$4000 to spend on lawn/light duty garden tractor

[oakford4]

Hello all,

I'm a newby here, but over the course of educating myself I've learned quite a few things. However, I need some advise from those with experience in selecting the 'right' heavy duty lawn/light duty garden tractor. I have about 2 1/2 acres (of mowable lawn, hydroseeded area, and just weeds), of which about half of it is rather uneven and bumpy. I addition to mowing every 10-14 days, I will fairly regularly be pulling a dump cart filled with things like firewood, dirt, stone, etc. That's it--no blades, snow plows, etc. So, because of the uneven terrain, I felt I needed something fairly stout (in terms of gauge of steel, etc.) along with a top end engine. I would prefer a 52" deck (but have considered 48" and 50" decks), and have about $4000 to spend. Below are what I've looked at:

(1) Cub Cadet GT 2554 (25 HP Kohler COMMAND) @ $3799 + tax
(2) Cub 1554 (27 HP Kohler COURAGE) @ $2899 + tax
(3) Cub Cadet 3150--50" deck, 2005 model, 23 HP Kohler COMMAND @ $4100 + tax
(4) Toro GT2300, 26 Hp Kohler COURAGE @$2799--no tax
(5) John Deere LA150, Briggs engine @ $2899 + tax
(6) John Deere X340, 25 Hp Briggs engine @ $4399 + tax....probably a bit more than I want to spend
(7) John Deere X324, 22 HP Briggs, 4-wheel steer, 48" deck @$4125 + tax
(8) Simplicity Broadmoor, 20 HP Briggs Vanguard/50" @$4000--no tax. No dealer nearby, however
(9) Husqvarna GTH26K54T, 26 HP Kohler COMMAND @$2799--no tax

As you can tell, I've looked around. I believe the Deere engines are made by Briggs (not sure if Vanguard or lesser quality). Now,.....HELP??!!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

The Deere 324 gets my vote if you need to turn sharp around trees and stuff. The engine is a Kawasaki Vtwin.

 

[BleedGreen]

The Deere X304 (Four Wheel Steer) is the current #1 lawn tractor according to Consumer Reports. The X324 is identical with a larger engine and mower deck. All X300's and above use Kawasaki engines, (except the diesels in the X700 Series) while the LA100 Series use the Briggs.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Have you considered a used machine? For that kind of budget, you could be looking at a John Deere 4X5 or 4X0 that would be considerably heavier, more powerful, and more ruggedly built than the new machines you're considering. In a similar position a year ago, I bought a used JD 455, and love it. The 3 cylinder Yanmar liquid cooled diesel engines in the 455 and 430 are among the best engines ever put in a garden tractor.

 

[DieselPower]

I agree with Jeff. You might just find you can get a very nice used tractor for the same money you are going to spend on a small garden tractor. You might try stopping by your local John Deere dealer and see if they have any trade in unit's that might fit the bill.

 

[VA_Joe]

In thick grass the larger decks tend to bog down the gas engines. If going gas - I would opt for something smaller than 54" (although it's all relative to engine size/torque - tough to say what the right answer is). I have both a GT235 and a Cub 2544. For price/value - I like the 2544 the best. The only advantage of the GT235 is that I see (over the cub) is that one does not need to reset the mowing height each time the deck is lowered (a minor pain - easy to forget your last setting). To the cubs advantage - because it has a larger engine/smaller mowing deck - it does not seem to get bogged down as was common with my GT235 (Cub 44" vs. JD 48" and Cub 25 HP vs. JD 18 HP). The only real trade-off is slightly longer mowing times (which isn't a big deal for a couple of acres). The fact that it was over a $1000 less was another major advantage with the Cub.

BTW - my GT235 has the Vanguard engine

Joe

 

[jeffinsgf]

I agree with Jeff. You might just find you can get a very nice used tractor for the same money you are going to spend on a small garden tractor. You might try stopping by your local John Deere dealer and see if they have any trade in unit's that might fit the bill.

Even better, stay right in your chair, and log onto Deere's "machinefinder". You can search for different models and the results come up based on their distance from your zip code. Some of the listings for garden tractors are brief, but most have at least one picture and a description of condition and hours. You'll pay a little more for one this way than you would through eBay, but you know that the machine has been gone over by a qualified mechanic.

 

[LBrown59]

Hello all,


(1) Cub Cadet GT 2554 (25 HP Kohler COMMAND) @ $3799 + tax
(3) Cub Cadet 3150--50" deck, 2005 model, 23 HP Kohler COMMAND @ $4100 + tax
(4) Toro GT2300, 26 Hp Kohler COURAGE @$2799--no tax
(8) Simplicity Broadmoor, 20 HP Briggs Vanguard/50" @$4000--no tax. No dealer nearby, however
(9) Husqvarna GTH26K54T, 26 HP Kohler COMMAND @$2799--no tax
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks in advance.

~~~~~~~~
1*Is this new or used? I bought a new left over 2554 for $3500
If the one you're looking at is new 3799 is a good deal
3*3000 series CC are nice, but with used there is no warranty plus you pay finance charges.
4*New or used. If it's the same model sold at box stores I'd pass on it. In fact I wouldn't waist any money on any tractor from a box store.
8*Good tractors but is the price rite?
9*I'm not a fan of them.

 

[oakford4]

LBrowne,

The price I was quoted on the 2554 Cub was for a new, 2007 model. The Cub 3150 was also a new tractor, but a 2005 model (I'm told a full warranty would be provided).

I've also liked a Toro Wheelhorse GT420 with 52" deck, but can't seem to find anyone who owns one for feedback.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[art]

I like number one, they seem to be the best of the engines for performance on work as well as life. You didn't say as to the number of tree's I'd look at the new Cadet 1000S for manuverability and that would still be in your budjet.