Buying Advice How long can I get by without one?

[EddieWalker]

I think the wording of your question is spot on. It's not a matter of when you will get a tractor, because you will buy one sooner or later. The question is how long will you struggle and make do until you buy one? In my opinion, not having a tractor, or relying on somebody else to borrow one, means that you will put off doing things that you really should be doing right away. It's one of those things that ounce you have it there, you will find that it's the thing you use all the time and wonder how you got by for so long without having it. Same thing with a side by side UTV.

The next question, the more important one, is what should you buy? I think that 40hp should be your minimum. 4x4 is a must. A loader for sure!!! The cab makes it more useful for year round use. I think Kubota is the standard that the other brands compare to, but there are lots of decent brands out there that are worth looking at for less money.

And then the next question is how big will your barn be to store it and everything else that you will acquire over the years, along with enough space to work on projects in it?

 

[shooterdon]

FYI

My LS4140 cab HST with FEL, filled oversize turf tires (turfs better on ice/snow), 3rd function, and radio was $31k. Add about $8k for an equivalent Kubota. That will leave you with no funds for implements. I added (from MTL) forks $600, grapple for $1000 and a tree/post puller for $850. Got a Piranha Bar for $350. The snow blower is a FarmKing 74" pull type and I got a great deal on it - $4000. Invested about $40k last year.

My advice is wait for a while. You have a tractor you can use and no one uses one "all the time". I have 80 hrs on mine over the last 9 months. 200 hours a year is a lot of use for most. Save up and get the right tractor. Start buying attachments that will fit both your "right" tractor and your dads.

You will not be happy with a 25-30 hp tractor weighing less than 2500 lbs after the new wears off...BTDT.

 

[k0ua]

I lasted here almost 6 months without a tractor. Before I moved to here in Branson, I sold my New Holland TC33da as i didn't think I would need it, and I was worried about operating a tractor on such steep terrain. I was a "flatlander" before and had never operated a a tractor in these hills. But the jobs started to "stack up" pretty quickly and I decided to risk it and went and bought a new small Kubota B7500. It was a nice little tractor, and the key operative word is "little". I found myself wanting more, but I hung on to the B7500 for 8 years. Trading for a L3400hst and later for my present Kioti DK35se. Of course I have learned a bunch about operating a tractor safely on adverse terrain. There is no flat ground here unless you make it with your tractor. It can be a bit challenging at times, but you learn to think before you act.

 

[arnoldziffel]

Are you saying a zero turn will ride smoother than a scut on rough ground?

Can a zero turn stand up to continued use on rough land with lots of imperfections?

I don't know the answer but I'm genuinely interested in learning from your experience.

 

[metalbender]

I'm using a zt mower on this property, doesn't exactly ride smooth but I've driven my tractor over the same area. No way would I want try to mow with the tractor. Another big plus is being able to mow around and close to trees. I've mowed with a regular garden tractor too but not nearly as efficient.

 

[paulfun9]

My experience testing zero turns on my own property was the ride on the tractor was much better except for the Ferris with suspension.
Time wise the rear finish mower did better and got under the trees better than the zero turns and the mid mounts mowers from a simple ride on right up to the JD 755. Everyone’s obstacles will vary but unless paying for suspension on the zero turn I doubt anyone could prove to me the ride is better on one at least here on my property.
The time difference might be a bit different outcome if all my yard was smooth and honestly it felt like I was actually cutting faster with the zero turn on the smooth sections. Going slow in the ruff areas and cutting around the trees as I said wasn’t really any faster and had me not being able to get under as far as easy, so that’s most likely why I couldn’t produce a faster cut overall with the zero turn.

 

[buck12]

Only you can answer your question. You know your relationship with your father and each of your personalities. I like having my own stuff and don’t generally like to borrow. The exception to this is my Dad. We borrow stuff on a ongoing basis. I have two trailers but used his trailer today to get lumber. Tomorrow I’m borrowing his nail gun and router. His brake pliers are currently on my work bench and I use his pole saw more than he uses it.

He currently has two of my shotguns, and uses my trailers often. It’s just how we have done things. If it’s a tool I’m going to use often I want my own stuff. If it something like a router that I will rarely use I have no problem borrowing Dads.

 

[shooterdon]

Only you can answer your question. You know your relationship with your father and each of your personalities. I like having my own stuff and don’t generally like to borrow. The exception to this is my Dad. We borrow stuff on a ongoing basis. I have two trailers but used his trailer today to get lumber. Tomorrow I’m borrowing his nail gun and router. His brake pliers are currently on my work bench and I use his pole saw more than he uses it.

He currently has two of my shotguns, and uses my trailers often. It’s just how we have done things. If it’s a tool I’m going to use often I want my own stuff. If it something like a router that I will rarely use I have no problem borrowing Dads.

Very sensible approach.

BTW, I have "loaner" tools that I will lend "friends" after getting burned. One reason I kept the old Craftsman router I bought 40 years ago. I find it hard to say "no" to help someone out.

One guy wanted to borrow my new LS...easy to say "NO" on that one. I will get his project done and barter something from him I need/want done.

 

[Jchonline]

I'm using a zt mower on this property, doesn't exactly ride smooth but I've driven my tractor over the same area. No way would I want try to mow with the tractor. Another big plus is being able to mow around and close to trees. I've mowed with a regular garden tractor too but not nearly as efficient.

ZT mower is much bumpier than a tractor, unless you go filling all 4 tractor tires with that foam stuff. My dad has both.

 

[4570Man]

ZT mower is much bumpier than a tractor, unless you go filling all 4 tractor tires with that foam stuff. My dad has both.

A big ZT rides a lot better than a little dinky one does. Another mistake people make is putting 25 psi in the tires when 5-10 psi is enough to do the job. A tractor also rides a lot worse with the loader on vs off. Overall I’d rather mow on my ZT vs a tractor any time.