Garden vs. Yard tractor for 4 acres...compare, opinions please

[indnigo]

I have used MTD and MYP mowers for decades. Geared, rear grass discharge (where did that feature go?) and the dreaded early hydrostatic. Yes. I pretty much rebuilt them every summer fall and winter and spent so much on parts it seemed a loosing battle. The Briggs and Stratts I could not kill with a 30-06 and the "hydro-gear" trannies just keep going as I have sold them to people who put plows on them and they keep going!?! I bought a Husqvarna yt48XLS to fit between the items in the yard. This thing mows up STEEP grades, executes great handling, so it is an excellent LAWN MOWER. Like you I wanted to make it not more than it can be, but NEEDED to make it last. If you want to make it last, no ground engagement implements, that will KILL the transmission. It is an excellent transmission, but it will sink faster than your rear tiller and tires. Ground engagement is hardcore for tractors of this size even in sand. I use a big old ford LGT and it still twists rattles and sinks into the ground, but it will make a nice garden...did I mention it sucks to mow lawn with it? What is your priority? A great lawn or a cleaned out woods and pasture? If you want both you will need two tractors. you will need a lawn tractor to take care of smaller, more important jobs first(unless you are single with a spare $10,000+). I suggest research, test drives and a lot of "good ol' boy" dealer talking. The Husqvarna yt XLS has a "posi-Trac" action that engages automatically. I love it. I feel most attachments that do not "lower" into the ground to operate, hence NO ground engaging, can be used with knowledge. Do not bash the machine around. I have used the XLS to roll 3-4 acres all rough, lawn rake them, pull trailers of timber through forests, move boats on trailers and even pull trees (make sure to choke up high on the trees so they do not grab turf) to fields far away. Considering $, I advise you get a QUALITY Lawn tractor with a strong chassis and differential. Learn how to operate it at optimal level, add some cheap attachments if you want then get a mid size tractor with a 3 point hitch and hydraulics. You will have an idea on how to treat this one as you have learned with the smaller tractor. I hope you the best. Tractors are freedom! ...even if from the wife!

 

[2ndhalf]

I have used MTD and MYP mowers for decades. Geared, rear grass discharge (where did that feature go?) and the dreaded early hydrostatic. Yes. I pretty much rebuilt them every summer fall and winter and spent so much on parts it seemed a loosing battle. The Briggs and Stratts I could not kill with a 30-06 and the "hydro-gear" trannies just keep going as I have sold them to people who put plows on them and they keep going!?! I bought a Husqvarna yt48XLS to fit between the items in the yard. This thing mows up STEEP grades, executes great handling, so it is an excellent LAWN MOWER. Like you I wanted to make it not more than it can be, but NEEDED to make it last. If you want to make it last, no ground engagement implements, that will KILL the transmission. It is an excellent transmission, but it will sink faster than your rear tiller and tires. Ground engagement is hardcore for tractors of this size even in sand. I use a big old ford LGT and it still twists rattles and sinks into the ground, but it will make a nice garden...did I mention it sucks to mow lawn with it? What is your priority? A great lawn or a cleaned out woods and pasture? If you want both you will need two tractors. you will need a lawn tractor to take care of smaller, more important jobs first(unless you are single with a spare $10,000+). I suggest research, test drives and a lot of "good ol' boy" dealer talking. The Husqvarna yt XLS has a "posi-Trac" action that engages automatically. I love it. I feel most attachments that do not "lower" into the ground to operate, hence NO ground engaging, can be used with knowledge. Do not bash the machine around. I have used the XLS to roll 3-4 acres all rough, lawn rake them, pull trailers of timber through forests, move boats on trailers and even pull trees (make sure to choke up high on the trees so they do not grab turf) to fields far away. Considering $, I advise you get a QUALITY Lawn tractor with a strong chassis and differential. Learn how to operate it at optimal level, add some cheap attachments if you want then get a mid size tractor with a 3 point hitch and hydraulics. You will have an idea on how to treat this one as you have learned with the smaller tractor. I hope you the best. Tractors are freedom! ...even if from the wife!

Welcome to TBN, Not sure if you noticed but the thread you posted on is almost three years old. You can check the date in the top left corner above the poster's name so you know how old the posting is. I have posted in old threads myself, as have most newbies. :laughing:

 

[Infinite Wisdom]

Some of the best reading I've done on TBN is the result of old threads being revived.

Some great advice and wisdom can be mined from these past threads.

 

[2ndhalf]

Some of the best reading I've done on TBN is the result of old threads being revived.

Some great advice and wisdom can be mined from these past threads.

I agee and I often post in old threads to bring them to life... Just giving him a heads up since he is new and I have seen guys ridicule guys for posting in old threads related to people asking for buying advice.

 

[brasco426]

I dunno man -- I too was using retail box store mowers and it never lasts. I think I spent more on buying them and fixing it then I did buying my kubota BX once and done. If it wasnt for a financing like for a car, I wouldnt have the BX. It did more then what I asked of it and I think I saved time and money with a real scut then I did with boxed store mowers .

I agree with radioman, I looked at every option and all brands. Looked at all the Garden Tractor offerings from John Deere, Simplicity, and so on. To get some of the features I needed, these tractors began getting closer to sub compact tractor prices. We have 4 acres of mowing and about an acre dedicated to horses the rest is woods for now. So I started to reassess what we needed for a total package. Snow removal, grading gravel driveways, and mowing just to name a few. Now a garden tractor could do some of this but was a lot to ask of it. Personally I was getting tired of shoveling horse manure and decided it was time to look seriously at our situation. We ended up picking up a sub compact tractor with a loader, box blade, and mid mount mower. Although it's a bigger investment it ended up being the best option for us, and my back has been happier since. Good luck on your search

 

[brasco426]

Lol I just realized this thread is from 3 years ago woops

 

[2ndhalf]

Lol I just realized this thread is from 3 years ago woops

It's ok, its that time of year, guys are assessing their mowing needs, and as Infinate wisdoms mentions... it has a lot of good info that guys in the OPs situation will benefit from.. I think you made the right decisioin.. I tried going the cheap route too and it cost me a lot of money.

 

[jenkinsph]

Usually see a lot of people start looking for mowers in March. Doesn't matter much when the thread was started to me as long as you recognize the OP has already made a purchase.

I prefer garden tractors for mowing and lawn maintenance but like to look at new products and ideas. Now a self levitating mower that is controllable and cuts nice and I may change my mind.

 

[brasco426]

Yeah the sub compact isn't cheap lol, but neither is replacing a garden tractor every couple of years! Never thought I'd own a real tractor, but the sub compacts are a great compromise. I'm super pleased with it so far. 2ndhalf I'd have to agree I really enjoy the stories and opinions around here! And we ALL have opinions lol. Take Care and a nice rest of the weekend, off to play movin horse poo lol

 

[brasco426]

Usually see a lot of people start looking for mowers in March. Doesn't matter much when the thread was started to me as long as you recognize the OP has already made a purchase.

I prefer garden tractors for mowing and lawn maintenance but like to look at new products and ideas. Now a self levitating mower that is controllable and cuts nice and I may change my mind.

Some of the newer sub compacts and compacts have controls to float the mid mower deck. Mine goes from 1.5 to 4 inches. It's going to be nice to set it and forget it this summer