Affordable GARDEN tractor

[2manyrocks]

I have a International Cub Cadet 1650 with bar tread rear tires, rear wheel weights, and hydro rear lift to control a rear blade. It will move the top layer of gravel around on the driveway, but a heavier 4x4 wheel drive tractor like a BX or L series will do more work with less strain. I'm all for fond memories, but...

 

[deezler]

The way that I buy affordable garden tractors is to buy used John Deere machines.

Got a GT275 for $500. It was a little rough but fixed up nice. The 44" piranha deck was too narrow for my acreage, so I saved up a little and found a GX335 with 54" deck and bagger setup for $1800. Probably going to sell it soon because I was gifted a Cub Cadet ZT2 50" zero turn that makes mowing even more enjoyable and efficient.

 

[Skypuppy]

When you trust the "garden tractor" companies, with brands that have good history and well-known, THAT's where we all screw up for not doing enough background checks on their expensive products. However, this was before the Internet was even born.. <sigh>

 

[Skypuppy]

Trouble with a "zero turn" is that mowing the grass is ALL it can do!

 

[dstig1]

Buying the right thing the first time is generally a money-saving event. I would have been better served just biting the bullet the first time and not dealing with the stress of a "bargain" that cost me a lot in repairs and aggravation over the years I had it.

Well sure, but that assumes you know what the right thing is at the beginning. A lot of what is being described here is the learning curve to understand what you actually need vs what you got the first, second, etc time.

 

[dj1701]

If you can find a used one of these in good shape they will outlast the new so called garden tractors.

 

[bigtiller]

Nice, a 318 was my first rider, but I always wished for a 430 diesel but never got one.

 

[Dunno]

I have Simplicity PowerMax tractors. 20hp, 1400lbs, very nice styling, a small large tractor. Built as well as you could build a tractor. If you can find a nice original one, $4-6K, it’ll outlast you. The later 20hp Sunstar models have power steering. Still really well built tractors. All the implements you can want. You won’t get a warranty, so if you can’t maintain it, it won’t be the tractor for you.

 

[BackRoad]

Huge number of good running small frame Ford 8n, 9n, 2n and Massey Ferguson TO 30 or 35s still to be found for under $2000.

They'll be running long after we're gone and can plow, work your drive and pull a finish mower.

If taken care of, they are bullet proof, easy to operate and cheap to maintain.

 

[IndyIan]

A used sub compact 2wd kubota/ford/diesel tractor without a loader should be available well under $10k.
Even 4wd ones too I guess if you've got the hills to need it. Some had mid mount mowers and all would run a nice size 3pt finish mower? I see a new kioti C52210 is $12k too. That could be towed behind any car with a simple 3k single axle trailer.