Garden Tractor for 1.5+ acres?

[LarrySano]

Last fall I had 1.5 of my 5 acres professionally seeded. I mean it was table-top smooth when they got done. The turf has come in nicely so far, and now with the weather turning warmer it'll need to be mowed soon.

Therefore, I'm looking for a Garden Tractor that will get the job done, and perhaps serve me well when we add more lawn in the next couple years (possibly as much as 3 acres total). Am I wrong in assuming that I could buy a Husqvarna or Craftsman Garden Tractor (54" deck, 22 hp v-twin B&S engine) and have it last for what I'm going to use it for? I mean, I'm not mowing a field or anything (I have a brush cutter that I tow with my ATV for that). It's just as smooth and even as your average sub-division lot, it's just larger.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

For 1.5 acres, a decent Lawn Tractor will probably last you for many years. For 3 acres, I would seriously consider upgrading to a Garden Tractor.

GTs typcially look just like LTs but are heavier built, transmissions and other hidden parts are often upgraded. Mower decks are also often made of thicker gauge metal, at about $2500 (mabye $3000) you will get shaft drive instead of belt drive and other unseen upgrades.

 

[bczoom]

Larry,

Welcome to TBN!!

If you have an ATV for other chores, would a zero-turn mower be an option for you? Significantly faster for mowing and may be perfect for your application.

Brian

 

[LarrySano]

Thanks! I'm glad I happened upon this forum - it contains lots of helpful advice.

I wish a ZTR mower were an option - those are way out of my price range though! I need to keep the price tag around $2000, and was wondering if I could get away with it given my situation (smooth lawn, etc.).

I had thought of a tow-behind finish cut for the ATV, but I'm worried about my ATV tearing up the turf when I turn. Perhaps that's a question for another thread though.

 

[bczoom]

OK

If you look at some of the threads in this forum you should find plenty of info on LT's and GT's.

Also consider other potential future needs when you make a selection. Snow plow?

I have had both the pull-behind and push type mowers for my ATV. I honestly didn't care for either due to the tearing up you mentioned as well as navigating around obstacles.

Brian

 

[btolle]

I mow almost 3/4 acre, aa lot of it up and down hills.

I had a Craftsman 17HP 42" riding mower for about 5 years. I replaced it because I had really abused it by using it like a bush hog. It was still running great but the steering was a little loose. In the 5 years I probably spent $200 in repairs (including labor) and replaced a lot of blades. I bent blades on may occasions. I still got $500 for it when I sold it and am sure the new owner will get several more years of service out of it.

I was going to replace it with a TroyBilt from Lowe's but decided to take another look at Craftsman before I bought and found a 21HP 42" DYT4000 that I really like. It is one of thos "Bob Vila" signature editions. I couldn't care less about Bob Vila but I liked the mower. One thing that halped me decide was that I already had a rear bagger that would fit the new mower. If I had bought the TroyBilt I would have had to buy a new bagger for $250-$300.

Bob Vila Super Dooper Mower

As I recall, I think I paid $1,599 for the new one plus tax. It was on sale, $100 or $200 off. If you watch the sale ads Sears runs mowers on sale all the time and you can save some money if you are not in a hurry.

I was happy enough with the old Craftsman that I bought another one so that gives you one vote of confidence.

Sears mowers seem to have a max width of 48". If you want something wider you get into the "Garden Tractor" category and the price jumps a lot. The Sears website shows 3 different 48" mowers for less than $2,000.

I have had hydrostatic transmissions on both mowers and will never go back to a gearshift model, well worth the extra $200 or so hydrostat costs on a riding mower.

Bill Tolle

 

[awlchu]

Larry,

Is buying new important to you? If not, I would invest in a used John Deere and maintain it.

A nice 318 will hold (or appreciate) in value. Rugged beast of a machine and will accept many attachments.

 

[GerardC]

I mow roughly 3 acres and this is what I use. It has a 16.5 HP B & S with hydrostatic transmission. They are now under a thousand dollars. Mine has been going strong for 5 years now.

 

[LarrySano]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Is buying new important to you? If not, I would invest in a used John Deere and maintain it.))</font>

I'd prefer something new with a warranty. I don't really need any attachment capabilities - anything like that I take care of with my ATV (snow blade, etc.). All I'll be doing is with this is mowing grass.

I was thinking of paying my local JD dealer a visit though just to see what they have. I'll keep that suggestion in mind....

The more I think about it though, the more I realize that I should probably just go with the Craftsman or Husqvarna. I'm not buying this for heavy duty use, and I tend to believe that equipment durability is directly proportionate to how well it's taken care of. A JD would probably be overkill in my situation.

Also, thanks for the input on Craftsman, btolle. Do you happen to know if Husquvarna's and Craftsman are basically the same machines (like certain Fords and Mercury's)?

 

[ThistleKop]

Larry, I think the CraftsmanDLT 4000 or the 5000 garden tractor either would do your job quite well. My preference would be the 5000 with the 10ga cutter housing. It also comes with a better hydro/rear axle. I believe it lists at about $2299. Catch it on sale, it's a good value. If it had the foot operated hydro instead of the hand lever, I would be mowing with one myself.

TK