Hello,
I'm close to deciding to purchase a Jimna tractor, but I'm deciding on which one is best suited for my needs.
I'm considering the following attachments:
FEL
Finish mower (pull behind, not the under belly)
Tiller
Blower
The reason I'm considering this type of tractor is because I'd like to have an all-in-one machine that'll handle the weekly lawn care chores as well as the occaisional landscaping, tilling and winter snow removal duties.
The crux for me is deciding if I need the 204 or the slightly larger-framed 284 (the price diff between 224, 254 and 284 is minimal and they all share the same frame dimensions so going to the 284 is a no-brainer!!). The 204 is a slightly smaller unit. Is using this kind of tractor on a weekly basis to cut the lawn overkill? Won't I rack up the usage hours, maintenance frequency, etc. I've also read on other sites that the pull-behind mower works better than the under-belly. The pull-behind has a stronger, more reliable drive system, but the underbelly is more versatile in narrower conditions. Has anyone else experienced this?
I have 10 acres, but only 1.5 acres is landscaped with SOD (a few trees to trim around, maybe 20 altogether), the rest is horse pasture, driveway and ditch around the perimeter.
With the FEL, I'd like to be able to move large round hay bails (for the horses). I'd like to push in the occaisional 4"X7' treated green post (for the electric fencing.. a common technique apparently in these parts of Canada when the ground's still squishy in late spring!) Also, I've got a bunch of packed fill (about 600 yrds, mostly sandy clay, undisturbed for 5 yrs now) in one section of the yard and I'd like to fill in some low spots in the pastures over the next few years (no rush.. no plans on moving mountains over a weekend!!).
I've got about 400 ft of driveway to clear in the winter and it gets quite deep apparently during the bad years! (I just bought the this home in spring and have yet to live through my first winter here!)
My tilling requirements could vary widely, depending on how courageous I get with the pastures. I could have as little as a 40'X60' garden to do 2 times per year but as much as 3 acres of manure to mix in on the odd occaision (once every 2 yrs or so).
The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced I need the 284 but I'm just concerned that it'll be too big for my lawn even with the lawn treads installed. I hope I won't have to resort to getting a 2nd lawn tractor for the grass!
Does anyone have any thoughts?
I appreciate your input!
Gord
I'm close to deciding to purchase a Jimna tractor, but I'm deciding on which one is best suited for my needs.
I'm considering the following attachments:
FEL
Finish mower (pull behind, not the under belly)
Tiller
Blower
The reason I'm considering this type of tractor is because I'd like to have an all-in-one machine that'll handle the weekly lawn care chores as well as the occaisional landscaping, tilling and winter snow removal duties.
The crux for me is deciding if I need the 204 or the slightly larger-framed 284 (the price diff between 224, 254 and 284 is minimal and they all share the same frame dimensions so going to the 284 is a no-brainer!!). The 204 is a slightly smaller unit. Is using this kind of tractor on a weekly basis to cut the lawn overkill? Won't I rack up the usage hours, maintenance frequency, etc. I've also read on other sites that the pull-behind mower works better than the under-belly. The pull-behind has a stronger, more reliable drive system, but the underbelly is more versatile in narrower conditions. Has anyone else experienced this?
I have 10 acres, but only 1.5 acres is landscaped with SOD (a few trees to trim around, maybe 20 altogether), the rest is horse pasture, driveway and ditch around the perimeter.
With the FEL, I'd like to be able to move large round hay bails (for the horses). I'd like to push in the occaisional 4"X7' treated green post (for the electric fencing.. a common technique apparently in these parts of Canada when the ground's still squishy in late spring!) Also, I've got a bunch of packed fill (about 600 yrds, mostly sandy clay, undisturbed for 5 yrs now) in one section of the yard and I'd like to fill in some low spots in the pastures over the next few years (no rush.. no plans on moving mountains over a weekend!!).
I've got about 400 ft of driveway to clear in the winter and it gets quite deep apparently during the bad years! (I just bought the this home in spring and have yet to live through my first winter here!)
My tilling requirements could vary widely, depending on how courageous I get with the pastures. I could have as little as a 40'X60' garden to do 2 times per year but as much as 3 acres of manure to mix in on the odd occaision (once every 2 yrs or so).
The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced I need the 284 but I'm just concerned that it'll be too big for my lawn even with the lawn treads installed. I hope I won't have to resort to getting a 2nd lawn tractor for the grass!
Does anyone have any thoughts?
I appreciate your input!
Gord