danbuf
Member
First off, thanks to all of you here. I have learned a lot from this site.
I reside on 5.25 acres, 3 of which I mow using a Deere 445. The other 2.25 are heavy brush, which I periodically cut with a woods 5’ brush hog using my Ford 860..
The Deere does a fine job of mowing, but that’s it.. The ford does fine job with the brush, but is way too heavy and large on the lawn and around the house.
So my consideration is to sell both, and buy an in between..
However, I am suffering from paralysis of analysis..
Too big, too small, too heavy, turf or R4, short term versus long term needs, new/used, when to buy, etc, etc The only thing I have settled on is to buy Kubota (I think). /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)
The projects I have in store are to improve overall property:
• Mow lawn, probably expand, or eventually turn brush into some sort of lawn
• Improve drainage (soil is mostly clay base, with flat terrain), probably through moving soil around, adding french drains, etc.
• Overall long term projects.. years worth of planting, new large garden area, planting trees, etc. putting up barn, greenhouse, installing patio blocks (which have set until I get appropriate tractor /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) ), expanding parking area with crushed stone, moving heavily drifted snow piles, etc., etc
• Toying with idea of retirement plans to do tilling, smaller brush hogging side jobs to pay for “non-essentials” (6-7 years from now)
But then I think, why tie up so much money in new tractor, doing all the labor myself, when I could probably pay professionals to actually get the work done in a timely fashion while I sip lemonades watchin them work…
But then, I really enjoy being outside, working, driving a tractor, etc..
I figured a B7610 would certainly suffice, with plenty of left over capacity… But then, geez for a few more dollars, I can get the B7800, but wait…. for a 25 year “investment”, why not get the B3030.. Has position control, etc…
But then I think, is this too heavy for my lawn, too heavy to drive over the septic cover, why do I “need” to spend all this on a tractor, etc.. Will I look goofy driving this big B3030 around while my neighbors drive their perfectly satisfactory Deere garden tractors around..
In the analysis of my “needs”, or is it “wants”, I have discovered some things:
• My 1000 gallon septic tank has a 4” thick cover which is reinforced with mesh.. The loading factor is 300# per SF. The septic installer & septic tank manufacturer both issued me disclaimers about nothing heavier than an “ordinary” lawn mower.
• No interest loan terms aren’t offered forever, and do eventually go down (36 down to 24 months now for Kubota)
• Some of my past purchases have been with mainly cost in mind - get truck with minimal add-ons, get 20 year roof, should last 25 or more – which I am replacing after 15.. So I look back with regret as I “shoulda” got the extras back then..
Maybe some of you have had these considerations and can offer some sage advice..
Sorry to make this sooo long a post..
Thanks,
Dan
I reside on 5.25 acres, 3 of which I mow using a Deere 445. The other 2.25 are heavy brush, which I periodically cut with a woods 5’ brush hog using my Ford 860..
The Deere does a fine job of mowing, but that’s it.. The ford does fine job with the brush, but is way too heavy and large on the lawn and around the house.
So my consideration is to sell both, and buy an in between..
However, I am suffering from paralysis of analysis..
Too big, too small, too heavy, turf or R4, short term versus long term needs, new/used, when to buy, etc, etc The only thing I have settled on is to buy Kubota (I think). /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)
The projects I have in store are to improve overall property:
• Mow lawn, probably expand, or eventually turn brush into some sort of lawn
• Improve drainage (soil is mostly clay base, with flat terrain), probably through moving soil around, adding french drains, etc.
• Overall long term projects.. years worth of planting, new large garden area, planting trees, etc. putting up barn, greenhouse, installing patio blocks (which have set until I get appropriate tractor /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) ), expanding parking area with crushed stone, moving heavily drifted snow piles, etc., etc
• Toying with idea of retirement plans to do tilling, smaller brush hogging side jobs to pay for “non-essentials” (6-7 years from now)
But then I think, why tie up so much money in new tractor, doing all the labor myself, when I could probably pay professionals to actually get the work done in a timely fashion while I sip lemonades watchin them work…
But then, I really enjoy being outside, working, driving a tractor, etc..
I figured a B7610 would certainly suffice, with plenty of left over capacity… But then, geez for a few more dollars, I can get the B7800, but wait…. for a 25 year “investment”, why not get the B3030.. Has position control, etc…
But then I think, is this too heavy for my lawn, too heavy to drive over the septic cover, why do I “need” to spend all this on a tractor, etc.. Will I look goofy driving this big B3030 around while my neighbors drive their perfectly satisfactory Deere garden tractors around..
In the analysis of my “needs”, or is it “wants”, I have discovered some things:
• My 1000 gallon septic tank has a 4” thick cover which is reinforced with mesh.. The loading factor is 300# per SF. The septic installer & septic tank manufacturer both issued me disclaimers about nothing heavier than an “ordinary” lawn mower.
• No interest loan terms aren’t offered forever, and do eventually go down (36 down to 24 months now for Kubota)
• Some of my past purchases have been with mainly cost in mind - get truck with minimal add-ons, get 20 year roof, should last 25 or more – which I am replacing after 15.. So I look back with regret as I “shoulda” got the extras back then..
Maybe some of you have had these considerations and can offer some sage advice..
Sorry to make this sooo long a post..
Thanks,
Dan