Update: Off topic. Tractor vs. Skid Steer

[SongdogHunter]

Currently own an ASV SR85 rubber track loader. Its is a great versatile machine but not cheap. Also a compact Kubota 4 wheel drive.
My suggestion would be open an account with an equipment dealer and lease a skid steer for a couple months. That way you can learn if you like that type of machine. Takeuchi are tough and more reasonable price than other big names.
MHO
H

whatever equipment you get make sure you have a local dealer than can service them. My closest Takeuchi dealer is 2 hrs away If they were closer I'd buy a Takeuechi CTL in a heart beat

 

[PopCharlie]

Those are a rebadged Ferris and come with suspension, and a good mower no matter whose name is on them.

Yeah...its like sitting in an easy chair while mowing...it's a nice machine.

 

[PopCharlie]

whatever equipment you get make sure you have a local dealer than can service them. My closest Takeuchi dealer is 2 hrs away If they were closer id but a Takeuechi CTL in a heart beat

The JD dealer is 19 miles from home. The Stihl dealer is 3 miles. Close is good.

PopCharlie

 

[Walt Krafft]

yep just pay attention to the what transmission you have on it. only mowing 1.5 acres' isn't bad Im looking for mower to mow the 10 acres we have

I have a neighbor that supplies a handfull of fully automatic, 4 wheel drive, 4 inch cut mowers.

 

[Steve Donlon]

I will second the need for a grapple. Instead of the box blade with a mold board, get a landscape rake with spring teeth. It will do a much better job of smoothing driveways.

I guess it depends on the terrain. We have no flat ground so when the road needs to be fixed, ruts and gullies need to be filled and material moved. A gannon box blade will do that better. But if it's flat or your just smoothing things out, rakes are nice.

 

[ebb]

I have an old (pre 2000) Dixie Chopper that I mow 1 1/4 acres with and have since 2004. I wish it had an electric clutch to engage the deck but it still gets it done the way it was built. I've heard negative things about the one piece trans axels. My Dixie and Hustler both have 2 pump motors and 2 wheel motors. The Hustler was given to me by a friend, I wish I had said "no", but it is getting closer to being done. I looked for wheel motors for it for almost a year. But my friend found one with a blown up motor and neither of the wheel motors leaked. I WANT MY SHOP BACK, and mowers to be outside or gone.

 

[ebb]

I have a neighbor that supplies a handfull of fully automatic, 4 wheel drive, 4 inch cut mowers. 4 inch cut ????

 

[Walt Krafft]

MOOOOW

 

[ebb]

Right over my head!

 

[Walt Krafft]

Right over my head!

Creatures of the bovine type. Good to eat too!

 

[cbailey1956]

I'd go with a medium 4wd tractor, get a quick attach front and have one aux hyd circuit added for front or rear use. Think grapple on front, adjustable mower height on rear, maybe harley rake occasionally. After all the hard, heavy work is done a good tractor is relaxing. If got the money get a/c cab for heat in winter (snow plow), mowing in summer like this week 100+. Ive had a dozer, excavator, articulating wheel loader. Used skid steers. Then they were all sold after sitting around for 50 weeks a year. I've got a 90 inch estate mower on my tractor now. Gonna head out and mow the 4 acre shooting range at 7am due to heat.