fear adding weight to it would only put more strain an the weak transmission in this tracktor, another thing that aggrivates me with this tractor is it is very hard sometims to shift between foward and reverse. I need something that can handle the rough terraine, climbing the hill, but needs to be agile to handle tight areas of the property for mowing in the summer, and something heavyer to push the snow in the winter. I have been looking at the Bolens G174 tractors online (ebay), looks like alot of tractor for the average going price. Is this tractor to large for my situation, would I be better off with something smaller like a cub cadet? Just looking for opinions from some of you who maybe own one of these size/class tractors.

 

[keltonkrew]

I had a G174 and it was one tough machine (until it was stolen last year). This tractor was ran hard and never failed. Parts did get expensive i.e. alternator and another module, but it was extremely reliable, plenty of power, 3 speed PTO, 6 forward gears. It's a good tractor for the size of property you're talking about.

 

[elalexander]

Rayl. i have a G194 and love it. I understand parts are getting hard to come by. This is my first real tractor, as I also have a Craftsman riding mower. I have 3 acres and need to pull trees move dirt plow snow etc. I can't say anything bad about mine................wish it had a front end loader. Otherwise a great little machine.

EL

 

[bones1]

Had one of those.They are tough little tractors and I'm sorry I sold it.Here is a good parts source for Bolens diesels.
Sonny's Farm & Home Supply

 

[rayl]

keltonkrew, sorry to hear of your loss, hope your home insurance covered you. You don't think this would be to much tractor for my property? Elalexander I'm wondering if the G17 may be to big, the G19 is even larger, no? I have not seen any G19's around for sale only the G15 and G17's. From what I have found searching arond the net it seems the base price of a used G174 is about $3000, then the price goes up from there depending on what comes with it for attachmenets. Another question. Early ones had a 2cyl motor later ones had a 3 cyl motor. Is one any better than the other? It does appear that owning one of these could be expensive if anything breaks as parts are getting hard to come by, something I also need to consider before making the final desition on a make and modle to buy. The appealing thing about the Bolens is it seems like alot of tracktor for the buck, Deeres just seem what out of this earth on prices, I am not looking for a tractor to collect or show I need one for work. We don't have many dealers around my neck of the woods so if I buy one it will most liklely have to be off the internet. There is one listed on ebay right now that is in NH thats about a 3 hour drive from me.

 

[rayl]

bones1 forgot to say good site for future should I buy a Bolens.

 

[elalexander]

Rayl. I have only seen the G174's on the internet so I really don't know a size compared to my 194. Mine is, floor space wise if that helps you, 5 ft. wide and 8 feet long and weighs a ton. Price wize, mine had 1180 hours came with a (all used) 5 ft woods mower, 5 ft back blade and a dirt scoop that needs some tlc. Got it all for $3600.00 It has a 2cyl diesel also. Hells of gearing so it can really pull. I'm happy with it. The brand name machines even used are indeed pricey. Parts may be a problem but so far I haven't had any trouble. Got mine from a co-worker who I would buy anything from, he really takes care of his equipment. Only complaint I have is oversized turf tires on the rear and straight tread ribs on the front.......on a 4wd? You would think it would have had turf's on all 4 corners. Hope this helps you, EL.

 

[rayl]

Thanks elalexander for the info. I'm not sure what the differance is between a sub compact and a compact but I would say the G174 is more sub compact and the G194 a compact? I think the G194 would be a little large for what I need. After looking all over the net including ebay best bet to get a deal is going to be private sale or maybe a dealer if they just want to blow a machine off the lot. Finding one very far away could add $1000 to the cost of the machine for shipping.

 

[keltonkrew]

The G174 is a real good all around tractor.....as far as cost maintaining, a lot of the parts I found available at a massey fergerson dealer as their new sub compacts are Iseki as well.

I miss that tractor and was extremely upset when it was stolen, but as it turned out my homeowners covered it and since I had replacement coverage they purchased the GC2300 that I have now......wasn't expecting that but lucky that it did.

I would have never gotten rid of it had it not been stolen.....now why someone would steal it is beyond me...they aren't that common around here and could be spotted easily.....took my trailer too but insurance would cover that.

Mine was the 3 cylinder model and like I said before, these things are tanks!

 

[elalexander]

Tanks they are. Our digital camera is out of service but I took some pics yesterday of Red Oaks I pulled in so I can have a man with a one man mill saw them for me. Whoa, I was impressed with my machine. This was one of the main reasons for me buying it, to get logs in for the mill so I can finish my rec room with wood off of the property.

EL