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ururk

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi all,

I posted here about an Ingersoll that had its engine die on it. So, essentially I am in the market for a new LT (though I would like to revive the Ingersoll, not too sure if it is worth it).

I cut about 1.5 acres, hilly and bumpy. A lot of turns.

The previous tractor had a 12hp B&S, 18" rear/13" front wheels, 42" deck, 2 blade. I am looking at 3 different brands - JD, Kubota, Simplicity.

I haven't yet visited the dealers, however, I'm looking at:

JD X300 w/42" deck
Simplicity Regent (44" deck)
Kubota T-series (have to see prices first, probably 1670)
Wheel Horse

JD - like the idea of a huge parts network (right?). Good reputation, as long as it's bought from a dealer.

Simplicity - like the turning radius, price, and "Quick Hitch" quick release mower deck. People also talk about it being quiet.

Kubota - like tools that are built like a tank, hopefully this will live up to it. Concerned the deck is difficult/a pain to remove

Wheel Horse - not sure about this brand, but can get a new one "cheap" (1,799) from a local dealer.


All of the problems (except one) the Ingersoll had were due to running over rocks. I'd prefer a deck that doesn't require a timing belt, and will mulch well. Does this mean I need a 3 blade deck? I need one that can cut rocks as well :D

Thanks,

John
 
#2 ·
If your terrain is that rugged, then those three you listed won't last very long. All of them are pretty light in the transmission, and are meant to cut lawns. You'll need to move up a couple steps in each brand to get the durability you'll need.

If you want to go new, get a Cub 2500. It's a bit more than your budget, but they have all kinds of financing that could help with that. If you're not comfortable with that, then you'll need to look at used tractors if you want them to last more than a couple season.

A possible exception to what I said is the Craftsman DGS6500. They can regularly be had for under $2500, and are suprisingly rugged based on what people around here say. I have no experience with them though, so can't say with any certainty.
 
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
CCinCT said:
If your terrain is that rugged, then those three you listed won't last very long. All of them are pretty light in the transmission, and are meant to cut lawns. You'll need to move up a couple steps in each brand to get the durability you'll need.
Click to expand...
Well, it is a lawn, just hilly with bumps (there are no more rocks, but if I were to hit one, I'd like it to be less painful to work on). And the Ingersoll lasted 20 (well... would have lasted 20) years. Are the low end LT from those brands not built that well? The Ingersoll was a consumer riding lawnmower, not a Garden Tractor.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Mayor said:
Any pictures of the hill? What are you cutting around? What other things then cutting are you going to do with it?
Click to expand...
No pictures, though I can take some. I suppose when I say hill, some think "mountain", others think steep grade. I can take some measurements and quantify it (ie, degree of slope, etc...).

I'm not going to use it for much other than cutting, pulling a small dump trailer.
 
#6 ·
ururk said:
The Ingersoll was a consumer riding lawnmower, not a Garden Tractor.
Click to expand...
If that served you well, then that isn't what I was envisioning when you said "hilly". My bad. With that in mind, just about any LT would serve you well. The X300's are top notch LT's: comfortable, quiet, tight turning radius, etc. Never ridden a Regent, but my neighbor has one and he likes it a a lot (It's an older one, with about 400 hours on it). I don't know anyone with a Kubota LT or GT, so can't help you there.

For me, if all you're going to do is cut grass, the X300's would be my preferred choice.
 
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#8 ·
I had an Allis Chalmers B-210 (Simplicity) for years growing up and loved it. If I had a dealer closer to me green might not be my color. Any way take a hard look at all of them and which ever model you think you need get one level up. That way your sure to get the right model. The 300 replaced the LX models. Great tractor, smooth, strong, and easy to get into thight areas even with out allwheel turning. Don't get caught up in HP ratings. My lx had a 18HP Kaw and she had so much power.

Some other guys will have to help with the other two brands.One thing thats cool is the Simplicity has that roller on the deck that every tractor owner dreams of having. Man that roler can make any lawn look great. You might not care about that but some of us do.

Good luck with you testing. I hope what little information I gave you helped.
 
#9 ·
I'm trying to visualize an Ingersol consumer grade lawn tractor... I thought they only made garden tractors, the 200 series, 300 series and 400 series (later the 2000 and 4000 series).
 
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#10 · (Edited)
If it were me I think I'd look really hard at the Kubota "G" series machine. I like everything about it except for the cost. But if it last 20 years and is easy to maintain then it's worth it not having to mess around looking for replacements like you are doing now.

http://www.kubota.com/f/products/g.cfm

http://www.deenimplement.com/kubota_g-series.htm

Look at the comparison on this link to the John Deere 485 model. Very similar.
 
#14 ·
I have 3 Jd's and a Kubota. They are fantastic. 1 jd and the K are 35 years old and still run great. I hear nothing but good things about the Simplisity. If you want to grade the yard and till a garden you need to go with a heaver tractor. My money is on the Kubota. I think mine has a 36 hp desel engine. My daughter and son inlaw still use it to till a 2 acer garden every year and grade the grave drives etc. it sounds like you have had good luck with what you have. Let us know what you end up buying. The deck on the K is hard to remove and install then so is the 3 point hitch tiller and auger. As I get older they get harder to handle.
 
#17 ·
ururk said:
Yep! The deck and seat are different, but otherwise, that's the one.
Click to expand...
Wow, learn something new everytime here. That's what I like about this site.:thThumbsU
Like Joe, said I never knew Ingersoll made LT but I guess they did. From that picture it looks like it was a pretty tough little tractor too.
 
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#18 ·
Ururk, I have a T1770 Kubota. The deck comes off very easy, but it is heavy which is good in my mind. Kubota offers mulching bin their 40" deck the 44" doesn't. I love mine and wouldn't trade it. I mow about 2 acres and no problems at all, also does good on fuel. It has a 17hp kawisaka air cooled.:trink40:
 
Discussion starter · #19 · (Edited)
Good to know. I'm going to the dealers on Sat. Since I am cutting the grass with a Husquvarna (MTD I think) self-propelled walk behind mower, the decision may be made quickly. Funny thing - it takes about the same time to cut the grass on the walk-behind as with the riding mower, and there is less trimming to do.

Simplicity does have a ZTR which is priced within range (Axiom), but I think the bumpy ground, and hills may not be in it's favor. Plus, I cannot see one of those pulling a load of dirt in a cart (no matter that they sell a dump cart for it).
 
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