Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Need a lawn tractor

Hey guys,

Just moved into the new place in August. Time to buy a lawn tractor. Of course I want something with capabilities well beyond the budget I have set! Minimum requirements, I want to mow (of course) 2 acres within 4 to 5 hours. I want to be able to haul around a small trailer and have as many accessories available for purchase such as snow blade/blower, tiller, etc. available as possible. Budget is $5K for the tractor without attachments other than mower. Any input is appreciated.

Thanks!

Bill D.

You're going to want a garden tractor for that list of chores. One with a 48-54" mower deck. I recommend a hydrostatic transmission, with a minimum of 18 hp.....20 hp or above if you go with the 54" mower.

I think it will be difficult to find a new garden tractor with those capabilities while staying within your budget. If you're not opposed to buying used, search out a John Deere 345. Liquid cooled (big plus), bulletproof hydro transaxle, power steering, foot pedal controlled, and capable of doing all you want to do. And, attachments are available.

Whatever you decide, stick with a garden tractor, NOT a lawn tractor.....GT's are capable of driving ground engaging attachments, LT's are not. Trouble is, the two terms are used interchangeably by companies wishing to sell tractors at a price point. If you like, let me know what you find, and I'll do my best to point out the pros and cons.

Thanks Tony,

I am looking for new. (My momma always told me don't buy used and someone else's problems for things like this) and since I'm a Momma's boy, what do you think about the X500 with a 54 inch deck? A little out of budget (6K +)but looks like lots of accessories available.

Bill

That 500 series is a nice ride. It's not liquid cooled, but it is a Kawasaki, and if appropriate service intervals are followed you shouldn't have a problem. I believe they also feature a diff. lock, which is pretty handy. It will pull a 54" deck with NO problem, and the hydro unit is a proven design.

Some models within the 500 series offer power steering and hydro lift.

If it fits your budget, I would give it serious consideration.

Thanks Tony. Right now I am leaning that way. Maintenance is no problem, right? You do make house calls?

To northern Illinois? I wonder if Nate Herman would let me stop by and fish Norris on the way there and back?

It would be soooo worth it.

Hey, I will have my wife cook you up fish Thai style when you get here...if you can take the heat!

Bill, I purchased a used JD 345 (it had between 200 and 300 hrs on it IIRC) and it came with a 48" snowthrower, chains, and wheel weights. (54" deck)

I searched and found a used rototiller for it - the guy used it once and never used it in the 2 years after that (the paint was still on it where the dirt hits it). I bought that and the suitcase weights for it. I'm really, really happy with it, it's got around 1050 hrs on it now. The only other thing that I've done is wire it so I can pull a sprayer and turn it on/off via a switch on the *dash*, and I bought a set of rims and lug tires (agricultural bar tires) to go with the rototiller.

After seeing how dusty/dirty the engine can get, I'm happy that it's liquid cooled. I can mow around an acre per hour with it, and that's going around things.

Tony will steer you right.