What can a Garden tractor handle

[Joe1]

For what you're looking at, a good used diesel powered CUT or SUB-CUT with a FEL and midmount mower would last a lot longer than pushing a GT to its maximum by moving heavy rock and soil. Nothing against the Johnny Bucket, but it simply doesn't have the capacity of a FEL not the lift height or versatility.

A FEL does more than just load. It can also be used to back blade soil for a smooth finish. It also can lift a lot higher than a Johnny Bucket.

A CUT or SUB-CUT also will have far more ground clearance and in 4 wheel drive will be a lot less likely to get stuck and can handle any job the GT can do in a lot less time.

There are some decent used CUT's out there, you just have to look and be quick when deciding. When I bought a used JD 770 a few years ago, I was the first of twenty-five calls on that tractor. I saw it late at night and called the guy the next day in the morning to buy it.

Plus, a diesel engine properly maintained will outlast 3 GT gasoline engines and do a lot more work for a lot less fuel.

 

[toy]

I have been doing a lot of reading and switching back and forth on the size tractor I will be getting. I will be useing it 95% of the time for cutting 3 acres of flat grass. I also want to get loads of rock delivered and be able to spread it out now and then. Some other jobs I will be doing is putting up a barn, fence and digging a pond.
I have already decided that the fence and pond would be a one time thing so renting or paying to have it done would be smarter.
The original question now comes back.

What can a Garden tractor handle???

Have you given any thought to a power trac tractor? I have a sears garden tractor that I have had for 15 years it is a good lawn mower but it spins too easy to do heavy work if one wheel looses traction then your stuck. I have had a 425 power trac for about three years and I really like it but they are different from most tractors. There are alot of attachments available for them. Check the web site and the power trac forum on this site.

 

[neverenough]

I have been to all the major dealers in my area CC, JD, Kubota and they all say that I need a compact tractor to do any type land work. We have gumbo land etc.
Then then push their 9000$ + tractors. Out of my budget.
I am looking used. I looked at a 95 JD 455 (2900$ with no repairs done) and went back two days later and it was gone. I also have a shot at a 85 (?) kubota B7200 with a 5' belly mower. They want 4500$.

I was really set on the CC2554, there will be one at the local dealer next week but they advise against it.


???????????????

Ok, I read the whole thread, and here is my OPINION. Buy a 54+inch deck mower/tractor and mow your yard. When the time comes to do ground work, RENT. Buy a mower that holds it's value well, like a Deere 445, and when you have more $$, trade up, if you so desire. In my OPINION, it's not worth it to settle for an older tractor just to do a little work a couple times a year. Nothing wrong with renting for those odd jobs that come up. Trying to run a 20+year old compact tractor week after week to mow, IMO, just isn't the way to go. Good luck.

 

[Hard]

You could even add a limited cat 1, 3 pt hitch to the 445 of 455 to handle a tiller or any small implement. There are many implements designed to be used with a limited cat 1 hitch.

 

[bontai_Joe]

I know that I will want a bigger tractor later, but I would only use it for those bigger jobs once or twice. That Johnny dump looks like it would do the job great for me.
Unless someone tells me about a more dependable tractor than the CC 2554 in its price range then I (at this moment) will be looking for the dealer in my area to give me tha best price and also get the little bucket.

I have two or three tractor dealers around here that I will go to this week and see what is available as a used sub tractor.

I am still trying to figure out all the acronyms here and I havnt figured out what the subcut is ":}

I went back to your above post, and as much as I like Deere's, the Cub 2554 is one of the best machines in it's price range. Otherwise you are gonna have to look at larger used machines and hope for the best.

 

[jeffghs]

I was in the same situtation, 3 acres of pasture to cut, another 2 of yard. I was looking at the Garden tractor option, what changed my mind on it was the price of add-on equipment. The sleeve hitch for a CC 2554 is close to another $1000, and lighter duty attachments are close to price of those of 3pt tractor attachments. I was able to find a new New Holland TC-21 for $9200, this is for the tractor alone. I added a loader, box blade and RFM. Financing was available for 0% for 60 months because it was actually an 05 model. Most tractor companies are offering 0% for 36 months and you could go with a Sub compact which I also looked at, a Kubota BX2350 with a 54" mmm deck was $10200. The TC21 is a gear drive which is fine for me, the Kubota is a hydro, so easier for a first time tractor user. I also have a Craftsman Lawn Tractor with a 42" deck which I will keep for tighter area mowing. Don't forget it will be easier to find attachments for a 3pt hitch and many can be found used and in pretty good shape. Adding a loader to one of these is going to far exceed the capabilities of a Johnny Bucket.

 

[jeffghs]

Another thing I forgot to put in was if you are maintaining pasture, one of the things you should incorporate is dragging the pasture. A lawn or garden tractor will not give you enough speed to pull a drag and scatter the manure. I can get 10 mph from this tractor. If you have an ATV you could use it, but again something else to consider.

 

[davideoftex]

Thanks for all the replys. I have been looking at new Kubota BX's for around 12- 14,000$ OUCH!!!! Used are not much cheaper.

I am searching around for a 400 series JD. There arent to many around my area. I have my eye on a 1999 425 AWS 54" MMM with 500 hours for 3700$ and a 400 60" MMM with 1600 hours that looks brand new. I really like the 400 but am afraid of the hours.
I feel the smart thing would be the 425.

I will keep in touch on what ever I get.

 

[JohnSinVA]

Keep in mind that with an all wheel steer 425 you will NOT be able to mount a FEL and would need to go the JB route. That's not necessarily a bad thing. The JB can do most everything a FEL can do. It can lift, move, dump, and back drag. If all you need to do is move material from A to B then the JB will get it done.

 

[Rob_H]

I have a JD445 with a 54"MMM and the model 40 loader. There is not much you can throw at this set up that it can't handle. I mow about 1 acre of lawn weekly and another 3-4 acres of rough stuff a few times a year to keep it under control. I bought this setup used last May for $8500 and have been thrilled with the performance. The JD400 series are TOUGH machines. While the lift capacity on the loader is limited, it still beats a shovel and wheelbarrow. With a toothbar on it I've done some significant grading and stone / dirt moving with no problems.

The only caution on the 425 and 445 is that Kawasaki used a plastic cam for the first few years and these tended to fail at 600-700 hours. They fixed this after about 1996. Good luck.