[bigbear]

Hi All,

Just joined the forums yesterday to hopefully get some good advice. I purchased my first house 2 weeks ago, and now I need a tractor. The lot is 1acre of a slightly rolling hill. Since, I just bought the house I have a budget that I would like to stay within, around $2500. The local simplicity dealer has a used (wasn't sure of the year, thought late 90's) Simplicity Landlord, DLX, 23hp, with 427 hours, tire chains and a snowblower for $1900. The blower probably would get used, but I could live without it. We get a fair amount of snow here in Northern PA and I have 60" blade for my ATV which would get the most use for snow removal. The tractor and blower are in fair to good condition, probably more on the fair side. I took it for a "test mow" yesterday. It fired right up, no smoke and idled good and mowed and ran fine. I was also looking at a new toro GT 2100 which I can get for a few hundred more. I guess after all this rambling, is the used simplicity a better bargain than the new toro?

Thanks for any help!

 

[shadow1961]

Personally I'd look for a JD X304 as opposed to the Toro which is an MTD product. Nothing against MTD but I've had bad luck. I don't know a lot about the Simplicity but I looked at a riding mower manufacured by them years ago and I liked what I saw, of course this all falls in the "for what it's worth" catagory...
Good luck!

 

[Blasterway]

Your best bet is at your finger tips. Click through the forums and you will find all the opinions about Simplicitys Vs. J.D. or Cub, Craftsman, MTD over and over again... That said I would recomend a Simplicity, the cut is second to none! And are very reliable. But the other makers have good equipment also. Try to buy from a trusted dealer, avoid the "big box stores." Most of the members on this site are willing to offer up help with all your needs in recomending a machine for you.
Good luck.:goodl:

 

[Fcubman]

You might like the snowblower more than you think. I use mine instead of a plow, since I think the best way to get snow out of the way is to pick it up and move it a distance. I am admittedly biased, but I think the Simplicity is the way to go. There are other good machines, but I have been quite pleased with all the Simplicities our family has had over the years.
Service/parts is a factor. Any dealers near you?
Just my $.02.

 

[slkpk]

I would get the Landlord in a heartbeat. Very well built tractors and if maintained properly will last you for many years. slkpk

 

[Jimmyjo]

Simplicity all the way. I have a 1970 8hp that I have a rototiller mounted on all the time. these thing are made to last. Once you use a mounted snowblower I think you will park the ATV.

 

[prairiemower]

Definately Simplicity. Consider checking Craigslist for a "deal" from an individual rather than a dealer. Sometimes you can step on the model and year of the tractor for less money than you would pay a dealer.

 

[Grasshopper67]

Rolling hills huh? Get one with a serviceable transaxle. If you can turn a wrench at all, I would try to find a little older garden tractor, (mid 90s on)with low hours. Many good JDs, Simplicities, and Toro Wheelhorses (not MTD) people are looking to sell. Anything under say 400 hours would last you at least 10 -15 more years with what you have to cut. These can be had for the $1500.00 range in most cases.

 

[slkpk]

What did you get or are you still looking? slkpk