CompactTractorFan
Super Member
What about something along the lines of a John Deere X700 series?
Buying Advice Is it worth it!??
- Thread starter kday64
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harpoonalt
Gold Member
I would suggest you go try out a BX Kubota or similar tractor. Get the bagger for leaves, but I'd hold off on the snowblower. They are expensive and you may find the loader and a simple back blade are all you need. If you want one later you can add one. Once you have a small tractor you'll never be without one again. Maintain them well and you'll hand them down to your kids. My neighbor has an old kubota with a few thousand hours on it still going strong. It is an investment but few other things you'll buy in life will last as long and do as much. It sounds like your wife will be using it a lot so make sure she gets to demo one and feels comfortable with it. I plowed all this with my BX and never once had a problem. If you have big drifts, just use the loader and pile them up.
And as a bonus, tractors are a lot of fun!
And as a bonus, tractors are a lot of fun!
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Don87
Elite Member
I agree with looking at different brands. We went with the Massey, because it was the only one whose seat would go far enough forward for my 5'2'' wife.
Although I sould note that she didn't like the "bumblebee", the Green one was "too high", the Orange had the brake on the right and the pedal was too high...........But the "red one" ,(which is her favorite color) fit her perfectly:laughing:
But, back to your options:
Option 1: I took care of 3 feet of snow with my old Cub Cadet 2160 with a front blower. Had to replace both belts, but I 'got er done'.
Option 2: Totally out of the question.
Option 3: You have woods around your property, can you collect the leaves in a bagger and deposit them in the woods? (after trimming the brush line?)
Option 4: Will solve some problems, but the "boulders" in the grass cause a bigger(more expensive) problem. A DR walk behind trimmer may do you well here.
Option 5: 14,000 for a new tractor vs. 1,000 a year ...........Up to you.
EDIT: be prepared for "sticker shock" if you opt for a used subcut............I was seeing prices for a 10 year old macnine that were 1,000 dollars less than a new one was selling for.
Although I sould note that she didn't like the "bumblebee", the Green one was "too high", the Orange had the brake on the right and the pedal was too high...........But the "red one" ,(which is her favorite color) fit her perfectly:laughing:
But, back to your options:
Option 1: I took care of 3 feet of snow with my old Cub Cadet 2160 with a front blower. Had to replace both belts, but I 'got er done'.
Option 2: Totally out of the question.
Option 3: You have woods around your property, can you collect the leaves in a bagger and deposit them in the woods? (after trimming the brush line?)
Option 4: Will solve some problems, but the "boulders" in the grass cause a bigger(more expensive) problem. A DR walk behind trimmer may do you well here.
Option 5: 14,000 for a new tractor vs. 1,000 a year ...........Up to you.
EDIT: be prepared for "sticker shock" if you opt for a used subcut............I was seeing prices for a 10 year old macnine that were 1,000 dollars less than a new one was selling for.
OP
kday64
Gold Member
Hi again,
After reading the few posts that have been made here so far, you all have confirmed what I already knew. The only way I will be satisfied is if I buy a Sub Compact Utility Tractor. Based on the lifetime return of on a short term budget killer I can justify the purchase of the a tractor.
After reading hundreds of posts I am leaning towards the Kubota BX2360. I am sure the BX1860 would do the job but the added horses will be greatly appreaciated at some point.
Now I am looking for the right combination of attachments. Right now I know I want the 54" fine cut mower with the optional mulcher. On the rear I am looking at getting a rear blade. Seeing those awesome pictures of the snow mountains I am thinking the FEL would not lead me astray, though the snow thrower is still a dream.
I am still looking for advice on swaying the wife, from here "NO" stance to a much softer "okay sweetheart"
~k_day64
After reading the few posts that have been made here so far, you all have confirmed what I already knew. The only way I will be satisfied is if I buy a Sub Compact Utility Tractor. Based on the lifetime return of on a short term budget killer I can justify the purchase of the a tractor.
After reading hundreds of posts I am leaning towards the Kubota BX2360. I am sure the BX1860 would do the job but the added horses will be greatly appreaciated at some point.
Now I am looking for the right combination of attachments. Right now I know I want the 54" fine cut mower with the optional mulcher. On the rear I am looking at getting a rear blade. Seeing those awesome pictures of the snow mountains I am thinking the FEL would not lead me astray, though the snow thrower is still a dream.
I am still looking for advice on swaying the wife, from here "NO" stance to a much softer "okay sweetheart"
~k_day64
Don87
Elite Member
That's the easy part actually............
Hand her a snow shovel and say...........I'll be home at 11 pm friday, have the driveway open.........:thumbsup:
P.S. Be sure when you 'tractor shop', that she is there with you............this is important.
She will have to be comfortable with the machine.
D33r3 6r33N
Silver Member
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- John Deere 2305, Scag 19hp 48" Tiger Cub
This was easy for me too, she had decided that I needed a tractor before I did. But if she still doesn't budge, rent or borrow something is similar to what you want. You start using it around your place and she'll say, "I didn't know you could do that with a tractor!"
Don87
Elite Member
And the other key is.............take her with you, gotta make sure her butt fits the tractor(guy talk).This was easy for me too, she had decided that I needed a tractor before I did. But if she still doesn't budge, rent or borrow something is similar to what you want. You start using it around your place and she'll say, "I didn't know you could do that with a tractor!"
OP
kday64
Gold Member
Don,
A majority if the CT potatoes are low enough that I can mow over them with my little JD push mower. There are 3 potatoes that I have to manuever around. So I guess I am really concerned with the manueverabilty. How tight of a turn can a BX2360 make? While going slow?
~k_day64
A majority if the CT potatoes are low enough that I can mow over them with my little JD push mower. There are 3 potatoes that I have to manuever around. So I guess I am really concerned with the manueverabilty. How tight of a turn can a BX2360 make? While going slow?
~k_day64
I'm in the same boat...looking and convincing my wife. I want a TLB unit as I could use the hoe for our business. It's hard to convince yourself that a small car payment for a tractor is worthwhile, not to mention convincing the "better half".
On a side-note, I currently have a JD 345 with the 42" snowthrower. It actually does very well with the snow we get here in Lake George (northern NY). 54" deck handles our lawn well too. But I just want something I can do more with..........
I've been finding the same thing in my search..... seems anything in good condition with the options I want is almost the same $$ as a brand new unit. Even when the used ones are 5-6 yrs old. Especially when you figure the difference in interest rates if financing. Most manufacturers are offering zero % for 60 mos on new units. Used rates seem to be near 10%.
For example, I'm looking right now at a used 2005 BX23 (TLB) with a 60" mm mower and winter tire chains. Seems like a great deal at $11,000. Very clean, residential used unit. Much cheaper than most used ones I've seen for sale with the loader/backhoe and mower. But...unless I want to draw $10K from our savings (in this economy who wants to do that...not me !!), I'd be looking to finance. Best rate for a used unit (with A+ credit) was 10.3%, so for 60 mos the payment was $215.XX. Compare that with a quoted price of $18,500 for a new 2010 BX25 TLB & 60" mower (same quote for a new JD 2305 w/200CX loader, 260 hoe & 54C mower by the way) financed at 0% for 72 mos gave a payment of $256.xx. Sure, it's another 12mos of payments and $41 more a month. But I personally would rather pay that and get a new unit with warranty. And, as said above, if taken care of properly, it will last a lifetime.
Just need that last "nudge" myself...and then to get the ok from the "financial adviser" AKA my wife........
Don87
Elite Member
If you get the tractor, your manuevering days may come to an end real quick.:thumbsup:
EDIT: I thought(according to your first post), that you had more 'potatoes' to work around. That's why I mentioned the DR machine.
The Kubota is similiar to my Massey, you will still need to back up and turn to get all four sides of the rock.
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