Just when I thought I knew....

Blee · Dec 10, 2004

Oh wise tractor gurus,

Just when I thought I knew what I wanted, I am in a quandary. As I was talking to my dealer yesterday for a date to set up the final demo on a Branson 3510, I noticed this slick little number working its tail off in the parking lot. It turned out to be a Simplicity Legacy XL @ 27hp. I asked the dealer to work up a price. I don't know much about the capabilities of the sub-CUT, but I don't want my yard messed up by mowing with the larger, heavier Branson.

Out-The-Door Pricing:

Branson.........................................Simplicity
35hp..............................................27hp
4WD..............................................4WD
Diesel............................................Gas
Cat 1 hitch.....................................Cat 0 hitch???
FEL................................................FEL (500# cap)
5' bush hog w/SC............................4' bush hog
5' Finish mower..............................60" belly mower
5' grading blade.............................??' hydraulic front blade
$20,000 even.................................$16,400

I am torn between my thinking that I need the extra heft for when my driveway is snowed in (3-4 per year) vs. the maneuverability of the Simplicity. I feel good about the quality of the Branson, and am not sure if the Simplicity is just pretending to be a CUT. Is the Banson more than $3,600 better? I have the money for either.

bandit67 · Dec 10, 2004

After reading comments about the Simplicity such as: limited supply, limited dealerships, limited strength/construction of the units, and that they were basically a garden tractor pretending to be a Sub Cut, I decided to stick to looking at Sub Cuts made by manufacturers of the larger machines. That way, some of the larger machine designs would make their way down to the smaller Sub CUTs, rather than the garden tractor designs trying to make their way into a larger machine. I also never did find a Simplicity dealer out here that sold the bigger machines, so that made it very easy to discount that particular unit.

I'll also note that the 27 hp gasoline powered Simplicity may still be barely equal to the power of my 24hp diesel subcompact, and the Simplicity seems to be priced a little on the high side. I paid less for my machine with FEL, 60" Mid mower, and $1600 50" rear tiller, with a Cat 1 3 ph. I didn't want to go with a Cat 0 3ph on a Sub CUT.

If you think you may want a lighter Sub Cut, then you may want to look at the diesel offerings from Case, New Holland, Kubota, JD, Massey for the $$ that you'll pay for the Simplicity. There also seems to be more aftermarket support out there for the others compared to Simplicity, which may become an issue down the road.

Todd_C · Dec 10, 2004

I personally would recommend two machines for your tasks. A compact would be nice to maintain your property and keep your driveway cleared, but at the same time it would be harder on your lawn. I was in the same position, so I purchased a compact 30hp and a lawn tractor.

You could purchase a 30hp tractor with fel, rear blade, and brush hog for $16,000 and still be able to purchase a $2,000 lawn tractor.

Good Luck.

frank_f15 · Dec 10, 2004

i think u would be well served with a mid 20HP cut. mind u now that the 27 HP simplicity is gas and they sell lots of lawn tractor in the 25HP range, a 27 HP garden tractor(which basically the simplicity is) is not going to be anywhere near as powerful as a 25 HP DIESEL CUT. the 35 Branson might be a little large, i would suggest a smaller cut and with the savings get a nice lawn tractor for mowing your lawn.

milkman · Dec 10, 2004

With all the choices in the same price range, why would you want the Simplicity? For the same money, you can get diesel, hydro, and cat1 hitch. Your choice of color, red, green, blue, or orange. I can't see the gas Simplicity with cat0 having the resale or the trade in value if you want something different at a later time.

pekabu · Dec 10, 2004

The Legacy Xl's are quite a machine, but there price puts them against some really capable machines. The BX, TZ, 2210, and GC2300. I hate to say don't buy it, but for me I would either buy one of the other machines or buy the bigger machine and a cheap lawnmower.

If you are really interested in the Legacy, I would check out JD's X series. I don't know a lot about them, but they are more comparable.

Blee · Dec 10, 2004

I am not sold on the XL, it's just that that class of sub-CUT caught me by surprise. I looked at the XL 'cause I I was at the dealership when I saw it. I didn't realize that this class of garden tractor was out there.

Branson makes a 28hp CUT, but it is only $700 less. The Scotsman in me thinks the better value is getting the 35hp.

The dealer is bringing the 35 to my place on Wed and we'll play and see if it is too much for the yard. If it looks like a sub-compact will keep my driveway clear and me safe, I will go back to the drawing board.

I appreciate all the input and am soliciting more -- I would really like to have my tractor during my Christmas/Ramadan/Kwanzzaa/New Year's Eve/etc.. break -- in addition to working full-time, I am also a full-time student.

Keep those cards and letters coming. Cat 1 or bust!

Blee

frank_f15 · Dec 10, 2004

( Branson makes a 28hp CUT, but it is only $700 less. The Scotsman in me thinks the better value is getting the 35hp.
)

I find it hard to beleive that there is only $700 dif. in price bet the 28 hp and the 35 HP , but it may be. i maintain 9 acres witha B2400 mowing, moving dirt, moving logs. etc. AND MOVING TONS OF SNOW. (SEE PHOTO) my personal opinion is 35 hp is too much(did i really say that)

ducati996 · Dec 10, 2004

I think the simplicity dealer was gouging !! That machine should be around 10k-12,500 based on its capabilities..
Its not worth 16k plus....There are named brand machines that will do more for less. Start with Kubota (Bx23) or Deere
and save some money overall plus have resale value..

Ducati

MossRoad · Dec 11, 2004

Just for giggles, I looked up the Power Trac pricing sheet, which has always been on-line, so there is no guessing what the actual pricing is...

Power Trac PT425
25HP Gas Engine
Full time 4wd
Hydraulcally Articulated Steering
ROPS with integrated steel canopy.
FEL arms included with quick attach implement system.
800# lift capacity
48'' brush hog
60" finish mower
60" power angle snow blade
45" 4-in-one bucket
48" tiller
48" box blade
Post hole digger
6" auger bit
12" auger bit
30" forks

$16,410.00

And I can pretty well guarantee it will run circles around that Simplicity in every function with the possible exception of mowing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 I don't want my yard messed up by mowing with the larger, heavier Branson 

Power Tracs of this size will not tear up the lawn because the articulation, oscillation and hydraulic steering design pretty much make it impossible to scuff in turns and they are light enough to make them float on the lawn rather than sink in.

Try changing implements on either of those tractors. Power Tracs change non-powered implements in 15 seconds WITHOUT GETTING OUT OF THE SEAT, powered implements take about 30 seconds. This makes it easy to switch from job, to job, to job and makes the operator much more productive than a conventional tractor.

As others have suggested, you should look at other tractors if that is your price range. There are many better alternatives in that spread. Just my opinion, of course.

I will say that it is hard to beat the lawn cut quality of a Simplicity. I have a 1967 or 68 model that cuts great to this day. Parts are still available and dealer support is good around here, but for that price... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif