Thanks, that helps a lot. What we are looking at is picking up a JD x320 to mow, aerate the yard, haul small things, and just general stuff for now. Then buying something later on to take care of the rest as we thin out and clear a lil more land.
If you have a hilly lawn and obstacles to mow around, as OldBuzzard1945 has already suggested, the Husqvarna R322T AWD would be worth a look. It's got two transmissions and plenty of power to negotiate hilly lawns.
It might be risky for you to expect a 2wd garden tractor to have enough traction for your hilly terrain.
I used Wheel Horse 2wd garden tractors on my hilly lawn for over 20 years then finally got Husqvarna
R322T AWD, what a difference.
A 2wd GT can actually be dangerous on a hilly lawn, I've had at least two instances with the Wheel Horse 2wd flipping over backwards on me, just because it lost traction then suddenly gained it again, as I was mowing up hill, causing the front end to flip up and over backwards.
The R322T with AWD has no traction lose issues in those same problem areas. I can even stop and take off in the very steepest areas of my lawn without any hesitation and it even feels more stable and secure in the operators seat of the R322T compared to the Wheel Horse.
I would not attempt mowing my hilly lawn with a 2wd Garden Tractor ever again, after having experienced how much more secure an AWD mower can be.
Some may argue with getting a diff. lock rear end to increase traction. Problem with a diff. lock is once you realize you have a traction lose, you must stop the GT to engage the diff. lock, so if you're on a steep hill it could be risky trying to take off again. With AWD on the R322T it's always engaged, you do not need to stop to engage it.
good luck with your search
Posted 3/19/15..6.54am
Before getting my R322T, I knew I wanted 4wd or awd.
I looked at both Kubota and John Deere, and they have 4wd riding mowers, but are sooo expensive.
The Husqvarna R322T AWD is at least 1/2 to 1/3 less in cost compared to Kubota or John Deere 4wd.
I was planning on mostly just mow grass with what ever I got, because I already own a Kubota
B7800 4wd for more serious tasks.