Garden Tractor

[PeteD]

I agree. I have a nice tractor motor (s52) on a stand in my garage with harness and ZF. It's time to create my barter CL ad!

I have come across a couple of tractors with 3 cylinder gas motors - not sure on brand. Any intel on those?

[M-technik-3]

The house we just purchased comes with a Scag Tiger Cat 52" commercial mower for an extra 4K....

Debating on keeping it a year and selling it next year for a Kubota, careless about the ZTR and more about having ability to get rid of snow and mow and PTO for attachments.

[flyboyx]

I don't think your going to find all that for 5k or less though it can be done if you wait and shop every day

i think he should be able to find all those items on his list for 5k. i see them around here in that range frequently. finding a tractor with a loader for that price would be another story. if you find a good deal in another city, i wouldn't hesitate to jump on it. you should be able to get it shipped several hundred miles for about 600.00.

I found this on your local craigs: http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/hvo/5018869378.html could be a scam though.

here is another. has the same backhoe i have for my tractor: very good deal: http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/grd/5019990103.html might also be a scam

not 4wd kinda big, but may work for you: http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/grd/4997416095.html



if you don't mind me giving you more advice, i would suggest spending a little more money to buy a tractor with a loader. that attachment will add about 2k more to the price but it will be so much cheaper than buying one later and having it fit to the tractor.

other nice features would be power steering, hydrostatic transmission or shuttle shift.

mine fortunately came with shuttle. it has an extra gear lever off to the side that you flick back and forth to go from forward to reverse. it is much easier than a standard transmission going back and forth from one side of the shift gate for first or second gear and back to reverse over and over again when you are using your box blade, loader, or whatever else.

[PeteD]

Keep the advice coming! I truly appreciate it. Now, I better understand the dichotomy of the tractors when considering the application. For example, I do not envision cutting my grass with any of the above tractors, but I can see how it would be much more useful than a garden tractor in other respects. Right tool for the right job.

[PeteD]

Literally just bought a house yesterday with 3acres and a tractor is my next buy. I am here for any advice. I am in GA so snow is not an issue overal.

Congrats!

[quickervicar]

If you're after a lawn & garden tractor, I tend to agree with what was previously posted: go old-school. Something from the late '60s-early '70s seems to be the pinnacle of durability. Cast-iron Kohlers run for a very long time & have a character about them that is lacking in today's powerplants. (Though Briggs V-twins feel & sound really good) I would highly recommend sticking with either Deere or Cub. I've got a JD 120, but a 140 is a solid bet too. Cubs & Deeres of that era shared a lot of components.

I would also recommend the Cub 982 as well as the Deere 318 & 332 from the '80s. They have a solid frame & drivetrain that is missing from a lot of today's tractors. Another thing I have to recommend it getting a horizontal-shaft engine. I haven't had good experience with vertical-shaft machines (I'm looking at you, Deere!).

As far as that Kubota B5100 goes, I don't like them. They used a 2-cylinder diesel that did a better job of rattling the machine apart than it did producing usable power. The B5200 was a much better machine with it's 3-cylinder engine.

[flyboyx]

this is my rig. its just big enough(barely) to pick up half an e30.

kubota L275 dual traction(4wd) with power steering and factory correct bf400 loader. the grey square thing on the side of the dash is a cup holder for my beer.

i would guess it is worth around 7500.00 or so.

[Steveb68]

OP needs a gas powered "lawn& garden" tractor. If the one acre has hills or a lot of trees or other obstructions (like my property does), keep it smaller, and strongly consider a zero-turn. If the acre is wide-open, a belly-mount with 46" or 48" deck is plenty. Keep the weight down or the tractor will compress and tear up the ground. I've made this mistake; you can learn from it. On the other hand, bigger is better for moving snow. Most old stuff (pre 1980, but it varies by brand) was built better, but newer stuff is fine for residential use. Stick with premium brands, and the better models within those brands.

The guy in GA, on the other hand, needs a "compact tractor". 60" - 72" deck. 20-30 HP. Diesel. 4x4 if nice is the property has spots that stay soft. Kubota, Deere, Case / IH. My father uses an '88 Ford 1920, which has been great. (I was in college when he bought it new, so I'm not some kid pimpin' my Daddy's toys) The Fords from that era are rebadged Japanese tractors, and they have an excellent reputation. Hydrostatic drive is fantastic. In this size range, there are lots of good choices. Older tractors are fine if well maintained, and really hold value, but you had better know what you're looking at. Nearly all parts are available online.

Both posters should cruise some tractor forums.

[rcsoundn1]

Thanks for the advice. You think I need one 70"? Old homeowner had a 48" said it took 1hr 45min to cut. It's not all grassy, but lots of clay soil out here

[squidrope]

I live in NH and use my 3 cylinder diesel AWD Kubota to mow and snow blow. The thing is a monster in the snow. It has no problem getting through any amount of snow or snowbank. The mower works great too. I had a Toro prior to the Kubota. It had belt drive and didn't work or hold up nearly as well as the Kubota. Yes the Kubota was expensive but it is definitely worth it IMO.

[M-technik-3]

I live in NH and use my 3 cylinder diesel AWD Kubota to mow and snow blow. The thing is a monster in the snow. It has no problem getting through any amount of snow or snowbank. The mower works great too. I had a Toro prior to the Kubota. It had belt drive and didn't work or hold up nearly as well as the Kubota. Yes the Kubota was expensive but it is definitely worth it IMO.

Agree with you Keith a small tractor is nice. Zero Turn Radius mower is gonna do squat for me except take up space in the barn come winter. You can't add a PTO drive to them or use them for any other purpose other than mowing the lawn.

I will have a nice low hour Scag Tiger with 23hp Kolher for sale next year.

[rcsoundn1]

Well I have been looking at 0 turns, woah are they more expensive than I thought. Any advice on buying used?

[flyboyx]

i bought one with a bad engine for 300.00. bought a used engine for 200.00 off eBay. bam! 500.00 for a nice zero. its smaller than i would prefer though. 14.5hp. i let one of my tenants use it and unfortunately, it hasn't run since. i have not had time to see what is broken on it.

[M-technik-3]

Hydrostatic drive? ^ gearboxes tend to get torn up.

[flyboyx]

the motor was seized in my case. i think it was run without oil. but yeah, i don't think i would buy anything with bad hydros. small engines are somewhat universal. drive units may or may not be.