Trading in LS XJ2025 for Zero turn mower and UTV?

[rhatfiel]

Wanted to get some opinions. Obviously this is a tractor forum, but hear me out...

We built a house on 3 acres and moved in last Fall. We have a 2018 LS XJ2025, and we put 35 hours on it brush hogging, clear a tree line of overgrown hedge apples, and moving dirt to fix some minor grade and driveway issues. We had planned to use the tractor to till and seed the full 3 acres (thus the XJ2025 vs a MT125), but after a year of noticing grade and drainage issues and wanting to get things done right, we have hired a crew to come with a dozer to grade most of the lot and follow-up with two skidsteers to Harley rake and brillion seed everything for us.

I have noticed the XJ2025 leaves pretty good ruts in parts of our lot, especially the topsoil around the house. That makes me nervous knowing we are spending $ to finish grade and what the tractor would do to an establishing lawn. Plus, I am thinking I would prefer to have a zero turn for mowing at 1/2 the weight of the tractor, so I at least want to trade in the midmount mower towards a zero turn. I am seriously contemplating trading in the full tractor, rotary cutter and box blade for a UTV for any remaining chores in the future.

I do not plan to do ongoing dirt work once the grass is established, so it seems the UTV would accomplish what I need for taking care of mulch beds, light hauling, etc. Any more involved projects would be far and in between and would seem a rental for a weekend would take care of me.

Thoughts?

 

[RonSwanson]

If you only need a tractor for mowing, then absolutely just get a zero turn. Such a better cut, faster, more maneuverable, etc.

Having a UTV for the things you mentioned would be great too.

As long as you dont have tractor things to do your plan is a much better solution.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I think that your plan is worthy. If you don ‘ t have any foreseeable use / tasks for the tractor why have it. A dedicated mower and a UTV seem to be more in line for your needs. Tractors are cool, but getting work done is more important.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

By the way, whee are you located? You might just get a buyer for the whole package from on here, they might be a few miles away....

 

[rhatfiel]

By the way, whee are you located? You might just get a buyer for the whole package from on here, they might be a few miles away....

Thanks for the input. We’re in Central Ohio. I may post it here locally and see what hits we get before a trade. Realistically, we won’t have grass to cut or anything to do for the next month to month and a half.

 

[BoylermanCT]

UTV's can do much of the chores of a tractor with a plow, snowblower, hauling etc. The zero turn is the best way to mow a lawn, hands down. Gotta go with the best tools for the job! A tractor is not always the best tool.

 

[Milo]

Given your situation a UTV and ZTR sound way more useful than a tractor. A ZTR is the best way to mow and UTV's are really practical, I use mine almost every day.

 

[Citydude]

Sounds logical to me. But I have 4 vehicles so I’m far from qualified as being logical.

 

[finn1]

You seeme devoted to your lawn, so I have a word of advice on the UTV: make sure that whichever brand you select, make sure it has a “lawn mode” or open differential. Mine has a locked rear differential, and tears up the lawn something fierce whenever I turn.

 

[powwowell]

I once reasoned I didn't need a tractor! Had a JD riding mower for the wife already, and decided to sell my tractor and purchase a ZTM. The ZTM cuts great and is quick. Now in the third year of NO TRACTOR, I had to have another tractor. Used JD 1026R. I'm back in hog heaven. That's bush hog heaven. :thumbsup:

We have 5.6 acres, with about a half acre of woods. Just had the tractor a few weeks and I've mowed grass, used the loader and bush hogged just a bit. Hope to use the box blade tomorrow. When I needed a tractor and didn't have one, I realized how useful a tractor can be.

Then again you have made a pretty good argument to get rid of the tractor.