One Tractor To Do It All?

[The-AJ88]

I would like some input on whether I am making a smart choice or not. I think one tractor to do my chores would be better than my current set up of mowing with a zero turn and snowplowing with an ATV. Basically, downsize from 2 machines to 1.

I mow 6 acres with a 61" zero turn mower (Ferris IS2100z with suspension and suspension seat).

I plow with an ATV with 54" snowplow (Suzuki King Quad 500).

Both do the job, but would a tractor be better suited?

I would get a compact tractor with a cab (heat and air conditioning) and a 72" belly mower. Being exposed to the elements is not exactly fun. My allergies are bad during mowing season and getting cold and wet during the plowing season is getting old quick.

The mowing area is not smooth, so mowing wide open throttle on the zero turn is not an option. So, the benefit of the zero turn being faster is not really a reality.

My acreage is wide open. No trees to maneuver. I even am considering a large 3 point attachment mower 10 ft wide or so, but I know that requires a larger tractor. I do not have the space to store (indoors) a large utility style, high HP farm tractor. Plus, I do not want such a heavy tractor to tear up the yard.

My driveway is 450 ft of gravel, so maintenance is periodically required. I have no way to perform the maintenance now and either have to borrow or rent equipment to do it. Or pay a contractor. It seems like a front end loader and box blade combination would be great to have.

I think the Kubota LX line of tractors might be a good fit for my needs. I am open to other brands/models. I do not believe in paying the John Deere green premium, so John Deere is not an option.

Has anyone went from multiple, job specific machines to a tractor that can do it all? Any regrets?

Thanks!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Is the ground there suitable for a tractors weight?

We have clay loam, so it holds moisture for weeks. My zero turn is about as much as it wants to support during the spring and fall.

You will probably sacrifice quality of cut, but if that doesn't matter, who cares.

A subcompact would do those jobs. I have a tractor, ZTR and ATV, mainly due to the fact that the tractor weighs 5000lbs. The ZTR and ATV can do things the tractor is too heavy to do

 

[The-AJ88]

Is the ground there suitable for a tractors weight?

We have clay loam, so it holds moisture for weeks. My zero turn is about as much as it wants to support during the spring and fall.

You will probably sacrifice quality of cut, but if that doesn't matter, who cares.

A subcompact would do those jobs. I have a tractor, ZTR and ATV, mainly due to the fact that the tractor weighs 5000lbs. The ZTR and ATV can do things the tractor is too heavy to do

The property is old farm land that had large tractors working the land for decades. I would say 90% of the area will be OK for tractor's weight and not cause damage.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

The property is old farm land that had large tractors working the land for decades. I would say 90% of the area will be OK for tractor's weight and not cause damage.

My land was farmland too... But farmers only enter fields a few times per year, and when it's dry. They don't go out there to mow weekly. We delay tillage, planting and harvesting during wet periods. Sometimes leaving crops until after a freeze

Like I said, it will do it... The only thing a belly mower does is have poorer cut quality. But some don't really care

 

[scootr]

I used to own a ride on mower and a big tractor, downsized to a MX5200 tractor and sold the ride on. I do all mowing with a brush hog and a flail attachment. But as for one tractor doing everything it really depends upon what everything is. I also have a skid steer with a brush hog, buckets, forks, shares attachments with the tractor, and a forklift to do everything that I want to do around the ranch. I mow here and for hire. The LX line up is nice. Buy more tractor than you think you need. You'll thank me later.

 

[wolc123]

You might be surprised to find out that the orange premium you will pay is as big or bigger than the green one. Its been about 20 years since I needed a new compact tractor (something to be said for the dependability of the green ones), but back then a John Deere, with an American-made engine, was a little less than a comparable Kubota.

I think John Deere is offshoring all of the engines on their compacts now though. My 20 year old JD will likely last longer that I will, without any serious trouble. If I had to buy today, I’d take a good look at TYM or Kioti. Those might actually save you some money for comparable performance. I’m glad I bought mine back when the getting was good before the Tier IV days.

 

[RjCorazza]

Sounds like a big step up with plowing and road maintenance, and a big step down with mowing. Replacing that Ferris with a tractor is going to be a disappointment as far as cutting time and comfort (other than the benefit of a cab).

 

[bigtiller]

I had one SCUT do it all for about 3 decades and every winter when the front snowblower was mounted, a time would come, that the loader would turn a 2 hour project into a 2 minute project.

Now I have 2 little tractors, a loader tractor and one that does everything else, and a ZTR. Life is easier now.

So I advise you to keep a 2 machine setup.

 

[airbiscuit]

I think your plan is sound, but don't you ride your ATV recreationally?

 

[chim]

This is my 5th tractor and it does everything for me. It wears a 90" RFM, and it does our 3-1/2 acres in around 1-1/4 hours at a sensible speed (or just under an hour if beating the snot out of the equipment an your body is your desire). Prior to owning a factory cab with heating and cooling it was difficult to fully understand how nice life can be when in the hot, cold, dust, pollen, bugs, snow, rain, etc.

I do have a small Ford (first real-ish tractor) that has become my "mule" with the addition of a box 3-point attachment. There's still a 5' RFM and a few other attachments for it if needed. Right now it's handy for tossing tools and fuels in.