Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

      Hi Gang. Tomorrow I'm going to hit a couple places and price some Simplicity and Husqvarna Tractors. With cutting my  elderly neighbors lawn now I can more justify the cost of a new mower. I'll be cutting at least 2 1/2 acres and then some. It's basically flat terrain with a fair amount of trees to work around. The heaviest hauling I do is mostly cart loads of firewood. I'm also going to be cutting a short path back into the woods and a path through her fields for approx. 1/4 mile distance.
     I'm basically looking at the Husqvarna XP series from a price standpoint. The only thing that I don't like about those is the fender mounted hydro shift. I prefer the foot controlled hydro. With the trees, I change speeds a lot. As for the Simplicity which is my preference, but much more costly, I'm going to price the Broadmoor and the Conquest series. The Broadmoor could be in reach financially, and the Conquest is a stretch. I've had 2 different Simplicity tractors since I've lived in my house, (24 years), and I hate to break tradition.  LOL.    They are just good solid tractors and the mower decks are hard to beat. Love them rollers. Original cap was $3000, but that can be stretched with the right deal and financing. The wife is even ok with it.  The lady next door is more than a neighbor, shes a good friend. My wife said what ever it takes to get the job done. So c'mon gang, give me a push. Get me off the fence. I bought the last 2 used, it would be nice to have a new one. Ya think.

                                                                                                                            Kevin

   

Hey, I didn't pull the trigger yet, but it's cocked and my fingers getting itchy. Feel lucky punk. LOL

Vangellis wrote:
Just don't ask me to pull your finger. 

Kevin, You are not going to like this. Most small commercial Zs will do a better job of mowing in about half the time. If I were you, I would not spend $3000 without at least looking at them.

http://www.gravely.com/gravely/Products/Zero-Turn+Mowers/pm+44z.asp

http://www.exmark.com/lazerzct_con.htm

http://www.exmark.com/lazerzhp_con.htm

http://www.scag.com/tigercub.html

http://www.hustlerturfequipment.com/products/hustlerminiz.html

If you need a Simplicity
This one is pretty new, don't know what they are like. It looks good.

But if you don't care how long it takes to mow, or you are planning on ground engaging, forget everything I just said. But I like ZTR's. I bought a large (for me) walkbehind with a sulky. For speed, to minimize trimming, and because of hills.

Thanks for the links Robmints. I will be ground engaging and hauling with it. I'll also be cutting paths through bumpy fields. I can use the Blade I have with my current tractor but it will require a different bracket. Nice thing also is that it will work off the mower deck lever and not an add on like my other tractor. App for finance is filled out. I better get going and see if he'll sweeten the pot a little. Don't think there is much chance of that, because it's pretty sweet already.

Marshall, as long as you don't pull my leg.

                                                                                      Thanks,   Kevin

Well, it's a done deal. Financing was approved by the dealer, I went and signed this morning, and I'll take delivery tomorrow.
 
The Conquest really is a sweet machine. The final cost was $3990. Of course there is the good ole Pennsylvannia sales tax, and the interest on the financing, and I'm still comfortable with the whole deal. Plus I found a new dealer to buy from and this
might help me get some deals in the future.   LOL   Funny how life goes. Two weeks ago, this was just on a wish list.
Tomorrow I'll be buzzing around on it.     Yahooo,  
                                                                                                      Kevin

KEVIN, PLEASE TAKE PICS OF IT BEFORE YOU MOW, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ACTUAL PICTURES OTHER THAN THE SIMS PHOTO SITE.

I AM ENVIOUS, CONGRATS ON THE CONQUEST!

Oops, sorry for the caps.

Kevin...

Sweet tractor !   Enjoy it for a loooong time !

What's the cutting width?      Horsepower?     Hydro drive?

Dave...

Marshall, I don't know who's more excited. Me or you. LOL   I'll see what I can do on pics but I don't want to hold the dealer up to much. That was the nice part of this dealership. I dealt with the owner the whole time and he's delivering it. Nice guy. He has a pretty good size building, inventory and seems busy, but it's just him, and another helper. He does have a part timer that comes in some nights to do repairs and set ups. He's going to stick around until I cut with it a bit and have the controls down and am satisfied with the setup.  One of the first things I want to do is find a steep wet hill and test the diff lock.
                                                                                                                                                                Kevin

Dave___in___CT wrote:

Hi Dave. Thanks. It may be the last tractor I own.  LOL  It has a 44" deck. The engine is a 20HP B&S Vanguard V-Twin. It has a foot controlled hydro with cruise control on the fender. It also has a differential lock that is a pedal on the left side that you step on when needed. Heres specs for the
Conquest series. But you have to sit on it. That high back seat's the bomb.   LOL

                                            

I'll second Marshall with those pics.    I want to see that sweet tractor too, but I'll understand if you can't get detailed.