Buying Advice I am looking for a new tractor, suggestions and reasons?

[mlapoint]

I am planning on buying a new-to-us home in spring. We live in Central Wisconsin and plan on buying a home out of town so we will have up to an acre to mow and a driveway to blow. I am 43 now and have owned and operated lawn/garden tractors before. I want a cab (doesn't necessarily have to be factory, but with a wiper (manual or electric) would be nice) with a heater in it.

That and the ability to tow a trailer is all I can think we need right now. I have been looking at 4wd and diesel for a couple weeks, but I am not sure it justifies the cost. I know 4wd would be nice so I wouldn't need chains and diesel would typically last decades rather than years.

I used to have a small business that I blew snow for that was 11 duplexes located 1 block over. I had a tractor but it blew its engine and I couldn't afford a new one so I purchased a $1,200 semi-pro Ariens walk behind. After 2 years (and a terrible winter in 2013) my back started to give out on me. That is why I want to go back on a riding machine.

I no longer have that business, but now want to move out of town. Also, I am part of a church and have joined the grounds committee. We have our parking lot plowed after every snow over 1" for $100 each time. I know that is a spectacular price, but I don't work so have all the time I need and would like to contribute to the church if I can. This is not a necessity, but just a wish.

So this is what I am looking for:
1) 1 riding vehicle to mow, blow, and do various yard work.
2) Cab to keep me out of the weather in winter.
3) Lasts at least 10 years except for regular maintenance.
4) I would like to continue mowing and blowing into my 70s because I like doing it.

I know everyone has their favorite brands, but please give me some places I can go to see literature so I can make an informed decision and not rely totally on your own word of mouth.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

That's a tough one to answer...it all depends what's available in your area as dealers.
By what you describe, I would start looking at any big name either red ,orange or green SCUT models.
They're all diesel, 4 wheel drive, have belly mowers and front or back snowblowers available and FEL, very versatile around the home and beyond.
And Curtis makes heated cabs for them also...hard top and front and soft sided.
Hope this helps a bit !

 

[nikerret]

What's your budget?

I believe Curtis cab makes cabs for little tractors, I know they have them for Kubota BX's, but I bet they do other makes, also.

I suggest you start reading threads on the Kubota BX, John Deere 1-series (1023, 1025/1026), Massey Ferguson GC=series (GC2400, GC2600, GC1705, GC1715), and the Mahindra eMax's. There's enough reading there, to keep you busy, for a long time.

On this site, most people will try to talk you into going larger, which may be necessary, and may not be. It doesn't seem like you have a lot of heavy lifting to do and the SCUT's with snow blowers seem to be unstoppable. Having a SCUT that fits in garages (may not with a cab) and can be carried on a wide variety of trailers is very handy.

 

[nikerret]

First, you need to decide what size is appropriate, for your needs, within your budget. Then, worry about brands and models.

 

[mlapoint]

As for needs, I would like to keep it under $10k. A little more if I can get it with 0% financing. Any size that can mow and snow blow up to 12" of snow (one time a year we can expect 1" more.

It does not have to be 4wd, it just would be nice. Same with diesel.

 

[Deere Dude]

For $100 to do a church parking lot may seem high and for 1" it is, depending on the size. Are you sure you want to be roped into taking on that responsibility. You will need to be there on the at all hours and times and you will be counted on. There are times when you will get 8-10" and that would be a handful for a small tractor if wanted done quickly. Also think about loading it to get it to the building.

I was involved with a similar situation in Beaver Dam, WI where they charge $75 or so, but they were johnny-on-the-spot where I could never have been.

I found that with a JD X740 garden tractor, 2 wheel drive with chains and weights and snowblower and mower I could do all those thing you listed, but not a big parking lot unless a bunch of time was afforded. I could move a 2k trailer around like nothing and mowing was a breeze. I generally had 4-7 acres with a driveway up to 700' long and it worked fine with a 47" 2 stage snowblower. Never come close to getting stuck as long as I was going forward.

 

[adventure bob]

Under 10K with a cab is going to be hard to do unless you go used. Under 10K, fwd cab new is prbly not realisitic. A quick look at some auction sites will confim my assertion. Also any that I saw were definitely older, and had 0 implements in that price range.
Just for comparison a JD X500, more of riding mower than a full on tractor is $5700 with a mowing deck on it. No cab, no blower, no 4wd. Add a blower your knocking on $9K really easily. Still no cab and no 4wd.

 

[gladehound]

Here's a nice little Kubota in your state with cab and loader. It's inexpensive enough that you could probably add a new blower and be under your $10K budget. Yes, it's 10 years old. But it's diesel and 4wd. I think you'll be better off going with a used BX or equivalent than a new garden tractor at the same price.

TractorHouse.com | 25 KUBOTA BX223D For Sale

 

[mlapoint]

Thank you VERY MUCH gladehound. I bookmarked the site so when the time comes In can check back and see what is available. That looks exactly like what I'm want! It just isn't the right time now. ☺

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I am planning on buying a new-to-us home in spring. We live in Central Wisconsin and plan on buying a home out of town so we will have up to an acre to mow and a driveway to blow. I am 43 now and have owned and operated lawn/garden tractors before. I want a cab (doesn't necessarily have to be factory, but with a wiper (manual or electric) would be nice) with a heater in it.

That and the ability to tow a trailer is all I can think we need right now. I have been looking at 4wd and diesel for a couple weeks, but I am not sure it justifies the cost. I know 4wd would be nice so I wouldn't need chains and diesel would typically last decades rather than years.

I used to have a small business that I blew snow for that was 11 duplexes located 1 block over. I had a tractor but it blew its engine and I couldn't afford a new one so I purchased a $1,200 semi-pro Ariens walk behind. After 2 years (and a terrible winter in 2013) my back started to give out on me. That is why I want to go back on a riding machine.

I no longer have that business, but now want to move out of town. Also, I am part of a church and have joined the grounds committee. We have our parking lot plowed after every snow over 1" for $100 each time. I know that is a spectacular price, but I don't work so have all the time I need and would like to contribute to the church if I can. This is not a necessity, but just a wish.

So this is what I am looking for:
1) 1 riding vehicle to mow, blow, and do various yard work.
2) Cab to keep me out of the weather in winter.
3) Lasts at least 10 years except for regular maintenance.
4) I would like to continue mowing and blowing into my 70s because I like doing it.

I know everyone has their favorite brands, but please give me some places I can go to see literature so I can make an informed decision and not rely totally on your own word of mouth.

Nothing beats a zero turn for mowing except a wide open field with a batwing.

Are you doing a lot of transport. I have a property where 5 time as much of the heavy forest growing up was laying down and transporting material to a slash pile was an issue that I knew I needed some type of wheel loader .

Avoid DPF systems they all universally stick. Find a low hour used machine.

Equipment is a force multiplier for age.

Anyway, unless you have transport issues, get a skid or tracksteer. They are tougher equipment with better dealer support and they hold value better than small utility tractors.