First tractor for small 2 acre property

[pacer 3,173]

2 minutes ago, WheelHorse520H said:

184.6 hours is high for that thing?

 

My sincere apologies, I totally misread them

 

That REALLY makes it nice!!

[WheelHorse520H 708]

1 minute ago, pacer said:

 

My sincere apologies, I totally misread them

 

That REALLY makes it nice!!

I was going to say that’s odd, my 520 has over 650 hours and it still great.

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Not thinking that a D series W-H is the best choice for jumping in with.

 

[WheelHorse520H 708]

4 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

Not thinking that a D series W-H is the best choice for jumping in with.

 

Just curious, why do you think it’s not the best choice?

[clueless 3,004]

7 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

Not thinking that a D series W-H is the best choice for jumping in with.

 

 

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Not an easy tractor to maintain, and the weak trans first and foremost.

Even with the attachments, IMO it's still priced too high.

[FANY 8]

My gut goes with that of old cars. Low mileage fetches a higher premium. I don’t understand the tractor market yet. $500 dollars for some of them but the wheels themselves I am sure go for a lot. I saw a parted out D160 on ebay and all together there seems to be a couple of thousand on parts. I am not going to be asking too much of it anyway. I was thinking of asking for it delivered. Are there any services like that?

I just don’t see myself needing anything else that what it comes with so I am not concerned with parts availability.

I have had to replace drums and restore magnetos on model ts. I am not too shy about repairs.

[FANY 8]

Just curious:

what would the attachments be worth themselves?

[kpinnc 12,088]

D series use CAT 0 sizes on the 3 point. Most don't have a standard PTO, so powered implements will be hard to adapt. Plows, discs, cultivators will be fine. 

 

Loaders will start at over $2K if you can find them, and will likely need work as well.

 

D series use the same transmission (different configuration) as the older Wheel Horses. The unit is rugged on a 500lb garden tractor, but not so much on the big D. It's strong, but always operating near it's limits if you use the 3 point with a large implement. 

[c-series don 8,722]

4 hours ago, FANY said:

That is quite a collection there. I see the loader on what model?

 

My loader is on a C-141 8 speed. Thank you for asking! 

[FANY 8]

Thanks Kpinnc,

 

I see how that can be a problem.

[Handy Don 12,235]

1 hour ago, kpinnc said:

D series use CAT 0 sizes on the 3 point. Most don't have a standard PTO, so powered implements will be hard to adapt. Plows, discs, cultivators will be fine. 

 

Loaders will start at over $2K if you can find them, and will likely need work as well.

 

D series use the same transmission (different configuration) as the older Wheel Horses. The unit is rugged on a 500lb garden tractor, but not so much on the big D. It's strong, but always operating near it's limits if you use the 3 point with a large implement. 

 

Getting the idea that this is a decision that will be rife with compromise?

 

IMHO:

- $3000 is probably still a bit high even for the low hours D-160 with those attachments.

 

Plus some caveats:

1. You will actually use most or all of the attachments (consider whether you'll actually get much use of a blower vs. a plow during L.I. winters!)

2. There isn't an implement you need that isn't included (D implements are harder to find and pricier)

3. You are very comfortable with the D's inherent limits (e.g. transmission, CAT 0, "non-standard" PTO) and its maintenance needs that @AMC RULES mentioned

 

I agree with the earlier poster that your situation may be best served with at least two machines--one for mowing/blowing/towing/(plowing?) and another for moving bucketloads of stuff around.

Edited August 15, 2021 by Handy Don

[AMC RULES 37,130]

 

That's typically how we do it here, a couple different machines left set up year round for both summer and winter duty.

[FANY 8]

Caveats seems like 👍🏼 points Don or am I misreading? (And I don’t want to sound sarcastic. I just wasn’t sure if you were pointing at good vs bad)

1. It seems to have all the attachments one would be worried of not finding.(then again spares would be hard to get).

2. Last winter I could have used both the blower and the plow. (Changing back and forth may be annoying during a cold winter).

3. I am comfortable making these kind of repairs. It would be a problem if the transmissions were well known to fail soon (I honestly don’t know). Or if those hydrostatic transmissions were as rare as willis knight sleeve valve engines.

 

i can see now how one would end up with more than one now. $3K opens the budget for that.

 

 

[Handy Don 12,235]

11 hours ago, FANY said:

Caveats seems like 👍🏼 points Don or am I misreading? (And I don’t want to sound sarcastic. I just wasn’t sure if you were pointing at good vs bad)

1. It seems to have all the attachments one would be worried of not finding.(then again spares would be hard to get).

2. Last winter I could have used both the blower and the plow. (Changing back and forth may be annoying during a cold winter).

3. I am comfortable making these kind of repairs. It would be a problem if the transmissions were well known to fail soon (I honestly don’t know). Or if those hydrostatic transmissions were as rare as willis knight sleeve valve engines.

 

i can see now how one would end up with more than one now. $3K opens the budget for that.

Caveats are only potential modifiers that bear on the decision. Degree of influence remains yours to decide . I am an analytical person so I'm always looking for factors!

 

As an example, some years ago I switched to mulching mowing instead of handling and composting grass cuttings and leaves. Hence, a grass/leaf vacuum (especially one needing a separate motor) would be of no interest to me.

 

Comparative ease of changing attachments is one of the WH strengths using the Attach-a-matic system (i.e. easier that on some of the competitor units but still not trivial) with FELs being the significant exception. But realize that ALL mower decks and snow blowers are heavy and somewhat awkward to handle when going on or off the tractor!

 

The Sunstrands are not weak or failure-prone and 16hp is well within their specified capability when they get regular oil and filter changes--and they can be overhauled when worn. But they are old and parts are becoming less available. Loads of GTs (garden tractors) used them (and later Eatons) successfully. Ease of reversing and being able to set an exact speed under full power has made hydrostatics the preferred transmission for many members (including me!), though 8-speeds have strong proponents especially for heavy ground-engaged work like soil plows.

 

Being confident that regular maintenance and repairs are within your wheelhouse is a huge plus for you--especially with this forum for reference and advice. We're all wishing you good luck with your decision.

 

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

My two cents! I had two acres at my last house. Mrs. Sailor, when first moved there in 2009, always thought that a sub-compact tractor was too much tractor for the property. Instead we found a 518xi that she purchased for my birthday that year. After that came a C-105, two more 5xi, two 520-H, numerous additional Wheel Horse tractors and even a number of Gravely and other two-wheel tractors.

 

My advice is to (using Kubota as a brand only to demonstrate) get a BX-series or even a B-series with FEL. A BX would work really well on two acres. I could have bought it on the 60 month 0% plan and probably sold it for at least half or more what I paid when we moved. At one point, over the nine years we were there, I was going to sell all but one 5xi to mow with and get a Kubota B with FEL and a backhoe attachment. But we were facing retirement and knew we were going to move. When we moved everything was sold except for the C-105 and three Simplicity two-wheel tractors. After we moved I then bought a 314-8 from a forum member which is now my main tractor. 

[WheelhorseBob 1,549]

Dang, a D series with 184 hours is a unicorn! I’m of the opinion if you need dependable work out of a machine then a small diesel sub compact may be better for you. If like all of us you have to have a wheelhorse then that is very nice!

[FANY 8]

I think I am getting to like them (WH) a lot. I have been pushed in different directions and I still think a WH can be practical while being something to fall in love with. I have been recommended a Toolcat, a Kubota, a mini dump truck (Subaru), Ford 8N, TO30, etc.

 

The truth is I have never messed with any of these ever and I don't really know what my needs will be. Except definitely carrying things around, blowing snow and pushing dirt.

For what I have read, even the D250s may get too abused with a FEL. Just seems like they tried. I have a family member buying a Toolcat within 5 minutes. I'll see how much use I'll ever need from it.

[ohiofarmer 3,276]

    Toolcat by Bobcat?  Well, if all you need from it is a front end loader, just find a Bobcat., Maybe a 700 series or smaller if you will fit inside. Mine has a safety bar that is plenty tight for my modified six pack that more resembles a keg. Those machines will get down and grunt, and with a toothed bucket, they can do a surprising job of crushing clods and finish grading.   For your uses, maybe you could find a rental unit. If you have neighbors, you will be the MAN when it comes to being the cool guy. i have an old backhoe with a decent sized bucket, but the 853 bobcat will do much more work because you can see the edge of the bucket and actually feel the cut with your feet on the pedals that control the raise and tilt.

  Rent one sometime and you will see what i mean. Bobcat really balances their equipment as to load, tractive power,and tipping weight. The best quality bobcats are the ones that Clark and Ingersol Rand produced. The quality took a dive when the Koreans bought them out., but even at that, the main complaints would be from guys who use them at their limit everyday..

  In the end, it all comes down to your disposable income and how you need to use it. When we were kids on the farm, my dad had a stone boat. When the tractor kept tripping the plow and breaking shears, we would dig and lever rocks and occasionally roll a boulder from the earth with chains. patience, leverage ,and chains might roll them on to the stone boat. I learned a bunch on how to move heavy stuff from that.Dad was in his mid sixties when he got a compact isesi 80 horsepower with a FEL. . He got to farm for ten years longer because of that machine.

  In summary, there is no reason to ask a bunch of guys what is the best machine for you. there are so many rental units available that you can figure that out for yourself

[FANY 8]

I completely agree with you. I just need to put some hours on myself to get ahead on that learning curve. My cousin just got this one and he's only five minutes away so I can try it out. Notice the small trailer. He broke the rear axle during transport.

 

IMG_5008.heic

[FANY 8]

[josephvigg 88]

On 8/14/2021 at 4:59 PM, c-series don said:

I agree with mostly everything the guys said. One thing that wasn’t mentioned is the fact that once you put a loader on a Wheel Horse that’s basically it, you now have a dedicated loader tractor. It’s not something that you just take off quick and put on another attachment. Not to discourage you from buying a Wheel Horse but it sounds like you’d be better off with a subcompact 4x4 tractor. There was an old Wheel Horse dealer in Huntington as of a few years ago but I’m not sure if he’s still there, heck of a nice guy. I traded him a D-series dozer blade for me two stage snowblower. Or you could go my route and get a tractor for each attachment!! 

Don any info on that dealer you mentioned?

[Chestnut 315]

Welcome to Redsquare!

You have a lot of good questions and you've already seen a lot of good input and opinion.

I have a lot of the same issues and questions. The thread's been dead for a few days but it took a while for me to get time to write this.

I'm currently maintaining two properties, mine and my mother in law's. Mine is a bit over an acre, mostly lawn. Hers is a bit over a hundred acres, moderate size lawn broken up by lots of garden.

Motley crew of tractors, two 520H's and two other lawn tractors at her place, one garden tractor at mine.

My FIL bought one of the 520H's with the front end loader many years ago to clean stalls when they had a couple of 4-legged horses. It's well suited to do that job. Currently used to move mulch, fill, loam, compost and so on. There was an earlier comment that steering is heavy with a full bucket. That's true but can be overcome with a rear weight box or other counterbalance. I have the weight box with several hundred pounds of iron in it. Between the weight, the box and all the loader components, I wouldn't recommend trying to change back and forth between this setup and a mower every time the task changes. 

Second 520H I bought a few years ago to blow snow. The few times I've had it out it seems to chew up snow and spit it out like a beast. Note that this is the 42" 2-stage blower. I'll trigger another debate by saying that some prefer the 2-stage for the heavy wet snow we often get here in the northeast. There are pros and cons to the 1 (as pictured with the D160 you're considering) vs. 2-stage. 1 stage is simpler and lighter, with fewer moving parts to fail, but the two stage is reputed to clear the wet stuff better. I've never had the single stage so take that with a grain of salt. This one came with a rototiller and 60" mower deck. I've never had either on. Too old and knees to gimpy to be wrestling these implements. Another note I don't think I've seen in this thread. The tiller attaches with a sleeve hitch, which is more common than the Cat 0 three point. 

Both of them are susceptible to the criticism of Onan powered machines you'll see on the forum. Use a bit, tinker a bit.

She also has two other lawn tractors of different brands. Both have 42" decks work well around the gardens.

At my place I have another tractor, also a different brand. I just moved to this house and the lawns are bigger than at my old one. I'm happy it has a 52" deck for the larger lawn. I also have a snowblower for it, but I'm probably going to leave it as a dedicated mower and bring the 520H with snowblower for clearing the drive in winter.

The big unresolved issue I have is clearing the woods roads/walking paths. Most bush hogs require at least Cat 1 3-point hitch. I've seen a few tow-behind self powered units.

The downside of the multi-tractor strategy is obviously maintenance. 5 tractor oil changes plus a half dozen other small engines isn't for everyone. Storage can also be an issue.

 

 

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 137]

On 8/14/2021 at 4:59 PM, c-series don said:

 

 

 

Not meaning to highjack the thread but that is a spectacular hedge you have there.  It rivals some of the centuries old hedges in the UK.  

Edited August 19, 2021 by DoctorHfuhruhurr

[c-series don 8,722]

@josephvigg I’m not sure if he is still in business, and I don’t recall the name of it. It was either in Huntington or Glen Cove. Maybe it was Glen Cove Power Equipment I don’t know.