[AT] New Lawn Tractor

[Dean VP]

Dave,

I have learned a few things about Antique tractors and Garden Tractors since 1998 when I started
collecting antique tractors and also purchased rural property that required about 6 acres to mow
often in wet conditions.  
Rule # 1:

1.) Don't expect to use 50 plus year old tractors to do daily work and also expect them to be reliable
when doing heavy work.

Rule # 2:

2.) Buy the best heavy duty High Quality  Garden Tractor you can afford.   Buy a slightly used HD one
rather than a new light duty store brand. 

Rule # 3:

3.) Do not try to get one universal machine to do both a high quality Job of mowing and also do a good
job as a real tractor for the heavier stuff.  Too clumsy for mowing and too light for the occasional
heavy stuff.

Therefore I own a JD 425 Garden Tractor than now has over 4,000 hours on it and the engine is starting
to show symptoms that an overhaul is going to be needed but otherwise has been trouble free. .  I also
own a JD 750 Compact Tractor that can handle the light end of three point tractor implements.  I also
own multiple antique tractors some with three point hitches and one with a HD loader.  I went through
some lower performance lower quality Garden tractors in just 5 years. They just couldn't handle the
job.  The JD 425 has paid its dues very reliably.  I suspect a JD 425 sold new for close to $10,000 in
the early 90's. I paid $4.000 for it used. I would buy another low hour one in a heartbeat.  For real
work the antique tractors are used but not many times a year.  The JD 750 would be the first I would
sell  if I had to make the choice and it has a loader, blade, rototiller and rear bucket for
attachments.  It is too clumsy for mowing and too light duty to do really heavy work. The antique
tractors can be made to do real work when needed but I don't depend on that very often. 


Now if I was in your situation,  I'd go look for a top of the line USED brand name low hour HD Garden
tractor for your mowing tasks. Not $14,000, not $10,000 but something used closer to $5,000. Something
in really good shape but older but was the top of the line a few years ago. Then see if your other
needs can be satisfied with an appropriate antique tractor. As I mentioned earlier, I'd buy another
good JD 425 in a heartbeat but they are really getting older and finding a low hour one would be
really difficult. And for sure Not a 425 AWS because they were notoriously less reliable  due to all
the extra stuff to provide the All Wheel Steer capability.  They just didn't last as long as the
Non-AWS versions.  I'd even consider a High Quality top of the line Zero Turn mower IF your lawn is
flat. Do not even consider them if you have some steep slopes and wet mowing conditions. Just my $0.02
worth and probably worth about what you paid for it. 

Dean VP
Snohomish, WA 98290

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent
virtue is the equal sharing of misery."  . Sir Winston Churchill


-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of
David Rotigel
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 4:45 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group; The SEL email discussion list; slick at toltbbs.com
Subject: Re: [AT] New Lawn Tractor

I appreciate all of the advice all of you have offered! I took a look at what Kubota had to offer
today. The BX25D looks like it would do what I need to do--but $14,522.00 out the door still looks
like a good "chunk of change" to me!
	Dave
PS, Of course, my first "real job" was in a gas station at 37.5 cents an hour. I guess that times have
changed a bit!
PPS, Tomorrow I will look at another Kubota dealership and see if they are a bit more hungry.
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