New guy looking for first lawn tractor

Well Consider a used Garden tractor
Here are some example's
Deere 318,322,330,332,420,430. The 318 is considered Deere's Best Garden tractor you can get it with either a 38,46inch or 50 inch mowing deck for About $1,500 used
Any IH Cub Cadet and even some of the MTD made Cub Cadet Garden tractors.
Simplicity Sovereign which is another Good used tractor
Toro/Wheelhorse 300,400 or 500 series.
There is a Grounds Manitenance Equipment Blue Book out there. I usually Buy one every year. There About $60.00 hope this gives you some Idea of what Brands to start looking at is the Used Brands.

as far as what to look over on them i can tell you what i check out and maybe others will add more : 1 overall apearance ,does it look well maintained or abused and neglected
2 look the engine over check the oil if its low or extremely dirty i quit there could be probs after purchased looks used but ok or clean and full ? start it and run it for a few mins to warm up listen for unusual noises or oil smoke then shut it off check oil again if it looks pretty dirty already i would walk away again because they probably just changed it hoping to cover their poor maintenence .
3 look for cracks in the frame obvious alignment issues that could mean front axle is bent check all belts fluid in the hydro if equiped, wheel bearings front and rear ,oil leaks from engine and trans .
4 try all controls to see that they work and feel as they should
5 check steering spindles tie rods steering gear ,bushings .
6 check deck for rust holes thin spots cracks bad bearings look at blades see if they look ok or are bent or nicked severely.
7 if that stuff checks out ok ask to try it out pay attention to noises under both idle mid and full throttle with and with out mower deck enguaged and vibrations with deck enguaged and not enguaged try every gear out or if hydro gradual increases in speed forwards and reverse to make sure there is no slipping or unusual noises jerking ect. finally see how it cuts and that you are comfortable on it and like the setup of all the controls ad how it steers and turns . also check either on here or with a local dealer about what implements are available for it and that the one you choose can handle what you want to do with it . some even though they have implements available should not be used for it because of reliability concerns
hope this helps out some good luck and happy hunting

:MTF_wel: and good finding, buying your tractor. slkpk

Not sure where you are looking but be sure to check craigslist, www.machinefinder.com and www.tractorhouse.com.

Marcus,

Welcome to the forum! :Welcome1: 1.75 acres with a 20" push mower gets old fast! Good luck with your hunt!

Here is a nice GT262 in Steven's Point for for $1,195.

http://www.machinefinder.com/ww/en-US/machine/800445

There is a GT275 in New Richmond for $1,595.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=5584713&GUID=D873285EA79C48429C485120384FA2F3

If you want to go a little older here is a 314 and a 316

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=5566354&GUID=D873285EA79C48429C485120384FA2F3

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=5568551&GUID=D873285EA79C48429C485120384FA2F3

Happy hunting!

Marcus

Good advice already given, so good luck with your search. :MTF_wel2: We are glad to have you. There are many friendly and knowledgeable folks here at MTF, so enjoy all the different forums. Click on ”Active Topics” near the top left of the page for all the latest activity. You can also register with other members from your state by clicking here:

:Welcome1: Marcus, you're lucky to have found MTF. The folks here can certainly help you;as you've already seen. Good luck in your search!

albertj03 said:

Here is a nice GT262 in Steven's Point for for $1,195.

Click to expand...

I'd take a trip to the Steven's Point tractor; that way you could stock up on Point Special! :ROF

:Welcome1:

excellent advice so far!

Thanks for the help so far everybody. That GT262 does look pretty nice but how would it compare to a 320? I went to school in Stevens Point, but not a huge fan of the Point Special, ok for really cheap beer though.

http://greenbay.craigslist.org/grd/1214595747.html

Is that a good price? Also obo and it is still there after 2 weeks. Looks like no headlights but not a big deal at all. What do you think?

Thunder23 said:

Thanks for the help so far everybody. That GT262 does look pretty nice but how would it compare to a 320? I went to school in Stevens Point, but not a huge fan of the Point Special, ok for really cheap beer though.

http://greenbay.craigslist.org/grd/1214595747.html

Is that a good price? Also obo and it is still there after 2 weeks. Looks like no headlights but not a big deal at all. What do you think?

Click to expand...

Just kidding about the beer! Condition and maintenance history -- if available -- are everything in tractors of this vintage. I would look for the best tractor, with the lowest hours, and with the most clear maintenance history, you can find.

The 320 was built on the same frame as the 240 thru 285 series that was built form 1988 to 1992. the 320 was basicly the same as a 285 But it had Hydraulic lift over the Spring assisted lift. The 320 frame went on to become the framwe and base for the 325 thru 355 and the GX325 thru GX355. The GT262 was built on it own frame it was in the entry level series of the Garden tractors at that time just above the GT242 which was a 6 speed gear and the GT262 also had a 6speed gear trans as well The frames for these GT tractor stayed in production until 2002 as the Saber & Scotts garden tractors. and 2003 as the JD G100. You can still get a headlight panel for the 320. Between the two once you have a tractor with Hydrualic lift you will never want to go back to a tractor with manual spring assist. You can still get powerflow baggers, tiller's, dozer blade's and snow blowers from Deere that will fit either model. So my vote is go with the 320. :thThumbsU

Thanks for the help so far with all the suggestions. Turned out that the 320 was sold long before I could get there to take a look.

However, tomorrow I am going to go take a look at a 332 with about 800 hours on it. It is supposed to be in excellent running condition with no rust but the water pump has a slight leak. They are asking $2200. Is that a fair price for something that otherwise completely functions correctly? Where is the water pump located on these machines?

I would absolutely love to have a diesel like this! Anybody have experience with this particular model that could give me some insight?

Welcome to MTF, happy hunting

Well, tonight I agreed to buy a 332! It needs a water pump and 1 new front tire but everything else works flawlessly. Eventually I will need to replace the rear tires as well, but they will work fine for now. Also came with a 4' hydraulic plow/blade and a bagger system. I am pretty pumped and will get it delivered here on Friday. Also there is really no rust on it at all, even the mower deck. Pictures will come after I get the thing.

Any 332 owners that could give me any tips on this machine? I only drove it a little bit but so far I am lovin' the diesel! I am now really happy that I didn't go to sears and pick up that ys4500 I was looking at.

Marcus

Thunder23,

Congrats on your new tractor. I think you made the right choice. I only wish I had one now... :wwp:

Were looking forward to the pics of it. slkpk

Finally got a picture of this thing. Need to find a new tire for the front yet, but also came with the hydraulic blade and a powerflo bagger.

Also any tips on how to flush the transmission and put new JD fluid in there?