Best New tractor for My Needs

[funpilot]

I have three acres that is mostly lawn. I currently have a 24 hp Simplicity lawn tractor that has a grass catcher, but when it goes in for service it can take 6 weeks to get it back. I plan to keep it.

My lawn is heavily mulched and I need a loader. I also get losts of dirt and gravel for our constant development of a koi pond and gardens. I am also looking for a "backup mower." I saw the Kubota 7510 with a loader and the 6 foot pull behind mower. My local dealer gave me a price of $15,230, plus tax. First, is that the right tractor for my needs and second, is the price fair? I have no issues buying from a non local dealer.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I'd guess you looked at a 7510 and that is a nice small tractor, it is very light so it won't damage your lawn like a heavier tractor is prone to do. It will easily handle a small but capable loader and a mid mount mower. The combination could simply replace your 24hp Simplicity tractor completely. In fact, even at only 21hp, I'd be willing to bet that if you chained them together at their rear ends with a 10' length of chain so they could try pull each other, that the lower hp B7510 would pull your 24hp Simplicity all over the yard with its tires spinning. The Kubota has a very smooth diesel engine, it should last for 20 to 30 years with normal upkeep. Pricing is VERY regional, I can't comment on your price.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Bob,

He says he "need(s) a loader" and wants to move "lots of dirt and gravel" and wants a "backup mower" for his 3 acre lawn. Where is your standard suggestion that he look at the Power Trac? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

funpilot,

I suggest that you look in the Power Trac forum on this site and also the Power Trac web site. You can get a very versatile piece of equipment and lots of attachments with your budget, and it's a very capable mower.

 

[funpilot]

Let me be a little more specific. My guess is I will move 20 - 30 yards of mulch a year and 16,000 pounds of dirt or gravel. (These are my averages for the last 2 years). I would use the Kubota to mow all the open areas and the Simplicity for finish work and vacuum up the clumps.

Added a pic of my pond. Next project is to replace the mulch around it with brick gravel.

 

[DocHeb]

With all that mulched area, gravel spread around, and Koi ponds, I suspect that a tractor with a Mid-Mount mower, rather than a rear mower, may be more maneuverable and useful for you. A front end loader would be a requirement, in my opinion. Try to stay at less than 24 hp to keep the tractor's weight under control, and get turf tires on the tractor.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

OK Bill, a PT422 would fit the tasks nicely. There, are you happy now? The front mount mower would out mow the Simplicity with ease. The FEL has a modest capacity but the overall package would be easier to use.

 

[funpilot]

Two reasons why I was thinking about the pull behind mower. First, I expect to do grading with the loader and I have read that the MMM just gets in the way. Second, I have a small 5x8 trailer that cannot accomodate a MMM that I hope to use to take it (just the tractor) to the dealer for service . I am hopeful that I can simply raise the loader and rest it on the back metal support wall (with padding to protect it).

But I am at the dangerous point here....read a little and know nothing.

 

[funpilot]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( OK Bill, a PT422 would fit the tasks nicely. There, are you happy now? The front mount mower would out mow the Simplicity with ease. The FEL has a modest capacity but the overall package would be easier to use.



)</font>

Where would I get this serviced locally?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Power Trac: The engines used a common gas powered engines, any lawn mower repair shop can fix those. The hydraulics are very simple, if you can't do it yourself, any hydraulic shop could do it and many lawn mower shops can do it. Also any tractor shop could do it.


On the issue of grading with the FEL: That is difficult to do. FELs are not the greatest for digging. They are great for piling this up. A 3pt grader blade that tilts might be a better choice for grading.

 

[funpilot]

Bob....looks very interesting. I wonder how far away they are .... almost 8 hours....not close.