Go Bottomyet another newbie
 | Rick
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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1999-05-08 3595
I could really use some help and from reading these postings the last couple weeks I know you folks can. Sitution:My greasest need is to mow. I have about one and 1/2 acres around the house with a fair number of large trees and "island" gardens. But I also have about 5 acres of old pasture which I need some way to keep down. In addition I also have about 10 acres of woods. The previous owner had a neighbor harvest the pasture for the last 12 years. I assume this neighbor used this mostly for bedding as it is for the most part weeds. (mostly grasses nothing tougher than some thick thistle) As a result this soil is really starting to show the lack of nutrients. The pasture area is relitavely smooth but it does have a significent grade to it.I would at some future date like to expand our gardens into this pasture area. Or be able to burn it and try my hand at prairie restoration. But for now the need is to keep it down and let the cut grass add some badly needed nutrients to this area. I would also like to someday do some tilling with what ever I end up with but this is not necessarly crucial as I already have a very nice walk behind tiller. I have two seemingly good dealers in the area. One JD and one Kubota. My first thought was a 20-24 horse garden tractor with a 60 inch deck. I have priced the JD 445 at $8400.00 The JD dealer says that this should be able to keep the back acreage down and still give me the manuverability I need for the lawn. BUT.....the Kubota dealer (who also sells Simplicity garden tractors) says that I will need a pull behind or a belly mount on a compact tractor. He recommended the Kubota B2710 with a 60' mid mount at about $15,500.00Now being an all american male my testerone tells me to go with the Kubota or a similar compact tractor and be able to take advantage of the 3 point hitch and the "real" PTO as opposed to the more limited PTO on the smaller garden tractor. But I am concerned that the Kubota will be too big for the amount of trees that I have to mow around. I will mow the house weekly and the back field no more than three or four times a year. I addition for the $7000.00 difference I can build a greenhouse, put in a hot tub,etc, etc. But I also don't want to spend $8400.00 for the JD and then not have it be able to do what I need. I'm sorry if this got a bit long winded. But I could not find any discussion here of the decision between a large garden tractor and a compacy utility tractor. Thank you all in advance for whatever wisdom you can share.
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| guest
Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 0
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1999-05-08 3601
Why not split the difference and go with a smaller compact utility tractor than the B2710? You could get a B7300 or a B1700 and do all the tasks you list for a lot less money. The B7300 is not to much more than the JD455 price. Then you could have the compact utility with 3pt and still afford the greenhouse and hot tub. ....
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| guest
Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 0
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1999-05-09 3602
Andy is absolutely correct; you definitely need a small compact 4wd tractor, not a garden tractor. Don’t waste you money on a 455, It will only cut the lawn. You should be looking at a Kubota B1700 or 2100, or a JD 4100. You will like the performance of these machines, when mowing, bushhoggin, or hauling a loaded cart. If you have any slopes or grades, 4wd is a must. Eventually you want to get a tiller and probably a loader. The compacts will handle these chores with ease, the garden tractor won’t. Don’t make the same mistake that most of us have made in the past, buying a garden tractor to same money, only to have to trade it in on something that could actually perform the work. ....
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| CDF
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-05-09 3605
A compact tractor is your best option. I went with a small 18 hp gas tractor when I first bought my property and I really worked the heck out of it. I came to the realization not long after I bought it that I would need a larger tractor. This year I bought a JD 4100, it has been great! My mowing requirements are similar to yours in that the acre that my house sits on has trees, the house, an outbuilding and a barn. I was concerned that I may need both a garden tractor and a compact. The 4100 however is a small enough tractor to negotiate all of these tight turns and narrow places, I was really impressed with the turning radious. When it comes to the rest of the property, I have been having alot of fun with the loader, rear blade and york rake. The things I can now do myself, I used to have to rent or hire it done. Final thought, look at the 20 plus HP compacts, locate the best dealer near you, green, ornge or blue and go for it, You won't regret it. ....
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| Rodney
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 12 Virginia
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1999-05-10 3658
Interesting to see that someone else has similar money concerns. I too am debating between a garden tractor (New Holland GT22 w/ 60 deck, front blade @ about $7,000) and a compact tractor (New Holland TC 18 w/ hydro, 60" mid mount, 7106 loader @ about $14,500). I know I'm getting much more w/ a compact including $7,500 of additional financing. Has anyone been able to make the extra $ work for them. A Massey dealer suggesting starting my own business as a way to depreciate the cost of the tractor. Any tips? What are the pitfalls? What do I need to look out for? ....
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| cdf
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-05-10 3660
Rodney, I have made about 1000.00 dollars in the last month doing tractor jobs with my JD4100. I got the word out just by telling friends and co-workers. I'm not real serious about doing this type of work, I was more or less just trying to get out and use the tractor and get the feel for it. The thought has crossed my mind to run an add in the paper. Good luck! ....
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| Tom
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-05-11 3674
I run a small Tractor Buisness in VA and here are some of my recomendations.1. Check your local laws on weather you need a contrators license, they can be difficult to get.2. You will need insurence. don't work without it, my insurance cost's just $600.00 a year.3. Find a nich market, there are a million guys who mow lawns and every guy with a tractor does boxblade grading work. I do front loader work, Rototilling, and post holes (6" 12" 24") don't try to go head to head with some guy with an old tractor and a cheap boxblade. 4. There are definetly great tax breaks for a small buisness.5. The work will not be steady, spring and fall are the best6. you wont get rich but it will pay for your tractor.7. E-mail me if you any other questions. Tom ....
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| Rick
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-05-13 3776
Thanks Tom,In fact the business aspect was one of the things I was throwing into the decision making process. My wife has a business selling flower bouquetsat the local farmers market. But at this point it is really more of a hobby than a money maker. So there may be some tax breaks but we need to show enoughprofit to be able to take advantage of it. Thanks to everyone for your wise words. I am still not certain what I am going todo but you gave me a lot to think about. ....
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