lawn/garden tractor advice

[rfuerst911sc]

Last fall I moved to Georgia and only had to mow the lawn two times before winter set in. I have about 3/4 acre and currently have a Snapper rider with a 30 inch deck. It does the job but it's slow and I think a bigger deck like 44-50 is the way to go. I used to sell Cub Cadet when they were top notch equipment. So is it smart to go with an older Cub Cadet/John Deere or buy newer of either ? I like a hydro but I'm not looking to add a roto-tiller or anything else. Maybe a front mounted blade but reallly just to mow. Bagging is not a concern. Kohler was an excellent motor when I sold these in the early 80's are they still the one to go with ? What about B&S twin cylinders ? My price range is about $1000.00. What do you guys recommend ?

[targa911S]

I have an older JD 330 diesel. I expanded the hydraulics so it is H2 so I can have angle and lift on my 54" plow blade. It had 900 hrs on it when I bought it on ebay for $2200.00. Best tool I have ever bought. It saves me a ton of labor. I have 2 acres but only one is cleared. I can run a log splitter off the hydro unit also.

summer....







Winter...

[targa911S]

Check out this... Weekend Freedom Machines You will get bitten by the green and yellow bug.

[pavulon]

If $1K is the max, I'd take the blades off of the mower you have, make them razor sharp and start saving money to buy a good used quality mower (maybe consider a zero radius turn stander).

If you haven't paid attention to your mower blades, you may be pleasantly surprised by the difference frequent sharpening can make. You'll be able to maximize mower speed, efficiency and proficiency by keeping them sharp and possibly change your mind about needing a new mower.

[A930Rocket]

The last thing I would buy is a John Deere made in the past 5+ years. Mine was junk and I was glad to leave it with the house when we sold it.

[mgatepi]

I cut 2 rough acres. In the last 15 years been through a John Deere and Cub Cadet and now on a Dixie Chopper. The Deere and the Cub were always broke and in some state of repair. My Chopper is a tank and have reduced my cut time significantly!!! Nothing breaks!!

Save up some cash and go see your local Dixie dealer!!! It will save alot of frustration!
mg

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

The last thing I would buy is a John Deere made in the past 5+ years. Mine was junk and I was glad to leave it with the house when we sold it.

Mine is a 1982. Bullet proof. 3 cyl Yanmar diesel is like a tug boat.

[A930Rocket]

^^^^. That's my point. Anything made by Deere recently is junk. The old stuff just keeps on going.

[legion]

Keeping an eye on this. Considering buying a house with a 4 acre lot...

[Evans, Marv]

That's a beautiful little tractor. I bought an old J.D. gas model to tow & haul around my property. It came with a mowing deck, but I don't have a lawn to mow. If your property is flat, those tractors are nice. My property isn't flat, and what I found out is mine didn't work out at all trying to negotiate slopes or little hills. The reason was I needed an LSD, because if I got onto anything uneven enough for the traction to become uneven on the back wheels, one would stop turning, and the other wheel would just dig into the ground. I solved my problem with a couple of Kyubota 4WD tractors. I would imagine your lawn is pretty level, but some people have lawns with humps and little hills to look like sort of natural topography.

[Embraer]

use to mow 10 acres with a JD 400 with a 60" deck. loved that tractor. lots of "wheel time" growing up on that thing.

[944Larry]

I love your 330! That pipe is sexier than socks on a rooster! I have an '89 332 with the 3 cyl Yanmar and it goes and goes. The only real trouble I ever have is deck bearings. I heard the newer JD's weren't very good. Supposedly they moved the light mower stuff to China.

[deanp]

I bought a '65 Cub Cadet about 3 years ago with a 42in plow, 42in blower and 42in deck for $550. Fantastic condition. Recently had to pick up a few parts, got to talking with a guy that deals used parts and used tractors and he said the bottom has absolutely dropped out of the older tractors. After seeing the way this cub was built, I don't think I'd ever get a 'modern' model. I'd vote for older.

[Grog]

John Deere dealer told me anything that starts with a 1 is junk. They made them to compete with the other low priced home depot junk. Something cheap and something that lasts, are two different things. Good John Deere stuff is still at the JD dealer, and cost more for a reason.

[K9Torro]

I bought a new Husky in 2004 it is the V Twin B&S with a 48" deck, it is a big time P.O.S. the only thing that does work without fail is the engine, the mower deck, frame and electrics are total crap-o-la. Cost me $2500 at that time and they are still selling them for the same price today. I mow 3 1/2 acres with it takes me almost 6 hours (yep I am a glutton for pain).

Around here the Dixie Chopper or the SCAG Turf Tiger is the king of mowers but get your wallet out and dig deep about $6800 for either one of those.

T

[rfuerst911sc]

Good feedback guys. I used to sell Cub Cadets in the early 80's and they are built like a tank. I think I will look for a 12-16 hp hydro transmission with a 44-50 inch deck. I missed out on one three weeks ago because I was too busy at work. I agree most of the new stuff is built cheap and not for the long haul. The old stuff was built to last and can be rebuilt.

[LakeCleElum]

You want an older John Deere 300 series (like the 330). But you'll have to get into your piggy bank and spend a bit more.....The old ones are built better than the new.

I have a 316 with hydro plow, snowblower, tiller and 54" deck. I spent $1,900. It's a real workhorse....You need to spend some time here:

Tractor Forum : MyTractorForum.Com Tractor Forums

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by targa911S

Mine is a 1982. Bullet proof. 3 cyl Yanmar diesel is like a tug boat.

Looks great!! Does it have a lockable rear diff?

[targa911S]

sorry to say no. But it has 50lbs of weight on each rear now, that helps.

[pavulon]

Hmmm. Lockable rear diff's must be one of the differences b/w 400 and 300 series JDs. Good info.