| Author | Message | ||
     Jeepinbueller |
I'm buying my first home with my lovely fiancée right now, with closing planned this Wed (hopefully). The federal USDA mortgage approval process is really dragging its feet (60+ days to close). When I get into the house, my first job is to find a machine to take care of the 2.5 acres and 350 foot driveway in the winter. I've been looking at the older machines since my budget is $2.5k ... maybe $3k with attachments. Locally, the John Deeres look to be a great value——the 300 and 400 series is where I'm concentrating since I need an actual garden tractor and not a light-duty lawn machine (talking about the 318, 322, 332, 425, 445, 455, not the newer X3-- and X4-- machines). I've looked at some Cub Cadets, both IH and MTD manufactured, and wasn't too impressed with the quality. I could be convinced the other way, but the heavy gauge steel on the Deeres make them feel like they'd hold up better. The older Kubota diesel CUTs and garden tractors are just squeaking into my price range, but they are a rarer find. They seem to be awesome, heavy machines with 4WD. What are your guys thoughts for those that have some land to take care of? (Message edited by jeepinbueller on January 04, 2016) | ||
| Etennuly |
I have 12 acres. I have, for many good economic years, mowed 8 acres every week with my 6' belly mower, and mowed the rest with my 6' bush hog attachment. I have a 2006 JD 3520 4x4 E hydro with front loader, mowers and a bunch of other attachments. Dead nuts dependable, ten years, two batteries, new front tires and one electronic glitch isn't bad considering I use it for a lot of hard work. It is over budget and over kill for what you need, but I figured I would let you know where I am coming from. In '99 I bought my first tractor, a new JD 790 4x4 manual trans with front loader and 5' bush hog. I did an incredible amount with this tractor although it was overall one third smaller than my 3520. I would still have that one but I needed more lifting capacity and wanted to mow faster. It never broke anything in seven years, one battery, new front tires, and a new seat along with good maintenance. I recouped all but $1500 of my original cost when I sold it. Keep a JD looking nice and they really hold their value. You are right to be looking for a "real" tractor, not a stamped steel lawn tool. I have one of those too, a JD L130, useful for mowing the smaller stuff, but that is about all. 4x4 will in actuality double the tractor's ability compared to a 2x4. Power steering is important on one over 500 pounds, not only to save you effort, but it is much easier on the tractor, it will also take you out of the stamped steel front axle category. 2x4 or 4x4 you will need chains to plow any serious snow. My JD 4x4 on snow is stuck easier than my wife's car. It has industrial lug tires. My 790 had farm/field tires and it was even worse on snow. When I was a kid my dad had a 1963 Wheel Horse 2x4 7hp industrial type frame, lawn tractor. It had a 4' snow plow and tire chains. It was amazing how much that thing would push. I could ramp up snow piles and push the heavy wet stuff 12 feet high if we were out of room to push it off the sides. Tire chains are everything to a tractor. If you will be pushing gravel wheel weights are a good idea also. Just get the right basic machine. Accessories can be found by searching around a bit. Things you don't use much buy used and cheap, fixer upper even. Some attachments I have only get used for about one hour a year, but it is still needed. Hope you enjoy all of what life is bringing you. Congrats! | ||
| Hootowl |
I've been looking at the 100 series JD, and even they have real front axles (not stamped steel). Been reading that they have transmission issues though. I'm conflicted. I just bought the lot next to me (property wide utility easement...no structures allowed) and have already tired of mowing it with a push mower. So I'm in the market. Watching this thread. Edjoomakate me. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Got an acre, bought a Husqvarna YTH22K42 very happy with it. Cost CAD3000 inc 3yr front to back warranty. http://www.husqvarna.com/ca/en/products/garden-tra ctors/yth22k42/ | ||
| Robertl |
I only have .7 acre so bought a zero turn because my only goal was to mow as fast as possible. 40-45 minutes is my record so far...lol. It is a troy bilt but is actually a cub cadet. Other than the annoying low oil light when it is always full and no fuel gauge it has been great. Oh, and it slings grass at least 6 ft out the side so I have to be extra careful near the plant beds and pool, making sure I have it aimed the other direction. Not ideal for towing and other stuff though. Hitch not available for the TB model but same chassis cadet has a hitch available from home depot for $25. http://www.lowes.com/pd_521681-270-17ARCACS011_1z0 wgctZ1z0yz8l__?productId=50119611&pl=1 @Hootowl, I highly recommend a zero turn for mowing and the reviews are almost always positive (the other reason I bought one). The consumer grade machines are definitely built on the cheaper side, many of them made by the same company and just rebranded. Most of the time, just mowing grass and towing the small trailer available these are fine and will last if taken care of. I recall my dad buying a cub cadet lawn tractor that had shaft drive to the hydrostatic trans. It was only 13hp but he would tow his 3000 lb boat around the yard. After 13 yrs or more it finally gave out (think it threw the rod). We are talking constant use and abuse. He recently got a newer consumer cadet mower and although it has nearly twice the motor, can mow faster, it doesn't have the tow strength the shaft drive did. At the end of the day, I wanted a garden tractor with PTO but decided all I really needed was a fast mower. I financed mine through Lowe's at 5.99 fixed for 84 months or something like that. Glad I spent the extra money because there just too many bad reviews on riding mowers, including the Craftsman Garden Tractor (axle issues if I remember correctly). Living in the south all my life, I can't help much on the snow part, but looks like that rules out a zero turn.  You didn't say if the 2.5 acres was grass, wooded, etc. If you need a bushog, then have to go bigger to get 3 point and PTO? Hope that helps some. | ||
| Aesquire |
1983..ish John Deere 430. Diesel. Heavy. Picked it up for about 3k$ with mower, snow blade, and a couple of spare parts. 3 acres of barely improved plowed field posing as a lawn. When the young couple moved in next door, they had the father in laws old Ariens, and killed it in half the lawn. They went out and bought a big box store Deere, and seemed happy with it, until I had a leaky rear main seal and while my old one was in the shop, they loaned me a 525. Comparing them was enlightening. He then told me he had to have the front end rebuilt every year. He then picked up a full suspension zero turn, a Ferris, and finally was able to pass me while mowing. I've had some electrical issues with mice chewing on wires, had a rear seal go, and average over the last 10 years about $500 a year in repairs and scheduled maintenance. It has no issues at all towing a 45 foot car trailer, loaded, ( although Not much over 25 mph, to be fair ) and generally is a brute. I have the 3 point hitch in back, but not the power take off. ( which you can sometimes find on E-bay ) Without chains, my VW would do a better job pushing the snow blade, and I actually haven't bothered to put it on for years. With chains and weights it will move snow, but you really need a blower in my part of the rust belt. | ||
| Tombo |
Garden tractor is a good way to go. I had a Husky lawn tractor which was great for mowing but bought a JD 730X and added a front blade and it makes easy work of leveling ground, pushing back encroaching bushes and plowing snow. Last year was record snow in New England and I was happy to have this workhorse for my 70ft drive. I went with the 2 wheel drive version and use chains in the winter and have not felt a need for 4wd. I am sure it is a plus, but I wanted less to go wrong and maintain. Problem is the 700 series costs almost as much as a sub compact, but for my 2 acre purposes I felt it was just right. The 300 and 500 series are also real garden tractors, but the older models you listed are great machines from what I have read about them. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I did look at buying all the snow gear for the Husky tractor, but what with the counterbalance weights & chains etc etc I was looking at nearly as much the tractor, so I picked up a MTD Gold 24" snowblower for less than a grand canadian & it does the job very well in not much time. Got a foot of snow here at the moment. | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
Thanks guys, let's see some pics, too! A good thread ain't nothing without toy pics, right? My land is mostly cleared with some large trees to maneuver around--some beds and random landscaping thrown in there, too. No high grass or brush to worry about. The house is in the back of the 2.5 acre lot at the top of a slight hill, so the front lawn is roughly 120 x 100 ft and is sloped, but uniform, the entire way down to the road. The back yard has some outbuildings. The driveway is paved and is about 290 ft long, with a 40 x 40 ft pad at the top with a detached double garage. I would really like to get a blower to reduce drivetrain wear from trying to push everything. I'd rather throw it. I would love to find a 430, Aesquire. The 400 series diesels are usually at the upper limit of my price range. Also, the 332 is the Yanmar diesel, so I've been looking for those and the 455. A couple I've been eyeing... - http://westmd.craigslist.org/grd/5376328375.html - http://southjersey.craigslist.org/grd/5330346035.html - http://york.craigslist.org/grd/5384412047.html - http://york.craigslist.org/grd/5357874999.html - http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/grd/5310203167.html - http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/grq/5307672223.html (Message edited by jeepinbueller on January 04, 2016) | ||
| 86129squids |
I stopped today in my local Bargain Hunt store here in Maryville TN, and was heavily amused to find they had for sale about 6 snowblowers, different kinds/brands... I mean, really? Here in E TN?  Of course, now I've jinxed us all here. Maybe I should go get one to be safe, then sell it to one of you sorryaiss Northerners. | ||
| Prior |
JeepinBueller, The older Deere's like you are looking at (332, 400, 318 etc) are all good choices. Attachments can be difficult to find, so you may want to look for the complete package or know where implements can be found up front. www.machinefinder.com is a good place to look. Some of the newer machines, the X500 and up are also good, but more pricey and not quite as heavy. Depending on what you eventually want to do, a small ag tractor, like a Farmall Cub, can run a belly mower, small implements and push quite a bit of snow with tire chains. I would stay away from the big box machines, they are built to a price point and aren't as easy to work on or have rebuild-able components like the larger machines. You do have a few good Deere dealers in your area (Finch Services and Southern York Tractor), check out what they have used or let them know what you're looking for and sometimes they have folks looking to trade where you can make a deal directly so the dealer doesn't have to take in a trade. I did this recently with a purchase of a 1026R, sold my X500 directly to someone the dealer knew for much more than the dealer would have given me, but they still got a good deal and the dealer didn't need to mess with the trade. I have a few friends in your area (based on your craigslist searches) that might be able to help you out as well- I grew up in Hanover and have a few farmer friends there and one friend who does a lot of restoration on tractors and WWII vehicles who knows a lot of people with iron. Drop me a PM with your email address and I'll put you in touch. Prior | ||
| Etennuly |
That is a good long driveway. Make sure any snow plow you get can be hydraulically lifted and angled from the driver seat. The better snow plows for small tractors mount like the one my dad's Wheel Horse did, it had a long under belly frame that attached to the rear axle/gear house. It had a hydraulic lift arm in the middle of the tractor. Those things are important to moving snow regularly. Here are some pictures of about as red-neck a thing that can be done with a tractor. The tractor weighs about 5500 pounds with the loader/mower/filled rear tires. The 3/4 ton chassis, what is a Chevy with a Jeep front on it, with the engine/trans and crap on it weighs about 2500. The 31 foot fifth wheel camper filled with it's living load weighs close to 12,000 pounds. The challenge was to move it from where I park it by the pool up hill to above the house to the septic drain and down the slope back to it's parking spot. About a 1/4 mile round trip. This problem came up not long after I sold my big truck.  So I welded my fifth wheel hitch on the chassis, and fabbed up a tow bar from scraps, in a couple of hours, problem solved.     At this point I was thinking "Man I hope my neighbors don't see this!". 20,000 pounds, up hill and down, 37 hp turbo diesel 4x4. I had it in low gear range at about half throttle, and did not have any problems with lack of power. These Yanmar 3 cylinder diesels are pretty good. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Josh, I'd strongly advise you to listen to Mr Prior, he bleeds green.  | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
I bought a Kubota F3680. 38 hp 4 cylinder diesel, 4wd, 72" deck. I can now mow my yard in 28 minutes. Less ass time on mower = more ass time on bike. (Message edited by figorvonbuellingham on January 05, 2016) | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
Vern that's awesome and a testament to getting the damn job done! I wouldn't judge if I saw you toting the RV in that, but I'd definitely run over to see what you were thinking swapping a JD powerplant into a Jeevy hybrid. -------------------------- So just a little side update about the house... we were supposed to close today. USDA DENIED US the mortgage after preapproving us back in Oct, giving us our mortgage number and everything in Nov, pushing our closing date back FOUR TIMES——once for fiancée's finance info, once for an addition termite and railing inspection, the third time's reason has ragequit and fled my mind forever to be repressed, and this latest time.... get this, folks: "the 10x20 ft shed in the backyard could be used as an income producing structure and therefore disqualifies the property from the USDA loan." Each time a day before the closing date. I do everything right. The home inspection went flawless, and not due to brevity: it took us five hours to get through the 1,600 sq.ft. house, and we were thorough. All financial info sent early and complete. Yup. We were denied our home we've been waiting for for over 65 days now since the contract's been signed, two extensions filed, because an EMPTY shed with only a workbench, wood stove, and lawnmower could potentially be income-producing. What?? Federal government pencil pushers messing life up again. The seller is obviously furious as well. SO we filed an appeal with the USDA, but also transferring everything over to an FHA loan to see what happens. Who knows at this point, I've lost faith that people actually try to do their jobs. Anyway, no tractor until we close and it's frustrating! Thank you guys for the input, and PM sent, Alex! | ||
| Etennuly |
I have seen the exact same thing happen to three family members over the last two years. My eldest son lost three home deals over six months because of it. What ever reason they have for doing so is cruel treatment for sure. Not to poop in this thread but oddly enough each of these three voted republican. Same noted for a woman who works with my wife. | ||
| Robertl |
Sorry to hear this. Hope things work out for you. Is there a way to classify the 2nd structure as uninhabitable? Show that it doesn't meet min codes for living? Our first home we bought a foreclosure with a FHA loan. Used a broker recommended by the realtor. It was smooth and simple, other than all the document signings. Even with mortgage being sold a few times, everything was seamless. When we sold it, the VA said something about the small patio cover (it was not part of the house structure and added on before we bought). I told the buyer, he could either sign off to accept as is, or I was ripping it down but I wasn't replacing it. Not sure what the buyer did but all went through as is. Sold that one and bought another 2 yrs ago. Went through our local bank, Chase, with a regular loan (see note below). The first appraisal was stop on the asking/offer price, but then as the last moment Chase ordered another appraisal. That one came in 20k less so Chase then said that is all they would loan us. Luckily our down payment, closing costs, small reduction in price, and a 4k loan from seller, got us in. Of course, we were sitting at the title office for hours and hours because some other person at Chase (obviously new) wanted a new house permit on a 11 yr old house. After multiple delays by Chase, we had then reached the end and even an extension at our rental so we were moving stuff into the garage of the new house before the seller was moved out (that's a whole different story that my wife still can't let go...lol). We saved and went with a traditional loan b/c of the FHA change in 2009 or 2010 where FHA loan requires PMI the life of the loan. Were as before and with traditional, only have to carry PMI until 20% is paid off principle. It is nice having our mortgage visible when we log into our bank account BUT holly crap it was not worth all that @#%$#@. There is no shortage of ignorance and incompetency in this world. Good luck and in the end, it will all be worth it. | ||
| Prior |
Josh, Got your PM, I'll still pass on your info- perhaps get my buddy Brian motivated to get his M2 running again and get out and riding. Buying houses is a pain in the ass. It's not like a car where you can walk if you don't like the terms- you get so much time, money and effort involved it's difficult to walk away, of you lose all of that investment. If it's the right place, stick with it, and the best of luck. Isn't the gov't fun??? Prior | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
Thank you! I'm always down for a ride, if the 1125 decides to start that day ... but that's another issue entirely, haha. The whole thing has just felt like a big, loose mess. We ported our loan over from the USDA to FHA, and we should close by this Monday! Excited, but also trying not to get my hopes up too much due to the recent letdowns. We'll see. On another positive this week, Audi of America decided to cover the high pressure fuel pump (with its cam follower) and both camshafts under a 10 year, 120 mi extended warranty for my EXACT issue (cam follower let go and destroyed both exhaust and intake camshafts, HPFP housing, adjuster——the whole kaboodle. 100% covered (being an '06 with 110k mi, awesome), but only after three calls to corporate trying to get it out of them how to handle the claim. Sneakies. I found a SUPER CLEAN, restored 318 with a 54 deck and two stage snowblower for $2500. I might have to take that one, but still looking for those gem 4-5 machines. | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
This guy is willing to let his 425 go (that's a carbed V-twin, compared to the 445 EFI gas and 455 diesel) for $2200 without the bucket. 54" deck and wheel weights is perfect. Just need to save another grand or so for a blower. http://lancaster.craigslist.org/grd/5379952157.htm l Here is that clean 318: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/grd/5390464129. html I think the extra weight, torque, and locking rear differential will help a lot in the winter on the driveway. | ||
| Etennuly |
That locking rear is great if you have chains, and it is awesome when digging dirt. On wet slippery snow/ice without chains, I thought locking the rear would help. During the one or two weeks a year we get snow, with the slope of my drive way, my 4x4 790 did a long slow hundred foot or so slide that I could not stop, nor would it let the rear axle unlock. Thought I was going to die at less than 2 mph! I like both of your choices for what they are. Don't sell short the idea of finding a way to come up with the money for that loader. Having a back problem, I won't be without mine. It is amazing how much more work your body can do in a day, if you can roll something into the bucket and let the tractor do the lifting and moving. Given the smaller one has the blower attached and set up I'd have to give that deal a lot of thought. | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
Thought I'd post what I ended up with: 1993 455 with 60" deck. 2700 hrs (ouch), but with a new transaxle and a well-maintained Yanmar diesel it should last me through 5k hours easy. Paid $2500. Hood and side panels are 100% structurally with no cracks or dents. The hood and side panels alone are worth about $600 in their condition if I needed to replace them.  (Message edited by jeepinbueller on January 21, 2016) | ||
| Etennuly |
Good looking piece there! Did you get a snow blade or blower? I have over 2000 hours on my current Yanmar diesel and the first one I had was over 2000 when I sold it. Still just doing normal maintenance. My most frequent thing is cleaning the screen in front of the radiator. Then I flush water through the radiator fins about every month or so. Some stuff can get pricey, but they seem to last a good long while. My double air filter set is $189, but I found that when I change the $70 outer one a few times the inner one stays good. My hydro trans filter was over $100 and took eight gallons of JD's special fluid. It is great to see you tied it down with a chain!  The newer light weight econo models need to be tied with ratchet straps. A chain would break parts off from it! Our JD L130 has an added on front bumper that bends when strapped. | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
Unfortunately I couldn't find one with a blade or blower——they are getting increasingly harder to find at a good price, most of the time paired with the tractor. I'm looking around for a used 47" two-stage blower, but it'll probably be a year or two before one makes its way into my shed. I can't wait to maintain this thing: it's so simple! | ||
| Etennuly |
Here is what I did with my JD last week. Electric Company said tree had to go for over head wires to come in. Since I planted this tree there nearly ten years ago I wanted to move it to where my son and his family could enjoy it.  Ya have to dig a large area with a front loader to go deep enough to save the root ball.   Bob Ross would have called it a "happy little tree", I'm sure.  |
