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new vs old lawn tractors???

Butch(OH)

Butch(OH)

Well-known Member
Never in my entire life have I owned a new lawn tractor. Currently am preforming yard work on 3 acres and tilling 1/4 acre of gardens with a 25 year old Kubota diesel, a couple 40 year old Cub Cadets that were purchased (very) used and a 20 year old Ingersol that was rebuilt from junk. I was pretty content with all that until the local JD dealer put a nice full color ad in the paper for the compact line complete with payment schedules. Not really a JD vs others question I am sure that the local New Holland or Kubota dealers offer similar deals.

Was sitting there eating breakfast and reading the ad and looking at prices and got to thinking, wow, if I average it out I am spending half that much per month in repairs to keep my fleet going.

Soo, question is how many of you have taken the leap from older stuff to a $15,000 lawn tractor? Are you glad you did or wish you had stayed with no payments and old?

Dang JD dealer for tempting me anyway! LOL
 
Contemplate the country of origin, contemplate electronics control systems, contemplate the fun of the repairs you make now to those you will need to pay someone to fix. Jim
 
My latest horse in the corral is a 2000 pound, 2400 Branson brand Cummins licensed 3 cyl diesel, FEL, 5' shredder, 2 ton skid steer type pallet fork for my 6530 Branson for $14,100 I bought in Jan. 2016.

I bought the shredder rather than the belly mower but a belly mower ($2400) and FEL equipped tractor ($12,400) as described would get you right at your 15k number and then you would have a "tractor" and a FEL to go with your mower. I didn't get the belly mower option as mowing is not the primary use of the machine and the shredder is just another 3 pt implement to attach when required. The pallet fork caught my eye at the dealership as I have been thinking about one for a long time for the other tractor so I added it to the deal; has nothing to do with the 2400.

I have several mowers that are general run of the mill in the 18-22 hp range, with good age to them and have them modified to fit my needs. What comes off the dealer's lot leaves a lot of stones unturned for me. Butttt for a person with a 1 acre flat, "lush" green, lawn, smooth sandy loam dirt beneath, they fit right in and that at a price that sells the product is their "design to cost" objective as I see it.
 
I have no choice. I have to keep my old tractors, because I can't stand the smell of diesel. I would pay big bucks to buy a new tractor with cab and heat, AC. But it has to be gas, and that will never happen.

Yes I have bought new mowers, but never paid more than $2 k. I keep them going for decades.
 
(quoted from post at 06:01:07 03/22/17)

Soo, question is how many of you have taken the leap from older stuff to a $15,000 lawn tractor? Are you glad you did or wish you had stayed with no payments and old?
Click to expand...

I've never owned a new lawn tractor, or any size tractor so I can't say if I'd appreciate something new. I get a lot of satisfaction out of being able to keep the near 30 year old JD 111 on the job.Its the one my dad bought used back in the early 90s. I've worn out (and replaced) the rear axle bearings, front axle pivot, muffler, and a few batteries and deck bearings. But that old Kohler fires up quick and eager to go every time so I guess I'll run it til it won't.
 
Sounds like some folks need to farm a little more of their ground instead of trying to mow it for a lawn. LOL
 
I'm with you, and I felt that way when I walked into my local AGCO dealer several years ago and saw the $8000 price tag on a new Simplicity in the showroom. I take pride in maintaining my Cub Cadets also --- not that hard to keep them running and in good condition.

Those $15,000 lawn tractors are for the same people who call up the local dealer every spring to come pick it up for service. That's fine if that is how you want to spend your money.
 
Butch Yes Kubota has the zero down and zero interest for 72 months. Now welcome to the retail world. IN MY OPINIO the worst misused word in the world is LAWN TRACTOR . I think it must have been Sears that started that word. You either have a tractor or a lawnmower. Now there are compact tractors, then now we have sub-compact tractors like the KUBOTA BX series. But trying to pull implements and trailers with a lawn mower is short life affair. Shop hard and watch what you are getting for your 14,000. You can get a BX Kubota 4 heel drive hydrostatic with no belts for that kind of money. Hope you find a deal. And yes what one has to do is measure the cost per mowing.
 
Yes you are correct, I should have said compact or sub compact tractor, not lawn tractor. My Kubota is a G1900 w/60" deck, the Cub Cadets are old gear drive and rarely used for mowing but run the tiller, blow and push snow. The Ingersol is a lawn mower only. Also have an Allis C around to tug anything the mowers wont pull. Takes a lot of parts and (fee) labor to keep it all running but payments are pretty cheap, LOL.
 
Your biggest gain would be extra time available from no longer making as many repairs or running for parts. Think about how you would spend that extra time.

You could keep the best one or two of old tractors to reduce implement changes on the good tractor. Maybe keep one of those as a dedicated loader tractor, cultivator tractor or wagon puller. Keep in mind, implements for the new tractor add to the cost.
 
Local JD dealer has 80 , yes 80 2 wd small utility tractor on lease return. About $15,000.00 one with only 4 hours! others with 50 or less hours. Hudson Elnora Ind. JD credit actually owns the tractors.
 
Early 1980's Cub Cadet 782 cost about $3500 new. Low-buck cars were about $5000 . So I guess $15,000 today maybe not too shocking.
 
I bought a new Kubota B1750HSD in spring 1994 for lawn and snow plow duty. Since that time it has needed nothing aside from regular lube, oil and filter changes. Nothing. Not so much as a fuse, lamp, or fan belt. Nothing.

I've never looked back and have bought two new Kubotas within the past 15 months to replace two nearly new Massey Fergusons that proved to be bad purchases.

Dean
 
Got this for my dad about 10 years ago for $200.00 he's 87 years old now, and he's still cutting the lawn with it. This picture was from when I bought it.
46989.jpg
 
My dad bought a new BX about 6 years ago to replace his case IH compact. I had to argue with him and mom to do 0% and not have to take money out of the bank all at once. Fast forward 5 years and the dealer stopped in and offered them a keck of a good trade in price and 0% on the new B series about 26 HP with a 60 " deck. They mow along the fences and pond dams with it and I run augers all fall so its hard to beat. When it come to mowing the zero turn will out mow it on smooth flat land.
 
Wilson in some parts of the country they have actually got down to around $11,500 on those lease returns. Some showing up at auctions now.
 
Geo You have spoke of this problem before. Is it the smell of the diesel fuel raw or the fumes from the running engine that seem to give you the problems. What specifically happens like do you get a head ache? eyes burn or just what happens. Just wondering what is going on.
 
I have a John Deere 400 from the early 80's. It blew the engine late last year. Looking at all the options buy similar new $$$. Walmart cheapy $ ok but repair and replace often, NO THANKS. Found Small Engine Warehouse makes a Briggs replacement kit complete with muffler, belts, mounts, and shafts. Went with that. I just got it yesterday so will find out if it works soon.
 
I guess the question is what do you do with the extra time - plop your butt in front of the TV in your easy chair? Run the mower more hours making some money? Spend more time at work and have your wife mow for you? Sit on a bar stool watching March Madness?
 
My suggestion is to check into machines specifically for the intended purpose. IE, try a zero-turn or front-deck mower. Keep a Cub for tiller and snow work. You will be more efficient mowing, and still have the fun of maintaining one older machine that you use more purposely.
 
Butch,
Before you buy a ZTR take one for a test drive or borrow someones first.

Many old people I know think their bad boys are too ruff boys to ride and hurts their back. The older you get the more you will understand

I know a man who inherited his dad's snapper riding mower. I told him he wouldn't like the ruff ride. He told me the other day, I was right. Now he is trying to modify the front wheels and install bigger tires hoping the extra rubber would take some of the bounce out. I told him he may think of buying an air cushion and sitting on it.

I don't care how long it takes to mow around things, I want a smooth ride. No riding mower is as smooth as my old Farmall C. My smoothest rider is an old JD275 garden tractor with tractor type bar tires and not turf tires.

Before you think about speed, think about your back. Also think about how much dirt and dust they stir up using a ztr that has to have fast turning blades to cut at high speeds.
 
Is that 400 a good rig? I've seen a million 318s around but only a couple 400s. I've been watching one on Craig's list, looks like new. 400hrs. on short block, new paint, 2500 bucks. Trouble is I don't need one but I like the looks of it.
 
I bought a brand-new Deere 212 garden tractor with mower deck and snow thrower in 1978 for around $2,100, if I recall (got a Deere discount through a friend who worked in the Deere factory). I've replaced two front tires, one tie-rod end, one fuel pump, three batteries, one gas cap and a few sets of mower blades, and it's still mowing and throwing well. Last fall I bought a backup 1981 Deere 214 with mower and snow thrower for $700 and used it to blow snow all winter. (I made my own weights and bought new chains.) It still needs a little fine-tuning, but it beats buying a throw-away Murray that would cost considerably more. I confess that if I couldn't do my own repair and maintenance, I wouldn't be able to mess with the old/used stuff.
 
Do not buy the JD lawn tractor. I paid $2500 years ago for a 130 model and it was the same quality as a cheap house brand I could have brought under $1000. It has been in the shop continually. No dealer support.
 
The new diesels don't stink like the old ones.They start better than a gas and run a lot cooler.
 
Have a new looking cub cadet in my shop right now with less than 50 hours in it. Leaks oil everywhere. Owner said he got a good deal on it! Ha!
 
Gab I've used both I have the 400 and my mother has the 318. I fit on the 400 better it's a bigger machine has a 60" deck 19hp I think. 318 has a smaller deck and less hp. I do think but not sure the 318 is one generation newer. It has an electric deck clutch while the 400 is an over center tighten the belt manual clutch. The 318 has an Onan engine and the 400 is Kohler. A 420 is the next generation of the 400 and has a Onan engine and electric clutch.
 
Well, it's old stuff for me. and I am also old. I use 3 Case GT's, 4xx series, big back wheels smooth out the bumps ! the Kohlers can be kept running with a little care and at low costs.. IMO
 
I enjoy mowing with my antique Minneapolis Moline mower tractors. When repairs are needed it is no mind boggling job to fix them. These were made in the nineteen sixtys by Jacobsen.
Jac. made the Ford mower tractors at the same time. clint
a155060.jpg
 
"a Briggs replacement kit complete with muffler, belts, mounts, and shafts."

I hope that works out well for you Jon, I really do.
I replaced the Kawasaki 23HP in my mower with a 25HP Briggs.
We used it that way all last summer. Had to mow everything twice.
I'm just about done rebuilding the Kawasaki now.
That Briggs, even 2HP larger, couldn't get the job done.
Simply didn't "cut it".
 
"Before you buy a ZTR take one for a test drive or borrow someones first."

I agree with that Geo. Come try mine if you like.
If you're testing a new ZTR for around $4500 you may hate it.

Test drive one in the $16,000+ range. Then buy a used one like it.
I got mine used ~7 years ago for $1000 ($1K) from a lawn care business.
It was too worn out for them, but has worked well for my ~4 acres.
I've replaced a belt, a battery and one pulley.
Now I'm rebuilding the engine because it was tired and burned oil.
I'll have less in it than a box store Murray rider and probably
use it for 20 years or more total.

I also have a '76 JD 212 that cuts almost as good finish wise.
That old single cylinder Kohler is hard to beat for its time.
Big difference between what JD sold and what the box stores
sell with green and yellow paint.
 
I wish I knew why diesel is a problem. Even my friends new diesel tractor that doesn't seem to smell is a problem.

When growing up on a dairy farm, I put a lot of seat time on the old diesel tractors, no problem then. Now I think my body has become overly sensitive to not only diesel exhaust, but many organic smells, strong cleaners, perfumes, any kind of smoke, leafs, cigarette smoke.

It's like an elephant is sitting on my chest and within 15 second an instant throbbing headache.

Been this way for many years. I'm 68 and have no health issues, except arthritis, no Rx meds.

X-rays show I have hundreds of black spots in lungs. I asked where they came from. The answer I got was welcome to Indiana. Some blame our coal fired power plants. I tend to think some may have came from growing up on a farm using tractors without cabs eating tons of dust, dirt, even diesel exhaust which I an overly sensitive to.
 
I've always had a bit of trouble with exhaust fumes. When stationed in San Antonio (right on the flight line!!), used to have jet exhaust blowing into the fire station most every day. Liked to killed me! Have become so sensitive to exhaust and other air pollutions that now, almost anytime the wind is coming out of the south, it's bringing with it enough junk to mess up my sniffer pretty bad. Sometimes, just walking around the back end of a running truck can throw my sinuses into a frenzy!
 
Now, if you are spending half the payment of a new tractor every month on repairs to your old equipment, AND you value the time you spend making those repairs at all, it probably makes sense to get the new tractor.

Shop around to other brands. Deere and Kubota are awful proud of their stuff. Other brands are less so. Skip Mahindra, though.

People make such a big stink about "ooooh, you'll have to pay for repairs!" WHAT repairs? It's a NEW tractor. If anything breaks it will be right away, and covered under warranty. Once the "infant mortality" stuff is out of the way, for homeowner estate duty that tractor should go easy 20+ years with just routine fluid changes and other normal maintenance.

It's also good to treat yourself to at least one luxury in your life.
 
(quoted from post at 05:21:13 03/23/17) Now, if you are spending half the payment of a new tractor every month on repairs to your old equipment, AND you value the time you spend making those repairs at all, it probably makes sense to get the new tractor.

Shop around to other brands. Deere and Kubota are awful proud of their stuff. Other brands are less so. Skip Mahindra, though.

People make such a big stink about "ooooh, you'll have to pay for repairs!" WHAT repairs? It's a NEW tractor. If anything breaks it will be right away, and covered under warranty. Once the "infant mortality" stuff is out of the way, for homeowner estate duty that tractor should go easy 20+ years with just routine fluid changes and other normal maintenance.

It's also good to treat yourself to at least one luxury in your life.
Click to expand...

Whats wrong with Mahindra? My 4550 has been a good unit so far.
 

Getting tired of constantly fixing my old Fords I sprung for a new 22hp. Mahindra with a FEL almost 3 yrs. ago. Wish I had done it sooner... always starts and runs with no issues. And the loader is handier than a third arm.
 
(quoted from post at 16:59:51 03/22/17) Youuuuu might be a redneck if you finance your lawn mower/tractor.
Click to expand...

Why? At zero or near zero interest I'm using someone elses money and keep mine in my pocket and I get to use the tractor the whole time. You'd be foolish to not finance one.
 
As you have found, the opinions are all across the board on this topic. You can buy zero turn models with the deck out front or underneath. You can buy tractor style mowers. You can go cheap or you can go "all out." You can opt to get into the compact utility tractors versus the more traditional dedicated mower. You can buy gasoline powered, diesel powered, and I think there are some which are propane powered. You really need to explore your options and do some time in the driver's seat. You also need to look at the availability of service from a dealership, too. That is extremely important. I will share my opinions now. I have operated zero turn machines including Dixon, Hustler, and Grasshopper. My preference of these was the Grasshopper as I liked the deck out front where I could tip it up for service. The one downfall of that machine is in very dry conditions, there is clipped grass that floats up from behind the deck and onto your lap. I do not like that. In the tractor style over a great many years I have operated John Deere, Cub Cadet, Allis Chalmers, and probably a couple more brands. I have owned two Deere models, with the most recent being a 425 all wheel steer. I really like that machine and the deck does probably the nicest job of cutting of anything I have operated. It has its quirks, like any other machine does. I have to use a particular type of blade that keeps the wet, succulent grass from building up on the underside of the deck and causes problems when cutting grass. Once I figured that out, it has been a good machine to run. It lacks a bit in maneuvering tightly around trees, but it is better than any tractor style without the all wheel steering feature. If you want to move up into the compact utility tractors, your choices are quite numerous. You can go with a belly mount mower or a three point rear mount mower. In the end, you know your mowing conditions better than anyone else. You need to find what will meet your needs best and a product that will satisfy you in the end. I think you need to start with what style machine you need to go with, first, then you can start trying different brands next.
 
Nice explanation 2002sliverado.
I like the front mount deck too, especially around shrubs, etc.
It does require more space to store it than a ZTR mid-mount,
which may be something to consider if storage space is limited.
 
Whats wrong with Mahindra? My 4550 has been a good unit so far.
Click to expand...

I know a few people who have had problems getting things fixed under warranty. They advertise a warranty, but when push comes to shove neither the dealer nor Mahindra honor it. Mahindra corporate says it's the dealer's problem, and the dealer understandably does not want to foot the bill for a factory defect.
 
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