Recomendations for the best / solid garden tractor that will last ?

[swick1]

My mom loves her deere x748 but i don't know how it would fit your budget. Financing is 0%

 

[radioman]

The kubota BX has a 48 inch deck option that you are looking for. If you need a stouter unit, stay away from gasers. It just doesnt lasst for the money. Its just a bit larger/heavier then a box store mowers that you been using and its built stronger too. It will be the last unit you most likely buy for the size you want. How does that sound as a money saver? -- before I had 12 hp gas box mowers and I would go through 2.5 to 5 gallons of gas for each mowing and now with BX I sip 5 gallons (has 6 gallon tank) for several mowings. You ask yourself is this what you are looking for or do you still like the lightweights units?

 

[jeffinsgf]

John Deere 455 with 48 or 54 inch deck. The 455 is a stout tractor built from the mid-90s to the early 2000s. They don't bring the "collector" prices of earlier models like the before-mentioned 318s, and have a liquid cooled diesel that sips fuel, has more power than you'll need with a small deck and is very, very reliable. If you're lucky, you might even find one with 4 wheel steering. I have one (2 wheel steering) with a MC-519 collection trailer. I got it used about 6 years ago and wouldn't hesitate to tackle the job of mowing 3 or 4 acres a day for the foreseeable future with it.

 

[sox3]

Look for an Ariens GT Tractor from the 80's to early 90's. They were actually New Hollands. very tough and Hydro drive, 48 and 60 inch cut, hydraulic lift, 3 point set up, power steering. sold a few of them and were very solid.

 

[OldBuzzard1945]

For a gas powered tractor that will last and do what you want, an older Bolens HT23 would work VERY well. This is one that was built in the 1984-1987 time frame.
Bolens HT23

If you want to go a bit 'stouter' and diesel, the Bolens/Iseki tractors are a good choice as well. They were mostly gear driven as opposed to hydro like this one.
48 in cut Garden Tractor

 

[Scooby074]

If you want a "solid" garden tractor, your likely going to get up into $$$

Minimum Id suggest would be the deere X5xx series. That is about the modern equivalent of the old school,heavy garden tractors. Then there is the X7xx that are heavier again and available with diesel power.

Other option would be a BX or MF GC series. Also Diesel.

 

[CalG]

If history is a good indication

The Bolens HT-23 (1985) that I have out in the shed has worked flawlessly for my 15 years of ownership, and I got it out of neglect and abuse.

I would have another in a heart beat! but, this one fills all my needs in a garden tractor.

The bigger units do their tasks accordingly.

 

[Dirtball]

Goats in fenced areas , why cut there food for them?

 

[aczlan]

I would go with a Cub Cadet GT3000 series, or a Kubota G5200. Both are heavy built (the Kubota more so than the Cub) and would hold up to what you are talking about.
Alternatively, you might look at getting a grass collector to mount on one of your zero turns.

Aaron Z

 

[adamrobinson]

What do you think about Kubota BX?? because one of mine friend has this tractor...Best one for him because he's telling me about that!!