CompuServe Messages

Daniel: I have two *very* flat acres. I have owned two tractors, one a K-mart special from about 1976, and a John Deere, since 1984. Since having the Deere, I would advise strongly *against* an el-cheapo special. My K-mart special used an aluminum block, and it siezed up one fine August afternoon (about 104 degrees out). Considering that I had to re-weld the 'special' about 15 times (every metal piece on it broke at least twice, it seems), and the fact that the sheet metal was very thin and hard to weld — it is hard to recommned them. The JD has been very reliable, and is constucted quite well. One concern would be to find a tractor with very large rear tires. This helps to prevent them from tearing up the grass on a steep slope when it is wet, and thence starting sliding on the grass. Make sure that you have one with a strong hitch on the back, so you can hook a rope or chain to it and pull it out of any ruts — especially if you get a lot or rain, or flooded low areas. I have a 14-HP motor, which Bermuda grass, and Johnson grass absolutely require with a 38" mosing deck. If I had it to do over, I would have gotten the 48" mowing deck. I average about 2-1/2 hours to mow the 2 acres. Good luck. – Tom (Dallas)