New 'garden' tractors
- Thread starter dewpoint
- Start date
Yes, they are shaft drive. My brother had a 700 series JD which is in the same catagory. I have a Prestige which is belt drive, I had a 4x4 Prestige which is heavy duty Lawn tractor or Garden Tractor as it is rated for sleeve attachments.
Got off the rail quick, didn't it!
Wife's 8 year old Husqvarna (never again) broke in the middle last fall. The K45 diff
crawled up onto the deck. It was total junk as I used the Kubota to load it onto a
neighbors trailer. Wound up in the salvage yard.
I looked all over and finally settled on a JD X350. Dealer only model. $4K plus
couple extras was about the same as the junk brands. It has heavier frame, better
hydro controls, foot raised deck. All in all a decent machine and the wife just
loves it. The steering is even better than the junk brands and you can turn the wheel
with one hand. Kawasaki mill.
I always considered the JD dealers "Yuppie Boutiques", but if you want a steering
wheel, there really isn't anything left.
'Garden Tractor'. I think of that as a working machine. Something capable of pulling and driving attachments - mower, tiller, brush hog, plow, disk, loader, snow pusher, etc. Small farm equipment. I don't consider 'Lawn Tractors' to be capable of that. Yes, a LT will mow and maybe till, etc. But a GT must have a 3-pt hitch for standard equipment. Just my 2 cents.
My first GT was a Satoh 650. It was a 25hp gasoline re-badged Mitsubishi. Great little unit. I quickly mowed a really big yard with it using a 60" Ford finish mower. Not as nimble as a Zero Turn, but much more versatile. I bought my used Kabota for $19K. It came (skid steer style) attachments a loader/bucket and pallet forks. It had 19 hours on it and a full warranty with 5 years remaining. Yes, that may seem like a lot of money - but if you want to get work done - size matters. A 25hp diesel GT will outpull any LT - probably most ZT's. But it's capable of so many more tasks than a ZT. I've had the tractor for 3 years now - I think I could sell it for a pretty fair percent of what I paid for it. Mine is a B2601 Model - it's considered to be a 'compact'. There are 'sub-compacts' - I think you could buy one (new) for less than $15K. Some manufacturers will give you zero percent financing.
GT's aren't for everybody. LTs and ZTs are just fabulous if that's what you need. But I use my GT for everything - I put aggressive chains on it and beet juice ballast and a 20" snowfall is no match.
I'm going to add this to my story... A neighbor moved nearly 4 years ago now. He had a small JD lawn tractor that I was interested in. I don't know the model number but it was diesel, 4w drive/steer, front snowblower and mower deck. It was really a beast. He was asking $14K and ended up selling it for $10K. I wonder what the unit would cost new? As LT's go - it was really fine!
My first GT was a Satoh 650. It was a 25hp gasoline re-badged Mitsubishi. Great little unit. I quickly mowed a really big yard with it using a 60" Ford finish mower. Not as nimble as a Zero Turn, but much more versatile. I bought my used Kabota for $19K. It came (skid steer style) attachments a loader/bucket and pallet forks. It had 19 hours on it and a full warranty with 5 years remaining. Yes, that may seem like a lot of money - but if you want to get work done - size matters. A 25hp diesel GT will outpull any LT - probably most ZT's. But it's capable of so many more tasks than a ZT. I've had the tractor for 3 years now - I think I could sell it for a pretty fair percent of what I paid for it. Mine is a B2601 Model - it's considered to be a 'compact'. There are 'sub-compacts' - I think you could buy one (new) for less than $15K. Some manufacturers will give you zero percent financing.
GT's aren't for everybody. LTs and ZTs are just fabulous if that's what you need. But I use my GT for everything - I put aggressive chains on it and beet juice ballast and a 20" snowfall is no match.
I'm going to add this to my story... A neighbor moved nearly 4 years ago now. He had a small JD lawn tractor that I was interested in. I don't know the model number but it was diesel, 4w drive/steer, front snowblower and mower deck. It was really a beast. He was asking $14K and ended up selling it for $10K. I wonder what the unit would cost new? As LT's go - it was really fine!
Attachments
Thanks all, learning fast. Today you can spend 13 large and not even get a real serviceable (external filter) hydro, Cub was providing a spin on as standard when I bought the GT, what did that stand for again?, for just about $4,000 usd in the early '90's. The left over '23 Simplicity I saw was on triple super duper sale at just south of $10,000 usd with a real entry level Briggs and sealed hydro..... Do I wish I could jump in the 'way back machine' and invest in some of the Cubs of the '70's and '80's !
Taking a good look at the Deere 700 series tomorrow, financing is decent.
Taking a good look at the Deere 700 series tomorrow, financing is decent.
Have had a bunch of JD gas 420 and diesel 430's, some with loaders but could handle almost any ground engaging equipment like tillers, snowblowers, front blades, 48" / 50" / 60" mower decks, Cat 0 three point hitch and they only had 2 real faults. One is the 2000 RPM rear PTO and is no available 4WD.
Now I just have a 430 that I use for moving snow and cutting grass as well as a JD X595 with a loader and a bunch of attachments that I abuse for everything else around my acreage. It behaves just like an updated 430 with the 4WD / Cat 1 hitch and a 540 RPM rear PTO.
When I was selling them I always thought the X300 would last the owners lifetime, the X500 would go to the son and the X700 would be handed down to the grandkids. (o:
After having the X595 thru 1 divorce and 2 fixer upper acreages I would not hesitate suggesting one to anyone on an acreage. X3xx for an estate under 2 acres with no trees or much landscaping. X5xx with a loader if you can for a 3-5 acre acreage with some heavier stuff to deal with. Also the higher up the class you go, 4WD make them much more versatile.They also have the weight or at least can have enough weight added to deal with snow and the larger attachments.
An X7xx with a loader for sure or a 1025R with a loader but no mower on either. They are just too heavy and will pack the ground too much / leave ruts on soft ground making it harder to maintain a nice lawn even tho' they will cut the grass very well.
They will take substantially more maintenance than a zero turn which will not pack the ground and is MUCH quicker for cutting grass. Same-ish oil filter but 2 litres less on a z turn, no coolant, less fuel use, tires = WAY less cost and mower blades usually less and so on.
Using a 4WD for cutting a basically a flat lawn is a lot of places for things to go wrong.
Zturn = pretty simple in comparison. Belt breaks on a zturn mower is a WHOLE lot $ than a pto / gearbox / shaft.
Just my 03.629 cents (inflation) worth.
Now I just have a 430 that I use for moving snow and cutting grass as well as a JD X595 with a loader and a bunch of attachments that I abuse for everything else around my acreage. It behaves just like an updated 430 with the 4WD / Cat 1 hitch and a 540 RPM rear PTO.
When I was selling them I always thought the X300 would last the owners lifetime, the X500 would go to the son and the X700 would be handed down to the grandkids. (o:
After having the X595 thru 1 divorce and 2 fixer upper acreages I would not hesitate suggesting one to anyone on an acreage. X3xx for an estate under 2 acres with no trees or much landscaping. X5xx with a loader if you can for a 3-5 acre acreage with some heavier stuff to deal with. Also the higher up the class you go, 4WD make them much more versatile.They also have the weight or at least can have enough weight added to deal with snow and the larger attachments.
An X7xx with a loader for sure or a 1025R with a loader but no mower on either. They are just too heavy and will pack the ground too much / leave ruts on soft ground making it harder to maintain a nice lawn even tho' they will cut the grass very well.
They will take substantially more maintenance than a zero turn which will not pack the ground and is MUCH quicker for cutting grass. Same-ish oil filter but 2 litres less on a z turn, no coolant, less fuel use, tires = WAY less cost and mower blades usually less and so on.
Using a 4WD for cutting a basically a flat lawn is a lot of places for things to go wrong.
Zturn = pretty simple in comparison. Belt breaks on a zturn mower is a WHOLE lot $ than a pto / gearbox / shaft.
Just my 03.629 cents (inflation) worth.
Deere 700 series out-too much machine, 500 series: while probably the perfect size it does (I am told) require deck removal to change the deal breaking internal hydro filter. I am confident in typing that the Cub series 2000 in both variations were categorically/unequivocally the best deal ever offered for quality/value and design.
The search begins.......
The search begins.......
I think what happened is what was a 'Garden Tractor' in the past now is called a Sub compact, with the lowest in that category being the JD X500 which starts around $10k.
I was talking to a guy who has owned a Mahindra, which is smaller than the X500, for about 12 years, he loves it, it is 4x4, and its got a small diesel 2 cylinder motor. He wanted to upgrade to a new one because the old one has close to 4,500 hours on it, and what he bought then for $5,500, is gone now, and the smallest they make is the 1100, which starts at $15k. Kioti, MF and LS have all done the same thing.
For years we had Bolens Large frame tractors, starting with a 1250, then a 1455, then an H23, then a Bolens Iseki, which got sold when parts became a big issue in the early 90s. My uncle owned a Satoh Beaver, which was a great machine, made by Mitsubishi, about the same size as the Bolens Large frame and JD 300 series. But parts for that were a tough find back then. I suppose now the web may have made that easier but they are still rare models.
I started buying Simplicity and AC garden tractors by chance in the 90's, I happened on a 7119 with all the attachments in excellent shape but with a bad KT19, I swapped in a clean Magnum 20hp from a used Snapper mower and its still here today. I bought a 916 and a 7116 with no attachments, no deck but a brand new motor in a box, got both for $250 at a local auction. I put the new motor in the 916, and had a good running 16hp BS for the 7116. I've since added four 3400 models as well. I use the 3410 to run the tiller in the spring, it never comes off the back of that one, I use the 3410H to push snow, its got a plow attached at all times, plus a belly grader. The other 3410 with a three speed has a dirt plow, and my one shuttle, a 3410s has a brinly disk on it. My 7116 gets used with the snow blower, and the 916 also had a snow plow with power angle added.
They are simple to keep running, built like tanks, and cheap to own if they need work. They out work the old Bolens large frame mainly in that they both fit in smaller places, are easier to set up, and cheaper to fix. They also seem better at ground engagement vs the foot control hydro on the Bolens.
Foot control was the one thing I absolutely hated about the Bolens, It was nearly impossible to keep steady pedal pressure when mowing or plowing snow. The foot control meant it got used more as a point and shoot type of machine. You either pegged the pedal down or let up, anything in between meant your foot bouncing on the pedal.
I did try a few newer simplcity machines, but anything beyond the GTH series in the early 90's or the green Deutz Allis models isn't the same.
The best thing is that they made millions of these things. I'm in an area that never had a local dealer and they are still plentiful
I had one with a loader but found it sort of a nuisance most of the time. My Bolens 1250 and 1455 also had Johnson loaders. I have a larger tractor for that. If I need a loader, I use the Case 580E.
Over the years I've owned a Cub Cadet 1979-1200, a 1987 -2072, and a 2155. I had a JD 1982? 330, 1984 430, and a 1972 112, a 2001 MF 2718H and a 1998 Simplicity Landlord 20.
The 2072 was a good machine but the hydro needed repairs at 400 hrs, (leaks), the deck had to be replaced early on for rust, replaced with a welded aftermarket Haban deck, and the 1200 had overheating issues.
The JD diesels were more trouble than they were worth, the 430 had gone through several injection pumps and the machine in general seemed sluggish, the old Bolens ran circles around it in the dirt. I had a few Montgomery Wards Gilson S models, an S14, and S15, both were great machines, a bit smaller but more maneuverable than the larger models it competed with and the hydro was by far the toughest. I used both of mine for mowing in PA, and really wish I had kept them and sold the JD machines back then but I got talked into keeping green and selling the older S14 and S15. They were smaller, on par with a Sears Suburban but they were by far the best all around machines I ever had.
The 330 was short lived, I never much liked it and traded it for the 2072 when the 2072 was brand new. The MF 2718 was a mistake, an electrical mess, its twin Landlord 20 was just as bad. I don't think either ever started without tinkering, the deck was nice but the motor and newer configuration was a complete mess. If the motor doesn't power the machine via driveshaft, I don't want it for the most part, the only esception might be a larger Roper or Sears for mowing in the GT series, but nothing after the 90's.
Of all the 'garden tractors' I've owned the three that stand out to me are the Simplicity 7116H or 916H Allis Chalmers, the Gilson S15, and the Simplicity 3410 three speed.
I will likely own a Simplicity or AC machine forever, and would buy another Gilson in heartbeat if a deal popped up.
I won't touch anything newer, you can do a lot of rebuilding and repowering for what they want for this new stuff that won't last to see a second season.
I was talking to a guy who has owned a Mahindra, which is smaller than the X500, for about 12 years, he loves it, it is 4x4, and its got a small diesel 2 cylinder motor. He wanted to upgrade to a new one because the old one has close to 4,500 hours on it, and what he bought then for $5,500, is gone now, and the smallest they make is the 1100, which starts at $15k. Kioti, MF and LS have all done the same thing.
For years we had Bolens Large frame tractors, starting with a 1250, then a 1455, then an H23, then a Bolens Iseki, which got sold when parts became a big issue in the early 90s. My uncle owned a Satoh Beaver, which was a great machine, made by Mitsubishi, about the same size as the Bolens Large frame and JD 300 series. But parts for that were a tough find back then. I suppose now the web may have made that easier but they are still rare models.
I started buying Simplicity and AC garden tractors by chance in the 90's, I happened on a 7119 with all the attachments in excellent shape but with a bad KT19, I swapped in a clean Magnum 20hp from a used Snapper mower and its still here today. I bought a 916 and a 7116 with no attachments, no deck but a brand new motor in a box, got both for $250 at a local auction. I put the new motor in the 916, and had a good running 16hp BS for the 7116. I've since added four 3400 models as well. I use the 3410 to run the tiller in the spring, it never comes off the back of that one, I use the 3410H to push snow, its got a plow attached at all times, plus a belly grader. The other 3410 with a three speed has a dirt plow, and my one shuttle, a 3410s has a brinly disk on it. My 7116 gets used with the snow blower, and the 916 also had a snow plow with power angle added.
They are simple to keep running, built like tanks, and cheap to own if they need work. They out work the old Bolens large frame mainly in that they both fit in smaller places, are easier to set up, and cheaper to fix. They also seem better at ground engagement vs the foot control hydro on the Bolens.
Foot control was the one thing I absolutely hated about the Bolens, It was nearly impossible to keep steady pedal pressure when mowing or plowing snow. The foot control meant it got used more as a point and shoot type of machine. You either pegged the pedal down or let up, anything in between meant your foot bouncing on the pedal.
I did try a few newer simplcity machines, but anything beyond the GTH series in the early 90's or the green Deutz Allis models isn't the same.
The best thing is that they made millions of these things. I'm in an area that never had a local dealer and they are still plentiful
I had one with a loader but found it sort of a nuisance most of the time. My Bolens 1250 and 1455 also had Johnson loaders. I have a larger tractor for that. If I need a loader, I use the Case 580E.
Over the years I've owned a Cub Cadet 1979-1200, a 1987 -2072, and a 2155. I had a JD 1982? 330, 1984 430, and a 1972 112, a 2001 MF 2718H and a 1998 Simplicity Landlord 20.
The 2072 was a good machine but the hydro needed repairs at 400 hrs, (leaks), the deck had to be replaced early on for rust, replaced with a welded aftermarket Haban deck, and the 1200 had overheating issues.
The JD diesels were more trouble than they were worth, the 430 had gone through several injection pumps and the machine in general seemed sluggish, the old Bolens ran circles around it in the dirt. I had a few Montgomery Wards Gilson S models, an S14, and S15, both were great machines, a bit smaller but more maneuverable than the larger models it competed with and the hydro was by far the toughest. I used both of mine for mowing in PA, and really wish I had kept them and sold the JD machines back then but I got talked into keeping green and selling the older S14 and S15. They were smaller, on par with a Sears Suburban but they were by far the best all around machines I ever had.
The 330 was short lived, I never much liked it and traded it for the 2072 when the 2072 was brand new. The MF 2718 was a mistake, an electrical mess, its twin Landlord 20 was just as bad. I don't think either ever started without tinkering, the deck was nice but the motor and newer configuration was a complete mess. If the motor doesn't power the machine via driveshaft, I don't want it for the most part, the only esception might be a larger Roper or Sears for mowing in the GT series, but nothing after the 90's.
Of all the 'garden tractors' I've owned the three that stand out to me are the Simplicity 7116H or 916H Allis Chalmers, the Gilson S15, and the Simplicity 3410 three speed.
I will likely own a Simplicity or AC machine forever, and would buy another Gilson in heartbeat if a deal popped up.
I won't touch anything newer, you can do a lot of rebuilding and repowering for what they want for this new stuff that won't last to see a second season.