If you were to buy a new tractor, what would you purchase?

[IthacaJeff 151]

The JD X-series (e.g., X700) are true heavy duty garden tractors, and fully outfitted with a mower deck

and blower would cost beyond $10K. No way I could justify that. The Simplicities (e.g., Legacy XL) are

similar in form, function, and cost to the JDs. I don't believe the Kubotas are available any more with

the same level of ground engaging equipment as the JDs or Simps.

Dealer is important. In my area it is JD and Simplicity and Massey. For the $10K price of one of the

new garden tractors I'd get a used Kubota subcompact, a Deere 655/755 subcompact, a Deere 430 or

455 diesel garden tractor, and still have $5K in the bank.

Jeff

[wh500special 2,188]

I love to spend other people's money.

I know you said you'd rather avoid diesel power because of the secondary fuel issue, but my experience has been that for things that sit around - like a winter-use tractor - diesel tends to be more tolerant to time than gasoline. I know there can be fungal issues, but I've had the same half tank of diesel in my utility tractor for nearly two years and she still fires right up during her monthly exercise routine.

Anyway, a suggestion that would be my preference would be to get a subcompact utility like a Kubota box, Deere 2210, a new holland to, etc with a front end loader. Hang a two stage blower on the three point. Granted, you'd be blowing in reverse and looking over your shoulder, but you'd have the utility of the loader to deal with packed snow, icy crust, etc.

And, that loader would get used about every day for something around your house. It would be your wheel barrow.

Again, I like to spend your money.

Stay warm up der,

Steve

Edited January 25, 2013 by wh500special

[Fun Engineer 859]

The JD X-series (e.g., X700) are true heavy duty garden tractors, and fully outfitted with a mower deck

and blower would cost beyond $10K. No way I could justify that. The Simplicities (e.g., Legacy XL) are

similar in form, function, and cost to the JDs. I don't believe the Kubotas are available any more with

the same level of ground engaging equipment as the JDs or Simps.

Dealer is important. In my area it is JD and Simplicity and Massey. For the $10K price of one of the

new garden tractors I'd get a used Kubota subcompact, a Deere 655/755 subcompact, a Deere 430 or

455 diesel garden tractor, and still have $5K in the bank.

My thoughts exactly. I like the new X series. My big concern with a used machine is parts. I would guess that the major manufacturers are going to keep a good supply of parts on hand.

Jeff

I love to spend other people's money.

I know you said you'd rather avoid diesel power because of the secondary fuel issue, but my experience has been that for things that sit around - like a winter-use tractor - diesel tends to be more tolerant to time than gasoline. I know there can be fungal issues, but I've had the same half tank of diesel in my utility tractor for nearly two years and she still fires right up during her monthly exercise routine.

Anyway, a suggestion that would be my preference would be to get a subcompact utility like a Kubota box, Deere 2210, a new holland to, etc with a front end loader. Hang a two stage blower on the three point. Granted, you'd be blowing in reverse and looking over your shoulder, but you'd have the utility of the loader to deal with packed snow, icy crust, etc.

And, that loader would get used about every day for something around your house. It would be your wheel barrow.

Again, I like to spend your money.

Stay warm up der,

Steve

I've got a friend with a new Kubota, 20+ horse with front loader that has a quick disconnect that can be replaced with a his blower. He has a cab and heater and around $23,000 wrapped up in it. Way to expensive for my wallet but man is it a great machine. If I could find something used that was similar, I'd be interested. Love all the comments. keep them coming.

[buckrancher 2,679]

I had one of the "new" massey dealers ask me why I wouldn't buy one of his tractors

and my reply was : I only going to consider Kubota, John Deere and new holland because I wanted a tractor that I could find a dealer near me and buy parts for thirty years from now

Brian

Edited January 27, 2013 by buckrancher

[IthacaJeff 151]

Brian,

The guys at Littles? Simplicity makes the MF garden tractors, who makes the MF subcompacts I see

at the dealer? Any idea?

Jeff

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

If I were buying a sub compact, it would definetly be a Mahindra. I bought a Mahindra 4025 at the end of 2011. It had 29 hours on it. I now have 95 hours on it. It is a very well made tractor, and well worth every penny I paid for it.

[buckrancher 2,679]

Brian,

The guys at Littles? Simplicity makes the MF garden tractors, who makes the MF subcompacts I see

at the dealer? Any idea?

Jeff

they are made in Europe (agco)

[floor-it 11]

If I were to purchase a new tractor perhaps a John Deere x500 with 48" deck for garden tractor duties. The x500 is a 2WD tractor today and price is less than $5000. So I equate this to buying a Wheel Horse 520.

For small farm chores such as needing a front end loader (FEL), or a three point hitch I would purchase a John Deere x728 4WD tractor. The x728 can be $10,000. Remember the larger JD tractors are expensive.

The JD dealer network is everywhere and that is really what we had with Wheel Horse for about 45 years.

http://s1129.photobucket.com/albums/m504/GRF_57/John%20Deere%20x575/

[roscoemi 245]

Dave, P'Chop and I came up with a solution. I'll load the fronts on the Ranger, build a plywood/ plex cab and park the middle son on the hood with a shovel and trade you straight up for the Polaris. Your drive isn't much more than mine, but that slope would ba a %$@@^&^&T^&#@, so maybe do a 520 ala Snowchucker? Plenty of oats and not take up too much room in the mancave.

[leeave96 487]

If we are not talking about a CUT or a $9K plus purchase, here are my thoughts:

1. Find a NOS Toro/Wheelhorse GT550 (aka: 5xi series).

2. John Deere x530 or better. The x530 has a strong K71 tranny, power steering, hydro lift, dif lock and a sleeve hitch option. The 54 inch deck has wheels as all four corners that turn 90 degrees, so that when you want to remove the deck, you can turn the wheels, drop the deck and ROLL it out from under the tractor - something I appreciate as my back gets older. The tractor looks solid and heavy duty. Is it as strong as a Wheelhorse, probably not, but for the $$$'s and considering what else is on the market, It is a good tractor IMHO for the money. I have considered buying one for myself.

3. Cub Cadet GT2000 series tractors w/o electric power steering and lift.

4. Simplicity Prestige.

FWIW, at my house, I'm not the only one that needs to use the tractor. Sometimes my old tractors start, sometimes they don't. Sometimes the tire is flat, sometimes it ain't. For me, usually not a problem. For my Wife/Boss - this is a problem. For me when I'm up against it time-wise, it can be a problem. So the idea of having a newer tractor that ANYONE can get-on, use without a hassle, loaded with safety's, and starts EVERYTIME, a newer tractor at my house is a realistic option. What I've done, rather than spend the $$$'s for one of the 4 tractors I mentioned is buy an MTD Cub Cadet LTX1042 lawn tractor. This lawn tractor has turned out to be a very nice machine. We've used it hard for two years and knock on wood, all good. It is a hydro, manual lift, foot controls and a two blade 42 inch deck. The cut is a good as any tractor I've used. It cuts great no matter if the grass is tall, dry or wet. It throws the clippings out and there is zero wind rowing - even when the grass is tall and wet. Amazing! The deck is tightly contoured around the blades, it has a domed top, vs corners that grass can build-up and cause unwanted rust - this tractor's deck is always clean. It also has a very tight turning radius.

Having said that, I don't use this MTC CC to tow ANYTHING. I am extra careful not to snag the deck on anything or give it any rough treatment in any way. It might be a nice lawn tractor for the $$$'s, but it ain't no garden tractor. Even though it is an MTD, I bought the tractor from dealer at the same price I could have got it at a box store - but I have no hassle dealer support if required. The tractor has a 3 year warranty and resale should be better than a craftsman or MTD brand. So in addition to the 4 tractors, this machine might be one to consider.

Great topic.

Thanks!

Bill

[Don1977 604]

If I were buying it would be 4 wheel drive. I have with in 11 miles of me John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, Kioti, Bobcat, and Mahinda Dealers. Don't know what I would buy.

[Tim 97]

if the time comes and i have the money

small Kubota 4x4 with a deck and loader

I don't see this happening for a while

have too much in attachments to dump the WH's

[can whlvr 993]

steiner,thena kabota,then a bobcat 4x4

[6wheeler 603]

This post hasn't been hit in a while. After reading all of the great info on here, it got me thinking. What do I need the tractor for? Outside of mowing and garden work, My WH's don't do much. I use my Bobcat for snow. The problem I run into is ground clearance. When I am cultivating corn or some taller plants in the gardens, I have to be careful not to break the plant off. Is there a higher ground clearance GT out there. The funny thing is, for me anyway. If I were to buy say a JD X series w/attachments. It would be much cheaper to buy a 30 or 40 series JD farm tractor. Try this on for size, A JD compact with loader $26,850, at my local dealer. Sitting right down the lot from where it is sitting Is a JD 4440 with a quick tach loader, duals 4356 hours for $18,500. I realize the latter is a 30 year old tractor. But, it is 130hp. And it will still out last the the new one. I wonder how many of these so called GT's will be around in running condition in 10 or 15 years. I know where there are a few WH's that will.

[Desko 608]

New Holland boomer series

[dodgemike 52]

My neighbor has a Kubtota hydro approx. 30 hp.

He has a FEL for mucking horse stalls. I have had

Some seat time and nothing sticks out that is

Inconvenient etc. I would like a small backhoe

And a steel cab.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

[C-101plowerpower 1,605]

i'd get a ferrari, just so you can say you own a ferrari

 

[Fun Engineer 859]

Forgot about this thread.  My problem is as 6wheeler noted, my tractor is only used for snow removal.  Now granted we see more snow in one winter then some see in 5 and I do have my Ranger for backup.

 

I'm on a small piece of property that I'm able to push mow so the only use besides snow removal is joy riding on my tractors.     The neighbor down the road is retired also and on occasion we have been known to take his JD B and my Commando 8 and drive around the neighborhood just to get some seat time and to charge the battery

 

I think my plan is to find a newer used xi series Wheel Horse or similar JD.  At least with the JD there is a good dealer network.

[Dieselcowboy 210]

If $ were no object... This is one bad looking machine. Slap a front end loader on it and its a tractor. I know lots of people would buy one of those cheap off brands but the resale value is virtually nothing because of that. Make this a diesel power version and they have full time 4wd. I'm sure JD has a full line of attachments if you still have money left before you walk out. But hey at least you'd get a free hat with it.

[AMC RULES 37,130]

I probably end up just getting another Wheelhorse.

[squonk 41,156]

 Bobcat Tool Cat! I saw one of these with a blower on it  about 6 yrs. ago. guy had the blower 4 ft in the air chopping snow piles! 

 

 

[js5020 111]

The only machines I will buy new are green and yellow and have John Deere stickers on em.  Still not sold on the diesel x7s though.

[tomtractor 71]

My neighbor has a simplicity legacy 4WD with FEL.  I drove it the other day and loved it.  So easy to use and agile.   Small and sturdy for any homeowner!

 

http://www.simplicit...ctors/legacy-xl