Help Choosing Machine for First Timer- Big Lawn, Long Driveway

[Madams135]

Just wanted to say, I appreciate all of the feed back here. This site is great, and you guys (and gals) are awesome.

 

[gasman1075]

That's great, thanks for the input. How long does it take for a mow for you? And to snowblow, say 6"?

I can mow everything in about 1.5 hours we push mow up near the house. I can snow blow 6" in about 20 minutes. Generally I wait till the storm is over. I also used a blow truck for years but hated the mess. I have a 7' back blade to scrape the slush after the ground is frozen and for weight. Also rears are loaded with rim guard and are chained.

 

[JeffinNE]

You'll find many uses for a good tractor which will last you 20+ years so I'd vote for a JD 3033R with a cab. With your long driveway and amount of snow you'll want the cab. A front push box or blade will get the job done faster than a snowblower but you may need the snowblower for the bigger snow totals and to move the snow far away from the driveway. 0% for 72 months now...not sure about inventory or wait times as haven't shopped in 10 years.

Eventually upgrade to a bigger ZTR deck to help speed your mow times.

Of course, budget dictates all...good luck!

 

[TractorTYMe]

Look into the Kioti CX2510HST Cab, they seem to be extremely nicely equipped tractors, and the fit and finish is really up there.

 

[Bearsixty7]

For mowing I'd get a ZTR with a 61" or 72" deck if it will fit between/around trees and other landscaping. I have a Spartan 61" for my 1 acre and I would not consider a smaller deck. Since I got it in 2016, mowing is a trivial chore.

Weed eating and edging still take the most time if I do it all. I use liquid edger/Roundup 365 along the fence in the spring and that helps reduce a lot of the weedeating.

 

[EddinKY]

I live on a farm and have a big 5 acre yard with lots of trees plus a mile of lanes and driveways. I have both a new and an old ZTR mower, plus regular riding mowers plus three tractors. Unless your yard is rectangular with no trees and obstacles, mowing it with a tractor and a finish mower it's a slow arduous process, and will require a lot of weedeater trimming afterwards. We use zero turns on the yard because it takes half the time. But you should upgrade to a 72 incher. I lived in upstate New York for many years so I know the problems of snow removal. you really need to look at your driveway and see if there's a way to move the snow off to the side. You can't push that much snow in one pass. You might wanna talk to some of your neighbors and see how they do it. A blower is great but expensive and prone to breakdowns. Old trucks are a pain to keep running. To me the idea of getting one machine to do both lawn and snow is a big stretch. I think you'll end up with one machine it doesn't do either one very well and costs a lot of money.
ps: I have a 90" finish mower on 50hp tractor, that does a decent job on big straight no obstacle areas around barns. But putting it on and off is a 1/2 hour job.

 

[fishheadbob]

1200 feet, Upstate NY, 3 feet of snow, and you're in a hurry. You are talking highway department numbers. I will stifle the strong urge to be sarcastic, merely saying that you might want a cab (price just escalated) since you are going to be out there for a while. I also think you may have to bite the bullet and buy enough horsepower to get through the big snows in a reasonable amount of time. 3/4 tons are expensive; think about your ride and your current commute.
Finding anything that would fit your situation and yet be reasonably priced is a tall order new or used.

 

[coobie]

Another vote for ventrac or tool cat if you have money ..

 

[Madams135]

1200 feet, Upstate NY, 3 feet of snow, and you're in a hurry. You are talking highway department numbers. I will stifle the strong urge to be sarcastic, merely saying that you might want a cab (price just escalated) since you are going to be out there for a while. I also think you may have to bite the bullet and buy enough horsepower to get through the big snows in a reasonable amount of time. 3/4 tons are expensive; think about your ride and your current commute.
Finding anything that would fit your situation and yet be reasonably priced is a tall order new or used.

Well, the 3 feet was a rarity. I did however grow up on the Tug Hill in NY, and 3 feet over night was just another day. Tough people up there in Lake Effect Land, but I do miss it. I agree though, if it can happen once, it can happen again. Appreciate your restraint in crushing my dreams, but i think you are onto the point that its either pay up or put up(with maintenance).

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I think you should keep your current zero turn, and hire out your snow removal for the first year. Then after a year under your belt, start considering the snow tools. If you want to move that much snow *fast*, well that's all $$$ driven. If you're getting that much snow a year, you're going to run out of places to push it to sooner or later. So "just" a plow, or beater plow truck, will not be your only snow tool.