Buying the family homestead

[fouracres]

I usually read the garden tractor posts but after some thought I think the following calls for a CUT.

My brother and sister in law are buying the family homestead this summer. This is a few miles down the road and is comprised of 15 acres of country lawn and 10 acres of woods. These are city folks and have mowed nothing but a townhouse yard for 30 years.

I've been mowing the property with my Simplicity 23/54 Prestige and can see that a 60" deck would be a lot nicer. It takes just under 5 hours to mow with the Prestige. Used to mow the yard with a Ferris PROCUT30 (25 Kohler/61" deck) and it took the same time. The Ferris is at least 1 mph slower than the Prestige. Some of the runs are over 1100' long. The Ferris did not have cruise control and pressing down the treadle peddle got to be a pain.

This CUT will simply be used for mowing, no FEL needed. Would possibly require a snow blower in a few years so I think it would be better to get a tractor versus a ZTR. The yard is old field and not like a golf fairway. I doubt a ZTR could go flatout for too long so the speed avantage would be lost. Very few/none ZTRs on properties over 5 acres around here, not many anywhere else.

I'm trying not to scare these folks with the mowing chores they will be performing. Thought about a finish mower but then they would need another tractor for around the house. I know that they don't really want to have to deal with multiple mowers/attachments.

Looked at a used BX2230 with the 60" deck. Has 28 hours and is $8500 from a dealer.

Thinking of also looking at a JD2210 and CC 5000 Series.

Thought a large GT sub/CUT would do it (Legacy or JD X Series) but I think bigger might be better.

Any thoughts or recomendations?

Bill

[jdkubotamurray]

For 15 AC of lawn, you might look at a 7' Finish Mower. A decent CUT is either Kubota or JD, I recently had a JD990 4WD with FEL, nice machine though it is gear. I had a bx2300 with 60" but that is a bit small for regular lawn cuttings on 15ac.

[ducati996]

You will find for those prices, used Compacts with a FEL. You say you dont need one now, but I have yet to hear somebody say they didnt need one after they had it.

Duc

[slipshod]

You will find for those prices, used Compacts with a FEL. You say you dont need one now, but I have yet to hear somebody say they didnt need one after they had it.

DucAmen Brother Duc

[Argee]

You will find for those prices, used Compacts with a FEL. You say you dont need one now, but I have yet to hear somebody say they didnt need one after they had it.

Duc
:ditto: :ditto: :ditto:

[fouracres]

Thanks for the quick replies. I will present him with these options although I am pretty sure that a finish mower will not be in the cards. Nice option, I know but might be something for down the road.

Right now I am just trying to steer him towards something that will allow him to expand later (FEL...).

The wives have been talking and the BIL has been looking at something new in the $5000 range. This scared me enough to start looking up here for reality equipment and to get some advise other than that from a dealer.

Local dealers (within 30 miles) are JD, CC, Simplicity, Kioti, Kubota/NH, Case, some Chinese brands.

[jdkubotamurray]

The 7' Finish Mower I got from the JD dealer (field rated) was around $1.900. A 30+ PTO HP cut or older utility that will run it will run you $3K on up to new prices. Be sure to consider tires, turf, R4 or AG, generally you will want turf or if occasional traction is needed elsewhere R4 for lawn use.

[Archdean]

Four,
If I read your question right, Hope I did!!

Let's start with 15 acres of country lawn, definitaly a job for a CUT and a finish mower 3pt (6-7 foot= a 28-30 HP) your still looking at a considerable amount of time to maintain that amount of grass but you will at least be sized for it ie.power/bigger wheels/tires =just a lot more comfortable to ride! 15 hours a week is a lot of butt time to put on a cutting schedule! It gets old quick!!

A BX IMO is too small and trying to have a do all machine turns out to be a compromise that two matched ones would do each job better!

My recommendation to you is: With the understanding the desire to avoid attachments and multiple mowers Etc.

Buy a LT (your choice nothing fancy Box store brand) and look for a decent used Big 3 Cut in the HP range I said above and deal for a quality finish mower Great plains and others!! You can upgrade later if you desire loaders/blowers and so on are always available and your Big 3 Cut will hold it's value!!

[bontai Joe]

You have 15 acres of lawn, AND 10 acres of woods? With snow removal a want later? I'd be looking at something bigger than a compact utility tractor, more like a 30-50 HP utility tractor. New, that would be something like a Kubota "L" series, Deere 4000 Twenty series or larger, Cub Cadet 7500 and 8000 series, Massey Ferguson 1400 & 1500 series machines. If those are budget busters, then I'd look for their equivalent in the used market. Just my opinion, but better to have the proper sized machine used with a few dents and a little rust :Tractor2: , than something new that is too small for the job :banghead3 .

[bontai Joe]

Something like this from Ebay would be nice to have on that sized property:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73105&item=7520435937&rd=1

[USN_ED]

A Ford 8N equipped with a mower deck like this would be right up your alley.
http://img83.echo.cx/img83/4250/ford8n15vc.jpg
Put an off-set Brush Hog behind the tractor in addition and you could cut a 12 foot swath in one pass.

It would leave your brother more than enough time for a little libation. :trink21: :trink40:

ED
:dancingpa

[JDFANATIC]

If looking new and you can tolerate shifting, then to me, a JD790 comes to mind.

Happy hunting!

Cheers

JDFANATIC
JD2210

[guest]

Cutting that much and as Duc already mentioned about the FEL; I am thinking in the 30 hp range, give or take. Is hydrostatic drive a requirement? If they are city folks and not real experienced on this type of equipment, I would lean toward hydrostatic drive. If you can find any left at the dealers; the Deere 4310 or 4410 with the 430 FEL and 72" MMM and R-4 tires would be a good choice. If hydrostatic drive is not a requirement; a Deere 790 or 990 are a great value buy for so much tractor. I also like the Kioti DK35 or if the budget will go for it, the DK45S. The CK30HST if hydro is a priority. The Kubota also has a number of fine machines in this hp range to choose from. Whatever machine you decide to go with, I would STRONGLY recommend 4WD with any CUT especially with a FEL.

[fouracres]

Once again I will state that this yard (estate) was mowed with a 61" three wheeled front deck Ferris for 15 years. Took 5 to 6 hours if you were serious about mowing. Speed of the Ferris was a little over 5mph. A CUT will go quite a bit faster and thus take less time, I figure around 4 hours. My Prestige does it in just under 5 hours.

Bontai Joe

Snow is covered already, not a problem but a CUT would allow for a good sized blower at a later date, if required. We get at least 200" of snow a winter and this is a 200' FLAT paved driveway. Could be done with 2wd and chains, that's the way most people around here do it. Some FEL but mostly if the drive is gravel. Lots of plows on pick-ups (that is a lot of snow to plow/pile up over a winter) but you see a lot of 3PH blowers on the farms. I doubt he would ever entertain an ebay purchase but that's another long story involving a different BIL and a Triumhp TR-4A.

Archdean

I realize that a larger tractor would be better but it all depends on how much time you want to mow. I mowed 4 acres with a 16/46 Sabre for 10 years but I don't want to see my BIL make the same mistake, too small a mower. I don't think a CUT is too small. I agree that a 30hp+ tractor/finish mower would be better with an LT or homeowner ZTR for trimming and around the house but that takes us back to multiple machines. The NH/Kubota/CC dealer even recommended this option.

USN_ED

If this was my place, you hit the nail right on the head as to what I would be looking for. I really wanted something like that when we moved to our property but we have a yard divided into three sections by a big farm pond and the two bridges limits me to a smaller GT. BIL is also into golf. Might get him to think about an old whatever but I really don't want to be the one maintaining the beast. Me, I don't mind 4 hours mowing. It's my time, no one bothers me.

KISS is what I am looking at. Tomorrow is a 10 mile trip to one of the more arrogant JD dealers to see a 2210 and larger. Nobody has chimed in about any of the larger CCx000 series??? Another friendly dealer option.

Of all of the places I have visited in the past year deciding what GT to buy for our 4 acres, the best dealers available sell (in no special order):

Kubota/New Holland/CC 30 miles away, good people
Simplicity/Montana/CC/Ferris 40 miles away, where we bought from
John Deere only 15 miles away, terrible trade-ins but good people
Simplicity/MF 10 miles away, close and okay
TORO/Ferris 10 miles away, hates everything else
Kioti and Dixie Chopper 2 miles away

Bill

[bontai Joe]

Now I have a better feel for what is going on. Your BIL is not real tractor savy, and you don't want to be over there all the time fixing or teaching or end up doing the work (and I can appreciate that very much), so a hydrostatic CUT is probably the way to go. I did mention before the Cub Cadet 7500 and 8000 series, but the 5000 series is a very nice machine for less money than the Deere "X" series. Also goes with the Keeping it simple principle. I suggested the larger machines previously to try to cut mowing time to something under 4 hours, but if that is not a big deal, you can spend less and still get top quality machinery. From your list of dealers and their evaluations, I'd probably head for the Kubota-Cub Cadet guy. He is gonna have some of the best options for what you need. Next choice would be the Massey Ferguson dealer.

[fouracres]

bontai Joe,

You understand my problem! I spent 1.5 hours mowing the largest section today and stopped by the farm across the road on my way home. They have mostly JD and Ford tractors (real ones) and a brand new Kubota BX2230/60" deck that the wife uses for mowing around the house and tilling her sweet corn lots. She is switching to a 54" deck as it will fit better through their trees. She loves it and they all agreed that is would be more that enough for this 15 acres of grass property.

BTW, they have everything that one would ever need to borrow/rent already covered (FELs, tillers, brush hogs, Kubota 4WD utility, JD utility, etc.) and would probably refuse any money if offered. Nice to live in the country.

If they ever loose an airplane in the water I will be able to return the favors.

I agree with your thought about dealers and will steer my BIL towards the Kubota/NH/CC fellow. Looked I at the 2210 today and walked away wondering if these guys even want to sell one! Not the best dealer around but they are close and have a good inventory to look at. Had me thinking about an X-5xx again, could get another 2" of deck but the price............................

[fouracres]

The only thing good about trailering the Prestige back and forth between our 4 acres of grass and the 15 acre yard is that I don't have to use the compressor very often for clean-up. Though some pics of the big yard might be in order. Not much rain so far this spring, good for me but bad for the farmers.

It's hard to get a good idea of the size of the yard as the grass areas form an ell (L) with the house/barn the intersection.

[Jim_WV]

Fouracres, the Kubota BX2230 is an awesome machine in my book :fing32: . Son-in-law only has 3 acres but he needed something with 4 wheel drive for his "hillside" yard.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/Jim_WV/Kevin_Brandy/Looking_up_at_house_from_road.jpg

I've been mowing with it for him this summer since he is gone for two weeks at a time due to his work and absolutley love this machine. Daughter has a big meadow behind her and asked if I could cut some of it back to which I said sure :). That diesel and 60"MM purred right through the high grass. I raised the deck up to it's highest and then made another pass low, since I was'nt sure what was underneath all that grass, ( plus it gave me more seat time ROF ). Nice machine, love the 4X4 , hydraulics, and smoothness of the engine and deck. I wanted him to get a JD2210 but the price was just way too high compared to the Kubota. He made a good choice for him ( and me *G* )..

[fouracres]

Jim WV,

I agree with your opinion of the 2210, not really worth it although a nice machine.

Going to try to post these pictures again....

[jdkubotamurray]

The JD2210 and the Kubota is about the same price here with the deck, a couple hundred over 10K

[Jim_WV]

JDKM, wish it was that way here, too many dealers of both around I guess. The JD dealer was set on a final price of $12500 for the 2210 including the belly mower and he got the Kubota 2230 including the belly mower for $9800.

Fouracres, that is beautiful property you got there :fing32:

[fouracres]

Jim_WV - another picture shows another section but I don't feel up to the hassle of posting a picture at 22,600 log in speed again.

Local JD dealer has a firm price of $12,500 for a 2210 with a mmm, period. Might get some off at the last minute, just before you sign on the dotted line.

BX2230 with mmm is $10,500.

JD X4xx falls somewhere in between, X5xx tops out at 2210 price but without a 3ph or PTO. Add those and the 2210 is cheaper. Large yards call for cruise control and that is something lacking on the 2210...

Stopped in town and asked what it would cost to use a 4wd fourwheeler towing a 60" finish mower. Others around here do this and I know it will come up as an option. Right around $7500. There are trails in the 10 acres of woods but I will not push this rig but will have to agree that it would work.

[guest]

Unless you just like the 2210 better you can buy a 4010 for roughly that price with a MMM, 4WD and R-4 tires. The 4110 would be a little more with the collar shift transmission and another $1400 give or take for the HST. Certainly nothing wrong with the 2210 or the Kubota 2230. Although you would have less hp. (18 hp vs. 23 hp with the 2210); I think you would FAR more tractor and capability with the 4010 over the 2210 in my opinion. Just something to consider.