Need a new yard tractor for cutting grass and hauling wood

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SolarBrian said:
Do NOT go over to mytractorforum unless you want them to convince you to spend more money! :)

Seriously a great group of people there, but they really will convince you to buy more than you need so you "won't regret" it. Be warned.
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where were you when I needed you???;em actually, I love the little tractor.
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tcassavaugh said:
where were you when I needed you???;em actually, I love the little tractor.
View attachment 126605
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Nice!

That is what I wanted but didn't have the funds at the time. Since I sold my farmall I have been on the look out for a small Kubota with a bucket. Around here they either want to much $ or the machine is beat to death. I don't mind tinkering but I'm not looking to buy a project tractor.
 
Depending on your budget, I would go with an older JD or Cub (personally I prefer Cubs) form the 70's with the old school Kohler motors. the tractors were built better than anything today and the motors will run forever if taken care of. The machines were just plain over built.

Greg
 
I disagree with the above comment about mytractorforum. You absolutely must go there...used to have a JD X534, sold it after 1 year and upgraded to this:

5.jpg
 
HOLY CRAP !.....you guys have some collection of machines....looks to be in the range of $3,000 to the low / mid $20,000 range:cool:......I'm still doing an acre with a 21 inch self propelled.....had a used Cub 1320 Hydro for a year and a half (bought for $150, with bagger, and snowblower) before the deck bearing went, and the Wife said "No" to the repair cost....sold it to buy current mower.
 
tcassavaugh said:
where were you when I needed you???;em actually, I love the little tractor.
View attachment 126605
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1026R ?

When I was looking/deciding on a tractor to fit my needs perusing the JD forum there got me into a 2520 instead of a 2305.

Too many members there seem to have bought too big or too small.
If you're honest with yourself what your needs are/will be the consensus is usually fairly accurate.
 
billb3 said:
1026R ?

When I was looking/deciding on a tractor to fit my needs perusing the JD forum there got me into a 2520 instead of a 2305.

Too many members there seem to have bought too big or too small.
If you're honest with yourself what your needs are/will be the consensus is usually fairly accurate.
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yup, 1026R....I really like it.....however, I too am finding it just a bit too small. didn't figure I would want to lift as much....or put a chipper on the pto. so, in light of that, I come up a little light sometimes. most of the time however, its fine for what I need it for.
 
hey geek....where did you get the teeth-scrapers for your bucket.....that's what I want to get.
 
The tooth bar is stock Massey Ferguson. Apparently some dealers don't even know they offer one, you gotta push them to look again!

tcassavaugh said:
hey geek....where did you get the teeth-scrapers for your bucket.....that's what I want to get.
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I saw one in everything attachments.....cool place and free shipping :). I have to get a rake to help clean up the back 40 where i'm clearing but I want to get a set of bucket teeth too to get a bite on some of those stumps.....nice rig btw.....
 
To sort of get back to the OPs question. Towing load behind a riding mower can put a lot fo stress on the machine. Even the small trailers can actually hold a lot of weight. If you property is pretty much flat, you might be ok with a lower end model, such as those found at the big box stores. But if you want a machine to last a long time, you'll need to step up a bit. I would start at the JD X3xx, Simplicity Broodmore or equivalent. The JD X5xx models, or equivalent from Simplicity etc are pretty stout, and I wouldn't worry about them at all. They will last a good long time. Going crazy like some of us, isn't necessary, but it is fun!

My trailer hold a bit more than a cubic yard of material, and has a weight capacity around 1 ton. I am spreading mulch in the pic, but I have filled it heaping with firewood, and it does great behind my machine.

photo1.JPG
 
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Fiziksgeek said:
To sort of get back to the OPs question. Towing load behind a riding mower can put a lot fo stress on the machine. Even the small trailers can actually hold a lot of weight. If you property is pretty much flat, you might be ok with a lower end model, such as those found at the big box stores. But if you want a machine to last a long time, you'll need to step up a bit. I would start at the JD X3xx, Simplicity Broodmore or equivalent. The JD X5xx models, or equivalent from Simplicity etc are pretty stout, and I wouldn't worry about them at all. They will last a good long time. Going crazy like some of us, isn't necessary, but it is fun!

My trailer hold a bit more than a cubic yard of material, and has a weight capacity around 1 ton. I am spreading mulch in the pic, but I have filled it heaping with firewood, and it does great behind my machine.

View attachment 126781
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nice trailer !
 
Don't rule out the Kubota garden tractors. I have a late 90's G1800 3cyl diesel with the hydro tranny. Runs good pulls my 17 cu ft wagon loaded to heaping easily. You find the older G4200's for less than $1000 if you look around.
 
greg13 said:
Depending on your budget, I would go with an older JD or Cub (personally I prefer Cubs) form the 70's with the old school Kohler motors. the tractors were built better than anything today and the motors will run forever if taken care of. The machines were just plain over built.

Greg
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I have about $1200 in these two IH Cub Cadet 149s and attachments. Both are just over 40 years old and will probably be around another 40 with regular maintenance..
IMG_1069.JPG
 
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I purchased the my JD X500 (same as JoeyD) last July when I moved into my new house with a bigger yard to maintain. My main reason for going with the X500 was for the stouter transmission.
 
Not sure what your budget is, I run a JD 455 with the all wheel steer, Picked it up fairly cheap as it needed some cosmetic work, but I use it for everything from hauling wood, plowing snow, mowing, spraying, rotary broom which is waaayy better than raking rock, grading the drive, etc and I love the AWS, 6" trim radius with the 60 in deck. If your handy and like to tinker like me, some of these older models can be found reasonable cost.
 
Fiziksgeek said:
I disagree with the above comment about mytractorforum. You absolutely must go there...used to have a JD X534, sold it after 1 year and upgraded to this:

View attachment 126653
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Now you are talking.

Nothing blows snow like shaft driven diesels.

ir2nlz.jpg


2jajeow.jpg



Being 4WD, this pulls a 6 x 10' trailer quite well.

jt08d2.jpg
 
Nice toys boys! Im hooked . JD seems to be the BMW of mowers/tractors
 
I let the dealer talk me into turf tires instead of the agg tires....I think i'm going get some hybreds or the agg tires. not quite enough traction even in four wheel drive. either that or I have to cut down a pair of chains I have to fit the rear.
 
Here's my X500 today while transferring wood from shed to garage. I have to say I don't regret paying the extra money for the 500 series. The X500 gives you the beefier (and serviceable) transmission but it also has a rear diff-lock that is activated by a foot pedal to lock the rear axle if traction is poor. DSCN4006.JPG
 
nice.....looks like your supply is getting a little low
 
I like the idea of keeping it cheap...is it feasible to swap out my LT1000 weak hydro trams for something a little better? Engine seems plenty strong, rest of the tractor in good shape too as I have been fortunate to keep it in the garage
 
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