EuropaChris
Silver Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Sorry Chris, I would have to disagree on the diesel outlasting the rest of the JD 4x5 series machines. These machines are designed and built far better than any other garden tractor I have ever seen (sans maybe new deeres that replace them - just haven't seen these). There is absolutely no reason to believe that one could not get 5000 hours out of one of these machines if properly maintained and kept out of the weather. )</font>
No doubt at all the JD 400 series machines are the top of the heap when it comes to garden tractors. You also pay dearly for it.
Your comment about commercial service is kind of where I was going. The average homeowner uses the tractor once or twice a week for a few hours. I'd doubt that it's more than 10 hours a week tops (don't flame me if I'm totally off-base). In that type of use, you're going to have the tractor rust out (deck), etc. or otherwise go to pieces before the engine wears out just due to age and time.
I don't think the CC diesel tractors were built up to the same standard as the JD. My gut feeling is the rest of the unit is going to go first.
For commercial use where you're using the machines all day, all week, the diesel would be a great benefit in fuel savings and longevity, probably by at least twice if not three times the life for the diesel. Provided the hydro system and steering can hold up that long is another question.
For the homeowner, you're going to have a great engine on a good tractor with a rotted out deck after 20 years, and no way to replace it, possibly. For my little 1 acre yard, it takes an hour to mow. If it's growing fast, I mow twice a week. N. Illinois I mow about 7 months out of the year. If I put 60 hours on a year, I'd be surprised. 20 years thats 1200 hours. I'm pretty confident my little Kohler will go 1200 hours (I hope!).
That said, I'd LOVE to have a diesel under the hood!
Chris
No doubt at all the JD 400 series machines are the top of the heap when it comes to garden tractors. You also pay dearly for it.
Your comment about commercial service is kind of where I was going. The average homeowner uses the tractor once or twice a week for a few hours. I'd doubt that it's more than 10 hours a week tops (don't flame me if I'm totally off-base). In that type of use, you're going to have the tractor rust out (deck), etc. or otherwise go to pieces before the engine wears out just due to age and time.
I don't think the CC diesel tractors were built up to the same standard as the JD. My gut feeling is the rest of the unit is going to go first.
For commercial use where you're using the machines all day, all week, the diesel would be a great benefit in fuel savings and longevity, probably by at least twice if not three times the life for the diesel. Provided the hydro system and steering can hold up that long is another question.
For the homeowner, you're going to have a great engine on a good tractor with a rotted out deck after 20 years, and no way to replace it, possibly. For my little 1 acre yard, it takes an hour to mow. If it's growing fast, I mow twice a week. N. Illinois I mow about 7 months out of the year. If I put 60 hours on a year, I'd be surprised. 20 years thats 1200 hours. I'm pretty confident my little Kohler will go 1200 hours (I hope!).
That said, I'd LOVE to have a diesel under the hood!
Chris
