New Tractor / Mower Purchase

[Inspector507]

Don't see why you can't accomplish it all with a small frame CUT. I have a New Holland TC18, which is no longer made, with a Mid Mount Mower and a Rear Finish Mower I had before the tractor. You have 3 times to property I have and I would hate to have to do it with 2 different machines. I mow about 2 acres, trees everywhere. Around the house, deck, barn, pool......etc.
Take a good look at the NH TC21DA and the Case equivilant. Of course the Kubotas, Kiotis and the Deere all make good units too. Check them all and drive them all. I'm sure you'll find ONE to fit you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have about $15,000 in a tractor, mower and loader. Then add approx $1000 for the finish mower. That is way under your budget amount. The loader has been more of a help around here than I ever thought it would be.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I tend to think you can do the whole job with a small frame CUT. No need for two machines. A ZTR will cut faster than a small frame tractor, but it will not cut better. The quality small frame tractors have excellent mower decks. Further, you will eliminate the need to maintain 2 machines, and reduce your costs as well.

My favorite of the small frame CUTs is the New Holland TC24DA or its clone the Case Farmall DX24 (both are made by Case-New Holland and they are functionally the same but NH is blue and Case is red). I prefer the 24hp machines in that size frame because you get 3 more useable horsepower at the PTO to run slightly larger tillers, cutters, snowblowers & mower decks than similar 21hp machines will operate.

The other advantage to the Case/New Holland machines are the front end loaders, they are rated higher than any similiar size tractor loader I have compared them to. I use a TC24 as well as a larger 30hp Kubota, the larger Kubota actually has slightly less capacity on the front end loader than the smaller New Holland.

In general, if you would consider the small frame 24hp class machines you have quite a few choices in addition to the New Holland and Case/Farmall machines. Kubota makes the deluxe B2410 as well as the basic B7610, both are 24hp tractors. John Deere has the 4115. All of these are excellent machines, very modern with lots of features. Another choice you might want to consider is the Kioti CK20, it is only a 21 hp tractor and therefore limits the size of the PTO powered implements a little bit. If you are new to tractoring I would strongly suggest you consider the hydrostatic transmission, it is easier for you & your spouse to learn and is roughly the same as driving a car with an automatic transmission. To get an idea on the overall size of the small frame tractors, go to the PHOTS section of this website. In my photo gallery you can see some side-by-side pictures of a relatively small Oliver farm tractor, parked next to a TC24, parked next to a Cub Cadet garden tractor. I think you'll see that these are fairly small machines. What you won't see is how capable they are at doing tasks, these tractors should not be underestimated.

As for using the small frame CUTs to mow with, they have great finish mowers and they are small enough to be pretty maneuverable.

 

[readytogo]

First I would agree with sneaky pete, the owner may be willing to sell his equipment, and many times at a good price.
As far as needing a CUT, if all your are doing is mowing a good mower would be fine..... as long as you are not intending
to have any livestock in the near futuer. [horses etc...]
Then a CUT would be very handy!

 

[JeffWes]

Thanks, everyone for all the replies. This sure is an informative group with lots of knowledge about tractors! I had already approached the previous owner about his equipment and unfortunately he is giving both his tractor and mower to his brother.

Also I don't intend on having livestock anytime soon (although my daughter has a growing colletion of pets, and it wouldn't surprise me to wake up one day with a horse in the yard).

I haven't checked out the NH TC24DA - I'll be sure to do that. I think there is a NH dealer locally in Issaquah. Sounds like a great machine.

After reading these replies - I think maybe a small frame CUT would be just the thing for the back and the woods. I can see where a good FEL would come in handy. I think I will continue pricing riding mowers and ZTR's as well (thanks for the suggestions so far). This will allow me to not sub-optimize the tractor for the sake of the tight spaces in the front yard.

 

[tracdoc]

Hi Jeff,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I tend to think you can do the whole job with a small frame CUT. No need for two machines. A ZTR will cut faster than a small frame tractor, but it will not cut better. The quality small frame tractors have excellent mower decks. Further, you will eliminate the need to maintain 2 machines, and reduce your costs as well. )</font>

I agree 110% w/ Bob_S. Despite the comfortable budgetary position in which you find yourself, one well-selected machine should do you nicely for all your needs. You could then use the budget surplus to buy the Missus something really nice, and thereby garner her full future support when you are ready to indulge in new implements. Or, you could make a foray into a nice vintage tractor collection (heh,heh...).

Have fun shopping...

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

I have 7 acres, 2 'fine' mowed with few shrubs, 2 'rough' mowed, 2 brush/trees and a 1 acre pond. I would one of 2 things.

1st would be a 22-24hp small frame CUT and a lawn tractor. They would do all you mentioned. I bought a 26hp Mahindra with a 6ft MMM. I drop the MMM on its wheels for fine mowing and pick it up an inch or so for the rough stuff. I then come back with a JD318 to get up close to the house, trees ect. I had been using a Ford 8N with a 6ft RFM, the Mahindra cut my mowing time almost in half.

2nd would be a ZTR and a used larger CUT. Fairly obvious how they would be used.

 

[MikeFromVA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also I was really wondering how tough - for grass mowing - it would be to cut with a CUT (no pun intended) in the more open middle part of the property (where there are still some trees) vs. with a sub CUT or garden tractor. When I sat on the CUT-sized (suc as the B-series or 4110) it seemed pretty large and not so manuverable. Although since I haven't driven one (other than the parking lot) it is hard for me to judge how close you can get to trees etc.)</font>

Jeff, the CUTs are more maneuverable than you would think. I would recommend that you start with one in the 21-24HP range (like the ones already mentioned). If you choose to, you can always add a ZTR later, but there is a chance that you may never feel the need...

 

[JeffWes]

Seems like I might be able to get by with one CUT or sub CUT. My boss at work is urging me to get the BX23 - he said just about what many of you have been saying - they are more manuverable than you might think and it'd be plenty of trouble to maintain two separate pieces of equipment.

He is also telling me that I'll find all kinds of uses for the BH that the BX23 comes with. Not sure I totally believe him... but it sure looks like it'd be fun to dig stuff up with that thing.

Thanks again for all the posts - I've learned quite a bit here.

 

[GONO2]

I am in about the same situation and love my 2 machines....

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Seems like I might be able to get by with one CUT or sub CUT. My boss at work is urging me to get the BX23 - he said just about what many of you have been saying - they are more manuverable than you might think and it'd be plenty of trouble to maintain two separate pieces of equipment.
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The only real concerns I would have, and DID have when looking at the older model BX22 was the lack of clearance, smaller tires, lack of true position control 3pt. hitch, limits of using some 3pt implements, and small tires.
In it's favor, at least with the backhoe on, the mid mount mower (MMM) can still be used, where on some small-frame CUTS this can't be done. Many owners of the BX22/23 report great results, albeit some dissatisfaction with the limited 3pt, and as long as clearance isn't a major issue with your tasks, then it should be a good choice.
On a little larger, small frame CUT, you'll generally find higher lift capacities, true position control on the hitch (other than most smaller Kubotas that use the 1/4" at a time control), and more capable loaders and backhoes. The backhoe on the BX will do a lot of digging, but even my 6.5' BH isn't sufficient for large jobs. Most CUTS backhoes can't compare to real dedicated backhoes. John