Tractor Sizing what size compact tractor is right for me?

[herrick]

Newbie looking for some advice on my first compact tractor purchase. I am pretty well sold on Deere because of my local dealer, which helps a little. I am really lost when it comes to figuring out what size suits me best. I want to make sure that I don't short myself and get something too small, as well as I don't want to over buy and waste resources.

I currently work part time mwoing lawns. Next year I will most likely be quiting my day job and going full time. I am waiting to hear back from a pretty large account, although I am 90% sure I have it. With this large account I have come to the conclusion that I need a second mower. I currently have a Deere Z830A. At first I was thinking I'd just add another zero turn, but the more I thought, the more I realized how single purpose these machines are, and how much other stuff that I do that I could make good use of a loader and 3pt attachments. Things I do like landscaping, mulch, firewood, snow removal, as well as tasks around my own house like grading the drive and yard.

When I first made up my mind to look at tractors, I was looking at ones like the X7xx series... but after my dealer called the loader for them "better than a scoop shovel", I wasn't very encouraged. He's got a used 2320 set up with a 62" deck, loader, and turf tires that looks like a really nice machine, but I have no idea if this is too much, not enough, or just right for me.

Some things I need to take into account... I need to be able to haul the tractor on my 18' trailer... two 3.5k axles, so I can't get too crazy. Next, the main function for this tractor will be mowing, so something fairly manuverable and light on the turf. At the same time, I'd like to be able to move some dirt, snow, or whatever with the loader without too much frustration. Light grading work, maybe some tilling and bush hogging occasionally, moving and loading firewood into my trailer... I also want to keep this machine as easy to use as possible, so my wife or dad could use it without a whole lot of training, and personally I really like the idea of a hydro.

Any suggestions or comments are welcome! Thanks!!

 

[JiminGa]

my suggestion is don't get a tractor to mow with for a commercial application...if you need a second mower, get a second zero turn. for doing grading work etc. get at least a 3120, course, then again, would you want the machine to be able to pick up a pallet of sod or retaining wall block? if so, then you'll want to step up to a 4x20 series.

 

[cast_and_blast]

If you're sold on a sub-CUT then I would say the 2305, 2320 or 2520 would be the way to go.

I think there is favorable financing on the new ones - might be woth a look over the used.

If it is just for mowing, go with another ZTR mower.

Scott

 

[orlo]

Cast:

I can't speak for a zero turn as I've never used one on my lot but....

A lot of things depend on "How much" you'll be doing them. I have a 2305 and a 3720 Cab and both would do all the things you say. What will be the difference mostly for tractor stuff is the time it takes. The exception is absolute lifting capacity. If you need to life XXXlbs that'll make your decision easy, otherwise it's a matter of how much $$ you want to spend and how fast you want to do things.

My feeling is that you really don't want anything bigger than the 2000 series if you are 'finish' mowing and maneuverability is a concern. (If you are brush hogging you might want something bigger). The 2305 from personal experience is a mowing monster with the 62"MMM and won't mark up the lawn and has a pretty decent turning radius. If you go with the 3000 series you'll be mowing with a 3400-5000#+ machine depending on if you load the tires, leave the loader frame on, etc. My 3720 is about 5500# when I mow (3600# + 800lbs loaded tires + 1100lbs loader frame [no bucket]). I don't mind it but your customers probably don't want you running around with that much weight on their lawn. Also, even with turfs you'll leave 'cut' marks if you make very sharp turns. The 2305 is very light and even with the loader frame and MMM you are barely over the 2000# mark (Maybe 2400lbs with loaded tires, 62"mmm and loader frame (no bucket).

You can mow full bore high range on the 2305 and feel stable and it won't bounce too much if the ground is smooth enough (almost 9mph).

I've never used a ZTR but I can imagine those are fast and much more manuverable than a compact tractor. Even thought it's little, the 2305 is useful as a loader and for grading, etc. Just a little slower than the bigger tractors. I've pulled a 6' grading blade with the 2305 and it did just fine in dirt, just couldn't bite too much. If you are loading all day, buy a bigger tractor, if your just moving around piles of cut grass and mulch and occasionally doing other things the 2305, 2320, 2520, or 2720 may be fine.

I've mowed, pulled down small trees, loaded, scraped, dug, taken out stumps (I have a BH6000), ran a 4.5" chipper all with the 2305 and it wanted more. Sure, my 3720 cranks, but it was a ton more $$$, much harder to transport, everything (MMM, snow blower, etc.) cost more for it also. You aren't going to finish mow much faster than a 2305. Put the 72"MMM (I have one) on the 3x20 series and you still won't beat the 2305, it'll kick the 3x20's butt in ground speed you can maintain (You'll bounce off the tractor on the 3x20 series if you go too fast)... I probably 'barely' beat mowing on my 3720 pulling an 84" RFM vs my 2305 with the 60"MMM, and that's 2' more width of mowing.

One question the would swing me the other way would be if you are snowblowing do you want a cab? If so the 3x20 or 4x20 series is your only bet unless you go after market. (FYI I have the 47" blower for the 2305 and the 59" for the 3720 - Both work awesome but I got real tired of having tons of snow blow back and putting piles of snow on me..

 

[newt92]

Herrick, welcome to TBN!! First of all, where at in Illinois are you at? Second how large is this job, and how large of a business do you plan on being? I have been in the business for 8 years and have 2 large Exmarks. I work by myself most all the time, but if behind, will have a friend run the other machine. Zero turns are the cats behind for mowing grass. If the jobs are not too big, and want a all around machine then a large garden tractor or a Sub compact (2210 or 2305) would do.

 

[ScottK]

For primarily lawn mowing, go 2305. You will not have full cat 1 capability so if you want that then go 2320. Don't go bigger than that for primarily mowing lawns.

 

[herrick]

Herrick, welcome to TBN!! First of all, where at in Illinois are you at? Second how large is this job, and how large of a business do you plan on being? I have been in the business for 8 years and have 2 large Exmarks. I work by myself most all the time, but if behind, will have a friend run the other machine. Zero turns are the cats behind for mowing grass. If the jobs are not too big, and want a all around machine then a large garden tractor or a Sub compact (2210 or 2305) would do.

I am located in Germantown Hill actually, not to far from yourself! Big job I am looking at is a retirement community, about 40 total acres, about 20 in turf. ZTR is going to be used for most of it, but there are several wide open areas that the CUT would work good in. If money wasn't an issue, I'd have both a second ZTR and a CUT in my garage right now. As far as the biz... I plan to stay small, at most for the near future have my wife or dad help out some...

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

If your cutting grass for cash, you should stick with the commercial mowers. Unless your pulling a gang mower, a compact tractor is a lot slower than a commercial mower like a Wright, Exmark, Scag or Dixie Chopper.

What you need to look at is the acre/hour and the tip speed/ground speed ratios. These will tell you how fast you can traverse the lawn and deliver a quality cut and the ability to navigate lawns and not open ground. (make sure acre/hour is not measured on a flat level square, no lawn is like that)

As far as the other stuff a commercial landscaper needs, rent. 20 to 30K for a piece of equipment that will do less than 10-15% of the hours/day in any given week is a lot of debt to take on while starting a business. What you may want to do while growing out your business is to sub contract out for large jobs and rent for the smaller jobs. Or if you need to have a good all around loader, look at a used skidsteer. I see a lot for sale for under 10K.

OK, gotta feed the woodstove,

My 2 cents,

Tom

 

[newt92]

Herrick, would that be Snyder Villiage in Metamora? One of my jobs is Parsons MFG.

 

[herrick]

Herrick, would that be Snyder Villiage in Metamora? One of my jobs is Parsons MFG.

That's the one!