Buying Advice I need expert help. 1.5 Acres, Small Hill, Some gardening

[jplayland]

I just bought a new house on 3 acres. A little more than half is wooded, leaving 1 to 1.5 Acres of mowing.

Wants:
Snow Blower/Plow
Trailer/Cart
Dethatcher
Tiller? (am I better off getting an attachment or a stand alone?)
46" or larger deck
Enough power and transmission reliability to drag out small logs/brush (cleaning up woods)

I'm more than happy with a good reliable used tractor. I don't have a strict budget, but I want to know I'm getting a **** good deal. From my initial Craigslist shopping I'm thinking somewhere between $1000 and $2000 should do it, but could go a little higher if I feel it's justified.

I have no brand preference nor do I care if it looks pretty or not.

Please help, I do very much appreciate it. The one I'm looking at right now is a Scott 2048 (John Deere) with 2 stage snow blower, trailer, weights, ... I'm trying to figure out if it has the 20 HP Kohler Command or 20 HP B&S. At $1400 do you guys think it's a good deal if it has the Command?

 

[bp fick]

In my opinion, and this from someone who does all those tasks, it's not nearly enough machine. The HP is almost meaningless. It's much more about the durability and design of the transmission and overall weight and capacity of the machine.

You would be much better served with stand alone tiller, etc, if you budget is that restrictive. A "real" garden tractor is going to cost more than $2K, unless you get the find of the century. Just is. Pulling logs? Tilling? Those are real tasks that require a real tractor. Anything that is a lawn mower, in reality, isn't going to cut it. Common usage calls them lawn "tractors", but they're really just riding mowers.

 

[jplayland]

In my opinion, and this from someone who does all those tasks, it's not nearly enough machine. The HP is almost meaningless. It's much more about the durability and design of the transmission and overall weight and capacity of the machine.

You would be much better served with stand alone tiller, etc, if you budget is that restrictive. A "real" garden tractor is going to cost more than $2K, unless you get the find of the century. Just is. Pulling logs? Tilling? Those are real tasks that require a real tractor. Anything that is a lawn mower, in reality, isn't going to cut it. Common usage calls them lawn "tractors", but they're really just riding mowers.

Tilling is a plus, but not required, I can get by with a $200 old tiller off craigslist. As far as logs, I'm really talking about pulling brush, small 3-4 inch fallen trees weighing under 150lbs, that kind of stuff, nothing I couldn't drag out manually if I wasn't trying to be lazy.

Based on this, do I need a "real" garden tractor or a glorified riding mower? In any case, can you give me one or two lower cost examples of the "real" garden tractor?

 

[DieselMonk]

If you think on a snow blower attachment and tilling, then I'd say forget totally the garden ride on. Not enough weight and traction. That little thing will just sit there spinning it's wheels.

 

[jplayland]

I need a little more specific advice, any specific models that you would recommend? Or if you really want to be nice, any specific craigslist ads that look good from Minneapolis area or Western Wisconson?

 

[jplayland]

I'm not stuck at $2k. Over $5k would be too much and I don't want to consider that. Short of that I will consider anything and take your advice into account. I think I am underestimating my needs while you guys may be overestimating them. I'm more than willing to spend $3-4k if it gets me everything I need and will last 15+ years with proper care.

 

[jenkinsph]

I'm not stuck at $2k. Over $5k would be too much and I don't want to consider that. Short of that I will consider anything and take your advice into account. I think I am underestimating my needs while you guys may be overestimating them. I'm more than willing to spend $3-4k if it gets me everything I need and will last 15+ years with proper care.

If you wan't or expect 15+ years and meets all your requirements then expect to spend more money. A new Garden tractor, tiller, 48 to 54" mower deck, front blade and snowblower will run about $10k to 17k depending on the model. The better models should have a longer life expectancy. You will have to look around for a used model similar to these, depending on what you find you may get another 15 years out of them with some repairs.

 

[bp fick]

The older BX from Kubota or older B models from Kubota would also fit your needs. However, they re-sale at the price of gold. Why? Because they are extremely capable, strong, and durable.

Older 00 BX's, BX2200, BX1500, BX1800, then the 30 series of BX are available for the sharp buyer at around $5K, but attachments and implements will raise the cost.

The old B model Kubotas are similar in price. The B models have additional ground clearance. TractorHouse.com is a place to start, but realize you are looking at inflated list prices, mostly at dealer lots. Real world prices are considerably less, 10-15% less, when a deal actually gets struck.

With modern, Kubota BXs listing around $12K, and John Deere X740 series listing near $13K, you can see why prime, used small tractors are never going to sell for $3K. The always rising tide of new prices lifts all boats.

$3K will only get you a ride on mower disguised as small tractor. Real tractors have PTO, 4x4, full hydraulics, 3 point hitches (class one) and so forth.

Hope that helps. This is precisely why I kept my cash in my jeans for other land developing projects and just bit the bullet and bought new, 0% interest and made the easy, monthly payments.

 

[jplayland]

The older BX from Kubota or older B models from Kubota would also fit your needs. However, they re-sale at the price of gold. Why? Because they are extremely capable, strong, and durable.

Older 00 BX's, BX2200, BX1500, BX1800, then the 30 series of BX are available for the sharp buyer at around $5, but attachments and implements will raise the cost.

The old B model Kubotas are similar in price. The B models have additional ground clearance. TractorHouse.com is a place to start, but realize you are looking at inflated list prices, mostly at dealer lots. Real world prices are considerably less, 10-15% less, when a deal actually gets struck.

With modern, Kubota BXs listing around $12K, and John Deere X740 series listing near $13K, you can see why prime, used small tractors are never going to sell for $3K. The always rising tide of new prices lifts all boats.

$3K will only get you a ride on mower disguised as small tractor. Real tractors have PTO, 4x4, full hydraulics, 3 point hitches (class one) and so forth.

Hope that helps. This is precisely why I kept my cash in my jeans for other land developing projects and just bit the bullet and bought new, 0% interest and made the easy, monthly payments.

How about a Kubota B6200 for $3k? Good deal? It only comes with the mower deck. How do I know what other attachments will be compatable?

 

[dkizerian]

How about a Kubota B6200 for $3k? Good deal? It only comes with the mower deck. How do I know what other attachments will be compatable?

Depends on condition of the tractor and the mower. If they're both functional and solid it's probably a decent deal. 2wd or 4wd?

As far as attachments, most cat 1, 3 pt hitch attachments will work, with the concerns being:
Stay appropriately sized for the tractor- a 15hp tractor won't be good with an 8ft box blade.
Pto power- fine for a small tiller or a 3-4. Foot rotary cutter