What Tractor or Lawn Tractor should I get?

[andyruby]

Hi All - I live in Western Washington just outside of Seattle. I have about 2.25 acres. At least one acre is a hill of about 15 degree pitch.
We are about to bring in two horses once the barn/paddock are built. Currently, I'm mowing this lawn with a power assist Honda push mower!
Wife says riding horse before mower...but I need to pony up (haha) soon. I need to figure out what I can use on this hill to mow the lawn, and then what to use to scoop and move horse manure around. While I probably could get by with a regular riding mower, I feel I might curse it once I need a front loader.

I have been considering a Cub Cadet heavy duty gt 2542 for about $2200, which clearly will mow, but not much else.
There's also a uses Mitsubishi Satoh Beaver 3 Diesel for $3000. No attachments though.

Anyone want to chime in?
Thanks
Andrew

 

[Briana03]

Welcome to TractorByNet!

I moved your thread to the Buying/Pricing/Comparisons forum.

 

[JerryK]

I'd fence in the 'hill' area, and as much of the yard as you don't need for the horse. That little of an area, the horse will have it cut in no time... They you will be buying hay.... Use the push mower for what is left. Getting a tractor is still in your future, get one to move the hay...

 

[Grandad4]

Welcome to TBN. Chasing a push mower up and down an acre of 30% slope will either put you in great shape or give you a coronary! I think you're eventually going to decide some equipment will be necessary to keep up your place. Your hillside will wear out an ordinary lawn tractor or garden tractor and you'll do better with something heavy enough to deal with the work and the hill. It should have 4wd, a loader and a diesel engine. Something like the Kubota BX fits the bill (other brands offer similar models... check them all out), and Deere makes some excellent high-end garden tractors that would also work. This kind of equipment is in a whole different league from that Cub Cadet, but so are the price tags. You might get lucky and find a decent used one.

The Satoh Beaver is kind of an early model of this kind of equipment, but it was made in the early 1980's, so it may be well used at this point. It's probably a gear drive unit that's pretty tall and narrow with no roll-over protection... kind of a dangerous combination for working on a hill.

I'd probably keep looking, and expect to put a fair amount more into obtaining the right equipment for the job. Regardless of what you do, best of luck with your new place!

 

[jenkinsph]

I am with Jerry on this, I have seen a lot of these 1 to 3 acre horse hobby farms, most were stripped bare within 6 months. You will need something to help with hay and clean up.