5113jls@hou2f.UUCP (J.SCHANTZ) (02/01/84)
I am interested in buying a garden/lawn tractor this spring. My questions to the net are: What are some good and bad brands of tractors? What are the problems with the bad brands of tractors? What are the good aspects of a good brand of tractor? What is the ideal Horsepower rating for a garden tractor? What is a good price for a tractor? What are the trade-offs between price, power and brand name? What are some useful attachments and what tractors can use them? What about used tractors and what should people look out for? You can either send your comments to me or post them to the net. Since this is a topic many of us may be interested in, I would prefer that the comments be posted to the net. ------------ John Schantz hou2f!5113jls
djb@cbosgd.UUCP (David J. Bryant) (02/03/84)
I too am looking to buy a garden tractor. My wife and I just recently
bought a house on 5 acres and we are definitely going to need far more
than your typical push mower to keep it trim. Here is what I have learned
so far (much of this is comment from my neighbors):
* For 5 acres, get at least 16 HP and 44" cut.
* Sears lawn/garden tractors come highly recommended, as does their
maintenance agreement (corollary: repairs can be VERY costly).
* Get headlights
* All-Aluminum engine blocks aren't as durable as aluminum blocks with
cylinder sleeves.
I have lots of other questions, to wit:
1) What brands/models are good? Which are bad?
2) What types of transmissions and drive trains are best? Which should
I avoid?
3) I am prepared to pay up to $2500 for a good garden tractor. Is this
reasonable? If no, why not?
4) How practical are these gizmos for other work - snow removal, tilling,
etc? What lawn/garden tasks do they do well?
5) How does cutting velocity (M.P.H) vary as a function of horse power?
Do I really need 16 HP? At what speed can I expect it to cut?
(I can readily translate M.P.H into hours needed to cut 5 acres.)
As I understand it, this is a good time to go shopping for garden tractors,
so I'd really appreciate pointers that will help me get a good deal on a
quality tractor.
* *
David Bryant (make that "Farmer Dave")
AT&T Bell Laboratories
* Columbus, OH 43213
* (614) 860-4516
* .
. djb@cbosgd.UUCP
cbosgd!djb@Berkeley.ARPA
* *seifert@ihuxl.UUCP (D.A. Seifert) (02/03/84)
> * All-Aluminum engine blocks aren't as durable as aluminum blocks with > cylinder sleeves. Question: They actually use aluminum engine blocks on *garden tractors* ???? Aluminum blocks are generally used to save weight (as in make your sports car lighter) and I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) they cost more than a cast-iron block. Tractors usually try for *more* weight, not less, as can be seen in the weights bolted to wheels for traction in mud/snow/etc. Seems like using an AL block would be counter-productive in a tractor. -- _____ /_____\ from the flying doghouse of /_______\ Snoopy |___| ____|___|_____ ihnp4!ihuxl!seifert