Price Check JD 1026R

[Gizmo2]

Brentwalker,
From what I read, you need a tractor and would say the only decisions you need to make is how big and which one. Do the research and maybe let the wife pick the color. 20 some years ago I was in the same boat, horse and all, I wanted a compact tractor and the wife was not totally on board with it. Best INVESTMENT we EVER made not to mention we did it again in 2008 (wife's idea this time). IMO I would step up in physical size, Just Sayin.

 

[JWR]

I think you're pulling our legs. No 25hp tractor from any color that is comparable is under 11k in SE MI. If you truly can buy it for that do it! At least if you don't like it you could sell it for 10,500.

I suspect that your $9999 price was without any mower, bare, not even the belly mower. Most of these type small tractors use belly mowers and amount to very high quality and very high priced riding lawnmowers that will outlast you no matter what age you are. What the guys are saying to you is that the 3 pt hitch is THE common denominator of agricultural tractors and "stuff." Very profound thing. Most implements (tiller, small bush hog, finish mower, box scraper, scraper blade, etc.) mount on what is called a 3 point hitch. [Google it and learn. Go to a DEALER AND MAKE THEM SHOW YOU HOW IT WORKS TOO.] Back many decades ago there was little standardization of hitch mechanisms and dimensions among brands of tractors. Sometime in the last 50 years the world basically standardized on 3pt hitches for all brands, making implements interchangeable, etc. I'm going out on an opinion limb and say this: I think you are better off to go find a used small tractor in the 20-25hp size range with under 1000 hours on it. Pay about $6000 for it WITH a belly mower in good shape. A little more like $7000 with a front end loader (FEL). The FEL is God's gift to Harry Homeonwers if there ever was one. Dig, carry, spread, scrape, move gravel, move soil, carry firewood, on and on. Play with it a BUNCH on test driving before you buy. Find a friend who owns something like it and get him to go test drive it with you and give you advice.

 

[JWR]

And ... once you get comfy with the machine start looking for a 4' bush hog (around $400 used) to mow the horse lot and anything not in your yard. A big assed aerator is what you need for the equestrian lot -- has a lot of teeth that penetrate the ground and break up the soil slightly. Usually some provision to weight it down with concrete blocks, etc. Not cheap unless you find one used which is not real likely. A rototiller is more of a seed bed prep tool though it would loosen soil for you in the "pasture field" in a rough and crude sort of way. Keep in mind that a tiller on the back of this little tractor has no where near the maneuverability of the old walk-behind you had. But, these tractors all have Cat. I (meaning the smallest of I, II and III sizes of 3pt hitches.) Once you have one you have a wide array of options for tillers, rakes, scrapers, mowers, etc. Good luck !