wHAT WOULD YOU DO?

[papaglide]

Diesel, there were times when the 1882 was going too fast for mowing, I mean it was cutting beautifully but I just felt like I was going way too fast for comfort.
Regarding your 1872 that you sold: was it your regular mower? And did you feel comfortable using it that much? Could it have lasted a long time in that service for you? Thanks.

 

[savageactor7]

papaglide stay with what you have...a gear tractor will drive you nuts after using a hydro. Yes the 149 is a good tractor but that'll take more mech skill to keep running.

90% of that stuff your tractor needs you can do yourself ...the tran drive belt is the hardest fix. As far as the tire goes just put a soap solution around the rim...if you see bubbles just hit it with a hammer.

Pick one thing at a time, only a suggestion to start with the easiest, and we'll talk you through it. Look it's only a tractor. Also I think whoever looked at that ran the bill up on you...you don't need a perfect tractor just one to cut your grass.

Whoops the 149 is a hydro.

 

[magicalj]

A 109 just doesn't have the power to spin a 50" deck. A 129 will struggle with it, but be ok. A 149 will spin the deck without any problem.

Now as far as your 1882, that thing is a absolute tank. You're not giving it any credit at all. That thing would mow your grass twice a week and come back and beg for more. That engine is good for 1500 hours and when it does need a rebuild, it's not super expensive and parts are easily found. the only major downfall to a 1882 is the plastic front end. Especially the grille housing. Just be gentle with that and you'll be ok.

AJ

 

[Dave01]

A 109 just doesn't have the power to spin a 50" deck. A 129 will struggle with it, but be ok. A 149 will spin the deck without any problem.

I agree, I had a 1211 with a 50" deck and it cut for many years, but lacked power. If you let the grass get ahead of you at all it really struggled.

Papa, here's what I'd do. Get rid of the 1018. Buy the 149 if it is in good running condition, everything on it working OK. Mow with the 1882, with the 149 as a spare. When you have the loader on the 1882 for other projects you can use the 149 to mow.

Then in the winter you can plow with the 149 and use the 1882's loader to bucket away snow when needed. Make sense?

 

[diesel_nut]

Diesel, there were times when the 1882 was going too fast for mowing, I mean it was cutting beautifully but I just felt like I was going way too fast for comfort.
Regarding your 1872 that you sold: was it your regular mower? And did you feel comfortable using it that much? Could it have lasted a long time in that service for you? Thanks.

Yup the 1872 could out-run the mower. As far as speed goes, I race dirt bikes thru trees for fun, so that didn't bother me .
I used the 1872 for a mower and light yard work. I got to the point to where I thought "I better get some $$ out of this while I still can". I found a great deal on the 2554 and went for it. I tell ya, knowing I will turn the key and KNOWING the tractor is gonna start for sure, nothing is gonna come loose or break or wear out while I am cutting is quite a relief. Nothing against the 1872 as it will continue in service for many years but I just got tired of fixing all the little things you have to fix on a 20 year old tractor.

 

[papaglide]

I agree, I had a 1211 with a 50" deck and it cut for many years, but lacked power. If you let the grass get ahead of you at all it really struggled.

Papa, here's what I'd do. Get rid of the 1018. Buy the 149 if it is in good running condition, everything on it working OK. Mow with the 1882, with the 149 as a spare. When you have the loader on the 1882 for other projects you can use the 149 to mow.

Then in the winter you can plow with the 149 and use the 1882's loader to bucket away snow when needed. Make sense?

Dave you make super, good sense. So much so that I am going to explain the situation to my wife EXACTLY as you wrote it. Incidently, I am going to check out the 149 tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait!

 

[papaglide]

...... the only major downfall to a 1882 is the plastic front end. Especially the grille housing. Just be gentle with that and you'll be ok.

AJ

I noticed the front end has some dings and the pegs that hold the side panels to the front grill housing like to vibrate out of the holes in the housing when I am using it.

 

[papaglide]

Still looking for a decent backup tractor. The 149 was sold before I could get it. Guess I should've just bought it instead of waffling sooo much!