Buying Advice Newbie buying as a gift...HELP!

[jake98]

Maybe he just thinks he wants a zero turn mower.. you should get him on here, we'll straighten him out, he wants a tractor! :thumbsup:

 

[DAY]

All things considered, the dealer is more important than the brand. Go with one that is close, and one that had good "vibes"- he will become your new best friend!

- and keep us up to date on DH, the kennel, and the rest of your city mouse/country mouse adventure!

 

[TripleR]

I have used just about every mower known to man, Huskee, Husqvarna, Craftsman, John Deere, Big Mow and some the names of which I can't remember. They did a pretty good job of mowing, but were somewhat limited, but that was all I could afford and it sure beat a push mower.

I agree a good dealer can be important or at least a local shop that will work on all brands.

I will have to add a note of caution/advice/input on ZTR, not everyone loves them. I know several who don't and I can't even get my wife on one. You have gotten some excellent advice, so all I can really add is try them out before you buy. I learned that lesson many years ago.

I know it is not in your budget now, but at some point I have to recommend looking into a SCUT CUT for your property, our BX was without a doubt the best investment we ever made and now my wife would not giver "her" BX2660 up for anything, well maybe a F3080, but I am not too sure about that.

Good luck in your shopping; wish I could give more definitive advice.

 

[SareBear0728]

Maybe he just thinks he wants a zero turn mower.. you should get him on here, we'll straighten him out, he wants a tractor! :thumbsup:

Ha-Oh yes, a "real" tractor will be in our future. But with our move to this old farm house, I have a honey-do list about a mile long mostly with interior projects. Gotta get some of those off the list or they would never get done with a tractor sitting in his garage! It would be just TOO tempting for him. :laughing:

Thanks everyone! I will be visiting a few of the local dealers in the next couple weeks.

Sarah

 

[TripleR]

Ha-Oh yes, a "real" tractor will be in our future. But with our move to this old farm house, I have a honey-do list about a mile long mostly with interior projects. Gotta get some of those off the list or they would never get done with a tractor sitting in his garage! It would be just TOO tempting for him. :laughing:

Thanks everyone! I will be visiting a few of the local dealers in the next couple weeks.

Sarah

When needed, you can always rent a tractor. We rent a back hoe or skid steer when we have need of one. That way you can try out different tractors for the time when you are ready to buy.

Enjoy the country life, we wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[EE_Bota]

Why not give him your research and this thread. That and your blessing would sure make me a happy birthday boy!

 

[boggen]

would suggest getting your hubby on here. more so if he will be the one maintaining, and driving a given unit and have him go out and set down on different models for a test drive.

3k seems more like, hubby / wife talking, vs a surprise. with a check geared for a mower or SCUT. it might be boring for one of you to wait around for the other to test drive and look at things. but at least you would be together. doing something away from home vs in a bar or doing something else.

and if you are both together. perhaps you will be more willing to jump on the mower or tractor and do some things, after seeing how to operate and test drive a few things yourself along with your hubby.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I know it is not in your budget now, but at some point I have to recommend looking into a SCUT CUT for your property, our BX was without a doubt the best investment we ever made

I second that, and I must say that a BX makes a great mowing machine. :thumbsup:

 

[PossumHound]

Hi All,

Been lurking awhile, and have really enjoyed the information, stories, and jokes presented here. I'm posting now because I feel my situation is very relevant to the OP's.

I have 15 acres of an old farm on which I mow about 3 acres weekly. I had a JD 650 for 15 years w/ a 5 foot mower that I used. Worked well enough, but I really used the tractor more with my implements - bush hog, box scrape, plow, carry all (I bought the whole kit for $5k in 1987 sold for $4.9k in 2003- wish I could buy it back for that). A CUT or SubCut is so useful he will at some point want one unless he just doesn't like yard work.

On the other hand, I bought a ZTR (Toro) after the JD, and my mowing time was cut by 1/2 and the cut quality was just like a golf course. I needed that at the time as I took a job consulting which required a lot of travel so I didn't have much time to spare.

So, my suggestions- get the ZTR now, Cub Cadets do a good job (my neighbor has one he loves) and they're a little less expensive than the big boys (JD, Toro, Kubota, Grasshopper, Bad Boy, etc.) but not as tough. Tractor Supply has them in the $3.5k range right now with decent financing options. It will work for you well for a couple years after which you'll have a better idea what you need on your place. In the meantime, follow TripleR's advice and rent a tractor when you need to.

My two pennies.

Tim