Newbie Needs Tractor Help?

[surfran]

Sounds like a one of the following would do what you need and more if desired..........take your pick on favorite mfg/dealer/color etc.

Kubota BX Series (1500,1830,2230,23)
John Deere 2000 Series (2210) or 4000 Series.
Massey Fergusen GC2300, GC2310
New Holland's new TC/TZ? series

Of course many other options as well, but bottom line, half the fun is going out to the dealers and taking them for a test ride /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Can't beat that with a stick!

Good luck on your search, and welcome to the greatest tractor forum on EARTH!!! (at least I find it that way)

 

[TBrown]

There are a couple other subcompacts available now, besides those already mentioned. Cub Cadet has the 5000 series, and Simplicity has introduced their Legacy XL. I find it interesting that Simplicity, an AGCO company, could have saved themselves alot of trouble by simply rebadging the excellent Massey GC2300, but instead chose to beef up their existing Legacy model. It has a Shibaura front axle, and the deisel engine is a Diahatsu, rather than an Iseki.

If you're not too kean on diesels, the Cub and the Simplicity are the only two subcompacts I'm aware of that are available with a gas engine as well as a diesel. Diesels are obviously more fuel efficient and durable than gas motor, but not everyone is enamored with them. I have an old Bobcat 610 skid steer, gas job, with 2200 hours on the meter, and the meter hasn't worked in, well, I don't think its ever worked since I've owned it. If properly maintained, you can get a lot of life out of them. But certainly, diesels will last longer.

All of the subcompacts have a fairly small footprint, you'll probably find that you can fit them in your garage along with your car. It might be tight, though. "All right, everyone has to get out on the driver's side !!" /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[JerryG]

TBrown,
AGCO re-badges Simplicity tractors as theirs, but AGCO doesn't own Simplicity. They are an independent company.Simplicity History

 

[Shawangunk]

Not sure what your budget is for the combined snow removal/lawn mowing upgrade - though here's another option:

Build a shed and buy a newer used garden tractor (14-20hp) with snowblower, 48" mower deck, wheel weights, chains (and other options) for under $5000.

What shape is the c-81 in? Is it 8hp? For sale?

 

[AndyM]

I bought my New Holland TC18 this past September and I love it!!! I cut my 3.6 acres of grass and I use the rear blade to plow 250 feet of driveway. The tractor also gets used for whatever else we can find for it!

I have a 20 by 20 garage and I have the tractor stored in there, along with the mower, the rear blade, my box blade, rear scoop, pallet forks, and middle buster all stored in there, right next to my wife's car.

Check out the attched photo... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[RalphVa]

I've my Gravely in the smaller-doored side of my carriage house. It sits there with its snow plow on now, cart and sulky behind it and snow blower off to left of garage door and garden plow tucked under the stairs up to the attic. I stored the bush hog underneath my growing rack in the basement of the carriage house.

In the future, I plan to put the cart downstairs and the Gravely and (probably) BX1500 or 1800 with FEL and ballast in garage kinda end to end. Prolly will store the bigger bush hog downstairs, too.

Think almost any of the smaller sub compact tractors will replace your Wheel Horse and fit in there.

Ralph

 

[Parker21]

Thanks everyone for the advice thus far; it's been very helpful. I guess next step is to check out some dealers; Kubota is only 5 miles away.

Price wise, I wanted to stay around $6k, but looks like that may be tough.

If I upgrade, I will be selling the Wheelhorse, and it's a beauty. It was in storage for the last 10+years; and is basically in brand-new condition. It has the Kohler 8 hp, the 36" deck, and the utility cart.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Parker21,

I'm surprised no one has suggested Power-Trac yet! Where is FOURTEEN? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

They have a unit that starts at $4500. With 42" loader bucket, 48" mower deck and 48" snow blade, you're looking at about $6k. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Oh yeah, check out MossRoad's PT425 web page and the Power-Trac forum here on TBN.