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 | 74SD455
Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 11 Delaware county NY 
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2005-02-03 105458
I just bought 54 acres in Delaware county NY. The house sits on 15 reativley flat acres, the rest is a mountain with some trails I hope to expand on someday.
I need a machine.It will be my first. Trying to buy the right one. Mainly for mowing (brush and finish). Also minor land shaping, snow plowing,some log skidding etc. I started looking at the 3130 with FEL. Now I'm looking at the 3830 and the JD 4120, both with FELs. I would rather slightly overbuy than wish I had a bigger machine later.
I would like to get as close to the house as possible with this machine because I'll not be able to justify the additional ridermower.
Am I looking at the right machines or are these too big?
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 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York 
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2005-02-03 105460
Knowing the hills in that area I think that the extra horsepower is a good thing to a degree but it really won't allow you to run larger machinery but for just the extra for pulling hills. ....
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 | jarndt
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 351 Northern Virginia
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2005-02-04 105479
As long as you've got a good gas trimmer, an L-series with finish mower should work fine up close to the house. Of course, it won't get as close as a rider. ....
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 | yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan 
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2005-02-04 105485
Don't know the size of your projects, etc. I feel that a 4120 with 43HP is kinda big for mowing lawn around a house. On the otherhand it is ideal for big projects.
My suggest would be to determine your budget and look at several tractor models and brands while figuring which accessories you need. Consider cutting back on your budget in the area of Rear mounted mower, back bladed, etc. where you can find less expensive items to fulfill the task.
JD has some new sales promotions going on right now with 0% interest. By cutting back on the accessories, you could justify a nice used rider which would be good for around your house and trim work. Most JD dealers have some good used lawn tractors where if you shop around someone will give you a good deal. I'm sure the same would hold true with Kubota. Also suggest looking for a used JD or Cub Cadet mower in your local paper. These last a long time with minimum repairs and can do so many odd jobs in smaller spaces. ....
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 | funchy
Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 128 north eastern corner of Maryland
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2005-02-04 105486
Congrats on the new purchase! It sounds wonderful.
You say you want a tractor for mowing. Are all 15 of your flat acres open/grassy? And do you want to keep them trimmed neat-n-short or would you be content with just a knock down mow a few times a year?
One thing that worked for me before I got my kubota was letting my neighbor cut and bale my one big open field. He was happy to have the hay, I was happy to have the grass removed, and best of all I didn't have to do any work. (He did it for free but he kept the bales) ....
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 | Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 955 Central Iowa 
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2005-02-04 105490
One thing you haven't stated is how much of the yard you plan to mow. I have 20 acres in Iowa, but mow only about 3 acres of it. I've got a 4310 with 32 hp and a 72" mid mount deck. If you are going to mow more than an acre, you'll want the power to drive a large mower deck to save you time. But if you are just mowing around the immediate house area, then finding a nice used lawn/garden mower would be good.
Another thing you haven't talked about is the extent of the big projects you mentioned. Are they 1% of the use or 50%? If you are budgeted for a 4120 or equivalent but the big stuff is only 1% of the machine use, you could back off and get a riding mower and a slightly lessor tractor.
I know I wanted a bigger tractor, but my budget and the finance cop wouldn't go for it. But I wound up with a 4310 mid sized untility tractor that has worked wonderful for me. The 72" mid mower works great and does a good job. So good I hardly use the JD 325 lawn tractor with 54" deck anymore.
Start with how much you are going to mow for a finished yard. Then how often would you brush mow. You can find a decent used brush mower for very reasonable money. You don't need new for that. ....
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| bnrhuffman
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 107 Falling Waters WV
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2005-02-04 105492
I know you said you didnt want two tractors but I dont think you will be happy mowing with the big JD or Kubota. Not only is the size a factor but if you are going to get full use from your tractor, you will probably want to add weight to it by filling the tires or at least wheel weights and if you do any work on hills in low traction situations R4 or Ag tires are real good to have. That extra weight coupled with R4s/Ags means that any mowing you do will have to be when the ground is completely dry or you will have nice ruts all around your house and your sod wont fair very well. Just something to consider.
My advise is to take the money you wouldve spent on a mower deck and buy a used lawn tractor for the mowing. ....
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| JAZAK5
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 276 coxsackie,ny
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2005-02-04 105500
flat land in delaware county? but there again on top of Delhi everything is flat. I grew up in Davenport and realy dont remember any flat land other than in Davenport Center between the the two brideges or outside of Oneonta on rt 23 but with 15 acres even a 4100 might be small. ....
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| 74SD455
Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 11 Delaware county NY
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2005-02-05 105554
Thank you all for your responses. I havnt bought the machine yet. I think I've changed my mind. I'm going with the L3430 with 723 FEL and a cab. for just about the same money. It has A/C and heat, I drove it today, VERY smooth and comfortable. I think I'll be able to get much more use out it it with the cab. Any feedback? Also, which tires do you guys recomend? I like the wide turfs or the industrial.
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 | AnnBrush
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 463 Troy OH
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2005-02-05 105570
Any trees and associated branches where you plan to use the tractor, of course you mentioned them "the rest is a mountain with some trails" - trust me you don't want the cab. ....
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