$1499 vs $3500 (Deere D105 vs. X300) Worth it?

[check 6]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

I second the vote for a zero turn and like another said don't go cheapest as many of those at the big box stores cut costs by using less sturdy hydraulic systems. Good ones will last. I traded my 13 year old Kubota ZD 1800 in this spring not because it had a problem but I needed a larger one. They gave me just under 80% of what i paid 13 years ago and sold my old mower off the floor in two days for more than I had originally paid . Quality products last my current Kubota will out last me

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

Bought a Deere D105 7 years ago for $1499
42" and 17HP. Seemed to work fine for my needs.

Hit a rock and bent the deck.
Also, the mower stopped moving (tranny?)
Got a $1000 repair estimate, and decided to scrap the mower.

Tractor has already been scrapped, but now I find out there was a recall.
I am pissed the dealer did not even mention that, and I wonder if they were going to double dip.

I need a new mower. I only need to mow 2 acres. Not hauling anything.

Can I find a mower with these 2 features?
1) With the D105, I had to manually shift from forward to reverse. Can I just be able to do that automatically on the gas pedal?
2) Also, I want mower to be able to engage while riding backwards

What models should I look at?
Also, should I stay away from Deere? What are decent alternatives?

What features should I avoid?
Any tranny type to avoid?
What is hydrostatic drive?

What's your budget?
How much time do you want to spend mowing?

 

[beenthere]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

Nothing I can recommend that allows mowing over rocks..

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

Merged identical threads into one. Keeps people on the same page.

 

[radios1]

the K46 hydro transmission is very light duty, only for cutting grass up to 1 acre, and then, on mostly flat ground. pulling something or going up hills kills it fast. also, they don't have a drain plug!!. it's designed to be replaced with a new transmission when it fails!!. there are many posts about this. you are much better off getting something with the K66Y transaxle!!. 2 years ago, you could buy the K66Y transaxle for $197. now, they are sold out..

 

[Gary Fowler]

what exactly broke? generally its a spindle and maybe a blade and a hammer to bang the deck back in. what exactly is 1k in repairs?

If the transmission is shot, there goes nearly $1000 by itself.

 

[radios1]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

the K46 hydro transmission is very light duty, only for cutting grass up to 1 acre, and then, on mostly flat ground. pulling something or going up hills kills it fast. also, they don't have a drain plug!!. it's designed to be replaced with a new transmission when it fails!!. there are many posts about this. you are much better off getting something with the K66Y transaxle!!. 2 years ago, you could buy the K66Y transaxle for $197. now, they are sold out..

 

[MossRoad]

Merged a 3rd identical thread into this one. Please keep it to one thread on a subject folks.... gets confusing. :confused2:

 

[Topcat14]

the K46 hydro transmission is very light duty, only for cutting grass up to 1 acre, and then, on mostly flat ground. pulling something or going up hills kills it fast. also, they don't have a drain plug!!. it's designed to be replaced with a new transmission when it fails!!. there are many posts about this. you are much better off getting something with the K66Y transaxle!!. 2 years ago, you could buy the K66Y transaxle for $197. now, they are sold out..

The D105 doesnt even have the t40 ( cheap version of K46) it has a plastic cased geared CVT tranny- Forum junkie went against his dealers advice and went as cheap as he could on two acre lot. He got what he payed for - it was all fun and games when tractor was new- now 7 years later he is broken hearted. He tried to mow and hit a giant rock after 7 years of mowing- his entire story doesnt add up- some-tin wrong!!

 

[5030]

Merged a 3rd identical thread into this one. Please keep it to one thread on a subject folks.... gets confusing. :confused2:

I understand fully Mossy... At my age, just getting up can be cornfusing...

I think the OP's prime motivation is he wants to be cheap but have it last and in reality cheap and quality and longevity don't marry well together.

Additionally, all the box store JD branded units are, in reality, built by MTD and have been for a while. Same with TSC Husky and some others and cheap gets you, well..cheap throw away machines.

He should probably post on the sister Lawnmower forum. There he will get all sorts of replies, most, mostly worthless...:laughing: