How to convince wife that you need to keep your tractor

[slewisma]

The 7.5' is the front wheel. Factory spec so not specific to mower or no mower.

I'll measured uncut circle next time I mow towards the end of this week and post here.

[Slade]

Originally Posted by jas67

DavidVT,

My wife has no interested in dealing with the non-synchronized gearshift (even though she prefers a manual transmission in the car -- thank god). I've been looking for a good deal on a hydrostatic drive B7100/B7200, or other Kubota in the 5-6k range with a FEL, or one that I can move my FEL to. If I get a hydro, i think she'd be more inclinded to use it.

Jas67, start thinking of reasons you NEED something bigger and more expensive and then comprise by going for what you really want. I'd definitely get an FEL and just remove it when not using it -- you'll find an FEL really handy to move around lots of stuff. It will also make your machine keep a much better resale value. Tell the wife you could live without a hydro, but that you should get one for her. (then again I gave my GF a power washer for Christmas last year )

[KeithInSpace]

My first thought: Sell the whole lot and pile everything into a BX2350 with a 60" deck. Great mow...easy to use...easy to take off the FEL...easy to mount a realatively inexpensive rear-mount snowblower...power steering (awesome)...too many good things to list.

Regarding turning radius, the 7.5' measurement is the outside front wheel. I can mow tightly around a 12" caliper White Oak Tree ABH (probably 20" on the ground) without stopping. I don't have any issues with wheels dropping into mulch or other nuisances. I haven't used my push mower much this season...just my BX and weed-wacker for a complex mix of trees, basement steps, and other obstacles. Generally speaking, I can get within 1 inch to 1 foot of all parts of my house except for a few inside corners. And I choose to not get too close to my trees so I don't mess up the base of the tree if I'm in a hurry (dragging the deck edge over the angled root of a Oak or Maple can pull the bark away).

I have never described my BX as anything but amazingly maneuverable. There really isn't any spot you can't get in or out of...almost ZTR-like with the HST and power steering. Very wonderful machine.

[jas67]

Originally Posted by KeithInSpace

My first thought: Sell the whole lot and pile everything into a BX2350 with a 60" deck. Great mow...easy to use...easy to take off the FEL...easy to mount a realatively inexpensive rear-mount snowblower...power steering (awesome)...too many good things to list.

I may eventually do that. I just got a good deal on an '98 B7100 HST (last year) to replace my '80 B7100 (gear drive), so I'm at least upgrading to hydrostatic, which will make my FEL work easier. I think for the duration of the current round of projects, having separate machines for FEL and mowing will be a good thing. I will definitely consider replacing both the just-acquired B7100 HST and the G1800S with a BX1800 or better down the road after trying one out. At this point, I have a lot less into both of my machines than a BX2350 would run me, but with the economy going in the crapper, there may be some good deals on the used market

Of course, I'm quite happy with what I have. My wife won't "make" me get rid of my tractor, she'll just "suggest (repeatedly)" that I do so. If I trade both for a BX, I could just call it a "riding mower", and not a "tractor" -- yeh, that's the ticket.

jas67
'98 B7100 HST w/ Woods FEL/60" deck/snowblower/PHD/5' KK rake
'80 B7100 w/ KB-219 FEL (soon for sale)
'9? G1800S w/ 48" deck & 4WS

[KeithInSpace]

Originally Posted by jas67

...I could just call it a "riding mower", and not a "tractor" -- yeh, that's the ticket.

I purchased mine as soon as we started construction of our house and realized we needed a "real" machine. I was going to get a ZTR for $4,000 or $5,000, so at least I had the mower deck and bagger paid for...sort of...as I have said in previous posts, if I stopped doing all projects today and did nothing but glorified mower duty with my machine for the next 20 years, my wife would still agree that it was a good purchase.

As you said, perhaps if you poke around you can find a BX1800/2200 with a few hundred hours for a fair price. Doesn't cost much to look. Usually.

[Soundguy]

Ditto.. sell the ztr.. of the 3 things you own.. it is the least adaptable and suited to your property. the loss of traction is enough by itself.

soundguy

[RayCo]

Tell your wife that it's your tractor and you want it, therefore it stays. What does she drive? Is there anything that couldn't be done with a bike or a handtruck and some nice walking shoes that she currently uses her vehicle for?

[jas67]

Well, I agreed to sell my tractor.... so I could buy another one

See this thread for details:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/k...ml#post1438977

[RayCo]

Originally Posted by jas67

Well, I agreed to sell my tractor.... so I could buy another one

I love it.

[jas67]

Originally Posted by RayCo

Tell your wife that it's your tractor and you want it, therefore it stays. What does she drive? Is there anything that couldn't be done with a bike or a handtruck and some nice walking shoes that she currently uses her vehicle for?

LOL!!!!

Acutally, when were done with the landscaping work that we're doing, most of which will be done this year, and the rest next year, it won't really get used that much. It will just be spring mulch, and winter snow, and that's about it.

At that point, I may consider a BX, and sell both the B7100HST, and the G1800S to fund it. That way, it will be my "lawn mower", not a "tractor." Then, I'll still have something with a 3-point and a PTO to run my snowblower, and a FEL for the occasional task that I can use it for. It is one of those tools that even if you don't use it much, you are really glad to have it when you do.

I've even considered doing some light for-hire work with the PHD, or even the mower if I can find it. I don't have a lot of spare time now, but will have some when these current projects are done.