Hello, Folks!
I've been reading threads for months (not to mention literature and other websites). I've got JD and Cub Cadet dealers within 5 miles, a NH and Kubota dealer within 15 miles, and MR and IH dealers within 30. I understand the importance of a good dealer relationship.
My stumbling block is, I can't decide what size tractor is appropriate . . . hence, my request for your aid!
We've a 4 acre lawn, 2/3 which is undeveloped (but will be developed into lawn, more garden than what we already have, and landscaping); though 10,000 (100X100) square feet of the undeveloped part is garden. More garden is definitely an option. (Neighbor has a JD 4100 with a tiller so a tiller is definitley nearby). With the garden, we haul a "nice" amount of horse manure from the neighbors (getting tired of doing it by wheel barrow and a trailer behind a JD 318). Also, living in NW Ohio, snow moving capacity will come in handy. A 60" MM mower is preferred by my honey. The driveway is gravel so considered a blade or box blade for driveway work (stone and snow)
What I've looked at:
JD 2320 and Kubota BX2660 . . . too small??
Cub Cadet Sc2400 (too small??) and EX 3200 (too big???).
Used NH TC29.
MF 2300 and 1533\
I'm not concerned about speed or power for mowing . . . any of these units will handle the mowing. My concerns are the wear and tear over time with the tilling and efficiency in bucket work (don't want to be over-powered but don't want to be frustrated with too many trips). At times, I've thought the neighbor's 4100 was a bit under-powered in the lifting department.
Any thoughts will be helpful.
Thanks!!
I've been reading threads for months (not to mention literature and other websites). I've got JD and Cub Cadet dealers within 5 miles, a NH and Kubota dealer within 15 miles, and MR and IH dealers within 30. I understand the importance of a good dealer relationship.
My stumbling block is, I can't decide what size tractor is appropriate . . . hence, my request for your aid!
We've a 4 acre lawn, 2/3 which is undeveloped (but will be developed into lawn, more garden than what we already have, and landscaping); though 10,000 (100X100) square feet of the undeveloped part is garden. More garden is definitely an option. (Neighbor has a JD 4100 with a tiller so a tiller is definitley nearby). With the garden, we haul a "nice" amount of horse manure from the neighbors (getting tired of doing it by wheel barrow and a trailer behind a JD 318). Also, living in NW Ohio, snow moving capacity will come in handy. A 60" MM mower is preferred by my honey. The driveway is gravel so considered a blade or box blade for driveway work (stone and snow)
What I've looked at:
JD 2320 and Kubota BX2660 . . . too small??
Cub Cadet Sc2400 (too small??) and EX 3200 (too big???).
Used NH TC29.
MF 2300 and 1533\
I'm not concerned about speed or power for mowing . . . any of these units will handle the mowing. My concerns are the wear and tear over time with the tilling and efficiency in bucket work (don't want to be over-powered but don't want to be frustrated with too many trips). At times, I've thought the neighbor's 4100 was a bit under-powered in the lifting department.
Any thoughts will be helpful.
Thanks!!