Looking for opinions on best tractor for the money

2141 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by tday, Jul 29, 2009

tday

Discussion Starter · Jul 28, 2009

Hello, I am really having a hard time deciding what to do, I need a new rider by fall. I am looking for at LEAST a 42" but bigger would be better, I mow about two fairly flat acres, and pull a leaf vac in the fall.

Ive been looking at John Deere in the $800-$1500 range, but many are very old, and I'm not sure which models are the good Deere, and which are the cheapos(like my DEAD Sabre).

Currently on Craigslist there is a 2001 Simplicity DLX Landlord with over 800 hours, an 18 horse Briggs, and a 54" deck for $1250 OBO. Seem like a good deal, but I can't seem to find much info on that tractor, also the hours seem high?

I've also considered going with new or slightly used Husqavaurna or Craftsman in the $1400-1600 range, as I've heard that AYP is a bit better than a MTD?

I would also prefer hydrostatic drive.

Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions

tday

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tday

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 29, 2009

davidg said:
:Welcome1:

if the model number of the unit contains 1xx and it was made in teh last 6-7 years, it is a el cheapo model. Dealer models will be LT/LX/X3xx for lawn tractors and GT/GX/X4/X5/X7 for garden tractor models.

i have no clue about the simplicity, so i will leave that for others to answer.

but as far as the Deere units to get into a "real" deere, meaning one sold originally ONLY at a dealership, you will either have to get real old for that price range or raise your price. check machinefinder.com for machines in your area, you may run across a deal there.

as far as the Husq/Crafts/AYP/MTD machines, pretty much any of them in that range are equal machines. i do not feel comfortable recommending any 1 model though, nothing against them i just don't have enough hands on with them to say one is better than another.

teh flat land and leaf vac could be handled by pretty much anything. the 2 acres means that you will rack up time on teh machine and low end machines may wear out sooner than desired. or you could find one that last 30 years, that is the gamble you take!

Thanks davidg,

most of the Deeres I've seen in this price range have been just numbered models like 214, 314,etc.

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tday

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 29, 2009

Sergeant said:
The Simplicity DLX Landlord was the Top of the Line Meduim Simplicity Garden tractor just under the Leagacy It was Belt driven from engine to transmission avaliable in 18,20,23 HP and all had Hydro transmissions from 1999 and after and deck avaliabe in 44,50 and 54inch The Landlord replaced the Sovereign in 2000 as the Top of the line Meduim Garden tractor. One of the two 18hp model came with manual lift and low effort steer the rest came with Hydrulic lift and Power steering. The 20 and 23hp models came with Diff/Lock. All models had K71 transmissions. The Landlords could take a 36inch tiller,42inch front Blade,40inch two stage snowthrower,42inch single stage snowthrower and a one point hitch(sleeve hitch). The Landlords were replaced by the Prestige. 800 hrs is not bad for a Landlord DLX model or is the Price of $1,250. Out of the Tractors you mentioned the Landlord is probably the best you can get for under $1,800. I think you would be happy with it.:thThumbsU

Thanks, thats good to hear, maybe I'll go take a look at it then. The add said it was a v twin Briggs. Does that sound like the original motor, or did somebody maybe swap it?

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tday

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 29, 2009

C2H8O said:
Welcome, tday! :MTF_wel:

What is your budget?
What do you expect it to do?

For simply cutting grass, I think the best tool is any number of zero-turn mowers. Many are hydrostatic.

$5800 will get you a zero turn mower with dual hydrostatic drive and fully independent suspension. Sweet! Just not my price range.

Thanks for the welcome, unfortunately my budget is only $1000-1500 and other than mowing two acres, I need to pull around my leaf vac, and pull a small trailer and a roller occasionally

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