Tractor recommendations for 1-acre with significant hill?

[djrogers1]

Looking for a reliable lawn tractor for 1-acre with hill that is too steep to push mow across. Have burned up hydro drives on it in the past. Hoping to spend under $3000. Advice?

 

[juddspaintballs]

On a hill like that, you're probably going to have to go up/down as opposed to across. You might be able to go sideways with a commercial walk behind like a toro metro or scag and the like.

 

[RKJeepXJ]

Go with something in the "garden tractor" realm. The JD X500 or X700 series for example. They are designed for ground engaging (ie. tillers, small plows, etc.)

I have an x500 with ~350h on it at this point. I have some pretty steep hills and have used it to pull some faily heavy loads and it has served me well.

 

[murphy1244]

Your price point is going to be tough, What else you planning on doing with it?

 

[buickanddeere]

Any Deere garden tractor that uses a 5 bolt hub to fasten the rear wheels on. Light duty lawn tractors do not use 5 bolt hubs.

 

[arnoldziffel]

Find a heavy duty, used, Toro Wheel Horse garden tractor in your area

Models to consider are: 520H. 522XI. 520XI. 520LXI.

Each of these machines can do your job and with care last you a lifetime. All can be had between $1,500 and $4,000 used. The most common of the bunch might be the 522XI and a clean used one around here would sell for $2,500 - $3,500.

I've owned a couple of these tractors for going on 15 years. They are solid.

 

[9973720wb19]

I use a walk-behind mower - I can pretty much turn that thing on it's side using the hydro trans. it's the safest way to go...I have tried a few machines and the WB is the best. you might think about buying a used WB just for the hills.

 

[djrogers1]

Your price point is going to be tough, What else you planning on doing with it?

This will be primarily just for mowing and I may want to get a small trailer to haul stuff for the garden, which is at the bottom of the hill about 150 from the house.

The local Deere guy said forget about using the K46 transmission on it. He's pushing me to go all the way up to the X500 for $5300. When I pushed back, he said the X320 had a K58 transmission which would be better components, but still no drain plug to change the oil.

 

[murphy1244]

This will be primarily just for mowing and I may want to get a small trailer to haul stuff for the garden, which is at the bottom of the hill about 150 from the house.

The local Deere guy said forget about using the K46 transmission on it. He's pushing me to go all the way up to the X500 for $5300. When I pushed back, he said the X320 had a K58 transmission which would be better components, but still no drain plug to change the oil.

Try to find a used Simplicity Conquest or better.

 

[smstonypoint]

Another thought -- plant a ground cover and forget mowing.

Steve