Lawn tractors

[NorthernRedneck]

Ok, I'll admit that I know very little about riding lawn tractors. That said, with the prospect of us buying a bigger property with a six acres, I figure about 2 of those are cleared and grassed. I have a smaller craftsman but know that just won't cut it (no pun intended). What would be a preferred riding lawnmower that would easily handle a bigger property? I don't mind doing the work but don't want to be there all day mowing either.

Canadian eh!!!

 

[MrLovable]

If I was mowing two acres I would want a Cub Cadet Z Force LX with a 60 inch deck. Gonna cost you some coin, but you said you didn't want to spend all day mowing (who does?) Gonna set you back over 5 grand with that 24 HP Kawasaki engine, full welded frame and the triple coated deck.

 

[Doc]

For mowing only I'd buy a Zero Turn mower. They will get the job done effortlessly in the least time. I do 3.5 to 4 acres in 1:50 mins.

With six acres you will be working other parts of your land and have other chores besides mowing, in that case I'd get a Kubota BX with a belly mower and a front in loader. The FEL will save your back and be used in so many ways you cannot even imagine right now. Kubota has done me well so I prefer them, but there a a lot of other brands for you to check out. I only know Kubota and I am prejudiced ...and I admit it.

Tractor shopping is fun. Sit in a lot of seats. Talk to the dealers and play with all the options on their lot. Buy the one that fits you best and one where you feel comfortable with the dealer. When I was buying some wise folks gave me that exact advice and it served me well. So I'm passing it along.

 

[MrLovable]

For mowing only I'd buy a Zero Turn mower. They will get the job done effortlessly in the least time. I do 3.5 to 4 acres in 1:50 mins.

With six acres you will be working other parts of your land and have other chores besides mowing, in that case I'd get a Kubota BX with a belly mower and a front in loader. The FEL will save your back and be used in so many ways you cannot even imagine right now. Kubota has done me well so I prefer them, but there a a lot of other brands for you to check out. I only know Kubota and I am prejudiced ...and I admit it.

Tractor shopping is fun. Sit in a lot of seats. Talk to the dealers and play with all the options on their lot. Buy the one that fits you best and one where you feel comfortable with the dealer. When I was buying some wise folks gave me that exact advice and it served me well. So I'm passing it along.

Good point Doc!! With six acres he may be doing other things beside a Zero Turn. Like gardening and snow removal on that driveway, maybe?

OK, forget the 5 grand Brian. You're gonna be spending a few more bucks then that. In the tractor department, listen to Doc. It's Kubota BX, but in the end it is your money, your decision even with a picture of the queen on it.

 

[Melensdad]

Another vote for a ZERO (or in my case a near-zero) TURN mower if all you are doing is mowing.

You may want to look at VENTRAC tractors as they are good mowing machines and offer some attachments like front end loaders. Ventrac tractors lean more heavily toward FAST mowing and lighter landscaping + yard work with front mounted attachments. If STEINER is still in business that is another option worthy of considering for a very good mowing machine with light landscaping capabilities. Both have front mount snow blowers.

A real tractor like a Kubota BX series is a damn fine machine. In fact probably best of that class of machine, but a far slower mower than either a Zero Turn or a Ventrac. This type of machine is going to be a decent mower and will easily do most landscaping chores, driveway maintenance, etc to maintain 2 groomed acres. It will also allow you to expand the yard if desired.

It's all about balance and what jobs you think will need what tools.

Don't forget you can often RENT a machine for occasional heavy work too.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

I like the idea of renting a machine when needed and having a zero radius mower. There's an old tractor there now with a triple head front mower attachment. We threw it in our offer but aren't holding our breath on that as the current owner of the property wants to keep it for their camp.

Just for reference, here's the property overhead shot.

Canadian eh!!!

 

[FrancSevin]

I like the idea of renting a machine when needed and having a zero radius mower. There's an old tractor there now with a triple head front mower attachment. We threw it in our offer but aren't holding our breath on that as the current owner of the property wants to keep it for their camp.

Just for reference, here's the property overhead shot.

Canadian eh!!!

Based on this picture,,, go with Doc's suggestion. You are gonna need a tractor that can mow. But e ability to tow logs, move and blade gravel is paramount.
With your health issues brute muscle is limited ,,,,; get the equipment that will do the hard work.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

Change of plans. Slightly. Lol. They are leaving the mower tractor so that'll do for now. But I will be looking at a small kubota or similar tractor.

Canadian eh!!!

 

[NorthernRedneck]

We're probably going back on Thursday to see the house again. I'm hoping to take a better look at the tractor.

Canadian eh!!!

 

[Doc]

Take pics of the tractor too. Someone here might know a little about it.

 

[mla2ofus]

Yes, I'd like to see the make and model of the tractor. Judging by the overhead pic someone must be able to mow around all the trees in the lower part of the pic, or else it's done with a push mower and/or weed eater. If it's a tractor w/ PTO and 3 point hitch it will accept attachments to help do the heavy work.
Mike

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Free is good. You can do 2 acres on a 22HP riding mower. You get what you pay for so the better the brand the better the tractor (usually).

Zero turns are nice if everything is flat. Ventrac are awesome - but expensive.

A little Kubota would be nice. There are some good competitors that are a little less than Kubota and Deere. If they have Mahindra in Canada you may want to look at them - I've been happy with mine. Tractors are a lot more than a riding mower though but if you have 6 acres you will want a tractor. Buy once cry once.

 

[Doc]

Brian ...FYI this forum was started up by a core group of folks that were active on a tractor forum ...so we do have quite a bit of tractor expertise / knowledge here.

 

[bczoom]

I'm a little surprised Doc didn't even mention a sister site to this forum that's focused towards tractors.
http://www.nettractortalk.com/forums/index.php

 

[JimVT]

my crippled wife mows 2 acres and bags it with her tractor jd mower. almost replaced it with a kabota this year but no experience with them.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

I'm anxious to get out there to take a closer look at the tractor that's there. We put it in the agreement as an afterthought just to get us going until I can find something else. It's an older unit not in the best shape. But apparently it runs. I also have my grandpas old craftsman which has around a 30" deck I believe. It will be used in the tighter spots around trees.

Canadian eh!!!

 

[bczoom]

You're going to need some seat time in it. Many of those smaller lawn or garden tractors (especially the older ones) are brutal on the body as they may not have suspension seats and the older ones can be hard to steer and hard to press brake and clutch.

Being slow by today's standards, you're going to be in the seat a lot. I found myself hurting after mowing for several hours. What used to take me 4 hours with a garden tractor and 48" deck now takes me about an hour with a ZTR and the ZTR is a significantly better ride.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

Yes. I plan on getting my two teenage boys out running both mowers. We'll be shopping for a newer one but for now this will do. We are heading out tomorrow to see the property again. I will take some pictures of the tractor but for now, I zoomed in on the only picture I have of it.

Canadian eh!!!

 

[bczoom]

Well, I guess we could take a guessing game on what you have there until you get us details.

It doesn't seem to have headlights but if that's a logo on the top/center of the grill, I'm going to guess it's a Toro Wheel Horse 260 series.

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Although, if your kids are old/young enough. Get a couple of riding mowers and send them out. It's worked for me for the last couple of years. I'll be sad in 2-3 years when they are both off to college.

This is by far the best way to get your lawn mowed.