?Diesel Garden or Lawn Tractors

[unit40]

Don't forget the Simplicity Legacy can be had with a diesel. And i have to agree that my 24 HP diesel sips a gallon an hour when my 25 HP Briggs v-twin would have easily sucked down 2 plus gallons of gas in the same amount of time. A good diesel engine is in a class in itself, compared to anything gas. But seen those diesel prices lately.....OUCH !!!!

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Kubota makes the G2160-48s and they have the GR2110. The G2160 is just rear wheel drive but has a good heavy deck, think the only models I have seen lately have the rear shoot deck. The GR2110 is all wheel drive with cables that discounect the inner wheel when you are in a tight turn to keep wheel slip down. The biggest deck on the GR2110 now is the 54 inch deck. Both models have belts to drive the outer blades and shaft drive to the gearbox. The G2160 has a double belt driven off the flywheel and it is used as a clutch for the mower. Not sure what the GR2110 has but it could be a hydraulic disc clutch if it does not have the belt system. Paid in the $7000 range two years ago for the G2160 and love the huge deck and how I can zip between trees with it.

David Kb7uns

 

[Gittyup]

Air cooled gas is probably about on par noise wise with the diesels. But, my liquid cooled 425 is very quiet. You can carry on a conversation at normal voice levels standing right beside the tractor while it is running at full throttle. First time I heard it at full throttle, I thought something was wrong. Conversation around my diesel is just an exercise in frustration, unless you like to shout constantly.

 

[coobie]

Air cooled gas is probably about on par noise wise with the diesels. But, my liquid cooled 425 is very quiet. You can carry on a conversation at normal voice levels standing right beside the tractor while it is running at full throttle. First time I heard it at full throttle, I thought something was wrong. Conversation around my diesel is just an exercise in frustration, unless you like to shout constantly.

My 2007 kubota 326 26 hp 3 cyl diesel ZTR is more quiet than my ingersoll 4020 with the gas onan motor I used to own.coobie

 

[art]

It really depends on the make and design of both fuel types of these engines! It might be the exhausts, or that they use a plastic or fiberglass hood. It might be the way it is mounted or all of the above.

Diesels need to run longer at operating temps for the best service and for good life.

You might just look for a good gas powered zero turn. Listen to one run, drive it and see how you like it.

 

[Sniggle]

I would vote for deisel if you can get a good used one. My G1900 is no louder than a gas machine, and its noise is actually in a lower range than a gas engine making it less uncomfortable for my ears.

When it comes to cutting, my machine can wade into knee high grass, and as long as you watch the machine speed, can come out cutting the other side, this due to the much higher torque that a deisel engine produces.

And fuel usage is significantly less than a gas engine, and the life of the engine should be significantly longer.

I have seen used G1900 with relatively low hours (under 500) with 60 inch decks in the $4000 range. (just take a close look at the drive shaft, and if the U-jointd are getting loose know that you will eventually have to replace the shaft, $220 and 2-4 hours)

 

[LBrown59]

I'm in the market for a Garden/Lawn Tractor for 2.5 acres of moderately hilly grass around my house. I love the idea of a diesel engine but can't find many available. What brands should I be looking at. Ideally, there would be some available models in the price range below that of a Kubota 1850 sub compact tractor >$10,000. Would like to know if there are brands out there I should be looking at.

I got both of these with the attachments as shown for $14875.
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk286/lb59/100_2313.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk286/lb59/100_2316.jpg

I couldn't come close to this deal with Kubota or JD diesel garden tractors.

 

[LBrown59]

Engine choice aside, you might want to look at garden tractors that have shaft drive between the motor and transaxle given your hilly terrain.

~paul

My CC GT2554 is shaft drive.
The gas engine is a lot louder than my 3 Kubota diesels.
The mower is a lot louder too.

I'd say his bet bet would be A good used low hour bx1500 or bx1800 series .

 

[ChuckinNH]

I have used a Simplicity Legacy rear wheel drive with an air cooled 20hp engine along with my old Kubota BX22. The BX was much noiser, but used about half the fuel running at similar loads. No comparison for power of course. With fuel prices the way they are right now, it would take a while for the fuel cost savings to pay for the diesel tractor.

 

[tiger9297]

Have you looked at the older Cub Cadets? I'm talking about the IH models? If you looked you could probably find one in EXCELLENT condition for around $1,000 or less and you would never buy another tractor. Best garden tractors ever built. I have 3 of them- 126, 1450, 1650. Casti iron engines, cast iron rear ends, no belts at all- driveshaft runs straight from the engine to the rear end. Incredibly stout machines. The other cool thing is that you can get a 3pt. or sleeve hitch and use box blades, plows, cultivators, and TONS of other implements with them. They aren't just "lawn mowers".