Looking for info on garden tractors 🚜

[Hodado]

For that budget you might try a good fence and a dozen goats

 

[arto98607]

JD 430 would be a pretty good choice in my opinion - I see very few listed and price range $2750 - 4500 or so.

For sure they go for lot less at auctions sometimes.

 

[sd455dan]

For that budget you might try a good fence and a dozen goats

SURE
Once those goats start destroying every thing in sight, there won't be a budget.

 

[wb3czi]

I would like to know in your opinion what new make and model garden tractor is made good and can cut 2-3 acres. And I would also like to know what is a good older model tractor,doesn't matter how old that was made good and was reliable and could cut the same amount of acres. Also some names of garden tractor salvage yards that carry older tractor parts as well as sell older tractors that are rebuild. I live in north east Pennsylvania. If anyone knows of any can you please forward me there contact #. Thanks JD

Howdy Sir! I have TWO John Deere GT-235 garden tractors that I'll keep forever! They turn ALMOST as tight as a "zero turn" mower. The one with the Briggs & Stratton engine surges at idle and needs it's EPA approved jet enlarged slightly.
The newer one has a Kawasaki engine and it's PERFECT. Both are 18hp with 54" decks, wonderful hydro-static drive that's smooth with the peddles in good positions ergonomically speaking. If you search for them (or the GT-245) you'll find that they have kept their value over the years... there are plenty of them out there but the prices are high for a used machine. They're worth it. 2 acres in 80-90 minutes - that Kawasaki engine is a powerhouse.

Just my 2 cents worth...

 

[arto98607]

Howdy Sir! I have TWO John Deere GT-235 garden tractors that I'll keep forever! They turn ALMOST as tight as a "zero turn" mower. The one with the Briggs & Stratton engine surges at idle and needs it's EPA approved jet enlarged slightly.
............snip............

Perhaps the jet has a burr in the orifice, or other manufacturing defect

Micro drill bits like these should solve that problem.

Used one of these on similar problem with a gen set that would not produce rated kW output - a tiny "wire gauge" drill bit fixed the issue in the main jet!

Handheld chuck should be sufficient since it may take only a tiny amount of cleaning.




Easy to find online, eBay etc.

 

[Brotherdan]

If you are in NEPA, the Jacktown swap meet is rife with Wheel Horse of various vintages. They usually have something going about this time of year, then in the fall and spring. I also think Hilltop JD has some sort of meet as well.

 

[JD TRACTOR MAN]

Howdy Sir! I have TWO John Deere GT-235 garden tractors that I'll keep forever! They turn ALMOST as tight as a "zero turn" mower. The one with the Briggs & Stratton engine surges at idle and needs it's EPA approved jet enlarged slightly.
The newer one has a Kawasaki engine and it's PERFECT. Both are 18hp with 54" decks, wonderful hydro-static drive that's smooth with the peddles in good positions ergonomically speaking. If you search for them (or the GT-245) you'll find that they have kept their value over the years... there are plenty of them out there but the prices are high for a used machine. They're worth it. 2 acres in 80-90 minutes - that Kawasaki engine is a powerhouse.

Just my 2 cents worth...

Thanks for the info wb3czi.

 

[JD TRACTOR MAN]

Restoring old garden tractors is not an obsession, it's a disease, especially if you are brand-specific, e.g., JD, Cub Cadet....

That's the truth!

 

[JD TRACTOR MAN]

If you are in NEPA, the Jacktown swap meet is rife with Wheel Horse of various vintages. They usually have something going about this time of year, then in the fall and spring. I also think Hilltop JD has some sort of meet as well.

Thanks brotherdan I will check these two out!

 

[JD TRACTOR MAN]

my opinion is to stay away from the tractors at the hardware stores and get one from a dealer,like John Deere or ? the ones from the Hardware chains are not really commercial duty. I have a JD 320, 18hp,it's commerical duty,even the spindle's on the deck are 3/4" ,the ones from the hardware chains are 5/8" my old 93 JD320 was $5200 in 1993. the commercial dutys are more expensive, I mean unless you don't mind doing a lot of repair work and a lot of break downs on the lawn tractor. that much to mow I would want a commercial duty mower

Good advice thanks.

 

[JD TRACTOR MAN]

JD
For the amount you are looking to soend you might have to look at the older 316 317 318 models. Biggest problem with them was the onan engines. Sometimes they show up in your price range.

I bought a 112 for my youngest around 30 years ago that needed the transaxle rebuilt for $300, put around $150 in parts plus my labor. Had 12 HP Kohler K3 series engine that was a work horse with 48” deck.

Wish you the best on your search.

Thanks oldnslo, Actually I have been looking out for one of the JD you have been mentioned as well as a craftsman and an older yardman. I have a 32year old small yardman I restored and it is very reliable. I can't seem to find thus far any yard mans for sale.

 

[JD TRACTOR MAN]

I would stick with an older JD rider that may need some work. You can get parts for them and they are prevalent. I had a JD 170 that just mowed some grass. JD 175, 185. or even older, the 318 (motor parts hard to find though).

Ingersoll made a good mower that can still be found for your price point. 3014s are a goods size for your acreage.

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View attachment 811328

Thanks Yander for the info.