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 | Tommy Dee
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2003-03-06 50676
I now own 7.5 acres of mostly level land with St.Augustine and Bermuda grass. I want to buy a tractor bigger than the "garden" kind (like a Sears, Poulan or Cadet Cub) so I can pull a 6 foot finish mower. I don't really need a front loader and would like to spend as little as possible. The main thing is to get the mowing done in a reasonable amount of time.
I would appreciate any of your advice on what model tractor I should buy.
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| jdavid
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 8 waukon iowa
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2003-03-07 50736
I would like to offer some suggestions.Alot depends if you want 2or4 wheel drive.I would not go any smaller than 24PTOhorsepower.Next do you want a hydro or gear drive?If you have a kubota dealer near you they offer some very nice entry level tractors.Which are very reasonably priced.They also have a very good warrenty;which you will probably never use.Ihope this helps you out. ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2003-03-08 50751
There's been discussion about dedicated mowers. Some mentioned seem like wonderful machines but dedicated to mowing. Wish I could recall exactly how they're called. However, the discussion I recall was from somebody who was thinking about trading his for a tractor because the mower's uses were too limited for what his work turned into. Work does tend to evolve, and anything dedicated may turn out to do a wonderful job at something that becomes a minor part of what needs doing. ....
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| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2003-03-08 50759
Tommy, take my word for it someday you will want a front end loader, then after you see how nice that works you'll want other attachments, (blade, box scraper, etc.). So I guess my only caution to you is don't buy too basic. If the budget works out get a 4 wheel drive, you'll never regret it, especially with a front end loader, and even more come trade in time. If you're going to be mowing on any slopes that could be wet turf tires will have you stuck on nothing. I'm a real fan of R4 tires, they don't leave tracks in the grass, yet you have traction in wet or muddy conditions for loader work etc. Hydro drives are real neat, but remember they do soak up some horsepower, and pulling a 6 ft. mower with 24 hp. you might need all 24 of em if the grass gets tall on you during a rainy spell. Hope this helps. ....
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 | BillMullens
Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 649 Central West Virginia 
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2003-03-08 50772
I agree with Hardwood. However, if you are really, really just going to mow, the best way to go would be a pro quality zero-turn radius mower. I think you can knock down 3 or 4 acres per hour with one. Perfectly useless for anything else, though.
Bill ....
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| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2003-03-08 50775
Bill made a good point about the zero turn mowers. I used to mow a neighbors lawn while they were on vacation, he had a new Dixion ZTR that I used. That thing would out manuver any rider bar none, so if cutting grass is your only need I too would recommend checking them out, but as Bill said they have only one use. ....
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 | WillieH
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 543 New England
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2003-03-08 50789
Tommy...
I like the way you wrote..."I really don't need a loader", these are everyones famous words. As soon as you say /think this , your trying to justify breaking your back. Trust us...you'll see. As soon as you take that shiny new ZT home, you are gonna say "why didn't I get the tractor with the loader ?! My wife just had this great idea of building a retaining wall for the Japanese garden, or whatever, man that means I'll have to wheelbarrel it all!" We all can attest that it is better off to purchase a little over kill than under, and when you do, you'll be glad you did. All the odd jobs that all of a sudden present themselves to you.You'll be glad you did.
Your other point and a point that was touched on about the HP of the tractor. I am partial to gear shift models, and I'm sure that alot of you are laughing or jeering me with that statement. Let me explain...As touched on earlier, if you have a gear shift model, your engine HP will not be comprimised by your hydraulic systems, as they are with hydro units. Operating a 3pt tiller on hydro vs. gear in my neck of the woods, would cause a strain on the hydro system to the point where the pump would slowly fail. With a gear shift tilling, the gear is engaged and that is that,no slippage, no overheating of the hydraulic system ,etc. With the Hydrostatics, they are designed with what is called priority hydraulics. If your rpms are too low while driving, your pump may strain somewhat, however more to the point, your loader hydraulics won't respond efficiently, your power steering won't respond fast enough, potentially causing premature pump failure from you straining the system. Hence the reasoning for a larger size engine if going with hydrostatics for your particular application.
Experience speaks volumes.
Willie H. ....
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| Smahler
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 25 Oneida New York
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2003-03-12 51037
What is your budget? I am always frustrated that people lay out their needs with no mention of budget. For 2500 bucks you could get an old ford and a 1000 dollar finish mower and you are theoretically in business. I am on my second tractor with no loader, no real complaints. Sure I would love one, but not enough to justify the cost. Someday. ....
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