Garden Tractor

Background

For many years I've wanted a small tractor to use at on the land surrounding my house.  I looked at the small Kubota 4-wheel drive tractors and one of them would be ideal, but even used they cost way more than makes sense for my needs.  In the past I had anAllis Chalmers B12 (see the tractors web page) but they no longer are available.  It had 12 Horsepower which was adequate.  But the 2-wheel drive is not as good as 4-wheel drive.

Arines Model 960460033

I looked at the Cub Cadet LTX 1040 42" Lawn Tractor at Tractor Supply Co and the Jhon Deer  & Troy-Bilt Bronco and Pony at Rainbow Ag, but when reading the reviews and looking around on the web the Home Depot Arines Model 960460033 (SKU 156550) seems to get much higher ratings and appears to be a better buy.  It's made by Husqvarna at the Orangeburg, SC factory.  This is the version that's compliant with the California Air Resources Board (CARB).  I ordered it yesterday (6 June) and after faxing back and forth some paperwork it should be delivered today.  Bummer. . . .  it's going to be about 2 weeks wait to have it delivered!  Scheduled for 20 June.

Specs

Husqvarna

The local Friedman Brothers has the YTH2042 in stock and will deliver it.
I'd like to know if it will accept the Grader/Box Scraper,  (requires the Sleeve Hitch) and/or the 36" Front Scoop?

Johnny Bucket Jr

This is a small front loader bucket that can dig and is operated by an electric actuator.  About $1340.  Fits many riding mowers.

Storage Building

It would be nice to have:

•  a building for this garden tractor ( and one that would also hold the small Kubota with front loader and back hoe) that would have doors at both ends so that the tractor with trailer could be driven into one end and out the other (better than backing a trailer). 
  
• The framing should be strong enough and have a fitting to allow the use of the chain hoist to lift the tractor. 
  
• Storage on one or both sides for fuel, oil, parts and tools for maintenance. 
  
• A concrete pad and nearby hose bib for washing located down hill from the building.  Pad should be big & strong enough so that any of my cars or trucks could be washed. 
  
• Floor of building above highest adjacent dirt so stays dry in rain. 
  
• Electric light and outlets and space for air compressor.

Three Point Hitches (Wiki)

This is a standardized way of attaching rear implements to a tractor.  The layout and coupling are standard so you can mat various brands of tractor and implement.

Garden Tractors

There are a number of classifications for small tractors.

A riding lawnmower is also called a lawn tractor.  They typically weigh less than 700 pounds and are priced new under $3,000.  They do not have a three point hitch, but rather have a thin sheet metal tab with a hole so you can attach a trailer.  Most are 2-wheel drive.

The Garden tractor weighs more than 700 pounds and is priced in the $6,000 area.  These are also called Sub-Compact or Compact tractors and typically have a category 1 3-point hitch (Wiki).  Either have 4-wheel drive as standard or an option.

Sub-Compact Tractors

A guess is that Sub-Compact tractors have a category 0 3-point hitch. (<= 20 HP)
Yanmar Sub-Compact Tractors - Sc2400/2450 - 24HP diesel, Cat-1 hitch, Dual hydraulic pumps
Sc2400 - 1280 pounds
Sc2450 - 2520 pounds
Kioti Tractor - CK20S 2,125 pounds, 4WD, manual transmission, The CK20HST has a hydrostatic transmission
John Deere model numbers are 1023E and 1026R.

Kubota BX25 - only comes with LA240 front loader and BT601 backhoe -
    3-point hitch is an option because of the standard backhoe. 1542 #.
    about $20k - 5 year 0% financing available.    

The Kubota 1860 and 2360 do not have an option for a backhoe but you can add a front loader.
    BX60 Front Loader (pdf)
    BX60 backhoe - only on BX25 - (pdf)
    RCK48-18BX is the 48" mower (the smallest one they have) -
    BX60 Series tractor specs (BX1860/BX2360, BX2660/BX25 (pdf)

Compact Tractors

A guess is that Sub-Compact tractors have a category 1 3-point hitch. (20 to 45 HP)

While searching for something I came across the John Deere 1 Series Sub-Compact Tractors. 
These typically have a category 1 3-point hitch.

Weeds

Keeping the weeds mowed is an annual chore and is required to minimize fire danger in this rural setting.  Because I haven't yet acquired some form of riding weed mower I've made a number of repairs to the self-powered walk behind lawn mower and have gone through the first tank of gas.  For more see Hints and Tips: What Goes Wrong.

Related

Links

Back to Brooke's PRC68,  Products for Sale, page

page created 7 June 2012.