Help With Decision

[eyesore acres]

I've searched the forums, and cannot seem to find an answer for my situation. If it exists, I aplogoize for reposting.

I have roughly 3/4 acre of lawn to mow. Mostly level, a few beds and bushes to mow around, but am capable of using a trim mower to take care of those. I also have an 8 acre property (separate from the 3/4 acre at home), that has, at this time, about 1 1/2 acres cleared, with an 800 ft driveway and I'd like to keep the ditches mowed, plus keep the cleared area mowed, to prevent saplings from coming back up. There are ROCKS...brownstone mostly, and the driveway has a steep grade.

I have a friend who has offered to sell me a Kubota B2200? Not sure of that model number, but it's a small tractor....1995 model with 3600 hours on it. It was 4-WD, but apparently, it is now only a 2-WD. He's replaced all of the hydraulic line, and done some other maintenence on it....for 3K. No attachments.

What I'd like to know....would it be better for me to get something like he's offering, to take care of both properties, or would it be better for me to get a small lawn tractor for my residence (3/4 acre), and get something larger for the acreage, that I can use for years to come. I intend to clear most of the acreage (hydro axe), and have a few horses on the property.

I'd also like to know if the tractor my friend is offering is a bad deal...I'd rather put the 3K on something that isn't going to be a money pit. I'm new to all of this (if you hadn't guessed! ), so any input will be appreciated.

Thanks, in advance!

 

[Gittyup]

The size of the B2200 is good. But, 3600 hours is a lot and the 4wd is gone. It wouldn't be for me.

Two tractors vs. one? That's a matter of preference. On the one hand, it's a pain to trailer back and forth. On the other, it's a pain to leave equipment unused and unattended for long periods. You have to decide that one. But, for 3/4 acre, a small rider should serve you well and you can keep the bigger tractor at the other place.

 

[Soundguy]

I think 3K$ is just way to much money for that machine.

I'd get a 18-24 hp tractor.. 2wd or 4wd.. and loader, if you wanted it... It's small enough to be used at both your properties.. or left for the 8ac, and then just get an 800$ murray rider mower for the 3/4 ac lot.

soundguy

I've searched the forums, and cannot seem to find an answer for my situation. If it exists, I aplogoize for reposting.

I have roughly 3/4 acre of lawn to mow. Mostly level, a few beds and bushes to mow around, but am capable of using a trim mower to take care of those. I also have an 8 acre property (separate from the 3/4 acre at home), that has, at this time, about 1 1/2 acres cleared, with an 800 ft driveway and I'd like to keep the ditches mowed, plus keep the cleared area mowed, to prevent saplings from coming back up. There are ROCKS...brownstone mostly, and the driveway has a steep grade.

I have a friend who has offered to sell me a Kubota B2200? Not sure of that model number, but it's a small tractor....1995 model with 3600 hours on it. It was 4-WD, but apparently, it is now only a 2-WD. He's replaced all of the hydraulic line, and done some other maintenence on it....for 3K. No attachments.

What I'd like to know....would it be better for me to get something like he's offering, to take care of both properties, or would it be better for me to get a small lawn tractor for my residence (3/4 acre), and get something larger for the acreage, that I can use for years to come. I intend to clear most of the acreage (hydro axe), and have a few horses on the property.

I'd also like to know if the tractor my friend is offering is a bad deal...I'd rather put the 3K on something that isn't going to be a money pit. I'm new to all of this (if you hadn't guessed! ), so any input will be appreciated.

Thanks, in advance!

 

[Egon]

What is wrong with the four wheel drive??

 

[eyesore acres]

Thank you for your help! Egon, I'm not sure what is up with the 4wd. My guess is it was not maintained properly, it was asked to do more than it was capable of, or a little of both. I didn't think it sounded like a "great deal", but I wanted to be sure. I do so appreciate your comments. I forgot to mention that the acreage is almost a 40 minute drive without a trailer, so hauling something back and forth isn't ideal, and leaving one unattended would make me worry.

Thanks again everyone!!

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I like the name Eyesore acres. Even if he went down to $2K something else may break and you would be spending money to fix it. There is no building to lock up something that you leave at the large property?
I have heard many of the people mention the ZTR mowers that can get most lawn mowing done in a hurry. Problem with those is if you had it at your big property you might kick yourself because you could have used something with a FEL on it. Or scraped the ground down to level it as well as hauling rocks away.

 

[MasseyWV]

I would invest in a new tractor to maintain your acerage and use a smaller lawn tractor to cut the grass.

It will cost more but as the old saying goes.... you get what you pay for. I have learned (the hard way) that used is not always the best option.

 

[bjcsc]

used is not always the best option.

Agreed, and "deals" from friends are often ways of ruining otherwise great friendships...

 

[bearhawk]

3600 hours is a lot.

I think that machine is all used up at that point.

Unless it was meticulously maintained and in great shape. None of that seems true.

It seems like a few people buy the retired truck storage containers for their remote properties. You can lock them up and they are mostly waterproof.

Then you could keep your new tractor at the 8 acre site.

Have fun shopping for the right one..

 

[Egon]

Lordy; my toy Kubota B7100 has a mere 2600 hours on it and I think it is almost broke in.

 

[mojoinco]

Watch craigslist for an older simple large tractor for your property, get one of those old shipping containers for a lockable space (as suggested; that way you have a weather resistant space and a place for your bbq) at the remote property. You shouldn't have to pay much (if any more) for the tractor than for that Kubota. Make it something not too worn out and large enough to use (plus, gas so it is easy to work on yourself -- presuming you are handy). Watch for used lawn 'tractors' (really, they are just large riding mowers, not tractors in anyone but the marketers eyes).

After a couple of years you will have learned what you really want in a tractor and should be able to get back what you have in yours.

That's what I have done, and now my Ol' Yeller is ready for someone else. But it was paid for the day I bought it. Old Case VAC's, Ford 8/9/2N's, a slew of newer models (Case 400-600, IH H/M/etc, JD whatever's). All make good starters. Just don't expect too much, and be willing to do basic maintenance. You'd be surprised what they will do. Decide the implements you want to use (blade, bush hog, etc). Then find the right one.

 

[Soundguy]

Lordy; my toy Kubota B7100 has a mere 2600 hours on it and I think it is almost broke in.

I was gonna comment on that as well.. but did see that he specifically mentioned 'that' machine... and since 'that' machine does look like it has been run hard and put away wet quite a few times.. I am inclined to agree.

I also agrree with you.. that a well maintained machine with a few thousand hours can still be quite nice. Like your 7100 probably is. You probably give it plenty of maintenance and fix problems as needed.. etc.

soundguy

 

[eyesore acres]

Thank you everyone, for the input. I think this Kubota was worked fairly hard, and I'm doubting it was maintained properly...that would violate this particular person's pattern...he's in the mechanic's "pay me later" category. I was skeptical of the "deal", and that's why I posted here. I'm not handy...so I didn't want to buy a money pit (I have a horse, so that area is adequately covered ).

I think we'll be buying something new, or at least in better shape, and a rider for the lawn. Once we get the house built on the new place, I plan to have a lawn that can be mowed with a push mower in about 30 minutes. We'll have a better idea after the hydro cut is done, we're on the schedule for this week!

On "eyesore acres". I have to thank my neighbors for the name. We'd had a tough time settling on a name for the place. We had a cable across the driveway that we installed (and share with the neigbors...who contributed NOTHING

), to keep people from getting down in there and dumping trash. Never had a moment's worry about the cable, until they began construction on their home. Suddenly, every time we went down there, the cable was down...they even went so far as to take the posts out of the ground, when they tired of removing the cable for us. We kept moving the cable further and further down the driveway, and they kept taking it down. We finally confronted them about it, and the wife told us she was "worried" that the cable was an eyesore. Thus the name! I'm working on a concept for a giant sign to install so they can see it when they drive in. She'll be so proud that we used her idea!

 

[Soundguy]

Now your talkin'

soundguy

 

[Egon]

If in doubt about the tractor that is not fully functional forget it.

 

[4720 OWNER]

Alright, i am naive and will be the first to admit it, so, get that out of the way.

What is a hydro cut for clearing property?

 

[eyesore acres]

Here is a link to the website of the company that we're using:

ML Hydrocut Home

Be sure to check out the before and after photos. It's an alternative to push and burn. It doesn't remove the topsoil, like traditional grading does. We wanted to go this route, because the property is (approximately) a 12 year old cutover of virgin hardwoods. The topsoil is quite good, but what is beneath it is not, so we wanted to try to preserve as much topsoil as possible. I think if you search "hydro axe" on this site, you can find some video. I'll try to get some if possible.