Choice of a single tractor

[IthacaJeff 151]

Okay, looking for some fun discussion. Here is the question. You can have only a single garden

tractor. What would it be? Here are some rules and conditions:

1. Any brand. Yes, you can choose a non-WH, or any brand you have not owned.

2. No sub-compact utility tractors, no 4WD. 3 pt hitches okay, as they did come on garden tractors.

3. Tractor must handle all the lawn/garden chores. Assume you have no zero-turn for mowing or

farm tractor for maintaining the garden.

4. You may choose a top pick and two alternates. You may assume the tractors are in new condition.

Here are mine. I have only experience with WH and Simplicity, so I'm pretty limited on my knowledge.

1. Deere 422 (or whatever the model with the Yanmar diesel and 3 pt hitch. ) The diesel makes it.

2. WH 416-8, Kohler Magnum. Simplicity of use. No fancy hydraulics, easy mechanicals to fix.

Jeff in Enfield NY

[mrocket49 23]

Choice #1- Wheel Horse C-195. I like the bigger rear tires and 3 pt. hitch option.

Choice #2- Wheel Horse C-175 Automatic. I have one and it does everything I need it to.

Choice #3- John Deere 400. These just always seemed to be a good tractor.

[Don1977 604]

NOS 1977 C-160 8 SPEED

I know it's not going to happen , but you asked. LOL

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 137]

Even though this violates the 4WD rule I'd choose a 2012 John Deere Select Series X749 4-Wheel Steer 4-Wheel Drive Ultimate Tractor with all the attachments. It's about $12K for just the Garden Tractor without a deck but after I was done adding every attachment and option I could find I had it up to around $30k. I like Steiner tractors a lot but the proprietary attachments make them unattractive to me.

[Rollerman 290]

If money were no object, probably a Simplicity Legacy W/FEL, front assist, 3PH, 60" deck & tiller attachment.

On a practical side......Any Kohler powered long frame 8 speed/8 pinnion WheelHorse from 73 on.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,131]

I'm with DoctorFurburger on the 4WD rule breaking, but definitely not the John Deere part.

While at the local dealer picking up Stihl parts a few weeks ago, I laid my eyes on a shiny new BX2660 Kubota with a front end loader & a 54" mower deck. It was absolutely a garden tractor - and my cost was only $19K.

Been researching the Ventrac 4226D & 4231TD models for work (golf course / country club maintenance) and wouldn't mind having one of those here at the house either.

In reality, my 416-H and/or GT-1848 are perfectly fine for what I need, and neither tractor has ever let me down. (except for running out of gas )

[refracman 167]

Hmmm

Its the 430 that has the deisel,

First Like Rollerman the Simplicity Legacy is nice, 2sp rear w/loc power steering and if you want, 4wd

Second would be a 1984 C195 why 84 it came stock w /3pt and had the series 2 KT

Third would be the never failing to do whatever you ask of it is the C160 Hydro

[wallfish 17,012]

It's about $12K for just the Garden Tractor without a deck but after I was done adding every attachment and option I could find I had it up to around $30k.

That is one beatiful tractor but for 30K--- I could go to Vegas, gamble, drink, order up some fine women, pick up an old C series and then waste the rest of it. LOL

[Jim_M 178]

I would have to go with a 416-H or a C-160 automatic.

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 137]

It's about $12K for just the Garden Tractor without a deck but after I was done adding every attachment and option I could find I had it up to around $30k.

That is one beatiful tractor but for 30K--- I could go to Vegas, gamble, drink, order up some fine women, pick up an old C series and then waste the rest of it. LOL

Yeah; that's a bit much for a Garden Tractor even with every attachment I could find on their website. I'm sure there's a comparable tractor from other popular companies for much less but I haven't done any research. I think Deere makes a good product but I've never been able to justify their higher prices compared to similar specifications of other brand tractors. But if it were a gift I probably wouldn't refuse it. :D

[wallfish 17,012]

Me Either

[Jake Kuhn 1,555]

I hope nobody gets mad with me going off brand but I would take a simplicity prestige with 3pt and a loader,Jake

[jay in nc 210]

for me it would be a c 161 8 speed but with a solid mount engine.for #2 a 12 hp. graveley walk behind w duals,steering sulky and as many attchments as i could bring home

[Forest Road 594]

My 312-8 hasn't let me down! She plows dirt and snow, tows logs, tills earth, chips/pulverizes wood, mows, and grades 1/2 mile+ annually with ease. So I'll keep her! A 16hp Magnum would be nice but thats all I'd change. I rebuilt the trans last year, and its an 8 pinion!!!! I'll never burn up a hydro motor or worry about the hydro ram leaking. So with new ags all the way around and a fresh coat of paint, LED tail lights, and terry's vinyl she's good to go for many years to come.

As for a second tractor I have a 314H I blow snow with but in truth really depends on the chore and what the rental store has available. Every couple of years I find myself hiring somebody with a machine or renting one for a few days. I love the maintence schedule on those rentals!

[Hodge71 664]

As far as brand new machines, I'd have to agree with TT. You just cant beat the Kubota. But I unfortunately live in this little town called reality and I could never afford a new machine. So with that said I LOVE my 1973 18 Auto. Its a real piece of crap right now, but in my distorted little mind it shows alot of potential and in about 1 more week it should be running well and have all new sneakers instead of bald car tires. I always wanted one since I was 7 and read my Dads dealer propaganda for '73.

[steamfitter 0]

I would say my 417a it does everything that I need. although, my 314/8 is also a close second choice

[dclarke 4,032]

I got one of the ones I wanted last year. Some day I want to get a cab and blower for it.

[boovuc 1,090]

If shopping for a new tractor and IF I had just cashed in a North America record lottery ticket, I'd have a Kabota BX series with an FEL and other toys.

In reality, Either my C175-8 or the 310-8 as my primary tractor. (very dependable).

Second tractor would be my 520-H.

[can whlvr 993]

i would pic my c160 auto,then my 414-8

[mowerman1193 32]

Do I choose the one I like best or the one that I don't mind making needed repairs to when needed, LOL

I have owned and worked on a lot of tractors over the years. The heavy built tactors to me are the Deeres. I have 2 140 H3's and love them..but if I choose any tractor then I would go with a Deere with power steering etc..Not sure what ones have that but I do know the 318, 332, etc do but I like the 400 and 425's etc too..If I am doing repairs I don't want it to be a Deere, LOL..My choice then goes to any of the Wheel Horse/Toro models with the tach-matic and the second choice is old Simplicity's

Kevin

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

Hmmm...That is a hard question.

I would have to go with the Wheel Horse 312-8 as my top choice. I bought one last spring and it was just an AWESOME tractor. It really impressed me alot. I sold that one, in order to buy a tractor with a tiller. Well, I just had to buy another 312-8. Short story, I ended up buying another one last fall and it is just as good as my first one. It does everything that I need it to do. I really like it alot!

An alternative choice would either be an Allis Chalmers 900 series or a older Cub Cadet.

[smoreau 658]

I really love my 417A!! its got great power, hydro lift, ok on gas compared to my Onen in the 520, and all my attachments I have will fit it. I know have 2 417A's , 85 and a 86 This is why this was my first choice for the hydraulic V blade. I would have to say that all my tractors are great, but when it comes to doing allot of hard work, My 417A is the first one I go to.

[Ken B 3,164]

This may not be the most Practical garden tractor out there but since the rules say I can only have one this would be it. Especially with that purty mower deck under it. You know I'd use it to.

[MalMac 1,331]

For me any of the 78 or 79 C-series the bread and butter for Wheel Horse. Out of all the tractors I have. I use the C-81 the most. I even had a FEL on it at one time. Will do any chore and never complain except it you run it out of gas. It thinks it's a big HP tractor but don't tell it that.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

For an all around machine with the main uses s a mower and snow removal It would be my 417-8 or 520H (coin flip)