One tractor with mower and loader, or separate tractor and mower?

[ShowroomShine]

9 acres, 5 horse pasture in North Carolina. I've got access to a larger 80hp tractor and bobcat on my property as well. Right now I've got about a $6000 budget for a tractor/mower for chores and the yard mowing. Tractor will be used for maintaining drives, mowing, aeration/fertilizing in the spring/fall, using a 3pt hitch spike to move some small round bales (4x4, my SCUT Kioti moved the smaller ones fine). Yard to be maintained is about 1 ac of fescue, and I'm pretty peculiar about the grass.

Was thinking of a Kubota BX2200 or similar with mid mower for tractor and mowing duties. Found several around $5000 with just mower, can find some around $6000 with mower and loader. Loader wont be strong but will be useful, although I do have access to a bobcat. Mower supposedly cuts well but will never replace a zero turn mower.

Then I had a thought of doing a separate tractor and mower to split up duties. Maybe a $3000 tractor like an older Deere 850, IH 444, Massey 135 etc for tractor duties, and then a used walk behind or zero turn for $3000 for the yard. Tractor would move hay bales and stuff better, but would be heavier for when I need to use it to aerate the pasture/yard. Zero turn and walk behind would obviously be the best at mowing grass.

Thoughts? The total package would be nice to have, and I used the **** out of my loader on my Kioti when I had it and it was light enough to drive across the grass without damage, unlike the Bobcat. Although, it never had enough strength for hay and it always seemed like either the deck or loader was on when I didnt need it to be.

 

[dodge man]

My thought is with that budget, you will probably only get one machine.

 

[ShowroomShine]

My thought is with that budget, you will probably only get one machine.

Lets assume I can find machines in either scenario.

 

[Thall303]

Very tight budget!

 

[txdon]

Get a good Zero turn and use your access to the 80 hp tractor and bobcat when needed.

 

[4570Man]

I'd WAY rather have 2 machines, but given that budget you're pretty much stuck with whatever you can find.

 

[ShowroomShine]

I'm surprised at the responses. I've found just looking today 4 tractors under $3000 (Deere 850, IH 444, 524, Ford 1510), and 3 zero turns under $3000 (one with under 400hrs).

 

[gladehound]

I vote for separate machines. It's hard for one machine to be both heavy enough to be a good tractor and light enough to be a good mower.

 

[teg]

I'm surprised at the responses...

Raleigh is a bit different from other markets, I've picked up lots of stuff cheap. Flux Core welder for $25 (didn't look it was used). 2 row Cultipacker for $150, rear blade for $50... list goes on...

I would get what's best for your lawn, since grass matters to you... and see what left for a tractor.

Sounds like the Kioti is gone?

 

[jenkinsph]

I vote for separate machines. It's hard for one machine to be both heavy enough to be a good tractor and light enough to be a good mower.[/QUOTE


I agree with this^^^^^^

 

[ShowroomShine]

Sounds like the Kioti is gone?

Kioti got sold when I moved from VA back home to the farm in NC, I knew I'd have access to that large tractor and the bobcat. Problem is, that large tractor is extremely heavy to put on the yard with the 3pt hitch plugger, and the bobcat tears up pasture pretty bad when we move bales to feed the horses.

 

[2ndhalf]

I would choose two ....
I think a high hour but higher end commercial mower off of CL or tractorhouse for mowing. A high hour tractor with loader; I doubt you will find anything HST though.

But as others have mentioned your market may be different. I assume you have animals.

I think you can do an amazing amount of work with a BX2200 though. I don't think you will go wrong with either decision.

 

[RSKY]

I second the idea of having a machine designed to mow and a machine designed to be used as a tractor. Since you already have access to a tractor another smaller one would seem to waste of funds. Buy a good zero turn and use the other tractor as a tractor. Nine acres cannot take that much work if you have an 80-hp available.

RSKY

 

[ShowroomShine]

I second the idea of having a machine designed to mow and a machine designed to be used as a tractor. Since you already have access to a tractor another smaller one would seem to waste of funds. Buy a good zero turn and use the other tractor as a tractor. Nine acres cannot take that much work if you have an 80-hp available.

RSKY

You didnt read the post, the 80hp tractor is too heavy for what I need it to be used for.

 

[/pine]

The only thing I will say is...nothing beats a tractor except more tractors...

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I would assume the 80hp tractor has no FEL?

I went with two machines, I bought a used lawn mower/ garden tractor and a tractor large enough to move a round bale.

I think the prob you will have is high hours means lots of maintenance, if downtime is no big deal I would say buy two machines, if you don't feel like working on stuff all the time I would buy one of whatever you need more.

I paid $800 for my Husqvarna 54in mower with 230 hours. It's not the greatest thing in the world but does a good job cutting grass, I personally don't like zero turns but that's just me.

Lawn mowers are cheap, there's 10 for every 1 tractor out there. I would vote separate machines, to do rather cheap on the lawn mower and take your time to find a good tractor.

If the grass gets cut, hay gets moved (bobcat) life's good, I would be patient on the tractor purchase.

What are you moving? Round, large/small square or loose hay?

 

[teg]

Changing my answer ...with only one acre of grass, I would look for something like a BX2200 to do it all. Single engine to maintain and it can do so much more...

Also, what did you mean by "5 horse pasture" Do you have 5 horses in a pasture or a pasture that can support 5 horses or 5 acres in pasture?

 

[Gary Fowler]

Get two machines. I don't mind the additional motors to maintain since I have the machines designed for the job at hand. There is no such thing as a universal machine that can do it all. They will either do a great job at one thing and half-a##ed job at the other or half-a##ed job at both.
If you can swing used for both machines and get them in fair to good condition, then go for it. Bargains can be had that is for sure, you just have to be in the right place at the right time.
I would go with a used commercial duty or near commercial duty zero turn mower rather than a new cheap box store version that may last 2 seasons.
Tractors with 1000 hours are still good for thousands more if maintained.

 

[TheMan419]

I mow an acre with a non-zero turn lawn mower (ride on type) with a 42 inch deck. I can mow it in about an hour. ZRT would cut that down, but not by much. You can get a new craftsman for $1000.00. Then you have $5K to spend on the tractor.

To answer your question I would rather have two machines. If you MUST have the zero turn you are going to be tight on budget I would think.

 

[PJSprog]

I vote for separate machines. It's hard for one machine to be both heavy enough to be a good tractor and light enough to be a good mower.

I agree with Ron. I don't think you'll be happy in the long run with a compromise. Maybe consider buying the mower you need now, then saving a bit longer for a tractor ... since you already have access to machines to do that work now.