To the OP. For a smaller lot, you can get away without a tractor. (I'd put myself in that category with only 5 acres) Given this IS a tractor forum, most answers will say "YES ... YOU NEED ONE AND BIGGER IS USUALLY BETTER & SAFER." Realistically, it will make life easier for you ... IF you have tasks a tractor is best suited for, and the cost won't put you up a creek on other areas of life. I'm not convinced a mid-mount mower is one of those tasks, I prefer my ZT, but to each his own. The garden tilling on the other hand will definitely benefit (you need to figure out how big a tiller you need/want & size the tractor PTO HP to the tiller & your soil ... or do multiple passes with a smaller tiller & deal with the tire ruts afterwards), as will moving heavy stuff/deliveries/and lifting supplies (I've used my FEL and Forks to get supplies up so I could repair a roof after Storm damage, and I've used them as "non-OSHA approved" man-lifts for tree trimming). The tractor will do your tilling faster than a walk behind tiller, just not sure it'll be the most economic option unless you have other uses for the tractor. Driveway maintenance is another thing that will benefit, but the tractor you mentioned is a bit light IMO to pull much gravel, but definitely better than a shovel. FEL is very convenient, but a wheelbarrow or garden tractor dump trailer are ALMOST as convenient & a lot cheaper. I grew up on 8 acres --half wooded/half lawn with a 500 ft steep driveway we needed to snowblow all winter in the snow belt & we did everything with a Jacobsen garden tractor. Everything is a trade-off. Smaller tractor/more affordable but less capable (more time required). Bigger tractor/more expensive and more capable. (attachment costs grow with the tractor costs as well if you want to take full advantage of the capabilities) You know your current needs, & if the 1705 meets all those needs, fine go for it. One thing to keep in mind is your future needs. Is this the biggest property you will ever own? Any plans for wood lots/hunting properties/or more acreage? Do you have a barn/shed for storage/work area? will you want to build one? Will your car/SUV/PU be able to tow whatever you buy should service be needed or are you going to pay for hauling as well? I would rather be too big than too small, but I do push limits on everything I own AND my truck/trailer can handle pretty much any towing needs I have unless I upgrade my license to a class A ... YMMV. Granted, the tractor you buy now may very well hold its value if you maintain and store it right, but you don't know what the cost (or availability) of upgrade tractors will do. (I'll bet there are lots of guys on here that traded/sold pre-emissions tractors for early Tier 4 that are ruing that decision after the fact. Later Tier 4 isn't as problematic, but definitely not as easy to work on as the older stuff.) If you wind up needing something bigger in the next few years, going bigger now may make more sense ... even if it is too big for current needs & costs you a nice gift/doghouse time on the wife front. Worse comes to worse, do what the rest of us do & lie to her about the actual cost while upselling the uses. Works for me on all the expensive tools & toys I've ever bought, BUT, I'm also the one handling all the bills at the same time.
