Not sure what to do at all!!!

[roadhunter]

Have you considered a zero turn?

This. Once you try one you will wonder what you were doing wasting all the time on the little tractors. I always had JD mowers and even had a newer hydrostat JD but the first time I drove a zero turn it was all over. Since all you are doing is mowing I'd strongly recommend at least looking at one. You will likely cut your mowing time in half.

 

[js5020]

If your fixed on a new JD then you need cashola, they are all spendy, you get what you pay for. If new is not appealing pricewise then look at low hour used, plenty of nice X7s, X5s, X4s,,even older 3x5, 4x5s,,, lot of nice low hour machines out there many at 50% of new or less.

 

[warky715]

I bought a X500 2 years ago for $3700 Canadian with only 137 hours on it. It's a nice machine and pulls a 700 lb. lawn roller with no issues. I cut 3 acres with it and although i'm all flat ground I don't think it would have any issues with hills. I have it up to 218 hours now and have never had a problem other than replacing the battery.

 

[99ls1ta]

I'm not really set on any brand, but I feel square1 and TnWV are right on. There is always a big difference on what I want and what I can practically afford. The cheapest new replacement I've found in my area is a cub cadet gt2000 with a 48 fabricated deck for $5100 out the door with 0% for 36mo. With my down payment that puts me at $79.17 a month. Not terrible at all I just hate the idea of more payments (got a mortgage one car payment and one quad payment, luckly my pickup and quad were paid off last year just working on hers now).

I know you get what you pay for but still considering getting a very cheap box store tractor now and overhauling the 107 this year then have the cub finished up for next season and try and sell the cheapo, sort of rent it for this season. no debt keep a tractor I like and know the complete history since new and hopefully only lose 500-700 on the throw away.

 

[stuckmotor]

The Snapper rear engne rider at the following link has 33 inch deck and a brand new one is in your price range. RER33175 | Snapper Pro Lawn

 

[99ls1ta]

Here is my old 107. She is still in decent shape for being a 1970, most joints, bearings and the wiring leave a lot to be desired. One repaint in 94 since Granddad bought it new, he is pretty particular about upkeep. If I wasn't worried about parts drying up in several years I'd have no problem overhauling and running it 10-15 more years.

 

[bja105]

Some things to think about.


Do you need to mow it yourself? As much as you work in the summer, pay someone else to mow it, spend time with your family. Then remind me to take my own advice.

Do you need to mow all 2 acres? Can you let some of it grow up or go wild? Maybe have a neighbor with a big tractor brush hog it once or twice a year?

I live near you, and work as much in the hot weather. I have two places to mow, home and the farm. Between the two yards, I have 5 old tractors. 2 are Cub Cadets like yours, 147 and 72. Between the 5, at least two work at any given time, I hope.

 

[99ls1ta]

I have thought of just letting some of it go several times but never did, and now with a child on the way I don't want anything that could invite snakes or other critters in when the young one is around.

AHHH so you are familiar with the turn and pray method of starting too I see, since towards the end of last season its always interesting turning that key cause I never really know what I'm going to get.

And the thought of having someone come in and do it for me honestly never crossed my mind but that is a VERY good option to look into as well, I can't believe I never thought of it...guess you get trained into one way of thinking then its just habit.

Thanks so much for all the thoughts, and suggestions guys you have all helped me out a lot and given me a lot to chew on. I'm going to seek out all the options posted over the next few days and we will see what happens. you all will be the first ones to know the out come.

 

[Tahoe24]

I bought my cub cadet in 2007. Love it.. GT2542. Shaft drive is nice.. No slip, and can pull fully loaded cart no problem.. I know new ones are around 4k.. So def look used.. 270 hours and no problems.. I always do fluids every year and grease all points.. So well cared for. Good luck..

 

[jaotguy]

or check out kijiji and craigs list for decent used box store lawn tractors ... for your " backup"

you'll likely find a few "donor" units around for your existing trusty steed ( can't have too many )

and look at fixing up several used hand mowers , gang them up ( V style) behind the "tractor" and cut a wider swath to cut down on mowing time ....