Howdy! Please help me figure out the right tractor for me

1400 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by x595, Jul 1, 2009

CurtisStetka

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2009

Hi there.

I just found this site yesterday with some googling.

I leave in Barto, PA. I've got a ~40 year old Cub Lo-Boy for mowing my hilly 3 acres.

After struggling with this under-powered tractor for a couple years, I've finally decided I need something with more horsepower. The Lo-Boy can climb hills and it can mow but it can't do both simultaneously.

So, if somebody could offer some suggestions, I'd love to hear 'em. I'm open to suggestions of new or used, probably can't afford to even consider something over $10k. I'd much rather spend about half that, if possible. I think a belly mower would be the best because there are some tight spots I've got to deal with.

Other than mowing, I might like to use it for snow removal eventually.

Thanks!
-CJS

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JDFANATIC

· #2 · Jun 30, 2009

Curtis,

Welcome to the forum! :Welcome1: For taking care of 3 hilly acres and wanting to at some point handle snow removal, my recommendation would be a small 4WD CUT or sub-CUT. New, they probably are outside your budget, but you should be able to find used ones in your price range. I'm most familiar with and partial to Deere, but for my hilly property it took me several tractors to get it right. I've gone too big and too small, but now have settled on a sub-CUT and think it is the perfect compromise.

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jeepersmitty

· #3 · Jun 30, 2009

Welcome to the forum. Check at the dealers for a good used tractor. I bet they can fix you up in your price range.

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CurtisStetka

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 30, 2009

Thanks, JDFANATIC.

I considered a riding mower sort of thing but I don't know that it could handle the terrain and last for years and years.

I also considered a tow-behind Bush Hog to drag around with the Lo-Boy. That's probably the cheapest solution. Problem is, it would be hard to get into the tight corners. It also weds me to a two piece solution. I'm also not sure if the Bush Hog is intended for that kind of thing. A friend of mine has one and she says they just use it to keep the horse trails open, not mowing an entire field every week.

Thanks, again for the help

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JDFANATIC

· #5 · Jun 30, 2009

Curtis,

A brush hog is more for rough mowing including taking down saplings etc. There are RFM (rear finish mowers) that have a fine cut to them. Still, you are looking backwards and if you aren't paying attention, you can catch 3PT implements on things.

A poster here just got a smoking deal on a low hour JD 2305 for $6500 from a friend who sold it for what the dealer was offering it in trade. Now, I never find deals like that, but they are out there.

A tractor of this size would have plenty of power to handle your tasks and hills and the diesel would be thrifty as well.

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slkpk

· #6 · Jun 30, 2009

http://www.machinefinder.com/ww/en-US/category/used-compact-tractors

Scroll through and you'll find some 2210's which is what the 2305 is modeled after for under $10k. slkpk

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Nouveau Redneck

· #7 · Jun 30, 2009

Curtis,

Welcome. I live in Pottstown. If all you're going to do is mow and move snow, then you may get by with a larger garden tractor rather than a CUT or SCUT. You should be able to find something like a used John Deere 445 or an X465 or a used Cub Cadet 3000 series GT series with a mower deck and plow blade for under $5000.00.

Local dealers you can check out for used equipment are Robert Little in Zieglerville for John Deere, or ERB & HENRY in New Berlinville for Cub Cadet, or Passmore in Bechtellsville for a number of other smaller brands.

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PristineGardens

· #8 · Jun 30, 2009

In my previous job we had 2 tractors in the workshop, a Kubota G21 and a Husqvarna zero-turn (EZ 4624 if i remember?). We always used the zero turn when working on hillier sites as we found it much more maneauverable (sp?) and a lower centre of gravity.

Dave

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x595

· #9 · Jul 1, 2009

Nouveau ******* said:
Curtis,
Welcome. If all you're going to do is mow and move snow, then you may get by with a larger garden tractor rather than a CUT or SCUT. You should be able to find something like a used John Deere 445 or an X465 or a used Cub Cadet 3000 series GT series with a mower deck and plow blade for under $5000.00.

Hi CJS , :Welcome1:

I agree with Nouveau ******* , from what you describe , a Garden Tractor
in any color new or used should serve you well ...

Later,x595

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