photowriters1
09-25-2002, 02:21 AM
Let me state at the outset that I hate, detest, abhor yard work of any type. All my 40+ years of adult life I have studiously avoided, shirked, ducked, and ignored by artful, and not so artful dodge, every chance to make the terrain surrounding my dwelling look presentable. I was in seventh heaven when I lived at 9,000 feet in the Rockies where it was well nigh impossible to have a lawn. Currently I live off a private road on the side of a hill and one must drive up my drive some 100 feet before they can see the area that is designated as a "yard."
For years my wife has been the one to cut the grass, plant flowers, etc., but now she is developing arthritis to the point that it is very difficult for her to do the job that she would like. In addition, our old lawn mower has rolled over, pointed its wheels to the sky, shivered a couple of times, and died.
Now that I have, hopefully, entertained you and given you a little background, indulge me for a few more paragraphs that will present my resolution and my problems. My "yard" now looks so bad that even I am ashamed of it. Something must be done, and I have resolved to take an active role making the yard attractive, but for goodness sake don't tell my wife.
My wife and I are both 60 and while we are not immoble, we both know that as the years continue to roll by that neither of us will be able to push or guide a mower around our lot. So we have resolved to get a riding garden tractor with a mower deck. The problems I am faced with are as follows: :dizzy:
Which mower/tractor to buy?
Should we pay the premium to get a new unit or, is it reasonable to invest in a second hand unit with limited use and for which the history is known?
How to revive or replant a yard in a problem location and environment.Which Mower?
I have researched the various options available and it appears that a 15 horse tractor with a 38"-42" deck makes the most sense. I would prefer a two cylinder 18hp model, but I cannot justify the difference in price for our yard. We have from .8 to 1.2 acres which could be defined as an easily mown "yard" and another two acres from one of which the underbrush could be cleared and grass or a low ground cover planted. It would be a difficult mowing task as there are lots of trees and the terrain is hilly and a bit uneven. I would guess the maximum slope is about 15 degrees.
Two local dealers have tractors that appear to fill the bill. Both are 15hp units with hydro drives. One is a Massey-Ferguson (built by Simplicity?) that is a year old and probably has a maximum of 25 hours on it. I have tested it, and it is in good condition. They are asking $1800 for it. This dealer resells his trade-ins at wholesale. The second is a John Deere LT(?)155. That unit is from a man who mows a one acre lot and trades in for a new tractor every two years. It probably has about 150-200 hours on it and is priced at $1650. I have also tested this machine, and it is in good mechanical and physical condition.
Both of the units appear to up to the task of keeping our currently non-existant grass looking neat as well as hauling whatever supplies that are needed to put the yard in first class shape. Both have been serviced, i.e., oil and filter changed, blade sharpened, etc. From the standpoints of cost and reputation, I would say that the Deere is the better buy. I know that Simplicity has a good reputation, but I don't know about the units they build under the MF name.
Questions for Problem #1
Will a single cylinder, 15hp tractor be up to the task I have described, i.e., mow and haul a loaded 7cu.ft. around the terrain that I have described?
Am I foolish to consider buying a used tractor/mower?
What sort of reputation do the MF garden tractors have?
Would you, as I am so inclined, select the Deere over the MF?Creating/Restoring the Lawn
The area designated for our lawn is a rather severe growing environment. Climatology wise, we live in the Kansas City area with the typical hot humid summers and cold wet winters. In addition the lawn is surrounded by mature trees which limit the amount of sunlight that the lawn can receive. The trees and thick underbrush also significantly reduce the air circulation.
The soil offers perhaps an even tougher challenge. The "lawn" portion of the lot apparently was created by leveling the pile of rocks and dirt from the excavation for the basement. It is chalky and rocky. It is not top soil by any stretch of the imagination. Also the lawn area has enough of a grade that runoff and erosion are a constant problem. There was grass planted in the yard when we bought the house, but it has all but died out and there is little left but dirt and weeds. The basic question is, "What do I need to do to create/recreate and maintain a lawn?"
Questions for Problem #2
What type of grass is best for the for the conditions described?
What is the best method of dealing with the weed?
Should the entire "lawn" be plowed under/tilled, releveled, fertilized, and seeded, or will weed killer and new seed be sufficient?
Will a coating of topsoil be required, and, if so, to what depth?
Can a couple of enthusaistic 60 year old novices do the job, or will I have to call in a professional?
If I have to let the pros do it, what will it cost?I am sure there are important details which I have overlooked, so don't hesitate to ask. I will post some additional facts and/or questions as they come to mind. I will applogize in advance for my lack of knowledge in the area of lawn care and obtuse questions, but I will also thank you in advance for your advice and understanding.
Regards,
For years my wife has been the one to cut the grass, plant flowers, etc., but now she is developing arthritis to the point that it is very difficult for her to do the job that she would like. In addition, our old lawn mower has rolled over, pointed its wheels to the sky, shivered a couple of times, and died.
Now that I have, hopefully, entertained you and given you a little background, indulge me for a few more paragraphs that will present my resolution and my problems. My "yard" now looks so bad that even I am ashamed of it. Something must be done, and I have resolved to take an active role making the yard attractive, but for goodness sake don't tell my wife.
My wife and I are both 60 and while we are not immoble, we both know that as the years continue to roll by that neither of us will be able to push or guide a mower around our lot. So we have resolved to get a riding garden tractor with a mower deck. The problems I am faced with are as follows: :dizzy:
Which mower/tractor to buy?
Should we pay the premium to get a new unit or, is it reasonable to invest in a second hand unit with limited use and for which the history is known?
How to revive or replant a yard in a problem location and environment.Which Mower?
I have researched the various options available and it appears that a 15 horse tractor with a 38"-42" deck makes the most sense. I would prefer a two cylinder 18hp model, but I cannot justify the difference in price for our yard. We have from .8 to 1.2 acres which could be defined as an easily mown "yard" and another two acres from one of which the underbrush could be cleared and grass or a low ground cover planted. It would be a difficult mowing task as there are lots of trees and the terrain is hilly and a bit uneven. I would guess the maximum slope is about 15 degrees.
Two local dealers have tractors that appear to fill the bill. Both are 15hp units with hydro drives. One is a Massey-Ferguson (built by Simplicity?) that is a year old and probably has a maximum of 25 hours on it. I have tested it, and it is in good condition. They are asking $1800 for it. This dealer resells his trade-ins at wholesale. The second is a John Deere LT(?)155. That unit is from a man who mows a one acre lot and trades in for a new tractor every two years. It probably has about 150-200 hours on it and is priced at $1650. I have also tested this machine, and it is in good mechanical and physical condition.
Both of the units appear to up to the task of keeping our currently non-existant grass looking neat as well as hauling whatever supplies that are needed to put the yard in first class shape. Both have been serviced, i.e., oil and filter changed, blade sharpened, etc. From the standpoints of cost and reputation, I would say that the Deere is the better buy. I know that Simplicity has a good reputation, but I don't know about the units they build under the MF name.
Questions for Problem #1
Will a single cylinder, 15hp tractor be up to the task I have described, i.e., mow and haul a loaded 7cu.ft. around the terrain that I have described?
Am I foolish to consider buying a used tractor/mower?
What sort of reputation do the MF garden tractors have?
Would you, as I am so inclined, select the Deere over the MF?Creating/Restoring the Lawn
The area designated for our lawn is a rather severe growing environment. Climatology wise, we live in the Kansas City area with the typical hot humid summers and cold wet winters. In addition the lawn is surrounded by mature trees which limit the amount of sunlight that the lawn can receive. The trees and thick underbrush also significantly reduce the air circulation.
The soil offers perhaps an even tougher challenge. The "lawn" portion of the lot apparently was created by leveling the pile of rocks and dirt from the excavation for the basement. It is chalky and rocky. It is not top soil by any stretch of the imagination. Also the lawn area has enough of a grade that runoff and erosion are a constant problem. There was grass planted in the yard when we bought the house, but it has all but died out and there is little left but dirt and weeds. The basic question is, "What do I need to do to create/recreate and maintain a lawn?"
Questions for Problem #2
What type of grass is best for the for the conditions described?
What is the best method of dealing with the weed?
Should the entire "lawn" be plowed under/tilled, releveled, fertilized, and seeded, or will weed killer and new seed be sufficient?
Will a coating of topsoil be required, and, if so, to what depth?
Can a couple of enthusaistic 60 year old novices do the job, or will I have to call in a professional?
If I have to let the pros do it, what will it cost?I am sure there are important details which I have overlooked, so don't hesitate to ask. I will post some additional facts and/or questions as they come to mind. I will applogize in advance for my lack of knowledge in the area of lawn care and obtuse questions, but I will also thank you in advance for your advice and understanding.
Regards,