700' gravel driveway with 2 acres of lawn in snow country

[fatjay]

If I were you I'd pick up a nice used 60" zero turn and an older tractor for implements, and use the left over money to pave the driveway. Snowblowing on gravel makes for a short life for hte snowblower. Even if you try to have it up an inch or two, it'll be short lived. When the sun hits the 2" of snow left it'll melt, then refreeze as ice in the night. Down to the asphalt is my preference, or I'd rather leave as much of it as I can.

 

[hawkeye08]

If the lawn has slopes, I would not recommend a zero turn mower. There are some models that handle slopes, but generally, most don't do that well. Our lawn is pretty flat, but we have a "hump" in the landscaping that showed me the dangers of zero turn on slopes. It seemed to take off if I tried to slow down or turn... perhaps there is a method, but nonetheless, there is a danger.

 

[AxleHub]

.... upstate NY. . . . . . 600-700 foot gravel driveway and a lot of lawn area to mow.

Here's a picture of the driveway and lawns I need to take care of courtesy of google earth
View attachment 519083


Mike

Mike,

As I posted earlier - you have a beautiful setting and I can just imagine the lawn (all 2 acres) - cut well and it would show off the water nicely. If everyone looks at the picture - this is lawn - not pasture. Its lawn - not woods. It has some slopes but nothing like mine. And it has water and a gravel driveway. These are the things he tells us.

Now look at the house in his picture - this is what he called their dream house - and to me it looks like an estate in the country as the house is multi story and very finished looking. Its not a ranch or a farm its "nice" looking estate property. unless I'm looking at the wrong picture. This is the kind of lawn you develop over a couple years of cutting it 3.5 inches and weed killing. If you have the money and the time - you "very lightly" fertilize - but not at the recommended levels on the packages because then you have to cut too frequently and water 2 acres. You might even gradually develop part of the lawn for irrigation (I have 1 acre irrigated and I cut every 7 to 10 days).

Forget "farm" here - but his Dad has some of that. You won't use ag tires on this property - nor would I use industrial on it either. Turfs will get you anywhere on this property except "in the pond" LOL

Also note - I'm guessing any other accessory buildings are NOT desired either because this looks like "estate" - a place where swans and geese might swim.

And P.S. I'm guessing to blacktop 700 feet of gravel would shoot most all of his planned money and get him no equipment at all - at least it sure would in snow country like Wisconsin or New York State (snow country is defined as mostly 6 inch to 20 inch snow falls with more 12s and less 20s - while Lake Effects country like Buffalo is 20 to 36 inch+ regular snows).

I still believe it would be a positive to slowly and pleasantly help your "suburban city" wife enjoy a nice clean pleasant riding SCUT. And because the husband was a farmer in a past life - doesn't mean she is or will be or wants to be - so sloooowly and pleasantly encourage her so it is fun. She can help make the "dream" look good on the lawn

That picture you included should define our opinions - its "an estate" - and manicured lawn means nice looking lawn - not primped and polished but not sparse and rough. Its finished lawn. Blue Grass would be nice to see from those 2nd story windows - lots and lots of Kentucky Bluegrass. LOL and Mike if you are smart - you'll work on her very slowly about her helping keep it nice looking. What's easy for us doesn't mean its easy for them.

AxleHub

 

[Creamer]

If I were you I'd pick up a nice used 60" zero turn and an older tractor for implements, and use the left over money to pave the driveway. Snowblowing on gravel makes for a short life for hte snowblower. Even if you try to have it up an inch or two, it'll be short lived. When the sun hits the 2" of snow left it'll melt, then refreeze as ice in the night. Down to the asphalt is my preference, or I'd rather leave as much of it as I can.

Just last Friday I picked up a well used 72" deck zero turn that has a new engine and drive system and has been extremely well cared for for $1900. It was too good of deal to pass up even though I really did not need it as my 60" ZTR is in great shape. I just wanted a 72" with a dual tail wheel and suspension seat and by the time I put the tail wheels and seat on along with the engine I would have been at $1900.

 

[Deere Dude]

I have an X590. It's pretty sweet, and can take a front mount belt-driven snowblower. When my wife first used it she said it was easier to use than her car.

Unless someone wants a big tractor because of needing it for his lifestyle needs, your X590 or similar size would handle that driveway and lawn like a shot. No way would I walk that driveway except to see that the backup snowblower works as intended.

 

[mg448]

I've definitely decided to go with a garden tractor. I don't consider it an "estate", 2400 sq ft over 3 stories with a walk out unfinished basement, so 1600' of living space. The lawn isn't treated or manicured and it's full of weeds when you get up close, but it does look nice from the road and I want to keep it that way. I also want big grassy areas that aren't loaded with fertilizers and herbicides for my son to play in once he learns to walk. I really think a SCUT will be too much for the lawn areas, even with turf tires it will leave ruts when the ground is wet. Right now I want 1 machine to care for and maintain. Down the road I will probably get a CUT and a zero turn.
We've got a 25'x50' barn behind the house to store equipment. So whatever I buy will be kept indoors and be well cared for. I would love a Deere x700 4wd, but it's out of the price range. If I need a fel for something, or a heavier tractor for a massive snowstorm or anything serious my folks farm is 3.5 miles away. I can borrow my dad's Deere 5075e with his 72" snowblower for a few hours.
I had decided on a new Cub Cadet xt3 gsx with a 54"fab deck and a 44" Berco snowblower. This would run me about $6500. Then I saw a 2010 x540 with a 48" deck and 265 hours about an hour from me. Dealer is asking $4650. I'm going to head out there early next week and the a look at it. I like buying new and shiny things, but I think the proven Deere will be a little cheaper and probably be a better machine then the new CC. I know it will hold it's value better for when I eventually decide to upgrade.

 

[airbiscuit]

Will you have to find a snowblower for the John Deere?

 

[Tractorable]

I think the X540 is liquid cooled which is a plus.

 

[mg448]

Will you have to find a snowblower for the John Deere?

I'll see if the dealer can get me a used Deere blower. A new Berco will run me about $1600. I'll just have to drive to Vermont to get it.

 

[woolyAcres]

If you're back to shopping for garden tractors, have you considered the Husqvarna Rider? Always looked interesting to me. No idea how it would stand up to the rigors of summer and winter use, but folks that have them like them and you can get a front mount blower and 4x4.... Just another idea...
Husqvarna Riders R 322T AWD