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I'm replacing my 1985 JD 318 with something diesel and 4wd that will last for the next 20 years that I'll be mowing and blowing. My property is small, just over 1/2 acre to mow with one area having a steep side slope, one area that gets mucky after a rain, and rather low hanging trees & bushes that I can just get under with my 318. The driveway is asphalt and rather steep. I can only blow downhill with my 318 and, at times, driving back uphill is rather iffy, even with weights and chains. (Unfortunately, I can't reliably use walk-behind units due an old injury.) BTW, my wife is NOT a gardener, so she doesn't generate outside honey-do lists for me.
I've eliminated John Deere due to their drop in quality over the years and Simplicity because they are owned, and use mainly, Briggs engines. I'm deciding between two Kubotas: a GR2120 garden tractor (970 lbs. with mower) with fulltime AWD and a very tight turning radius vs. the BX1870 sub-compact utility tractor (1350 lbs. + mower deck). My current JD 318 weighs about 1,000 lbs. with the mower deck.
The most practical solution given the low hanging trees, mucky area, side slope, and benefits of good handling would be a GR2120 with a 54" deck and snow blower - final price would be about $12.8K. The BX1870 with a 54" deck and snow blower would have a final price about $13.2K. Part of me just wants a tractor, and the $400 premium for a BX is nothing, especially with the long-term value. However, i would probably complain about the ROPS clearance issues (or do lots of tree / shrub trimming), big turning radius, and heavy weight of the BX. However, I suspect if I bought a utility tractor, I'd find reasons to buy and use other implements.
What are your thoughts?
I've eliminated John Deere due to their drop in quality over the years and Simplicity because they are owned, and use mainly, Briggs engines. I'm deciding between two Kubotas: a GR2120 garden tractor (970 lbs. with mower) with fulltime AWD and a very tight turning radius vs. the BX1870 sub-compact utility tractor (1350 lbs. + mower deck). My current JD 318 weighs about 1,000 lbs. with the mower deck.
The most practical solution given the low hanging trees, mucky area, side slope, and benefits of good handling would be a GR2120 with a 54" deck and snow blower - final price would be about $12.8K. The BX1870 with a 54" deck and snow blower would have a final price about $13.2K. Part of me just wants a tractor, and the $400 premium for a BX is nothing, especially with the long-term value. However, i would probably complain about the ROPS clearance issues (or do lots of tree / shrub trimming), big turning radius, and heavy weight of the BX. However, I suspect if I bought a utility tractor, I'd find reasons to buy and use other implements.
What are your thoughts?