MossRoad
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
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Tractor purchase
- Thread starter Clarke
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Bob_Skurka
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I should say that the reason I don't think the B2910 is a good mowing machine is based on a couple of things, and if those things do not exist, it can be a very good mower.
In my case, I have lots of trees and landscaping to mow around, plus I have some compound hills to mow, the B2910 is simply too big to fit into many areas where I mow. I own about 12 acres, and some of it is flat and open, but not much of it is that way, if I had an open field to mow, the B2910 would be fine, the FEL would be able to stay on and mowing would not be a problem, but I don't have too much open space.
The question from the original post said there is a 2 acre lot to be mowed and maintained after the garage is built. I would suspect that a heavy tractor on a 2 acres, which will eventually be landscaped, would tear up the yard, leave ruts, and probably will fall into the same problem I have in that once the landscaping is set, it will be hard to get the tractor into some of the places that need to be mowed.
I still maintain that small frame tractor might be the best compramise for this size lot. Perhaps a Kubota 7500? or a NH TC21 or TC24? Or at least that SIZE of machine. They are small enough to be good (not great) mowing machines, and they are typically large enough to do plenty of work.
I think many people find they want a big tractor when they are CONSTRUCTING things but they need a small tractor when they are MAINTAINING them after the construction is done.
In my case, I have lots of trees and landscaping to mow around, plus I have some compound hills to mow, the B2910 is simply too big to fit into many areas where I mow. I own about 12 acres, and some of it is flat and open, but not much of it is that way, if I had an open field to mow, the B2910 would be fine, the FEL would be able to stay on and mowing would not be a problem, but I don't have too much open space.
The question from the original post said there is a 2 acre lot to be mowed and maintained after the garage is built. I would suspect that a heavy tractor on a 2 acres, which will eventually be landscaped, would tear up the yard, leave ruts, and probably will fall into the same problem I have in that once the landscaping is set, it will be hard to get the tractor into some of the places that need to be mowed.
I still maintain that small frame tractor might be the best compramise for this size lot. Perhaps a Kubota 7500? or a NH TC21 or TC24? Or at least that SIZE of machine. They are small enough to be good (not great) mowing machines, and they are typically large enough to do plenty of work.
I think many people find they want a big tractor when they are CONSTRUCTING things but they need a small tractor when they are MAINTAINING them after the construction is done.
Bob_Skurka
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By the way, I think the posts about the Power-Trac machines are worth considering. We are talking about 2 acres, not a farm. The PT machines, especially the smaller units (18 & 22hp) have some limitation in Loader Lift Height, but other than that they appear to be excellent landscape construction machines, and probably much better mowing machines than traditional tractors.
I don't know how the P-T machines would be for grading and working on the garage construction project the original poster talked about, but I really think he would save money and be happier overall if he rented equipment for construction and then bought a P-T or a compact, or a sub-compact tractor for the landscape construction and maintainence.
I don't know how the P-T machines would be for grading and working on the garage construction project the original poster talked about, but I really think he would save money and be happier overall if he rented equipment for construction and then bought a P-T or a compact, or a sub-compact tractor for the landscape construction and maintainence.
Glenn9643
Veteran Member
Suggest you look at the Massey Ferguson GC2300 series, along with comparable size other brands with good dealers near you. You can get a lot done with these small tractors, but it will often take more time. It sounds to me like most of what you will need to do will be done BETTER by this size tractor than a larger, heavier one. As mentioned earlier you can rent a larger tractor if necessary for temporary needs and you'll probably be happier down the road. Good luck with your purchase.
MossRoad
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<font color="blue"> I think many people find they want a big tractor when they are CONSTRUCTING things but they need a small tractor when they are MAINTAINING them after the construction is done. </font>
Very good analysis, Bob. That was the case for me, so I downsized to the PT425 when I was done with the big projects.
Very good analysis, Bob. That was the case for me, so I downsized to the PT425 when I was done with the big projects.
DAP
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Bob, that some **** good advice. I'll augment it one step further and add, do what I did - buy a good lawn tractor with a hydro tranny!
Lastly, lately I'd been thinking I made a mistake by getting the lawn tractor and not a Zero turn machine. Truth is, I use the large lawn tractor for a lot more than just cutting grass, even though it has no loader or 3pt hitch. My machine can easily haul a 1/2 ton wagon full of firewood, pull a leaf-vac, etc. I realize the CUT can do these also, but hey, sometimes it's a easier when one has a lot of small tasks as opposed to a few large ones. I'm betting that's why you got the 24D.
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Lastly, lately I'd been thinking I made a mistake by getting the lawn tractor and not a Zero turn machine. Truth is, I use the large lawn tractor for a lot more than just cutting grass, even though it has no loader or 3pt hitch. My machine can easily haul a 1/2 ton wagon full of firewood, pull a leaf-vac, etc. I realize the CUT can do these also, but hey, sometimes it's a easier when one has a lot of small tasks as opposed to a few large ones. I'm betting that's why you got the 24D.
dos centavos de mio
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Bob_Skurka
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Doug . . . the TC24D is mostly a mowing tractor. It is also the snowblowing tractor with a new rear mount 60" blower. I find I am using it for ditch work, or I should say I WAS using it for ditch work because I think that is pretty much done, and it has become the PHD machine too, largly becuase I put a PAT's Easy Change on it. I love the size of the TC24D, it more clearance than the Sub-Compacts and a real Cat 1, 3pt hitch so it will trade implements with a larger machine. If I had gotten a loader, I could easily get rid of the B2910, but I own that in partnership with my neighbor, so I am not pressed to sell him my share, and since getting the TC24D, I think the B2910 has spent more time on his lot than on mine (besides, it doesn't fit in my garage anymore now that the little NH is parked in there. I still have one major job for the backhoe on the B2910, this spring I have to dig out one side of the swimming pool and make some repairs, but after that I don't have any other big projects planned.
I really would like to upgrade the Cub Cadet, which does the mowing up close to the house and under the trees on some areas of the property (the TC24D's ROPS hits the branches on many small trees and the B2910's ROPS is even taller). If it were not for the hills I have, I'd look at a Zero Turn mower to replace the Cub. As it is, I think either a Power-Trac or a Steiner articulated unit would be the ticket to mowing. What I don't like about either is their overall length with the mower decks attached. I have all my implements, 2 tractors, assorted scooters, bikes, toys and 2 cars in a 3.5 car garage and it is CRAMPED. . . (time for a barn /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif but the wife is resistant to that.
I learend when I moved out to the country and decided to do things on my own that it really takes the right tool for the right job. A big tractor is fun, but not always practical. Sometimes you buy what you THINK you need as opposed to what you REALLY need.
I really would like to upgrade the Cub Cadet, which does the mowing up close to the house and under the trees on some areas of the property (the TC24D's ROPS hits the branches on many small trees and the B2910's ROPS is even taller). If it were not for the hills I have, I'd look at a Zero Turn mower to replace the Cub. As it is, I think either a Power-Trac or a Steiner articulated unit would be the ticket to mowing. What I don't like about either is their overall length with the mower decks attached. I have all my implements, 2 tractors, assorted scooters, bikes, toys and 2 cars in a 3.5 car garage and it is CRAMPED. . . (time for a barn /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif but the wife is resistant to that.
I learend when I moved out to the country and decided to do things on my own that it really takes the right tool for the right job. A big tractor is fun, but not always practical. Sometimes you buy what you THINK you need as opposed to what you REALLY need.