Yeah no joke! My ZTR is a 2008 and it has 190 hrs. Cut about an acre AND use it for carting wood and other junk around! Mowing season here is around 3 months though... Late April/June to Sept. The Deere QT works ok but the couple low hours small Deeres I used had loose buckets because of the mount. A skid steer attachment is better with the wedges. My Dad has a Fisher snow plow on his Kioti. He got a blade and A frame and welded it to a quick tach skid steer plate. He used the rear hydro for angling. I'm not sure exactly what he did because the rear has a big snow blower on it that uses hydro for tilt and rotate of the chute. I think maybe used some kind of diverter valve so it's either plow OR blower (won't use blow at the same time)
This is a pic of when he first got it about 5 years ago. It has a cab now and I'm sure a few scuffs. It's a CK20HST I believe. I know it's hydro and about 25ish hp. He likes the R3 tires much better than the R1s he had on the Jinma before. BTW that Jinma was poo.
I was thinking g it sounds like that deer system could get sloppy?? There no more cheap Jim Ina anymore I heard cause or tier 3/4 requirements?
For sure the Deere setup is not as robust as a skid steer setup but is easily shimmed or repaired and the goal here is to save weight out on the end of the loader boom. You sure won't hurt one with a grapple or snowplow attachment. A couple hundred lbs difference in the quick-tatch and bucket weights is no biggie if you have 6000lbs or more of lift capacity. More of an issue with a 30HP compact tractor that might have 1300-2000lbs of lift capacity.
I have little experience with these little tractors. Only thing I know to recommend is get one with live PTO. My little Kubota isn't live and its a pain to mow with.
Good call on the live PTO. My dad's tractor doesn't have live PTO and it is indeed a PITA to mow with. His mower is about 2 sizes too big for the tractor and the blades have enough inertia that they spin for a good while after you clutch it though....makes it manageable.
I could go on all day about how much I like my BX2360 but will just say I could never be without it. I use it for bushhogging, plowing, snow removal, log skidding, mowing, a wheelbarrow, blading, tilling etc..........
Looks like a sweet setup you have there Cert! I have been looking into the JD 1026R to replace my 445 for mowing, snow plow and loader work around the property. Might try to get the BH with it as well. I only mow 1.5 acres and mainly have pine trees to trim around. I'm hoping it does as well or close to how my 445 cuts with a 60" deck
I It will do everything better than the 445 EXCEPT mow. It will not be nearly as maneuverable. 1.5 acres? I would skip buying a mower for the 1026 and pick up a good used lawn tractor exclusively for mowing.
I know it won't be as maneuverable as the 445 but I wouldn't think by much less. The 1026r only has a 6.75" longer wheelbase and just under 9" overall length longer. The one thing I really like about it is the drive over auto connect deck!
Look for a turning radius spec. The 1026 will not turn nearly as hard as the 445. The drive over is cool, just make sure the area is pretty level where you will be doing your connecting.
Yea that's true, turning radius is not going to be as tight on the 1026. Tractor data shows 2.16 ft for the 445 And 7.4 ft for the 1026 . That seems like a huge diff!!
How important is loader capability? Loaders are available for the 445 but are rare and $$. I wouldn't try a backhoe on it but it has been done, lol. Plows, snowblowers, and other attachments are still plentiful (even new) for those tractors. Then again, get your 1026 setup how you like and a good 48" lawn tractor eats up 1.5-2 acres pretty quick.
I already have a loader for the 445, just looking for something a little more capable. Most of what I've read says I'd still be happy mowing with the 1026 even though it may not be as maneuverable as the 445. My yard is fairly flat and open so it's an easy mow. Being able to change implements around quickly and easily is key for me too. Once the deck goes on the 445 it stays on until I take it off in the fall. The loader isn't too bad to put on or take off but the location for the hydraulic hookups is a pain and something more capable would be very handy with the wood and projects around the house.
4wd would also be nice to have for moving wood around in the winter and plowing. The 445 managed this past winter but it was not easy
That is indeed an easy one to mow! I can understand not man-handling the 60" deck under the 445 every week. The 60" is heavy! Seeing a bit more of your situation has me thinking you will be quite happy with the 1026R setup like you planned.