"Lawn Tractors" and Carts

timb · Mar 18, 2003

Re: \"Lawn Tractors\" and Carts

Bob,

I intend to touch base with the dealer on the "towing capacity" - if there is a limit written down somewhere. I started off on this most recent sojourn looking for something used. One of the benefits of new is of course having that 2-year warranty. But I'd hate to have JD tell me I abused the poor thing and not cover a transmission failure.

However - the good news is that it sounds like this "little" guy can do anything I'd want a machine of this size to do. It's like pulling teeth but do enough digging and you find "specs". (Always with the caveat to take some numbers with a grain of salt.) It appears that the LX series uses if not the same frame, then one with just as heavy (3mm) of steel as the GT and GX garden tractors. The UK and Dutch JD pages list the 1000 lb and 1500 lb trailers as compatible. So I doubt that I'll hurt it.

After all this time looking at the CUTs, I do wish it didn't have "roller skate" wheels though. Ah well, it will be the wife's JD anyway. I doubt I'll see it much after she get's used to it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And the 4710 comment from the dealer was strictly tongue-in-cheek. I hadn't really thought of going to this dealer for a quote - he is a lawn-and-garden guy but does deal with the occasional CUT. (Had a 790 and 4115 in the showroom when I was there.) In the lawn-and-garden biz around here he does have a very good reputation going back a long way - my in-laws have dealt with him for years - and he's located about 200 yards down the highway from where my back road comes out. Can't hurt to let him work up a number when I'm ready I suppose. I was just a little concerned about his shop's ability to deal with, service, or even set up a CUT.

Tim

rancar · Mar 18, 2003

Re: \"Lawn Tractors\" and Carts

"...I was just a little concerned about his shop's ability to deal with, service, or even set up a CUT."

This is a valid concern Tim and one that most should not readily dismiss. If a 'lawn and tractor' dealer sells let's say only one 4710 all year....then the question that has to be asked is if they know how to do everything related to the set-up. My dealer spent about 8 hours setting up my 4710. It was done by a technician who does this type of work all the time and I recall him telling me a couple things that were problematic and time consuming to install. I'm glad to report everything works great but it works great because I feel like I had a good technician who did this work many times before and who knew what he was doing. I've heard of horror stories here at TBN from those whose dealers did not know what they were doing. This is why I advocate comparison shopping and asking all of these price, service, warranty, and set-up questions beforehand so one can get a feel for what the dealer is like.

BTW, if you go with that #7 cart, I think you'll like it. I love my #15....it was a bit pricey but I've carried a ton of weight in it. Apart from making sure I had maximum tire inflation, I've had no problems with it. It's held up real well. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

...Bob

chrisjbell · Mar 19, 2003

Re: \"Lawn Tractors\" and Carts

 I was just a little concerned about his shop's ability to deal with, service, or even set up a CUT.


Yeah, that is something to be concerned about. Those things are shipped to the dealer in a crate, and the dealer has to have someone basically complete the assembly on site. I'm quite certain it is like anything else - if you do it all the time it is a peice of cake but if you do it once a year it'll take you forever.

Here's what I think is a perfect analogy. I'm a computer programmer, and have been in the industry for 20 years. When I started out, and for a number of years I was a hand's on technician, building systems, installing operating systems, configuring networks, and stuff like that. I have moved more and more into just programming, and now rely on other people to set up the servers and networks for me.

So whereas say 10 years ago I could do network configuration in my sleep, today when I have to do it (rarely, fortunately) I forget this, mess up that, and take way longer than the folks that do it all the time would. I used to keep the cover of my own PC off (or at least kept the screws out of it) because I tinkered with the configurations so often. Any more I know that if I open the box my computer will be down for two or three days /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.

So when (if) you decide to drop 15 or 20 large or so, make sure you deliver the money to someone that works on that level of equipment all the time. My dealer's guys do nothing else, and they're great.

Oh, I'm pretty sure that you're right about the frame in the LX. That was one of the reasons I went with that tractor - my dealer assured me that I could take it out in the pasture and no harm would come to the frame. I'm pretty sure he said that all the JD lawn tractors have the same heavy duty frames.

timb · Mar 19, 2003

Re: \"Lawn Tractors\" and Carts

Chrisjbell,

 I forget this, mess up that, and take way longer than the folks that do it all the time would. 

Boy do I hear you on that! I've spent 3 days reconfiguring a scheduled reboot script on a particular UNIX server here that I set up years ago. Long ago I handed over the hands-on reins but over time everyone who knew the intricacies of that box have moved on - I'm the last one left but it's been awhile since I've personally been into it this deep. Actually it's fun - better than the nth re-do of next year's capital plan or some other paperwork push.

Anyway - I guess scope creep is one thing I'm guilty of when looking at the lighter lawn tractors. I've spent so much time looking at the infinitely heavier duty CUTs and full-sized ag tractors - that these things seem so flyweight in comparison. I have to keep reminding myself of the limited mission for that mower.

All things being equal - I did "find" the "mower" I'd like to have in that space - the JD GX355. Nearly the same physical size as the LX lawn tractors but about 50% heavier - and with a nice little 18 hp 2-cylinder 46 cu. in. Yanmar diesel. That thing's deluxe all the way and I can't see how I could hurt it in that role. Unfortunately all "things" aren't equal - that little puppy goes for around $7,000 /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif - twice the LX277. Can't justify it - even using the improved fuel mileage! (I tried)

PhilNH5 · Mar 19, 2003

Re: \"Lawn Tractors\" and Carts

Tim,
This used to come up often on the Gardenweb tractors forum Some of the Deere LTs were not rated for carts at all. People could not understand how a $2K Deere could not pull a cart while a $1K Craftsman could. Led to all sorts of fun name calling posts.

That said - I had a Craftsman 11.5 HP 38 inch deck I got in 1990. I spent the best 99 dollars of my life and brought a cart at Walmart. I hauled tons of dirt, sand and bricks when I built a patio. Moved tons of firewood. Never had any trouble with the Craftsman. The cart was 7 cubic feet and I often filled it till the tires were flat. Craftsman never hesitated. Had it for 10 years and gave it away when I fell into a great deal on a Toro. Still have the cart /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

So as others have posted - don't get hung up on the specs. Just use comon sense and caution on hills.

Phil

timb · Mar 19, 2003

Re: \"Lawn Tractors\" and Carts

Phil,

I agree. The best news I saw was that JD lists both the 10 cu. ft. (1000 lb capacity) and 15 cu. ft. (1500 lb capacity) as "OK" for the LX277 on the UK and Netherlands sites. I really don't plan on trying to pull that much around but I suspect there's plenty of headroom in the U.S. limits.

Unless of course the wife decides she really must have the power steering and tilt wheel of the GX series! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I wouldn't talk her out of that since she's willing to do most of the lawn cutting.

However, if I order the eventual 4x10-series CUT with hydro and she realizes how similar the controls are I might be in trouble. A good case for gear. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Tim

chrisjbell · Mar 20, 2003

Re: \"Lawn Tractors\" and Carts

 that little puppy goes for around $7,000 - twice the LX277 

Yikes! No wonder I didn't buy a GX! For that kind of spare change you can pick up one of the smaller CUTs. Actually, I did price the GX series and couldn't justify it, either. But they sure are sweet tractors....

And yeah, it can be kind of fun messing with reconfiguring computers. You just have to remember that you aren't as fast at it as you used to be... But it sure does beat financials and such. My wife is a manager / former engineer and she just can't help but try to be technical again. Drives her engineers crazy, I'll bet /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

timb · Mar 20, 2003

Re: \"Lawn Tractors\" and Carts

Seems like a lot of people are really happy with their LX series. If I don't come across something decent used it will most likely either be an LX277 or a GT235, now that the GT also has a Kawasaki twin (18hp vs. 17hp) and isn't a lot more ca$h - but does have the exact same control layout, an even stronger hydro and bigger tires (with the option of bar treads). We'll be talking to the dealer again before long.

Anonymous Poster · May 27, 2003

Re: \"Lawn Tractors\" and Carts

My 23 hp gas engine craftsman riding lawn more pulles a
10 cubic foot cart 1,000. lbs with out a problem the cart was all steel that I assembled. I even made it a dump cart the I could dump by pulling the lever that raised and lowers the mower deck. It is dumped by using the sleeve hitch. I filled the cart up with gravel and rocks and dumped it from my seat tractor pulles it easially up my steep gravel or asphalt driveway. or around the gravel part of my yard. David.

Knute · Jul 17, 2003

Re: \"Lawn Tractors\" and Carts

This thread is a bit old, bit it was still on the first page so I'll toss in my two cents.

I recently got an old JD 108 Tractor (says Tractor on the plate, but it's really just a lawn/garden tractor) third hand from a friend, who got it from one of his neighbors. I have no idea how old this is, but it's far from new. It has a whopping 8 hp B&S engine in it and has no problem towing a trailer. I picked up a 10 cubic foot trailer from Sears for $110. The Craftsman website says it's rated to 600 lbs. I've put a good 700 lbs of gravel in it and had no problem with either the trailer or the small JD pulling it up my long rough driveway.

Just my two cents.