The Sanitation Department at the plant that I work at decided a year ago (last spring) that instead of contracting out the mowing/snow removal of the premises, they would purchase the equipment and do the work themselves. They purchased a Snapper line trimmer, Lawn-Boy push mower and a 16 hp Craftsman lawn mower with a (I think) 38-42" or so pull behind mower (with like a 6 or 8 hp engine). The total plant property is about 40 acres; about 18 acres are under roof, and the paved parking lots and roads make up about another 12 acres (these have to be cleared of snow in the winter). The remainder of the area is moderate to steep hilly areas around the buildings with at least one good 5 or 6 acre spot of more or less open space (storm water retention basin) that has to be mowed. There is probably less than an acre of "lawn" at the main entrance of the plant that needs to be mowed, and they do it now with the push mower because they like to mow it really high (like 6" tall grass - I think it looks awful, but oh well).
Of course, before the end of the summer, the Craftsman lawn mower and and pull-behind mower were just about worn out, and we've spent a ton of money renting commercial lawn mowers. It is in our Capital Budget to purchase some additional groundskeeping equipment. The projected spending is $20,000.
We need to be able to mow the 12 acres every one or two weeks. I have said I thought we should just bushhog it, as it is not readily visible nor is there any normal pedestrian traffic on it. Others have the opinion it should all be finished mowed. We will need to be able to clear the parking lot/roads of snow in the winter. We are in western Kentucky and get very little snow most years (usually 3 or 4 snows of 1" to 4", with the occassional "big storm" that might drop 6" or 8" - I know, you northern guys are wiping the tears off your face when we worry about our "big storm").
We would probably like to get something in the nature of 25-30 HP with a FEL (we have to spread rock, mulch, help with snow removal etc), grader blade, bushhog, finish mower, and possibly a soft cab for the winter work. There will be 4 or 5 different operators for this tractor, so I would assume that HST would be simpler for the folks to figure out (keeping in mind that the snow removal will take place in a parking lot full of vehicles).
We have a John Deere dealership in town (10 miles away) and Kubota dealership a couple of towns over (30 miles away). The nearest New Holland is about 50 miles away, and the Kioti dealership is about 75 miles away. I (of course) have my personal preferences, but I need to set them aside in this case. I am leaning towards a John Deere or Kubota, because of proximity and reputation. The problem: don't know too much about the models out there and would like some of you brand-specific experts to arm me with some knowledge prior to my dealership visits. I have been to both dealerships when I was looking for my personal tractor, and found the service and pricing at both to be absolutely abhorrent; however, service after the sale will be extremely important in our situation, so I feel compelled to go with a local dealer.
Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated (especially specific model numbers and attachment/implement numbers/sizes). Thanks, fellas.
Of course, before the end of the summer, the Craftsman lawn mower and and pull-behind mower were just about worn out, and we've spent a ton of money renting commercial lawn mowers. It is in our Capital Budget to purchase some additional groundskeeping equipment. The projected spending is $20,000.
We need to be able to mow the 12 acres every one or two weeks. I have said I thought we should just bushhog it, as it is not readily visible nor is there any normal pedestrian traffic on it. Others have the opinion it should all be finished mowed. We will need to be able to clear the parking lot/roads of snow in the winter. We are in western Kentucky and get very little snow most years (usually 3 or 4 snows of 1" to 4", with the occassional "big storm" that might drop 6" or 8" - I know, you northern guys are wiping the tears off your face when we worry about our "big storm").
We would probably like to get something in the nature of 25-30 HP with a FEL (we have to spread rock, mulch, help with snow removal etc), grader blade, bushhog, finish mower, and possibly a soft cab for the winter work. There will be 4 or 5 different operators for this tractor, so I would assume that HST would be simpler for the folks to figure out (keeping in mind that the snow removal will take place in a parking lot full of vehicles).
We have a John Deere dealership in town (10 miles away) and Kubota dealership a couple of towns over (30 miles away). The nearest New Holland is about 50 miles away, and the Kioti dealership is about 75 miles away. I (of course) have my personal preferences, but I need to set them aside in this case. I am leaning towards a John Deere or Kubota, because of proximity and reputation. The problem: don't know too much about the models out there and would like some of you brand-specific experts to arm me with some knowledge prior to my dealership visits. I have been to both dealerships when I was looking for my personal tractor, and found the service and pricing at both to be absolutely abhorrent; however, service after the sale will be extremely important in our situation, so I feel compelled to go with a local dealer.
Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated (especially specific model numbers and attachment/implement numbers/sizes). Thanks, fellas.
