Deciding what size lawn tractor is necessary

[mjncad]

Steve:

When I was tractor shopping for my first rig in 2001, I looked at a used JD 455 with the JD 40 loader. It was a nice machine and the bucket had a decent lift height, more than a Johnny Bucket does as I recall. The dealer told me it was traded in with only 89 hours on the clock because the owner needed something bigger.

According to my 2001 JD catalog, a 40 loader on a 425 - 455 has a lift height of 69" - 70". The 48" bucket has a struck capacity of 6.2 cu/ft. Lift capacity is 350# at 36" and 215# at full height.

The 4x5 series use a Category 0 3PH, so implements are not as plentiful; but they are out there. I was impressed with these machines; but I wanted something bigger. If you can find a good used one with the loader, I think you'll be pleased with it. The hydraulic power steering is wonderful too; something the lower end models like my L130 don't have, and I wish it did.

 

[yankeerider]

In my 53 years in the Springfield Ma, Windsor Locks, CT area, I have moved snow with the following:
4 hp Ariens walk behind snowblower
John Deere 112 garden tractor with JD blade and JD snowblower
Ford 9N farm tractor with 7 ft blade
John Deere 755 with front end loader
Ariens 1028 walk behind snowblower

This winter we will not get any significant snow because I am planning to plow with our new JD gator with v-plow!

I think a lot depends on the size, slope and surface of your driveway. My JD 112 was useless with the blower on the front until I built a weight box to use in conjunction with the rear wheel weights and tire chains. It might have been better if my two driveways were paved, but they aren't.

Two things about snowblowers: 2 stage is far superior to single stage, and make sure you have enough hp. Some of the front-mount blowers for lawn/garden tractors are only single-stage. That 4 hp Ariens lasted 30 years, but was too small for the driveway. i bought the 1028 Ariens new in 2002 because with heavy snowfalls I could clear the driveways faster than with the FEL on my 755, and i have a few walking paths that the 755 (and earlier, even the 112 due to its length with the blower out front and weight box out back) were not manueverable enough on.

My current stable gives me 4 choices for snow removal: the walk-behind snowthrower, the 755 with FEL or rear blade (just bought that off Ebay this past spring for grading work) and now, the Gator with front blade.

Because I spent a lot of years maintaining the older iron to move snow, i still like a couple of machines, so a breakdown doesn't relegate me to shoveling.

If you're buying new, you can probably get a walk-behind blower cheaper than a front attachment, and you won't need to deal with added costs for traction.

If in your shoes knowing what I know now, I'd lean towards a garden tractor with front blade and a separate walk-behind snowblower. But i might change my mind if I knew you had a level, paved drive on a quiet street where you didn't have to deal with multiple levels of heavy compressed snow coming off the state highway trucks plows at the end of your driveway..

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I appreciate the perspective you're offering. I'll be visiting one of the larger dealers around tomorrow and will talk with them about the capability of the upper level lawn tractors they sell and see if they can really do the work I want.

Another option that has just presented itself is an older used Wheel Horse tractor for sale locally. It's a recently restored tractor from the 60's with a freshly rebuilt Tecuseh engine and the seller is including a snowblower attachment, wheel weights, and chains with it. From the pictures it appears to be built much heavier than any of the new lawn tractors I have seen and the price is certainly right at a mere $600. I will probably go have a look at it later this week. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Steve

Get it!!

None of today's machines will compare to this Wheel Horse. Especially at that price.

You'll have some repair and upkeep on it, but that machine is almost infinately re-buildable.

 

[Gittyup]

I agree with those suggesting the JD4x5 series. But, I don't think a loader is the right tool for snow removal. If have room to push the snow, the 54" hydraulic blade works great. Else get a snow blower attachment for it.

I'd buy a used 4x5 any day over the x300 or x500 series, or even buy a 420, 430, or 318. The only new JD that's as good is the x700 series, and they are a lot of money. You want a machine with some weight behind it to move that snow.

But JD isn't the only option, I'd also look for small used Botas, Simplicities, Gravelys, and Fords. Wheel Horse with a snow blower would be good too, or an older CC.

I have the JD425 AWS with the 54" plow. An absolutely awesome snow mover with the AWS. But you do have to put chains on it (probably true for any model you'd be considering). I've pushed snows up to 20" deep with it. Most times for 6" or less of snow, I spend as much time warming it up as I do actually plowing. With AWS you can only use the johnny bucket, not the JD loader, and it significantly lowers your ground clearance. But for snow and mowing where there are a lot of obstacles, I wouldn't want anything else. AWS has spoiled me, I guess.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

One more thought on that Wheel Horse. The big advance in today's machines is creature features. The old Wheel Horse won't have a cup holder or a cell phone charger. If that stuff is important to you it may sway your decision.

I get the feeling, though, that you are more practical. Functionality will probably win out over gadgetry.

 

[SteveG_CT]

One more thought on that Wheel Horse. The big advance in today's machines is creature features. The old Wheel Horse won't have a cup holder or a cell phone charger. If that stuff is important to you it may sway your decision.

I get the feeling, though, that you are more practical. Functionality will probably win out over gadgetry.

I definitely appreciate functionality far more than fancy gadgets or creature comforts. I have contacted the person selling the wheel horse and indicated that I will probably be buying it. I'm trying to set up an appointment to go inspect it later this week, and if everything is as the owner says I will buy it from him on the spot.

I think this is a good solution for me as I'm confident that the tractor will be much more durable that any of the other lawn tractors I've been looking at (it is still in service after 40 years after all) and if I decide that it isn't a capable enough machine I'll only be out $600. That's a heck of a lot better than spending $2k-$3k on a machine and deciding that it isn't adequate.

Thanks again for your advice everyone!
-Steve

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Pictures!

Don't forget to post pictures.

 

[SteveG_CT]

Pictures!

Don't forget to post pictures.

Will do. I'll be going to see it on Saturday and if it looks as good in person as it does in the pictures I'm definitely buying it.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Gittyup]

Sounds like a good find. Can't wait to see pictures!

 

[SteveG_CT]

Here's some of the pictures from the classified add for a preview. I set up an appointment to go see it saturday morning and I'll be going with cash in hand. If it looks half as good in person as it does in the pictures it will be coming home with me.

-Steve