What would you buy if you were me?

[MF RED in MT]

When I was searching for a tractor there was one thing that was always happening, just about everyone was trying to talk me into going for a bigger tractor, . I had green and orange dealers within 50 miles, but ended up going with MF and the nearest dealer was 150 miles. I get most of my maintenance products delivered by USPS, UPS, or FedEx. If I had it to do over again, yes I would still be driving this size MF, :thumbsup:. Good luck with your decision, and I am sure whatever color you end up with, you will be happy with it, . KC

 

[Baucom]

I don't really have much to add to the good advice you've already received about tractors and implements, but I would like to address the idea of using your tractor to mow your lawn. If you were to buy a mid-mount mower for your tractor, you would easily spend enough money to buy a GOOD lawn tractor that would be far easier on your lawn. Even if you only buy a 3 pt finish mower you would still spend enough to buy a dedicated lawn tractor.

 

[bp fick]

I don't really have much to add to the good advice you've already received about tractors and implements, but I would like to address the idea of using your tractor to mow your lawn. If you were to buy a mid-mount mower for your tractor, you would easily spend enough money to buy a GOOD lawn tractor that would be far easier on your lawn. Even if you only buy a 3 pt finish mower you would still spend enough to buy a dedicated lawn tractor.

That is always the conundrum when considering a tractor larger than a subcut, as a do-it-all machine.

The purchase cost of the MMM, the removal of the FEL and re-install, the weight of the larger tractor, the limited maneuverability all add up to one questioning the whole idea.

 

[Caliguy]

That is always the conundrum when considering a tractor larger than a subcut, as a do-it-all machine.

The purchase cost of the MMM, the removal of the FEL and re-install, the weight of the larger tractor, the limited maneuverability all add up to one questioning the whole idea.

I'm a total noob at this, but I must ask, wouldn't the larger tractor be faster at mowing than the smaller lawn tractors especially if you have more than a couple of acres?

I don't have a tractor yet as I'm doing a lot of research before I get one, so any info would be great!

 

[bp fick]

I'm a total noob at this, but I must ask, wouldn't the larger tractor be faster at mowing than the smaller lawn tractors especially if you have more than a couple of acres?

I don't have a tractor yet as I'm doing a lot of research before I get one, so any info would be great!

No. Oh that it were that simple.

If your big tractor is used for dirt work and other chores exclusively, then this issue doesn't come into play. Your big tractor is parked in one stall of the barn and your agile lawn tractor or ZeroTurn is parked at the other end of the barn.

By the time one gets a 30-40+ HP tractor large enough to lift big loads with the FEL, move a round bale of hay, have a large back hoe and have the weight and grunt needed to clear roads, snake logs or plow/disk a field, it now might likely have the wrong tires on it for the lawn and be much too big and clumsy, much too heavy, and be impractical to mow the lawns.

Sometimes the best answer is two machines. The "one tractor can do it all" thing gets very complicated, very quickly.

 

[Baucom]

Not necessarily due to maneuvarability and clearance issues. Sometimes the larger tractor will leave more trimming to do, which takes longer than mowing. Plus, often for the cost of a MMM you can buy a pretty good 48" LT/ZTR and for the price of a good RFM you can get an entry level 48" LT, either of which will last for several years of use with regular maintenance when only used to mow the lawn.

Also, the 2 machine approach means you don't have to make compromises in tires, wt., and physical size/HP of your tractor solely to make it a decent lawn mower.

 

[Caliguy]

No. Oh that it were that simple.

If your big tractor is used for dirt work and other chores exclusively, then this issue doesn't come into play. Your big tractor is parked in one stall of the barn and your agile lawn tractor or ZeroTurn is parked at the other end of the barn.

By the time one gets a 30-40+ HP tractor large enough to lift big loads with the FEL, move a round bale of hay, have a large back hoe and have the weight and grunt needed to clear roads, snake logs or plow/disk a field, it now might likely have the wrong tires on it for the lawn and be much too big and clumsy, much too heavy, and be impractical to mow the lawns.

Sometimes the best answer is a two machines. The "one tractor can do it all" thing gets very complicated, very quickly.

I was looking at 3 point mowers for the last few days and glad I found this forum for some feedback. Looks like I have to look for a lawn tractor as well. Thanks for the info.

 

[Willl]

What would you buy if you were me?

A late model JD 970 w/ FEL and BH.
6' RC mower for the pasture.
6' Rear blade for the snow.
6' Landscape rake for the driveway.

 

[bp fick]

I was looking at 3 point mowers for the last few days and glad I found this forum for some feedback. Looks like I have to look for a lawn tractor as well. Thanks for the info.

It all depends. No two situations are alike.

My Kubota B2320 is a small tractor. Larger than the BX Kubotas, which allows me to use it successfully in my truck farm, market gardens. Yet, it is small enough to use with my RFM wonderfully. So, for me, it fills a niche pretty well.

If I needed a larger tractor, say a JD 4000 size or Kubota L series? No. I would absolutely have a Zero Turn or riding lawn mower of some kind.

 

[RussMan]

I didn't read all the prior posts carefully so uncertain if anyone mentioned it but given you want to mow with is tractor I think you should consider weight. Compare the weights of the various machines you are considering - you might be surprised at the disparity in weight among very similar-sized tractors.