jcmseven
Veteran Member
To All: I have been on this forum for some time now and feel like I have stated and oft re-stated my tractor inquisitions and purchases. As many of you know, I have owned several JD compact tractors (at least one from each series within the compact 20 series line). I currently have a 2320 which I keep down at my folks place. It is a good little tractor and honestly I like using it as much as any JD compact I have had. I also have a 950 ZTR which I am in the process of selling (I did not want to, as I noted in a post a few months back I have had to due to my mother not wanting it around where my aging dad might attempt to use it). I love where I live, but interestingly have no grass (actually 1/8 acre to mow--of seven acres property). My parents have over two acres they mow weekly in season (actually I do most times) and also I mow for my aging aunt and uncle, sometimes up to five acres there. When at my parents I mow frequently their neighbor's lot which is about three acres.
I have a job, family, hobbies and obligations of my own, but really try to help out whenever I can at my folks. My dad just turned 81 and my mother is a youthful 76, though she too is failing a little. My dad suffers with several medical maladies including mild dementia, but is pretty functional and still drives locally with accompaniment. He can still mow the lawn at their place, but his safety is in question. One thing I have never lost enjoyment for is mowing. For me, using a nice mower on a well-kept expanse of grass is truly relaxing. I also must admit that since a youngster, I have also had an enjoyment of equipment. This carries through to today. For the past year or two, I have really looked at a John Deere front cut, specifically the 1545 or 1565 to use in some of these duties. Either machine is likely way more than what I would need, but boy they seem nice. In total, I have about ten acres I could mow biweekly dependent on my schedule but could really get by mowing only my parents two-ish acres regularly and giving up the rest. In all honesty, I could really farm out all of it but I do not want to. This begs the following questions:
1. Keep my current 2320 and sell the 950? (My current arrangement)
2. Sell the 2320 too and try to get a 1545 or 1565?
3. Sell them all and contract out, and forget I enjoy mowing?
4. What is a "good" deal on a front cut like these mentioned; are they worth it?
5. If #4 is Yes--go new or used (my dealer says these depreciate quite lot and are not as popular these days, something to be concerned about)
6. Other options
In advance opinions are appreciated. I suppose on one hand I am trying to justify the potential purchase of a machine I may not need but want. On the other, I am looking for someone with more sense than I to draw my attention to potential pitfalls to this consideration which I may not have considered. As the grass gets green, my heart turns to.....mowing, which for me can be an expensive proposition.
John M
I have a job, family, hobbies and obligations of my own, but really try to help out whenever I can at my folks. My dad just turned 81 and my mother is a youthful 76, though she too is failing a little. My dad suffers with several medical maladies including mild dementia, but is pretty functional and still drives locally with accompaniment. He can still mow the lawn at their place, but his safety is in question. One thing I have never lost enjoyment for is mowing. For me, using a nice mower on a well-kept expanse of grass is truly relaxing. I also must admit that since a youngster, I have also had an enjoyment of equipment. This carries through to today. For the past year or two, I have really looked at a John Deere front cut, specifically the 1545 or 1565 to use in some of these duties. Either machine is likely way more than what I would need, but boy they seem nice. In total, I have about ten acres I could mow biweekly dependent on my schedule but could really get by mowing only my parents two-ish acres regularly and giving up the rest. In all honesty, I could really farm out all of it but I do not want to. This begs the following questions:
1. Keep my current 2320 and sell the 950? (My current arrangement)
2. Sell the 2320 too and try to get a 1545 or 1565?
3. Sell them all and contract out, and forget I enjoy mowing?
4. What is a "good" deal on a front cut like these mentioned; are they worth it?
5. If #4 is Yes--go new or used (my dealer says these depreciate quite lot and are not as popular these days, something to be concerned about)
6. Other options
In advance opinions are appreciated. I suppose on one hand I am trying to justify the potential purchase of a machine I may not need but want. On the other, I am looking for someone with more sense than I to draw my attention to potential pitfalls to this consideration which I may not have considered. As the grass gets green, my heart turns to.....mowing, which for me can be an expensive proposition.
John M
Or something like a Turfcat if you want a wide single deck out front. The 3 decks on the jake will follow severe contours better though.