Newbie, Please help me choose

Aircum said:

Hi all. What a great site. I am moving in a week to a 3.25 acre lot which is all needing to me mowed and cared for, I will be mowing around 2.75 acres or so, and I will have a .25 acre garden.

I have decided against ZTR's because they just do not seem to hold up in my price range.

I am wanting to spend at most $4000. I have looked at two Garden Tractors in particular and would love to hear your opinions PLEASE!!

Husqvarna 2354 gxls
Craftsman Pro PGT 9000

PLEASE HELP ME CHOOSE OR ADD YOUR INSIGHT TO OTHERS.
:thanku:

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I looked over the 2354GXLS before settling on the X500. The X500 is out of a lot of peoples price range, and it is pricey. But I feel it has been worth it. Although I did like the 2354, the Deere is a much more capable machine. Good stiff frame, better tranny.

Glenn M said:

I would look for something like this JD and attachments

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Most definitely. I'd rather pay $3500 for that and sink $500 into fixing whatever needed than get either of the two new ones you're looking at. Not because it's a JD, either; it's a much heavier machine, and if you plan to do a 1/4 acre garden more than a couple of times (plus 2+ acres of grass) you'll really wish for something like that. The tiller is a tool well worth its price in the garden. I didn't see one listed in the accessories for the Husqvarna or Sears

Pay now, or wish you'd paid more later.

Shoot around here you can get a 318 or 400 series for 1500 to 2500.

http://lincoln.craigslist.org/grd/1269211865.html
http://lincoln.craigslist.org/grd/1269165245.html
http://lincoln.craigslist.org/grd/1269152202.html
http://lincoln.craigslist.org/grd/1268363461.html
http://lincoln.craigslist.org/grd/1264185028.html
http://lincoln.craigslist.org/grd/1258691109.html
http://omaha.craigslist.org/grd/1268749850.html
http://omaha.craigslist.org/grd/1264845170.html
http://omaha.craigslist.org/grd/1262018859.html
http://omaha.craigslist.org/grd/1262015491.html
http://omaha.craigslist.org/grd/1260262639.html
http://omaha.craigslist.org/grd/1257901652.html
http://omaha.craigslist.org/grd/1255994223.html

Anyway you get the point. I'm no John Deere guy by any means but they are certainly better quality than new. Don't forget to budge for a loader on something. With that many acre's it will be a god send. I have an acre and the crap out of this:

Around here you can get a good running one of those for (Yes i know it's large but it was cheap) 1000-1500 with loader. Add 800 for a new 3pt and you're in business.


T.C.

I forgot to mention that instead of buying a 4k new craftsman buy 2 or 3 or 4 of the 500 dollar used ones and I bet you get the same amount of use out of the used ones as you will the new ones and still be 2k ahead plus minor repairs. You'll also likely get the same quality out of a 2k craftsman as a 4k craftsman so long as you treated them equal.

T.C.

Do you plan on working the garden with this tractor? If so, go with a used machine that is bigger and stronger.

Do you have a large drive that you will want to maintain with it? Again if yes go bigger and stronger.

Who is going to do the repairs and maintenance on it, you or a shop?

Do you want a machine to keep for the long haul or will you want a new one every 3 to 5 years?

Have you considered a new lower priced machine (lawn tractor) for mowing only, and a used better built machine that can handle attachment for the garden and heavier work?

I checked out the craigslist ad. Thanks for posting it. It is a 1200 hr diesel B1800 for 3500. It has a 60" deck for mowing. Seems like a great deal, however it is 4 hrs away, and I can not head that way till after we move. 2 weeks. So It will be gone I'm sure. Thanks to everyone and all the advise you have been giving, I assure you I am soaking it in!!