Joe1
Platinum Member
In the long run, you would probably be better off buying a clean used CUT. It may take some looking, but they are out there. I looked for a year, and finally two years ago, I found a 1998 John Deere 4X4 CUT with 239 hours, with a Front end loader, box scraper and a really old set of discs for $11,250.
(You mentioned an enclosed trailer. A CUT will not fit inside an enclosed trailer).
A diesel will use half the fuel of an equivalent HP gasoline engine, will out last the gasoline engine and will amaze you with how much work it can do.
The power-trac looks interesting, but with only a 5' lift height, you wouldn't be able to load even a 2-3 yard dump truck with it which will seriously limit your clean up ability. Even if you don't own a dump truck now, in the future, you might want to get a 350/450 sized dump truck instead of a pick up.
If you buy minimum in size and capacity, you will limit the jobs you can bid on in the future. A CUT will hold it's resale value better than any gasoline or even diesel Garden Tractor.
I've found that with my 25 HP diesel CUT (20 at the PTO), I run out of traction, even with 4 wheel drive, before I run out of power. My Deere weighs about 3,700 lbs with a FEL, and bush hog and me in the seat.
The down size of the CUT is you will need a bigger truch and trailer to haul it than a GT, but the work you accomplish (in less time) will be far greater, especially for a professional vs a homeowner, and should increase your hourly profit margin.
Since it's for your business, Uncle Sam will help pay for it through the depreciation, etc so I would recommmend you look long term and get a CUT diesel (new if you can, used if not) that will handle current and hopefully long term future needs.
(You mentioned an enclosed trailer. A CUT will not fit inside an enclosed trailer).
A diesel will use half the fuel of an equivalent HP gasoline engine, will out last the gasoline engine and will amaze you with how much work it can do.
The power-trac looks interesting, but with only a 5' lift height, you wouldn't be able to load even a 2-3 yard dump truck with it which will seriously limit your clean up ability. Even if you don't own a dump truck now, in the future, you might want to get a 350/450 sized dump truck instead of a pick up.
If you buy minimum in size and capacity, you will limit the jobs you can bid on in the future. A CUT will hold it's resale value better than any gasoline or even diesel Garden Tractor.
I've found that with my 25 HP diesel CUT (20 at the PTO), I run out of traction, even with 4 wheel drive, before I run out of power. My Deere weighs about 3,700 lbs with a FEL, and bush hog and me in the seat.
The down size of the CUT is you will need a bigger truch and trailer to haul it than a GT, but the work you accomplish (in less time) will be far greater, especially for a professional vs a homeowner, and should increase your hourly profit margin.
Since it's for your business, Uncle Sam will help pay for it through the depreciation, etc so I would recommmend you look long term and get a CUT diesel (new if you can, used if not) that will handle current and hopefully long term future needs.
