Need advice on a good first utility tractor-Please

dukenyc · Mar 2, 2005

Thank for the replies. I really love this property, and I can't wait to move. I have only been there in the winter, and i have only a few pics from the summer.

So, how steep do you think that back hill is? Is it 30deg, 40deg, more?

The advantages of a small unit for me are: easier to store until I build a dedicated shed, easier to move around the trees, lighter, so easier to deal with if it gets stuck or breaks down.

The larger machines: more capable, faster at mowing, faster at loading. Out of curiousity, how much faster does a 72" cut than a 60", I know its about 17% wider, does this mean it will take about 17% less time or does the increased size slow it down?

As a side note, I know alot more about gas engines than diesel.

I don't want to take all day to cut the grass, and I would like to periodically (once a month or so) clear a shooting range and a few paths throught woods and along the pond. The FEl I'll use to transport firewood and other items. I am sure I'll do more with it in the future.

Regarding "reading up some", that it was I am doing. The only reason that I am in a bit of a hurry now is that I have to start maintaing the property April 1st.

Only one month to make the right pick!

Thank you for all the input, any replies are appreciated.

AndyMA · Mar 2, 2005

Where in Conn are you ? I am in Woodstock.

Andy

ronjhall · Mar 2, 2005

Out of curiosity, how much faster does a 72" cut than a 60", I know its about 17% wider, does this mean it will take about 17% less time or does the increased size slow it down?

It depends on if you are looking a different size mower on same tractor. !7%w would be close. One feature you gain with wider mower is ability to get closer to obstacles. ith the wider mower. It can get under pine tree.
My tractor has a 72" MMM. It top speed in midrange is 5 mph. I have a 60" front mount mower that has a top speed of 7 mph. Since mower is out front it gets under all my trees without any trimming. Both will cut my lawn in the same amount of time. About 1 hour. Tractor does use a little more fuel. 60" cuts lawn using less than a gallon of fuel. Tractor uses a little over a gallon.
Using a compact tractor for lawn mowing has one drawback when mowing around trees. The ROPs is always clipping tree branches. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

brad_oatley · Mar 2, 2005

The consensus on the tractor/hog seems to be around 40 and a 5 foot brushog.
But for that lawn, have a dealer deliver a test zero turn for a test. You'll need a 25 hp 60 inch deck. With that property on that hill, it is a purchase you will NEVER regret. Always cut DRY.

Soundguy · Mar 2, 2005

( I was told by the previous owner that a gear tractor would be a mistake )

Gear or hydro are not mistakes either way. Both have their places. If you plan to do alot of loader work.. well.. HST has obvious advantages. Gear pulls up nicely in the price department and ground engaging equipment area. Sometimes the extra hp you can get by going gear outway the benefits of hydro.. sometimes that lets you jump to a higher 'class' of tractor. Still.. it is a personal issue.. like standard vs automatic tranny in a car or truck.

I'm a gear man myself.. but don't think any less of hydro people.. they do come in handy in many places.

You will also notice that manu of the larger utility tractors don't have the hydro options like the scut's do.. however.. it is slowly changing.

Another option is to look for new'used'.. that is.. try to find something on the dealers lot that is a return.. and just a year old or so. Say.. a return to swap for a larger or smaller tractor. You can get a great deal on a low hour late model tractor where the previous owner has eaton most of the primary depreciation for you. if you do this.. try to find a unit that was actually sold at that dealership originally.. and preferably with some warranty.. perhaps even one that had it's maintenance done there.

I wouldn't have been able to get my NH7610s if I hadn't have gotten a swap out unit.. previous owner bought it for orchard work.. kept crushing fenders against trees and brought it back still under warranty for a smaller tractor..

Soundguy

Soundguy · Mar 2, 2005

( I don't believe a 20 to 25 hp tractor is enough for any serious bush hogging.
Andy
)

( Andy is right. That kubota is no better than the JD. You really need a big CUT or a small utility. You really are just asking for trouble going that small.
cowboydoc )

I agree with both these guys... a scut is just too small. think large compact.. or utility.

Soundguy

Soundguy · Mar 2, 2005

( The advantages of a small unit for me are: easier to store until I build a dedicated shed, easier to move around the trees, lighter, so easier to deal with if it gets stuck or breaks down.
)

The storage issue on a large tractor can be aleviated with a 99$ tarp tube canopy from kmart or a flea market.

My NH 7610 sets nearly as high as the inner roof in my pole barn.. no way it would go in. A 150$ 24x12 cannopy and it sets out in the pasture...

As for getting stuck.. bear in mind that there are some places that a small tractor will get stuck that a large one won't... it's a depth/tire size issue. Then again.. there are places a small tractor won't break thru the 'curst' and get stuck. And then the fun time comes with the dinosaur and tank traps where ALL tractors get stuck! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

( The larger machines: more capable, faster at mowing, faster at loading. Out of curiousity, how much faster does a 72" cut than a 60", I know its about 17% wider, does this mean it will take about 17% less time or does the increased size slow it down? .... don't want to take all day to cut the grass,
)

When I went to a 10' mower from a 5' mower it almost halved my time.. I went from 5.5 - 6 hours on a mow to 2.5-3 hours on a mow.. for 10ac.

( As a side note, I know alot more about gas engines than diesel.
)

Think of a gas engine as a 'pay now' issue.. and diesels as a 'pay later'.

In other words.. gas engines need periodic tune ups.. points.. plugs, wires, rotor, cap.. etc. so they kickle and dime you all the time.

Diesels on the other hand.. just run and run and run.. and pretty much if you keep the fuel oil and air filters changed.. they keep running, till one day you hear a noise and your wallet explodes... All the same.. I'd rather have a good condition diesel.. and know that when it broke down someone else was gonna fix it.. than have a good gas job, and knowing that I'd most likely tear it down when it needed rebuilding.. etc...

Soundguy

Keith_B · Mar 2, 2005

( I am not sold on the JD. I'll consider any make. I was told by the previous owner that a gear tractor would be a mistake. He traded in a larger JD gear tractor for his model 4100 with HST. He said the gear tractor was very tough to work with arounf the plantings and on the hills. )

It may not have been the HST that made manuevering around the plantings easier, as much as it was the smaller tractor. I am always a bit suspicious when the machines the guy is not selling are the mistakes.

dukenyc · Mar 14, 2005

I am really starting to lean towards buying teh 1999 jd 4100 that is on the property now. He wants $10,500 for it with the 54" MMM and 47" 2-stage blower. 500hrs on it, and it looks to be well maintained.

I just don't know if it is a good deal, if it enough tractor, and if it is a good choice as a mower/and rough cutter.

SteveM · Mar 14, 2005

I have property like that in Upstate NY - maybe we are neighbors....I kindof agree with buying the 4100....you need to ease into this tractor stuff. So I would recommend buying the 4100 under the pretense that it will be a great lawn mower/snowblower. Then spend the 500 bucks to purchase a cheap brand brush hog from a farm store or whatever. You dont need a deere LX4. This way you can at least maintain the existing walking trails and 'cut your teeth' at brush hogging, which is tricky and can be dangerous for the inexperienced. After some time, you may be comfortable enough to buy a much bigger used tractor - but I still question the need...sometimes it is cheaper to hire someone to come in and mow down a big field the first time, then you can maintain it with the little tractor.

I had 40 acres of neglected cow pasture....really bumpy, small trees everywhere, rocks - would tear a small tractor up. So a friend farmer came over with a 100hp deere and plowed it all under, and used a harrow/seeder to plant winter wheat. What a nice pasture....I cut it a couple times a year (a few hours at a time) and it is nearly as smooth as the lawn....I think he charged me a couple hundred bucks...best money spent!