Posted by FredO on April 03, 1998 at 22:30:04:
In Reply to: Need help with purchase of Garden Tractor posted by Jim Agans on March 31, 1998 at 17:50:27:
: I am in the market for a new tractor, mostle for work around the yard. I need something that gives a smooth ride due to back problems. It seems the bigger tired machines ride better and am looking at garden tractors as opposed to lawn. Can someone give me some good advise? There are so many its hard to decide. Why are JD's so much more than murray or MTD? are sears any better than MTD or Murray? SHould I go Hydrostatic? HELP!!!!!!
Hydrostatic is the only way to go. If you don't mind working on your mower/tractor frequently, go cheap, but you can't beat the expensive stuff for reliability. I have a 1973 hydrostatic Wheel Horse 16hp with a 48" deck. It's been used for roto tilling, and snow clearing in addition to mowing from 3 to 5 acres. It's mostly retired to just pulling a trailer, and light stuff these days, but it performed well for me. I just bought a Kubota. We'll see how it holds up. A neighbor bought a Sears, and only mowed once with it the first season. Sears paid for having his yard mowed all year, but they just couldn't get the tractor/mower fixed so it would work.