Small lawn tractor recommendations

bontai_Joe · Aug 4, 2006

The Cub Cadet LT1046 isn't gonna do what you want. It's an entry level Cub lawn tractor, and you would be better off with a garden tractor (more robust drive train). And you DEFINITELY want to add chains and wheel weights. The turf tires that come standard on these machines are terrible in snow, and useless on ice. Plus $4500 for that model with snowblower sounds high to me.

jeffinsgf · Aug 4, 2006

Z71 said:
CC model was LT1046

I have lead on a used JD with blower, metal cab but ?? yrs old. 3 cyl diesel for $4500

Don't have any other info on it, said it sitting in a packing lot in town 10 miles away.

That would be my choice. I have a 455, which is very likely the model you have a lead on. That 3 cylinder Yanmar diesel is a wonderful, nearly bulletproof engine. The other possibilities are a 430 or 332. These older models are great as well, but the hydro drives are hand operated where the 455 is foot operated. They all have hydraulic implement lift. If it is a 455 with mowing deck and blower for 4500 - and it isn't completely trashed out - I would jump on it. I paid 4000 for my 455 last year, with no blower and a 48 inch deck. It only had 550 hours on it and it was a very straight used tractor.

Z71 · Aug 4, 2006

I went and looked at JD diesel. I already forgot what the year was and did not see any marking for model, 199? Its a beast, color is all faded, its listing to the right side. Has a long snowblower on front that is painted black and appears to something made to fit on it, not a JD part and much older than tractor. Tires are no good either, I could see the air in them. +Its just too big a machine for my purpose, its looks to be 10+/- ft long with the blower. The price was not negoitable according to the seller..+

btw-All the dealers Ispoke to (3) said mentioned weight and chains, would be useless without them.

Gota keep looking.

There a lots of people around here with 18hp+ lawn tractors with blowers on them. I just may buy one of the 22 hp models, probably a JD and if it does not cut, so be it.

aesanders · Aug 6, 2006

Don't get caught up in the HP war. I know some old 10-12 hp GT's will outperform many of the new 22-25 hp machines. It's the making's of the tractor that you need to look at. Like others have pointed out already, I'd look for a heavier built garden tractor. If it has a smaller 18 hp engine so be it. The more robust frame and tranny and heavier weight will more than make up for the lower HP. If you can find one with a diferential lock, that would be helpful as well. When plowing, the wieght plus torque plus traction will be way more important than the HP of the tractor.

LBrown59 · Aug 6, 2006

Z71 said:
I am looking to purchase (new) a 20-22 hp gas riding mower, mostly used for snow blower.
I have less the 1 acre
Grass = 25%
snowblower = 75%

I have been to several dealers and get a different sales pitch from all. What one recomends the other says won't be good enough and so forth. I have prices from 3500 to over 10g.

I am trying to stay unde 5g so if any of you have a 22-22 hp JD 100 series (just for example), I would be interested in your opinion about them. I have several makes available in my area, John Deere, Club Cadet, Huskqvarna.

I need to stay at 42" deck and blower attachment to be useful for my
applications.

===========
1990 Bolens diesel with only 700 hours
48''mmm
Tiller
Plow
Front blade
Rear Blade
$2800.oo
You might keep a look out for something like this.
I believe I missed a good deal on this one.

MY FIRST CAR
http://www.hubcapcafe.com/ocs/pages01/chev5003.htm
OUR FIRST CAR
http://www.hubcapcafe.com/ocs/pages01/chev6003.htm
L B 7283

Z71 · Aug 7, 2006

I am still looking, man there is lot of junk out there or should I say restorable's?

I realize HP is not the end all.

I don't need to push snow, I have a 1992 Chevy short box 4x4 with western plow for that. I need a blower for areas the plow cannot get into like my aunt's yard and my yard. For years (since 1972) I used the walk behind Ariens but a rotator cuff injury has me not wanting to use that anymore except in a pinch.

Is there any here who owns a 18-22 hp lawn tractor with a 42-in blower? Not a big tractor, I have to trailer this on a 4'x8' ft Aluma trailer so I am looking for something in the 500-600 lb range that will fit the trailer.

I have looked at some bigger JD, a Simplicity but they are worn out and need work and I don't have the ambition to work on any used machines.

The JD dealer tells me this AM he may have a 6yo JD coming on trade but the owner has not committed to trading it in yet. He has bought the new machine and it mowing with it. The blower will not be available from JD till Sept so it will be Oct likely before he knows. Says he will sell it to me for $100 over what he got or has to put in it. Claimed it would sell for $9999 new. I asked him the name of the person but he would not give it out. Says this customer won't like that, not the type who wants to be botherer and will sell thru him only. Trouble is he thinks the customer may give the machine to another family member, I guess he hinted at that.

bontai_Joe · Aug 8, 2006

Now that I know you are also concerned about weight because you are trailering it, I'm thinking the Wheelhorse Classic 300 series is a good fit. It's a decades old tested design, and although less than 18 HP will perform very well for what you want. It's a serious garden tractor, and the plus is that attachments from the 1970s to now will fit.

dubba · Aug 8, 2006

Is there any here who owns a 18-22 hp lawn tractor with a 42-in blower?

I own a '96 JD325 with a 17hp Kawa motor(850 hrs). I have the single stage snowblower for it. It does all I need it to do, & I never feel like I'm lacking in the power department. I blow all my snow off of a 1000' gravel driveway, the 200' of 50' wide grass to the barn & the 200' path to the manure pile. Also a 20x75 asphalt drive down the street as well. Takes 2- 2 1/2 hrs per big storm (12"). I bought it used last year for 3500, haven't done anything but blades, oil & 1 snowblower belt.

Z71 · Aug 8, 2006

bontai_Joe said:
Now that I know you are also concerned about weight because you are trailering it, I'm thinking the Wheelhorse Classic 300 series is a good fit. It's a decades old tested design, and although less than 18 HP will perform very well for what you want. It's a serious garden tractor, and the plus is that attachments from the 1970s to now will fit.

I am going to check into that 300 series, the wheelhorse is a Toro? Thats what come up when I googled "Wheelhorse Classic 300" I looked on thier website and they show the snowblower with the canvas cover and all. Come to find out a store is near me. I guess I never paid attention to what they sold since they were a CarQuest parts store but it says they stock the small tractors. Got to check them out tomorrow.