Home Use Tractor decision

[metricmonkeywrench]

Well its been a week since i posted, Yep the shopping high has faded and reality set in...

The basic question that had been rattelling around in my grape has been "do i really need a 35K lawnmower" Despite the number and size of projects we have the cost is just too much right now.

So I revert back to looking on the secondary market with the hopes of finding something suitable.

I do really appreciate all of your thoughts and input!!!

Thanks!!

[buckwheatpaul]

Well its been a week since i posted, Yep the shopping high has faded and reality set in...

The basic question that had been rattelling around in my grape has been "do i really need a 35K lawnmower" Despite the number and size of projects we have the cost is just too much right now.

So I revert back to looking on the secondary market with the hopes of finding something suitable.

I do really appreciate all of your thoughts and input!!!

Thanks!!

I posted earlier about buying a used tractor....we wanted a L3400 Kubota and found one with 94 hours and had turf tires and a frontend loader for $15000.00l The smaller tractors tend to be garage kept and have low hours....you can often buy for less than half the new price and a tractor that size can take a decent backhoe setup and do virtually anything ya want except bail hay and carry really 6 x 4 round bales.....we have three tractors and two were bought new as they were depreciated on our ranch taxes but the used tractor is the one we use the most....hope this helps....Paul

[Shawlerbrook]

Agree ! If you are just mowing a lawn, a good zero turn mower($10,000) is definitely a better tool than a $35,000 tractor. Like I said, I have 120 acres and I brush hog 10-25 acres yearly. I also have a long, wide driveway and we get 100-175” of snow each season. My NHBoomer has been invaluable so far.

[MUSTANG]

If mowing is the prime requirement - hard to beat the value of a Cub Cadet Zero Turn Mower for less than $4,000.00. I have has this model for the last dozen years. Works great for the 6 Acres at the Moapa House. Montana with the Rocks on the Mountain are a little different story. Once we have the property finally "De-Rocked" and grass established; this will be the choice for "Lawns" as compared to Pastures (John Deere with either Bush or Flail Mowers on 3 point).

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Cub-Cade...1-50/314732004

[farmbif]

I guess if money is no object then $35k for a tractor to take care of 2.5 acres might be fun. ever since the Kohler engine in my $8500 commercial zero turn decided it doesn't want to run anymore I just use a 4 foot bush hog behind my 60 year old ford 4000 and an old sarlo self propelled walk behind to cut the acres of grass on my place.
ive almost got my 69hp 4 wd tractor with loader working again, since I got all the hydraulic cylinders rebuilt it will lift 4400 pounds, that one cost me all of $800 out of the scrap yard a dozen years ago, and have a total of about $1500 into parts and repairs and it needs a new one $700 radiator but it runs great as long as I keep the tanks filled up. it runs a 6' bush hog or box grader and even an old 6' wide 3 point rototiller that I got at an auction for a $200, I guess there are not too many like me that like to buy stuff coated in late model rust.
every time I go to the local rural king store I look at the shiny new tractors out front and wonder what it might be like if I were to $20 something thousand on one with all kinds of new accessories.

[Finster101]

I bought my JD 2025 with a FEL, belly mower and the I-hitch setup used for 16K. It only had 40 hours on it. Deals are out there. You just have to be patient and keep looking for them. Honestly, if you mainly need to cut grass on a 2 1/2 acre parcel a zero turn is a better choice.

[farmerjim]

I have downsized to 10 acres (2 in a pond) We cut the 8 acres of grass with a zero turn. Much faster than my 6 foot finish mower. Rent a backhoe when you need one.

[ascast]

Having mowed acres weekly as a kid, I can say you should sell the grass as hay, cheap. Take three cuttings. Or, let somebody graze it.

[GregLaROCHE]

Having mowed acres weekly as a kid, I can say you should sell the grass as hay, cheap. Take three cuttings. Or, let somebody graze it.

This makes sense if there is a farmer near by, that makes his own hay and he supplies the equipment and effort. I know people who do this in exchange for some manure for their vegetable garden.

[Thundarstick]

Since 2 cents are being thrown in, here's mine.

I have 6 acres, no rocks, have done stone dirt work, and have gardens. After the tractor feaver wore off, I really thought about it this way. How many hours a year will I realistically put on a tractor for tractor jobs? My tractor jobs are a rear tine tiller, field cultivator, dirt scoop, and box blade. I have probably averaged less than 20 hours a year on my tractor, and just couldn't justify buying a new tractor. I bought an old Yanmar grey market tractor for real tractor work, and a large diesel zero turn mower. In 7 years I've probably put less than a hundred hours on the tractor, and 300 hours on the mower! I'd love to have a new Kubota, I just can't justify it in my own head.