Small/Modern Tractors to replace lawn tractor

Billy NY

Well-known Member
The hydrostatic on the JD LA 135, 300 hours, gets hot and won't go up an incline, typical for these I think, throw away type deal. It does run very nicely and was meticulously maintained. It's still doing the cutting, works long enough, I do the hills first.
Going beyond lawn tractor models, say like a Kubota BX 1870 size for example, 54 deck, or similar, what seemingly is a decent choice.

Something in that size range would cover the work needing to be done, I've got bigger equipment for work beyond that, but seems with the rental property, used to do the neighbors, and the lawn here and that I could do the field next to it with one of these, seems with the cost of lawn tractors like the LA 135 types, money is better spent on something longer lasting and more useful. I hate the idea of even going there in regards to $$. like many, I try to get by minimally, don't need the latest and greatest etc., but saw recently a BX 1870 with 49 hours on it, just over $8K. Seemed like a decent deal, it sold in days. That size would work for the tight quarters of the rental place, and seems like a suitable upgrade. Another consideration for it's use is a cordwood saw, but I wonder if one of these would have enough power. I have the saw, be nice for a fuel efficient power source like one of these, got tons of small diameter wood around here. JD and Kubota, not sure I would venture into other brands given dealer locations. I'm assuming the hydrostatic in these are a lot more durable. With a 3 pt and loader, much more useful too. What's your opinion .....
 
Bought my first Kubota in May of 1993.

B1750 HST.

No problems of any kind since.

Still has all original hoses, lamps, fan belt, etc.

Only complaint is headlamp lenses have yellowed with age.

Best thing I've ever bought.

Dean
 
I have two old JD mowers. One is a JD GT275. It has a hst oil filter and a place to replace the oil.
Recently bought another old Jd L188x.. I can change the hst oil on it too. I took the mower off the GT275 and put it on the L188x. Nothing runs like an old deere..

I use a 1950 farmall with a 6 ft mower to mow my place in the south end of the county
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And I use this Kubota with a 6ft RM660 woods to mow my other place.

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I always wanted a cab and my sinuses like it too. I'm allergic to grass mold..
 
I have a Kubota B8200 gear drive with a 60 in mid mount deck. 4 wheel drive, differential lock, 3 pt, and pto. In 12 years the only non regular maintenance thing I replaced was the regulator under the dash because it quit charging. Other than that just routine maintenance. Mine seems to be larger and have bigger tires than the one you mentioned. If the new ones are built as well as mine I wouldnt hesitate for one minute owning one. Dependable and extremely fuel efficient.
 
I should have also added I bought it used. Made from 1983 to 1990 so it was at least 20 when I bought it.
 
I use a 52 8N ford with a 5 foot King Kutter finish mower.
Rides smooth and easy on my back.
Does a great job on our hills and does not tear the lawn up at all.
 


I have been very happy with my Kubotas but I think that due to lack of torque rise you would need probably 30 'bota ponies to power a cordwood saw.
 
I have a Cub Cadet 7000 built by Mitsubushi 2000 model,6 speed,2000 RPM for the mower deck,540 rear LPTO,Cat 1 3pt use it all the time.Paid $800 for it about 3 years ago.
 
It is not hard to change the fluid in you transmission if you want to try that first. Yes, they are made to throw away but there are videos on youtube that show how to do it and sometimes they get really good results.
 
I flirted with ideas of putting a 72 inch maybe wider belly mounted mower under my '54 FARMALL Super H, kinda like George's Super C, turn it into an over-sized Cub Cadet, but lots of my 100+ trees have low branches that I struggle to get under with a Cub Cadet or even walk under. GOING to have to do some pruning and several are going to become really REALLY short fence posts, like a small fraction of an inch tall.
I did see a Great Plains 14 ft wide 540 pto finish mower, three 5 foot 3-bladed decks like on a large lawn tractor, each with 3 blades, a 2-wheel cart with a mower on left & right and rear, hydraulically lifted and folded up for transport. School districts and city governments mow city parks and street rights of way. I thought it would work fine till I found out the price of a used 3-4 year old one from the school district. I'D fence the yard and buy some sheep or goats before buying one.
There's a website, GREEN TRACTOR TALK you should research any small Deere tractor your thinking of buying. I can't believe how much some people pay for a lawn mower, and then trade up in size every 2-3 years. Granted I have my '54 Super H and Dad's '51 M that's mostly like a Super M, both have loaders, their family heirlooms and I'm never getting rid of them. I've used them both in landscaping projects, and mostly use the SH to push snow in winter. These green guys by tractors, mid-mount mowers, rear bush-hogs, post hole diggers, over half get backhoes, and a couple have cabs with heat & AC. And ALL are 4wd. Couple guys have created businesses around the tractors, custom lawn mowing, snow removal, landscaping, etc.
 
I've got a Massey GC2300 that would be in the same class as the Kubota BX series and it has served me well. Bought it with less than 100 hours on it and now it is just shy of 1000. The pros of this kind of tractor compared to a lawn tractor are long-term durability, much heavier construction, 4WD traction, and the versatility to do a lot of different jobs. The cons would include more clumsy maneuverability compared to a lawn tractor and less drawbar pulling power compared to a regular-sized compact utility tractor of the same power due to the smaller wheels. (The Massey GC, Kubota BX, and similar tractors are in the sub-compact class.) I've found that the ride comfort of these tractors over rough ground is much better than a typical ZTR type of mower or a lawn tractor with smaller wheels. Most of these tractors are around 20 hp at the PTO so I'd think they'd handle a buzz saw with smaller wood just fine.
 
That Kubota BX1870 sounds like a steal. Too bad you didn't jump on it. Local Kubota dealer has one used Kubota BX1870 in stock. 628 hours with a loader and 54 belly mower for $13,900.
 
Billy in the first two years there were minor problems (we used plastic power steering lines and they melted) but after the first three years the BX line has been really a solid product. warranty work over all on the BXs is low. You want go wrong with a BX.
 
Just took me over 4 years to talk him into it.. sure made a good friend , he even bought my breakfast last time we met..LOL
 
Have a BX 2380 the next hp jump over the 1870, absolutely love it, has the 60 in deck. I cant see how you could go wrong with one of those tractors.
 
My 165 had a cooling fan on the drive unit, that the fins wore off. It would quit moving after about 20 minutes of mowing. I replaced the fan. Try that first.
 
Deere 1 series or it fore runner the 2350 would also be good choices. I sold my 2350 last fall, Mom used it for about 10 years with nothing other than (in)frequent oil changes over 400 hrs. I put another 100 hours on it in the last 2 years.

Traded to a B2650 Kubota. Nice tractor with cab and everything and just small enough to not have emissions controls. Only disappointment is Im still waiting on a mower deck.
 
I've bought 3 used Kubotas over the years and still have them all. Other than maintenance and some deck bearings, no issues at all. Have had my 1992 B1700HST for about 25 years, my 1988 F2000 for 20 years and just got a 2016 BX25DLB in Feb. You'll love a loader if you get one.
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You may want to try fixing your current tractor. A lot of hydro issues are caused by overheating due to buildup of grass/debris on top of transaxle and poor fan performance. Sometimes changing out the oil will get them going again , although I believe your machine has a sealed transaxle, but it can be done. Another option would be to move up to a better garden tractor with a serviceable transaxle. Most of the bigger John Deeres with hydraulic lift and hydro transaxle have servicable transaxle , and will last for many years if given good care. I am sure there are other brands that would have similar models, I am not as famililar with any to recommend . A sub-compact tractor would definitely fit your needs , just more money and a bit heavier and less maneuverable but definitely more heavy duty. With the mfwd, pto and three point hitch they would be a lot more versatile than a garden tractor , thats probably why so many are sold. Be sure it will fit in where you want to store it , unless it has a folding rops bar it may not fit in some doors and also catch more tree branches. I agree with JD and Kubota for choices, around here a couple hours west of you I see mostly JD, Kubota and some MF and a few NH in the size of tractor you are looking at ,due to what dealers we have here. There are other options around here (Kioti, Mahindra, TYM etc.) but they dont seem to be catching on too much.
 

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