Buying Advice Which smaller tractor to join my tlb?

[whoodle]

Hello All,

I have been needing a new smaller tractor for some time. I currently have a JD110 tlb for grunt work and a Wheelhorse 520 for mowing my driveway. The Horse is tired and plagued with ethanol disease. I need something to mow along my driveway which is very steep and amounts to about and acre of lawn. I would also like to bushog my very steep woods trails. I don't really need a loader, and I don't need an absolutely superb cut(although I might like it) However, I bet I need to be able to get the midmount deck on and off easily in order to bushog. Along my drive is fairly soft and fragile at times, so light weight is important. Given the light weight requirement, I believe the the category parameters would put me in the price no object if the features fit.

All user experiences would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[jenkinsph]

I have had good success with the x749 on steep grades with the 26/12/12 tires and 4x4ws it is easy on a soft surface with low pressure hdap tires. This will handle steep grades much better than my 110tlb or 4520.

I have a Bushhog 206 and a Deere MX6 for field work but would mention that for small jobs I often use the mower with the deck fully raised to cut taller grass and weeds. An x748 is available with the 60" 7 iron deck which may work better for the multipurpose cutting.

 

[flusher]

Hello All,

I have been needing a new smaller tractor for some time. I currently have a JD110 tlb for grunt work and a Wheelhorse 520 for mowing my driveway. The Horse is tired and plagued with ethanol disease. I need something to mow along my driveway which is very steep and amounts to about and acre of lawn. I would also like to bushog my very steep woods trails. I don't really need a loader, and I don't need an absolutely superb cut(although I might like it) However, I bet I need to be able to get the midmount deck on and off easily in order to bushog. Along my drive is fairly soft and fragile at times, so light weight is important. Given the light weight requirement, I believe the the category parameters would put me in the price no object if the features fit.

All user experiences would be helpful.

Thanks

Light weight---or, another option, high flotation, low wheel loading.

For example, my 1964 MF135 diesel is fairly heavy (4500 lb or so with loaded rear wheels), but the guy who sold it to me modified it for use in his olive orchard (discing, mowing with brush hog or flail mower) by using 16" dia rear wheels carrying BF Goodrich 6 ply 18.4-16A rubber. He wanted to avoid tire ruts among the trees while lowering the tractor as much as possible to avoid getting a facefull of low hanging branches. These tires are typically used on combines and swathers and are readily available at most tire stores in farm country. He replaced the usual front axle spindles with shortened versions to keep the tractor level. With the lowered CG, that 135 is a nice setup for mowing steep slopes.

I suppose you could use wider front tires to increased flotation.



Just passing along an idea that might be of use to you.. BTW: I paid $3600 for that 135 in Jul06. Tractors like this show up all the time on eBay and craigslist. The modifications shown here are easy to make.

Good luck.

 

[two_bit_score]

Now, that looks stable.

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

How about a really nice used Deere 2520? And as luck would have it, I have one that needs a good home.

I also have a good 3pt 5' finish mower that can go with it as well.

I'll give you a fellowTBN'er deal.

I'm in NH, almost right down the road.

Tom