Well, hire a guy or do it myself

[om21braz]

You guys are complete enablers. Cool. Research starts!

My friend, you have'nt seen nothing yet LOL! Welcome to TBN - probably king of the enabling websites.

 

[Sprinkler Buddy]

Welcome to TBN, Buy it for sure! Just makes you feel better when you can do it yourself and your way! :thumbsup:

 

[nomad289]

I'd buy the tractor, put in ~1/2 acre of irrigated "nice" smooth lawn around the house. Take your time and get the ground really smooth, you only get one chance.

For the other 1.5 acres, level and plant (in the fall) a native grass variety that does not require irrigation; leave it as meadow or cut occasionally/as needed.

I like working the land and mowing, but hate maintaining 2 acres = 250 sprinklers which after 5 yrs or so start to fail randomly. If you do irrigate, choose metal elevated industrial/farm grade large sprinklers not the residential plastic ones. Advice from a "sprinkler slave".

 

[handirifle]

I have 3 acres and was in a similar fix. i bought a MF1010 ($4,000) and did it myself. If I had it to do over, I'd held out for a BX ($7,000-8000 used) with an FEL, drag box, and a belly mower, then I'd had one unit to do it all, now I am looking at another $3K for a new mower, maybe.

Get the sub compact and don't look back. They are unbelievable little workhorses, and the more you do and learn, the more fun they are.