JD 2025R and compairables

[redman135]

LindenBruce, One thing that has not been discussed is ergonomics. Be very clear what you want,ie do all the controls fall to hand, or do you need to stretch, is there foot room (wear boots not shoes to test),is the forward/reverse comfortable to use, can you get on and off easily? .
What adjustment do the controls have? Can you get things exactly right?
Who will maintain the tractor/dealer proximity?
Which dealer are you most comfortable dealing with/ most helpful?

 

[AxleHub]

I always suggest a priority order:

Priority 1. Brand/model/product you want and can afford.

Priority 2. Then dealer who sells that brand/model/product you can afford

Consideration 3. Proximity to that location.

In other words . . Unless your nearness is so required and needed for your operation to continue as a business . . . the distance is not a priority of the top 2. If you have an ag sized unit that has to work when its needed . . And requires hauling equipment you don't have and can't easily rent . . . Then Proximity is an issue because of many reasons.

But if 100 miles away or 50 miles away or 5 miles away all involves trailering . . . Would you get a poorer product or a poorer dealer just for that convenience? Not me. That doesn't mean 1 dealer in a 250 mile distance is acceptable because anyone can close up. But in a 3 hour drive distance if the dealer who you like and trust sells and supports the product you want at a price you can afford . . then I think that's the choice you take . . . unless you plan on a lot of breakdowns and equipment problens or your business depends on immediate service.

My point is . . I think too many buyers plan to do a fair amount of their own basic service work . . yet they treat proximity as if they need to be at the dealer location every other week. Equipment tiday is quite reliable. And you can always have backup dealers as last resort. But get the place you want and deal with the distance issue.

 

[LindenBruce]

Thanks for the continued input guys.

One thing about the 2025R I don't like IS the loader control. It takes up a lot of space on the right side and does seem like it would be a snag hazard with pants of shorts. I can fix that, but why if a different model fits me better? I am good with working with metal.

My uses are simple. Mowing weeds and a large lower 1 acre lawn that is only green when it is raining. Maintaining a 100'x50' garden. Installing and maintaining gravel driveways around the house. Digging holes for trees. removing fallen trees which doesn't happen very often. And when they do they are prolly 30' tall pines. raking rocks out of the pasture and moving those to other areas. And what ever else I can think of (LOL). So, a hoe would prolly be a good thing. I can use either an MMM or flail mower. I don't care for rotary cutters hanging off the back so if I do hanging something off the back it WILL be a flail. Using a box scraper and a rock rake. And of course a loader would be a must.

The reason I was looking at these smaller units is two fold. I can use the MMM when the Husky finally dies. But that is an unknown as it has a 54" deck now and has had it fair amount of repairs. Stupid MTD junk riding mowers. BUT, thinking of using the MMM on a smaller unit maybe wrong thinking. I do have a smaller lawn around the house where a small sized tractor may not really work. So I my MMM option maybe not be the best idea. So getting another cheaper riding mower when the Husky dies might be better than trying to use the small tractor for the same purpose. Does that make sense? The Husky is about 8 years old with 208 hours on it and I have had to do repairs to it I don't think I should have had too. Like pulling the engine and doing a reseal on it, broken mower blade mandrels, broken mower blade shafts, two broken hydrostat axles, and a few other things. And the second thing about the smaller units is cost. But now that I look more and more, I can get a 68" flail for around 2600 dollars, which is about the cost of an MMM right?

As far as maintenance I will do any non warranty stuff. I've been a wrench for many decades so that is not an issue. The only tractors in my area are Branson, Mahindra, Massey, Kubota, John Deere, and new Holland. Any others are many many hours driving away. I'm in the Stockton Ca. central valley area.

B.

 

[jenkinsph]

Bruce,

I do most of the stuff on your list with an x700 series Deere with 3ph an rear pto. If you want a fel then a subcut and up should work well for you. You could get a small self propelled mower to trim with if you decide to go with a compact, that would be better than a cheap riding mower.

 

[LindenBruce]

Yes, closeness/distance to a dealer is not that much of a concern as most of these machines don't break down all that much. And most if not all items can be drop shipped. I bought my Taurus SHO from a dealer in southern Oregon sight unseen, just pics, and had it shipped to me. So.....

I have looked at the 700 series online, but not sure if they would be up to the task. There were none at the dealer in Stockton on Friday when I was there looking at the 2025R. I guess I could try and find a 700 series at the next closest dealer an hour away.

B.

 

[jenkinsph]

Bruce,
I suspect an x700 is smaller than you need. I have them but I also have larger ones for the heavy work.

 

[whizdbiz2]

Thanks for the continued input guys.

My uses are simple. Mowing weeds and a large lower 1 acre lawn that is only green when it is raining. Maintaining a 100'x50' garden. Installing and maintaining gravel driveways around the house. Digging holes for trees. removing fallen trees which doesn't happen very often. And when they do they are prolly 30' tall pines. raking rocks out of the pasture and moving those to other areas. And what ever else I can think of (LOL). So, a hoe would prolly be a good thing. I can use either an MMM or flail mower. I don't care for rotary cutters hanging off the back so if I do hanging something off the back it WILL be a flail. Using a box scraper and a rock rake. And of course a loader would be a must.

The reason I was looking at these smaller units is two fold. I can use the MMM when the Husky finally dies. But that is an unknown as it has a 54" deck now and has had it fair amount of repairs. Stupid MTD junk riding mowers. BUT, thinking of using the MMM on a smaller unit maybe wrong thinking. I do have a smaller lawn around the house where a small sized tractor may not really work. So I my MMM option maybe not be the best idea. So getting another cheaper riding mower when the Husky dies might be better than trying to use the small tractor for the same purpose. Does that make sense? The Husky is about 8 years old with 208 hours on it and I have had to do repairs to it I don't think I should have had too. Like pulling the engine and doing a reseal on it, broken mower blade mandrels, broken mower blade shafts, two broken hydrostat axles, and a few other things. And the second thing about the smaller units is cost. But now that I look more and more, I can get a 68" flail for around 2600 dollars, which is about the cost of an MMM right?

One correction, your Husqvarna isn't made by MTD, they make their own lawn and garden tractors. They also make Ariens and Dixon brands. I have an LGT 2554 with about 550 hrs. on it, bought it used at around 500 hrs. and it was like new then. It is a 54" deck and has the (often dreaded but an OK motor) Kohler Courage, but a 2 cyl. I mow about an acre and 1/2 once a week. No issues with it at all.

I also have a Mahindra eMax 22 I got in mid 2014 with a FEL. About 80 hrs. on it as of yesterday. It's been very solid, again no issues, but have a slight coolant drip that I can't run down, but I'll have the dealer look at it when they do the recall work (reinforce the fuel tank outlet). It's built in S. Korea by TYM with a Daedong (Kioti in the U.S.) engine. It continues to surprise me what it can do. We got the small size to be able to use it in our barn, among other outside chores and it does a great job.

I had two dealer talk me out of the MMM mower in favor of a 3 pt. mounted finish mower. Their experience was customers were more happy with the ease of use of the rear mount. Easy to drop and put on. You can get them for a reasonable price on the used market. I however, found a brand new Maschio (Italian made) high quality 60" 3 blade finish mower for under $650 at a consignment sale. Price out the retail on them and you'll see what a bargain that was. I mow the lawn areas with just the riding mowers (also have a JD GT275 and an old Huskee (MTD) 46"). I also have a 48" blade and 48" rock rake I use with the Mahindra. The finish mower I use to mow pastures. I think the Mahindra is too heavy to be used on the lawn areas, even with the R-4 tires.

My opinion only, so JD guys, no flames, but I think the big JD GTs are too expensive for what they can do. You are talking small CUT territory on pricing and not getting the SCUT tractor capabilities. I'd rather go with a cheaper dedicated lawn mower and a SCUT/CUT/utility tractor for what I do. For some the big Deere GT is the one tractor they need and can use. All depends on your situation and budget.

 

[jenkinsph]

My opinion only, so JD guys, no flames, but I think the big JD GTs are too expensive for what they can do. You are talking small CUT territory on pricing and not getting the SCUT tractor capabilities. I'd rather go with a cheaper dedicated lawn mower and a SCUT/CUT/utility tractor for what I do. For some the big Deere GT is the one tractor they need and can use. All depends on your situation and budget.

No problem. I bought the x749 4x4ws after the 110tlb and 4520 tractors. Having the larger machines for the heavy work I wanted a lighter one for the mowing and lawn maintenance. While it works well for me it isn't for everyone, particularly if all you have is one tractor.

For lawn maintenance the x7xx series with 3ph and rear pto can do a great job without the extra ballast a fel requires. I have raked enough pine needles with mine to pay for it. Works great with the 4 wheel steer making it highly maneuverable.

For the OP without a manicured lawn a subcut or small compact is a better choice imo. It is important to know what you need to cover 90% of the work at hand. That is why I have pushed for figuring out what size is needed then you can pick the color you like the best.