Seeking the knowledge of experience…

[PiperMEH]

OK, so when it comes to Garden/Compact Tractors, I know as much as the next computer geek. But I can do research and I have been looking for the past month for an older garden tractor to do some work around my 2 acres. I know better then to go to Home Depot or Lowes to buy a toy to do a man’s day work. I have grass to mow, my wife wants a garden, there are trees to cut down, rocks to move and then I have 125 ft of driveway to plow/blow every year. So when I have a question, I always lean on experience. I’m looking for a 15 horse or better, 42” deck, with a front & rear PTO for attachments. I’ve narrowed my search down to these 5 tractors manufactures in the order that I feel is the superior tractor. I’m open to suggestions about the model. I would like to keep my search to something from the 80/ 90’s. Can anyone tell me what would be the best tractor to seek out?

1: Wheel Horse
2: Simplicity
3: John Deere (Probable the best choice for spare parts & attachments)
4: Case
5: Cub Cadet

Thanks in advance to all that help out with my decision.
Ernie

 

[RickO]

For Garden tractors... the Kubota G series... not even on your list, yet I would take one over all you have listed.

Next would be either JD or Simplicity that you have on your list. I don't know what your budget is but I wouldn't go below a 300 series JD. I think for Simplicity the Broadmore and even larger, the Legacy are the models you may want to look at.

I have owned Kubota, several JDs, never a simplicity, a Cub Cadet and a Craftsman. I would pick Kubota every time.

You can't really even compare a garden tractor and a compact tractor. Two different animals. I have owned a Kubota B7800 compact and a Ford 1210 Subcompact tractor. The will do a whole lot more than a Garden tractor. Sounds like maybe you want a SCUT. Something in between a compact and a Garden tractor still great for mowing but also has the 3pt. and rear PTO. In the SCUT line I would go with the Kubota BX2230 or JD 2210. You could probably find these both fairly cheap (sub $8,000).

 

[PiperMEH]

For Garden tractors... the Kubota G series... not even on your list, yet I would take one over all you have listed.

Next would be either JD or Simplicity that you have on your list. I don't know what your budget is but I wouldn't go below a 300 series JD. I think for Simplicity the Broadmore and even larger, the Legacy are the models you may want to look at.

I have owned Kubota, several JDs, never a simplicity, a Cub Cadet and a Craftsman. I would pick Kubota every time.

You can't really even compare a garden tractor and a compact tractor. Two different animals. I have owned a Kubota B7800 compact and a Ford 1210 Subcompact tractor. The will do a whole lot more than a Garden tractor. Sounds like maybe you want a SCUT. Something in between a compact and a Garden tractor still great for mowing but also has the 3pt. and rear PTO. In the SCUT line I would go with the Kubota BX2230 or JD 2210. You could probably find these both fairly cheap (sub $8,000).

RickO,
Your right, I completely forgot the kubota. But I think the Kubotawill be out of my price range ($1200). I'm amazed out how these tractor hold there value.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[mike223]

Ernie,
I was in the same dilemma as you about a month ago, and have since purchased a JD 455, due in no small measure to the info that I got here. In short, I like it alot, although trying to figure out how to set the mower cutting height without a manual has been challenging.

I bought the 455 at one of my local Deere dealers after looking at some of their newer offerings. I too wanted something more than the usual Briggs powered belt driven lawnmower, having been down that road before. The newer JD diesel powered GT's were way out of my price range, so I searched and found the 455. Mine is a 1992 model that had 596 hours on it at purchase, and very few dings or rust on the tractor body. The 60" mower deck had alot of scratces and surface rust, and is missing belt covers and discharge chute guard, which I'll be replacing soon. i had the dealer replace the blades on the mower, and give the motor a complete service, as well as changing the hydrostat oil. This cost me $200. The price of the tractor was $4000, plus the service of $200, plus TN tax, which is almost 10% or $400, bringing the total to $4650, including delivery. I have since replaced the front tires as the ones on it were dry rotting and one would not hold air longer than two days. That cost another $100. The rear ones are in fine shape.

I also ordered manuals from JD, the technical manual on the tractor, and an operators manual, and those cost me $160 from JD tech pubs. I had bid on the tech manual alone on eBay, and the final bid, was $178, Nuts huh? Especially when you can get a brand new one direct from JD for $135.

I've used the machine twice in the last month to cut the 2 acres of my property that can be cut, and I really like the machine. The hydrostat is a great feature, and the power steering is a dream. The only down side is the mower width is somewhat too wide when cutting around trees, but on clear areas it's great. The motor is a 3 cylinder Yanmar diesel that does not bog down in thick grass, and seems to have alot of power. It will take attachments and you can get an FEL as well. You'll have to get the PTO kit from JD, and the Cat 0 3 pt hitch as well, although there's a guy named Ruegg that makes a Cat 1 3 pt hitch which will allow you to use any Cat 1 attachment that you might need. The FEL is the model 40, which are being sold on eBay as we speak, usually for between $1500-2000. You'll have to add a bucket to that cost. There is another company that sells buckets that attach to the hydraulics of the 455, but they don't have the lifting ability of the 40, and the testimonials on the web site give it raves. i'll have to search for the name, which i'll do if you're interested.

Anyway, that's the story of my JD 455 purchase and use, and i hope it helps you find a machine that you like. Check out machinefinder.com, and they'll usually have some 455's listed. eBay almost always has some as well. Good luck!

 

[mike223]

I just read that your price range is $1200? Is that correct? If so, ignore my post on the 455. You're not going to find any of those for that price unless the motor is blown. Sorry.

 

[diyDave]

Another one to consider is the Gravely gear drive riders-they are tough as nails, and will pull like an ox, yet sometimes you see them for low prices at auction.

 

[KentT]

In your $1200 price range I'd recommend either the Simplicity Sovereign or some variation of the Wheelhorse Classic 300-series. Dozens of different attachments are readily available for each on the used market, and they'll interchange over about more than a 20 year production run. Both are well supported by their dealer networks.

I'm biased, but it you want to primarily mow with it, the Simplicity does a better job, though the rear-discharge WH deck is a good mowing deck (better than the other competitors, IMO). The Simplicity tiller and snowblower are excellent also. If you want to use a front-mount snow/dozer blade then the WH is clearly the best.

The Gravely 4-wheel tractor recommended above is a real beast should you happen to find one with the attachments you need at that price -- IMO, not likely. Parts and attachments for it are also expensive and harder to find.

One final suggestion -- if you end up looking at ANY brand of used machines with the Kohler KT twin-cylinder engines in them, make absolutely sure it is a Series II which has pressurized lube. Several manufacturers such as Simplicity and John Deere used the earlier KT Series-I in their machines initially and had serious problems with engine oiling on side-slopes. They became notorious for "slinging a rod" through the side of the engine block. Kohler recognized this problem and solved it on the Series II engines, which are smooth, reliable, tough engines.

My two cents! Good luck and be patient. You can find a used garden tractor in that price range that'll still give you years of service -- if you're willing to do maintenance and repair on it rather than paying a dealer to do so. But, you'll have to be patient and do your homework...

 

[bontai_Joe]

My suggestion is a Deere 214, or 216. They can be had with a mower and snowblower or front blade for under $1000 in very good condition. My next suggestion is a Deere 312 or 314. These are the overlooked 300 series tractors that can often be had for half what the 318 sells for and will do pretty much the same work, and lately I've been seeing them under $1000 with a mower. A front blade can be had for around $250 if you are patient and don't shop for one in Dec.

 

[GreenWannabe]

I just bought a 1994 JD LX176 for my daughter and her 1/2 acre, in very good condition for $650. First use, the main drive belt came off (it was stretched and cracked, but 13 years is a lot of use). When I was working on it, I came to appreciate how well made these JD LX's are. I even found the spindles had not been greased in a loong time, but checked them and they are very solid. As a reference, I had seen a number of the same model on machine finder in the range of $1000, so they hold value well. While a 38 inch mower may take too long for you, I can recommend JD units of about the same age that have a larger deck.