New Mower/Lawn Tractor

[heatfactor813]

Hello all,
First timer here. So, I'm looking to buy a new lawn tractor, and have never bought one. So I definitely have questions and concerns. So first thing is I have approximately 7 acres and it will be used for both lawn and rough-cut use. There are no major hills, just slight grades all sloping down the same direction. The Field gras is of course rough cut and about 5 acres. It is thick and if I forget to cut it one week, by the next it will be quite a few inches high if not almost a foot. It would not be just for mowing, but also for a multi-purpose use? What size mower and what horsepower would you all recommend? Any special features or options? Service and warranty? Finally do you all have recommendations, on brands in particular?
Thank you all for your help and recommendations.
Justin Wolfe

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Hello all,
First timer here. So, I'm looking to buy a new lawn tractor, and have never bought one. So I definitely have questions and concerns. So first thing is I have approximately 7 acres and it will be used for both lawn and rough-cut use. There are no major hills, just slight grades all sloping down the same direction. The Field gras is of course rough cut and about 5 acres. It is thick and if I forget to cut it one week, by the next it will be quite a few inches high if not almost a foot. It would not be just for mowing, but also for a multi-purpose use? What size mower and what horsepower would you all recommend? Any special features or options? Service and warranty? Finally do you all have recommendations, on brands in particular?
Thank you all for your help and recommendations.
Justin Wolfe

I really can't help you with brands, but you will be putting a LOT of wear-and-tear on your mower! 7 acres is a lot for a lawn tractor! :confused2:

 

[A_tank96]

With that much acreage you will need a very high end lawn tractor. What's your budget? We use a John Deere 445 with Power Steering and all the rest. We have 8 acres. Cost us about 11000 new.

A_tank96

 

[silver1]

Hello all,
First timer here. So, I'm looking to buy a new lawn tractor, and have never bought one. So I definitely have questions and concerns. So first thing is I have approximately 7 acres and it will be used for both lawn and rough-cut use. There are no major hills, just slight grades all sloping down the same direction. The Field gras is of course rough cut and about 5 acres. It is thick and if I forget to cut it one week, by the next it will be quite a few inches high if not almost a foot. It would not be just for mowing, but also for a multi-purpose use? What size mower and what horsepower would you all recommend? Any special features or options? Service and warranty? Finally do you all have recommendations, on brands in particular?
Thank you all for your help and recommendations.
Justin Wolfe

A bush hog cutter will do nicely on the "rough-cut" area, but most need a PTO and three point to use it.
So a small tractor is a better for that. So that gets up in the $10K or better.

 

[Ric]

Hello all,
First timer here. So, I'm looking to buy a new lawn tractor, and have never bought one. So I definitely have questions and concerns. So first thing is I have approximately 7 acres and it will be used for both lawn and rough-cut use. There are no major hills, just slight grades all sloping down the same direction. The Field grass is of course rough cut and about 5 acres. It is thick and if I forget to cut it one week, by the next it will be quite a few inches high if not almost a foot. It would not be just for mowing, but also for a multipurpose use? What size mower and what horsepower would you all recommend? Any special features or options? Service and warranty? Finally do you all have recommendations, on brands in particular?
Thank you all for your help and recommendations.
Justin Wolfe

The things I would ask are first what kinda of budget are you talking about? How often are you planing on mowing and How much time do you want to spend mowing. Are you completely sold on a tractor or would a good ZTR or some other type of mower be something you would look at as an option.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

A bush hog cutter will do nicely on the "rough-cut" area, but most need a PTO and three point to use it.
So a small tractor is a better for that. So that gets up in the $10K or better.

Yeah....maybe something like this: Kubota Tractor Corporation - BX Series - Sub-Compact Tractors

 

[dwzimmer]

Yep a top of the line ztr could do the job a zd from kubota or even a scag Turf tiger. However, it you want something to multitask with such as bush hog or plow snow a kubota b or bx series would do the job!

 

[Rivets]

I posted the following to another poster who was purchasing a new unit. These are things that you need to research the dealers as well as the equipment when making this type of investment. One thing to remember, this is not like buying a new car.


When looking at repairs and parts, you can't just say this one is more costly, that one is cheaper. I would ask each dealers you are considering the following questions and then compare.

1. What is the cost of a replacement set of blades? Common replacement item, but prices vary greatly, depending on unit.
2. What is your shop hourly rate?
3. What does your shop do when you bring your unit in for a yearly tune-up and complete check over? What is the average time to complete? Most good shops will have a checkoff sheet of what the techs do. Ask for a copy, if they have none be careful, means they have no set procedure, walk away.
4. What is the average cost of this check over?
5. Do they have a free or reduced pick up and delivery for their purchasing customers?
6. Do they service their customers first or is it a first in, first out service?
7. What parts are not covered under the warranty? Some warranties do not cover things like tires, spindles, and belts.
8. If you do your own service will it void the warranty?
Comparing these will give you a good idea of what your unit will cost down the road, even if you or your better half will do some of the maintenance yourself. Also, find something which your better half will be comfortable using, this will make your decision easier.

That being said, after reading your post, I would recommend looking at a compact tractor which you would be able to hook many different attachments, as your needs change in the future. Think more about what you may want to do two years from now when making your decision. I would make a recommendation of taking a serious look at the B and BX series in the Kubota line. They can do just about anything you want to do now and can take add ons for future needs.

Hope this helps.

 

[fry]

I posted the following to another poster who was purchasing a new unit. These are things that you need to research the dealers as well as the equipment when making this type of investment. One thing to remember, this is not like buying a new car.


When looking at repairs and parts, you can't just say this one is more costly, that one is cheaper. I would ask each dealers you are considering the following questions and then compare.

1. What is the cost of a replacement set of blades? Common replacement item, but prices vary greatly, depending on unit.
2. What is your shop hourly rate?
3. What does your shop do when you bring your unit in for a yearly tune-up and complete check over? What is the average time to complete? Most good shops will have a checkoff sheet of what the techs do. Ask for a copy, if they have none be careful, means they have no set procedure, walk away.
4. What is the average cost of this check over?
5. Do they have a free or reduced pick up and delivery for their purchasing customers?
6. Do they service their customers first or is it a first in, first out service?
7. What parts are not covered under the warranty? Some warranties do not cover things like tires, spindles, and belts.
8. If you do your own service will it void the warranty?
Comparing these will give you a good idea of what your unit will cost down the road, even if you or your better half will do some of the maintenance yourself. Also, find something which your better half will be comfortable using, this will make your decision easier.

That being said, after reading your post, I would recommend looking at a compact tractor which you would be able to hook many different attachments, as your needs change in the future. Think more about what you may want to do two years from now when making your decision. I would make a recommendation of taking a serious look at the B and BX series in the Kubota line. They can do just about anything you want to do now and can take add ons for future needs.

Hope this helps.

Yes, Rivets this helped us ALOT.:thumbsup:
Please forgive me for not thanking you before now for taking the time to make out this list....it's a lot of help.

 

[possum]

Try to find someone to swathe and bale most of it into hay. Get rid of it that way instead of mowing so much.