Who uses?

[John Deere]

Are there any of you using tractors for landscape work and possibly even snow removal? I will probably no doubt be purchasing a John Deere 4000 series, but I would like to know what other types are out there, but more importantly what you like or don't like about the kinds that you have used. Also please give me a price if you know one. Thanks all!

[Guido]

Deere John,

LOL, had to do it!!

Anyway, I've used Ford, Case and Kubota industrial tractors, but in my opinion nothing beats a skidsteer!!! (We run quite a few bobcats) Its much easier changing attatchments, and more compact to work in close areas. They have unreal power!!! The only benefit I saw with the tractors (besides using them for wide area mowers) Would be the tires don't rip up as much turf as a skid steer, but other then that couldn't sell ya on a tractor, sorry!!

[SKDCO]

I have a Kubota B4700 16hp 4wd hstw/ turf tires. I love this machine,probably the best tractor for the money. Hydro trans is the BEST on the market. Deere will tell you different but The mfg for Deere's is Tuff-Torq and they are questionable. I have a 48" 3pt Ryan core areator, 42" yard box and a 48" bush hog and I'm looking for a front-end loader. This tractor is a good size for what I do and also a good entry-level machine. It is priced around $10,000.00 and Kubota has real good finance offers thru out the year. Just check their web site, http://www.kubota.com. Good luck on what ever you decide on and I hope this helps.

[morturf]

i have both a 955 and a 4400 john deere. these are great tractors. I think that John is referring to a compact utility not an industrial tractor. I have to disagree with guido on the skid steer thing. Can't count the # of lawns I have fixed because of skidsteer invasion. I have used my 4400 to cross fine lawns (and golf course greens!) with up to 1200 lbs in the bucket and turn while crossing. Try that with a skid. well you can try, but the course will fire you or you will have to rebuild the green. I also finish mow a 5 acre lawn in less than 2 hrs with the same tractor. I think that a skid has a place on a construction site but no business on finished lawns. They weigh and rip too much. The versitility is a great advantage, there are a lot of implements out there and they work well with any brand of tractor. Once the rough grade is done the skid should go to next site, they are lousy fine grading machines, you guys should know when you have to bounce over lawn that was sodded after a skid steer "finish" grade. I have said before that I don't mow. I do plant a lot of grass and grade a lot. I can rodeo with the best of them on a skid but i prefer my compact utility tractor (CUT). One thing John, look for the right axle on the 4000 series. They have had a problem with scuffing with the first axle design. The newest ones off the line are much better. Mine had the old axle and JD replaced it with the new one. It is much better. this was long, sorry.

[gorrell]

I don't know why, but John Deere is definitely not a major player in the commercial market. They may say they are, but they don't even produce their own ztr's. They make the decks, then send them to Husqvarna to finish the process. Don't get me wrong, they sell a lot of "commercial" products, but one can do a lot better in the commercial field than a "John Deere" whatever that may be. Thanks,Lynn

[paul]

I can make a case for both to be in your arsenal, skid steers move heavy loads and rough grade great,I still use a tractor for fine grading but turn to a skid steer for removing rock and fine raking. You can't do large areas with a skid steer like you can with a tractor, sure they make tillers for a skid steer but a disc will do a larger area faster. I own both and they both go to jobs every day.

[turfman99]

Been doing this for 25 years. I use three Kubotas 30 hp to 55 hp now. Probably will get a Deere 955 with turf tires this next spring. I like both brands. Kubotas have done us real well over the years and Deere has provided good machines also.

We don't have a skid steer, we don't rent them, just have no need for them. If our machines can't do it, we rent a Case or Deere backhoe. Skid steers must be operated by very experienced operators or your going to tear the hell out of something and it's going to cost you money.

We do about a million a year in construction and the equipment we have is great. Maybe a Toro siteworks next year.

[SKDCO]

gorrel;
John Deere doesn't even make their own decks anymore. Kee's /Husqvarana actually makes the entire machine for Deere.The only thing Deere does is paint them. $.02

[paul]

turfman99, you mean that an inexperanced operator on a tractor won't?

[morturf]

just a quick note. this topic was for a discussion of tractors not mowers. the ins and outs of JD's commercial mowers now that is a different topic.

[John Deere]

You are right, this is not a subject about mowers! Also thanks to all of you who have caught on that my name isn't "John" Anyway, thanks to all who have helped on this matter. I see alot of you are using Kubota's. I have tested the J.D. 4400 for about 50 hours worth. Great machine, obviously I'm a big fan of J.D. but I'm looking for something that will let me keep my first born. I took out a new tractor today that I have never even heard of before. The brand is called "Avenger" It's a 28 hsp. with a Kubota engine and a Massey body. It is a utility tractor and is priced about $6000 less that the J.D. 4400. Yes, Yes I know the 4400 has more hsp., but for $6000 I can live without a few ponies. Have any of you heard of this machine? Thanks!

[Guido]

In my post I said that the thing I liked mre about the tractors vs. the skidsteer was that it was harder to rip up turf with them. It takes an operator to run any type of equipment. Put me on a bobcat and I'll do wheelies all day in your front yard and you won't know I was there!! As for the finish grading part, when I'm done using my power rake there is usually zero handwork to be done, so I don' know what your talking about when you say a skidsteer can't finish grade as good??? Anyway, I've had good experieces with Kubota as far as the tractors go. The big players back east in CT were Kubota and New Holland. Most everyone I knew that had one had Kubota's. Good Luck, and let us know what you choose.

[southside]

My experience with John Deere tractors is not good.They have
a good diesel in the small ones (Yanmar) but I found they loose too much power through the pto. IMO the larger tractors are rubbish. Gutless motors,ineffecient ptos and
rather unstable for my liking. I have owned and operated many tractor over the years clocking up nearly 10000 hours
on them. Kubota make a nice unit,although a little lacking in torque. The pick of the bunch in compact 20-40 hp tractors would be the New Holland/Shibaura range. In the
higher hp ratings I would look at Ford,Massey,Deutz/Fahr.
They are all good strong reliable machines.My Deutz/Fahr
is running at around 11000 hours and all I've had done is
a clutch.

Karl