Cheapest path to 72" mmm

[bigpinwheel]

Here's a picture of the property from the front porch. Property line follow tree lines and driveway.


I've been given a fairly long leash as far as budget goes with the understanding I won't spend more than needed. She'd be fine with 25k with the understanding that I better be **** happy with the purchase. The terrain is wide open, no obstacles, smoothish but there are some areas that I have to back off of the x500 to save my back and kidneys from jarring around.

 

[RoyJackson]

View attachment 333527

Here's a picture of the property from the front porch. Property line follow tree lines and driveway.


I've been given a fairly long leash as far as budget goes with the understanding I won't spend more than needed. She'd be fine with 25k with the understanding that I better be **** happy with the purchase. The terrain is wide open, no obstacles, smoothish but there are some areas that I have to back off of the x500 to save my back and kidneys from jarring around.

I'd go with the ZTR, if your primary concern is to reduce mowing time. With a CUT, you won't be mowing any faster then you are with your x500...maybe not as fast, in fact.
With a $25K budget, you could get a good used ZTR and a good used tractor (think early 2000's Deere 4000 series) with a loader for you drive work. I expect you could do it for considerably less then $25K, in fact.

BTW, I do suggest you stay off those slope when that grass is wet...

 

[LD1]

I'd go with the ZTR, if your primary concern is to reduce mowing time. With a CUT, you won't be mowing any faster then you are with your x500...maybe not as fast, in fact.
With a $25K budget, you could get a good used ZTR and a good used tractor (think early 2000's Deere 4000 series) with a loader for you drive work. I expect you could do it for considerably less then $25K, in fact.

BTW, I do suggest you stay off those slope when that grass is wet...

ditto.

$25k will buy a ZTR and a tractor

 

[beckmurph]

You might consider the Kubota F Series mowers.
4wd, 72" deck, and a front blade for your driveway.
They are not low budget, but are with in your suggested budget.
JOHNTHOMAS has owned a couple of these and his terrain is similar to yours.

 

[bigpinwheel]

I think the F series would be perfect if it was just snow removal but I need to move gravel and grade washouts etc.

LD1 and RoyJackson thanks for atleast setting my expectations straight. I'm beginning to see that mowing time is less about cutting width and more about cutting width + manueverability.

That said I'm not sure I can sell owning three machines for five acres to the wife even if it is under budget. I think I'm going to have to compromise greatly on a swiss army knife type machine.

 

[LD1]

Swiss-army type machines have their place. They can do alot of different things. But certainly arent the best at any of them.

If you only have room in your pocket for a swiss army knife, its fine. It can open cans, but not as good as a can opener. It can turn a screw, but not as good as a screwdriver. IT can pop a cork, but not as good as a corkscrew. You get the idea...

A ZTR, while a single purpose machine, it the best for mowing you acreage. And even if purchased new, maybe 8-9k for a good one that will last.

A tractor, with a loader and possibly a rear blade for doing your drive, something in the B-sized kubota, would run you maybe 16k new,

That puts you at your 25k budget. But, nothing at all wrong with used. A good commercial grade, low hour ZTR can be had for 4-5k, and a similar sized tractor used and lower hours, maybe 10k. So you could save 10k just by buying used if you so choose. But in the end, I think you will be far happier than with a swiss-army machine.

When I bought my place, I bought the kubota as a swiss army machine, cause it was all my budget would allow. I used a old lawnmower in close and a 3PH mower for everything else. I now own a ZTR. No comparison. If it is in your budget, get it now.

 

[LD1]

Swiss-army type machines have their place. They can do alot of different things. But certainly arent the best at any of them.

If you only have room in your pocket for a swiss army knife, its fine. It can open cans, but not as good as a can opener. It can turn a screw, but not as good as a screwdriver. IT can pop a cork, but not as good as a corkscrew. You get the idea...

A ZTR, while a single purpose machine, it the best for mowing you acreage. And even if purchased new, maybe 8-9k for a good one that will last.

A tractor, with a loader and possibly a rear blade for doing your drive, something in the B-sized kubota, would run you maybe 16k new,

That puts you at your 25k budget. But, nothing at all wrong with used. A good commercial grade, low hour ZTR can be had for 4-5k, and a similar sized tractor used and lower hours, maybe 10k. So you could save 10k just by buying used if you so choose. But in the end, I think you will be far happier than with a swiss-army machine.

When I bought my place, I bought the kubota as a swiss army machine, cause it was all my budget would allow. I used a old lawnmower in close and a 3PH mower for everything else. I now own a ZTR. No comparison. If it is in your budget, get it now.

 

[RoyJackson]

I think the F series would be perfect if it was just snow removal but I need to move gravel and grade washouts etc.

LD1 and RoyJackson thanks for atleast setting my expectations straight. I'm beginning to see that mowing time is less about cutting width and more about cutting width + manueverability.

That said I'm not sure I can sell owning three machines for five acres to the wife even if it is under budget. I think I'm going to have to compromise greatly on a swiss army knife type machine.

I was thinking you were going to sell the x500.

 

[bigpinwheel]

Well I have a half acre gated behind the house with a 54" entrance that I still need to mow, it is a steeper grade and would be unmowable without 4x4 or the locking rear diff on the x500

 

[aczlan]

How much would it be to widen the gate to 84"?

Aaron Z