Garden Tractor / Mower input

[tibadoe]

I'm thinking of upgrading my 21 year old Toro WheelhHorse 314/8 with 48" deck. Used for mowing, pulling a AGI Gravel Grader, dump trailer, roller, spiker, and plugger. Does great for my smaller jobs and getting in tight places and all the little sections of grass around/besides the flower gardens etc. It still runs fine and does a good job - just thinking of going with a water cooled gas/diesel engine - leaning more towards the diesel. I have 3 acres of land with 1 acre cleared. My MF GC1723EB has been a great help for FEL and BH type of work on my somewhat bigger projects.

So at first, I was thinking of the Husqvarna TS 348XD. Has a air cooled 24hp Kawasaki gas engine, 48" deck, and cruise control for MSRP of $3700. Would do everything my current Toro does - just with a V-Twin, and some updates, etc.

Then I was looking at the Kubota GR2120 water cooled Garden Tractors/Mower. Got me to wondering if going the extra mile and paying the extra $$$ if it would be worth it in the long run. Which ever I choose, at my age, (assuming they are built to last like my Toro is) it will be my last mower purchase. So enter the the water cooled version:

The GR2120 has the 17 hp water cooled 3 cylinder diesel, 48" deck, hydro steering, shaft drive transmission, hydraulic mower lift, CC, etc., for a MSRP of $9785. Dealer has one still in crate asking $9500.

I did take a peek at John Deere - Nice, but I always considered them over priced. Looked at the X730 with 48" deck & 25.5 hp diesel and a MSRP of $11,514. (Has a bigger motor than my MF) Again nice, but I just don't want to pay the extra for the green.

Anyway, anyone have the GR2120 and can comment? Any comments on the TS 348XD? Did I miss another manufacturer that makes a good Garden Tractor???

 

[tibadoe]

Well I guess I should never say never. After doing much research the decision was made to go for the JD x750 with a 54" deck.

It's a shame that the true garden tractors like my Toro 324/8 are history. But it is what it is. So I decided to go for it and upgrade to the x750. There were a few things that made the decision easy for me: Diesel engine and hydraulics. After owning the MF GC1723 for 6 months, I realized I love the diesel and hydraulics. Wish I would have gotten one sooner.

Anyway, my green machine will be arriving in the next week or so. Can't wait to try it out.

 

[Roadworthy]

I don't know the Deere but you made an excellent choice steering away from Husqvarna. They are not what they once were and another post on this site indicated they're getting out of the business completely. That's officially. Their garden tractors are actually produced by MTD or American Yard Products or somebody - not Husqvarna.

 

[RandyT]

@Roadworthy Husqvarna owns American Yard Products. And it does appear that Husqvarna is getting out of the consumer market in the US. I wonder if part of the issues with Husqvarna is Sears/Craftsman bankruptcy which Husqvarna was basically the producer of Craftsman lawn products up until purchases by Stanley Black and Decker. Now B-D owns MTD, and MTD is now the producer of Craftsman products. Husqvarna loosing Craftsman put a good damper in the sales.

 

[cookeluella]

I don't know the Deere but you made an excellent choice steering away from Husqvarna. They are not what they once were and another post on this site indicated they're getting out of the business completely. That's officially. Their garden tractors are actually produced by MTD or American Yard Products or somebody - not Husqvarna.

Yes, you are right that Husqvarna is discontinuing garden tractors but I am surprised you didn't know about john deere. Currently, they are one of the best sellers of garden tractors in most regions across the US. I myself own a john deere X300 and really happy with its output.

 

[Cub gt 2544=best]

Well I guess I should never say never. After doing much research the decision was made to go for the JD x750 with a 54" deck.

It's a shame that the true garden tractors like my Toro 324/8 are history. But it is what it is. So I decided to go for it and upgrade to the x750. There were a few things that made the decision easy for me: Diesel engine and hydraulics. After owning the MF GC1723 for 6 months, I realized I love the diesel and hydraulics. Wish I would have gotten one sooner.

Anyway, my green machine will be arriving in the next week or so. Can't wait to try it out.

You forgot the cub cadet xt3. Has a better tranny than the Husqvarna and is about the same as the kubota and toro 314-8. But the Deere is a bit bigger.

 

[tibadoe]

You forgot the cub cadet xt3. Has a better tranny than the Husqvarna........

I did check out the XT3 GSX - but decided against it. Mainly because my closest dealer is over 30 miles away and has a poor reputation. So the CC got bumped.

 

[Cub gt 2544=best]

Oh