Need advice - 15-20HP

[jyoutz]

If you want a lawn mower buy a lawnmower. If you want a tractor buy a tractor....not a part time lawn mower.....aka tractor with a semipermanent mower. Also the smaller HP tractors have short lift arms due to their proximity to the ground. Don't expect to do much (size or weight) lifting with a 15 or 20 hp tractor.

A 25 hp tractor with front end loader is a real handy to have around the place second set of hands...I have a LS 25 hydro. with front end loader. If you want to mow with it get a 3 pt or drag type mower so that when you aren't mowing you can easily detach it and it's not in your way to do other "tractor" things.

Other BIG deal is that in the spring multiblade turf type mowers get hung up in the blade area with wet grass. Getting it out is a PIA. If you have a tractor with a detachable mower rear mounted, first of all unless it's the turf kind with 3 blades it doesn't clog. If it is of the 3 blade variety, you can detach it from the tractor, turn the tractor around and with the front end loader (FEL) lift the mower easy peasy and wash out under it and when finished its out of your way for your tractor to be used for tractor things.......think hard about what I said......you won't be sorry.....Oh remember the money you spend is gone forever....what stays with you is what you bought with it......food for thought.

Very much agree.

 

[3inthedirt]

Pretty much accepted that the machine will need to be 20-25HP. Sticking with the original idea of a SCUT for the time being. I'm sure one of the kids will get use out of it when I'm gone.

I'll do a little more thinking on MMM vs. 3 point mower. Once I get in and run the current walk behind zero turn around, I'll have a better idea.

I know I do not want a sit down zero turn so it will be stuck with what I have or continue my journey.

Appreciate the comments.......

 

[Texasmark]

In case I missed it, you are talking like a senior citizen. I'm 84 and I can't do what I used to do. My suggestion to you is before you make up your mind on a walk behind or sit in the seat ZT try both out.......gonna "betcha" you change your mind.

 

[3inthedirt]

I have a walk behind now that I realize will not work much longer.

The options are zero turn sit down or SCUT with mower. A longer shot would be a lawn tractor but I think that is the not the best use of money.

Closed on the house last week and I am weeks away from actively working on this.

Oh, and I found a Massey dealer only 7 miles from the new place!

 

[3inthedirt]

On my many travels from the rental condo in NC to the new house in SC (3.5 hours), I have passed a JD850 with 5', 3 pt finish mower for sale many times. Seems the mower was bought with the tractor by one owner who has since passed away. The story is that he only used it to mow the trailer park he owned. A friend is selling it for the family. Guy claims his starting price was $6500 but will take $5000. No loader, less than 800 hours showing. I'm hesitant to look further due to the fact that there is no loader. Plan on stopping to hear it run next time I go by after the holiday, if it is still there.

Thoughts?

 

[Carl_NH]

The JD850 are great tractors built by Yanmar, and $5K is a very fair price IMO if it runs with no issues.

The lack of a loader is a big drawback, but Koyker makes a Model 155 or 160 loader that fits the 850 but probably will cost $3K or more, then installation will be more $ unless you DIY which is not hard.

 

[3inthedirt]

Thank you for the specific info on the loader!. Is there an aftermarket MMM for this unit in case I want to go that way?

 

[Carl_NH]

3Inthedirt - Yes they make a MMM for the 850 but if it has the rear finish mower there's no reason to replace that with a MMN - your going backwards!!

The reason is several - the MMM requires a tractor mount, and a mower, and mid PTO - the mower is the cheap part, the tractor mounts needed for the mower are $$ and hard to find used, then the mid PTO may be or not on this 850.

There are a lot of great low hour used diesel tractors with loaders, MMM and rear mowers for sale in NC and SC - have you looked at FB Marketplace or Craigslist?

 

[3inthedirt]

Haven't looked yet. Just moved in and the wife is trying to spend my money before I do........... Over $10k in one week.

I don't have a Facebook account but I should be able to search anyway. Wanna get divorced?...get a social media account!

I'm ordering my out building tomorrow. My garage is already more than full and the car/truck is a must in the garage for me! Still have to add my two atvs and dual sport motorcycle!

Busiest 2 weeks in my life!

 

[gstrom99]

I don't have a Facebook account but I should be able to search anyway. Wanna get divorced?...get a social media account!

I'm ordering my out building tomorrow. My garage is already more than full and the car/truck is a must in the garage for me! Still have to add my two atvs and dual sport motorcycle!

Busiest 2 weeks in my life!

I use FB Marketplace a lot. Great place to buy/sell/browse stuff. CL, not so much anymore. Good luck. Tell us about your new building. Keep us updated on your progress. Got pic's of the new place?

 

[Carl_NH]

BTW I don't think you need a FB account to access FB Marketplace and winter is the time to buy vs spring when everyone wants a tractor.

 

[R Barger]

On my many travels from the rental condo in NC to the new house in SC (3.5 hours), I have passed a JD850 with 5', 3 pt finish mower for sale many times. Seems the mower was bought with the tractor by one owner who has since passed away. The story is that he only used it to mow the trailer park he owned. A friend is selling it for the family. Guy claims his starting price was $6500 but will take $5000. No loader, less than 800 hours showing. I'm hesitant to look further due to the fact that there is no loader. Plan on stopping to hear it run next time I go by after the holiday, if it is still there.

Thoughts?

850 John Deere great tractor, I own 3 of them and mow about 3 acres with a 2WD.

 

[3inthedirt]

Little house on the prairie...........

 

[sd455dan]

......back to my original point. I don't like to buy entry level power equipment and an entry level commercial machine just went from $8k to $9500. I won't spend that on a single purpose machine - want a platform to build upon. My walk behind, zero turn is 46 years old (really) and only 36" wide. I bought it new for $1200 when I had a landscaping business. I just can't justify it in my mind. My 67 year old hands, forearms and elbows are worn out (partially due to the mower). I walk 5 miles a day 5 days a week, so the legs are good. Time to give in.

Quite frankly, I'm not convinced the BX or Series 1 platforms are the right "platform" to build upon.

Really struggling with old vs new. I like wrenching on stuff, so no issue there.

Here's my old machine - not loader friendly. Sold it a long time ago.

Appreciate all of the comments!!!!

If it weren't for parts availability , the old chinese Rhino 554's are very capable, but jmo for guys that can wrench and are also cheap.

I have about $9k into the pair of mine now. They easily run 6' brush cutter mower, 7' snowblowers- tiller, no problem and easily lift one ton pallets up to 10 feet if needed. I bought the second one in case I couldn't get parts for the original.
Different strokes for different folks. I have saved a family members Yanmar 2310 D a couple times when the Yanmar was down for repair or was undersized to do the job. Lots of older great American made machines out there as well like the Fords and Massey's, keep the eyes peeled.

 

[etpm]

If it weren't for parts availability , the old chinese Rhino 554's are very capable, but jmo for guys that can wrench and are also cheap.

I have about $9k into the pair of mine now. They easily run 6' brush cutter mower, 7' snowblowers- tiller, no problem and easily lift one ton pallets up to 10 feet if needed. I bought the second one in case I couldn't get parts for the original.
Different strokes for different folks. I have saved a family members Yanmar 2310 D a couple times when the Yanmar was down for repair or was undersized to do the job. Lots of older great American made machines out there as well like the Fords and Massey's, keep the eyes peeled.

I have a YM 2310 and there are a few times when it just wasn't able to lift what I wanted and I had to work around that. But otherwise the tractor is a beast for its size. I am amazed at what it does.
Eric

 

[sd455dan]

I have a YM 2310 and there are a few times when it just wasn't able to lift what I wanted and I had to work around that. But otherwise the tractor is a beast for its size. I am amazed at what it does.
Eric

Oh I am not knocking the 2310 D Great machine with the power shift.

My FIL bought it over 20 years ago and it has done 90+ % of what he has needed over the years. It was only down for real repair once, and he redid all of the steering and front axle work/ gears/seals etc then.

One bad winter the road closed in especially on road width and I Opened the width back up with the rhino for him, another couple times he needed ton + pallets moved and also a building tear down / clean up and my tractor had a grapple so it made more sense. For a smaller place and wanting a more compact machine that is reliable long lived with good parts availability the Yanmars are GREAT.

 

[3inthedirt]

Been reading quite a few threads over the last couple of days. Beginning to believe that buying new is the best option. It would serve one of the kids better long term....I already have engine work to do on one of the atvs and the new house has more projects than the Kardashians have lovers.

Issue is that I won't have time to take advantage of year-end incentives. Given that, I'll just sit back, research a little more and have at it in the spring. My building will be up long before that so it can be stored properly. Massey is my first choice at this point unless someone gives me enough incentive to do something else. I prefer to not have what everyone else has so Deere and Kubota are in the background.

Merry Christmas!