I have a couple of acres here and it has been mostly overgrown over the past 30 years before I bought it. It was dense with Live Oaks, Lagustrum, Cedars, Chinaberry and Cedar Elms.
I rented a bobcat 185 and ahve removed all the cedar, most of the lagustrum and many of the chinaberry trees.
In another week or so I will ahve most of the stumps and debris removed.
I will eventually plant grasss or ground cover over most of the property. For now I need to do stage two cleanup- remove chunks of caliche (rock) and chunks of wood remaining from the clearing.
So for the first nine months, any mower I get will mainly be used to haul the rocks and debris out from the back of the property.
It it my understanding that a manual tranny will handle towing much better than a hydro. The LA105 has a manual with a 19.5 BS. The LA165 has a 24 HP BS with a hydro (same one as the lower end 300 series JDs).
With the current sale and a 10% coupon I think I can get the LA105 for about $1215 and the 165 for around $1800. What would be my best choice considering all the cart/towing use I will have year one?
I've been reading this forum for months trying to decide whether to get a compact tractor or lawn tractor for my needs. It is my belief that I should continue to rent the bobcat to do all the heavy work, and buy a lawn tractor for the remaining work, since I have negotiated a price of $750 a month for the bobcat.
I would appreciate any thoughts or advice, esp. regarding a std tranny v a hydro for intense carting. You have already been a huge help and resource for me.
I rented a bobcat 185 and ahve removed all the cedar, most of the lagustrum and many of the chinaberry trees.
In another week or so I will ahve most of the stumps and debris removed.
I will eventually plant grasss or ground cover over most of the property. For now I need to do stage two cleanup- remove chunks of caliche (rock) and chunks of wood remaining from the clearing.
So for the first nine months, any mower I get will mainly be used to haul the rocks and debris out from the back of the property.
It it my understanding that a manual tranny will handle towing much better than a hydro. The LA105 has a manual with a 19.5 BS. The LA165 has a 24 HP BS with a hydro (same one as the lower end 300 series JDs).
With the current sale and a 10% coupon I think I can get the LA105 for about $1215 and the 165 for around $1800. What would be my best choice considering all the cart/towing use I will have year one?
I've been reading this forum for months trying to decide whether to get a compact tractor or lawn tractor for my needs. It is my belief that I should continue to rent the bobcat to do all the heavy work, and buy a lawn tractor for the remaining work, since I have negotiated a price of $750 a month for the bobcat.
I would appreciate any thoughts or advice, esp. regarding a std tranny v a hydro for intense carting. You have already been a huge help and resource for me.