ride on/garden tractor?

Hi all

Been a while since i posted here but could do with a bit of advice on a couple of pieces of kit we need at work. I'm a caretaker now but (when I can get my hands on the equipment) also look after the grounds.

Right. So we have a husq' ride on garden tractor that is on it's last legs. Now I work with a an old boy who's idea of a good mower is what colour it is, how clean it is and is easily convinced by the guy pushing behind the counter. He was on the blower today and said our usual dealer had a Husq' ride on for about £2000 (he didn't ask for a model number!) and was ready to run off to the powers that be and convince them that we need it. Now I'm not convinced. At all. The machine is going to be used for all the other patches of lawn around the grounds (other than our playing fields). My initial worry with the Husq is that the warranty wont be valid as, unless I'm mistaken, it's a domestic piece of kit. But also that it is the right piece of kit for the purpose and money? It's not an ideal situation as the grass does get overgrown because we have so many other day to day jobs that often take priority over that grounds (much to my frustration). So anything that we buy needs to be able to cope with long grass too and collect.

Can anyone give a bit of advice on what brands and kit we should be looking at, say if we had about £2-3k to spend.

Oh and I nearly forgot...Suggestions for a strimmer for £300-£400?

Sorry if I'm not being to clear, it's been a long day and i'm just trying to make sure we spend our money wisely. I've attached a aerial view of the grounds, which may give you a better picture

Thanks so much guys.

Neil.

2 - 3 k wont get you a machine capable of doing that area of grass efficiently. You will need at least a 72" cutting decked machine if you opt for a rotary deck. Their are cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain. I have a Ransomes 72" rotary and it eats grass areas that size before it's had breakfast. But you wont get a good condition one for your budget. You will need to go to 3500 - 4500k on your budget and do not think about a cylinder machine, massively expensive to maintain the blades on a cylinder, a better cut but so much £££££ in maintenance.
Increase your budget if you can, you will be far better off than settling for a smaller machine which will a) take an age to do the grass and b) will probably burn out with the work load. Look for Ransomes Kubota Toro John Deere or Iseki machines. Its coming to the end of the season and there are bargains to be had if you search hard enough. Good luck.

Replies

Andrew Knight September 19, 2012 at 10:16pm

Hi Neil

Great Picture, can see why the Husky is giving up the ghost. £2-£3k you'll get a second hand something with 3 months warranty. Most new Ride Ons to do this job are £6-10k. I know everyone on here has their favourites my suggestion would be an Iseki SX19 Diesel 3 cyl runs day on a tankful, collect wet/dry/ leaves too, you might find a second hand one about.

As for the Strimmer well Stihl for long life and parts, but I have used Echo, Tanaka and a million others. All this really comes down to what you local dealer stocks and supports I guess. Its ok buying stuff on line but can see you would need spares and repairs and on site servicing with the size of job.
Woodster September 19, 2012 at 10:17pm

Hi Neil

I've also been looking into this for a site which requires a ride on. I was also being sold on a husqvarna for around the 2K mark and also a Mountfield, both machines are domestic and not really subtitle for commercial purposes. It's the budget which isn't helping the cause as unless you buy secondhand the 2-3k just isn't enough. I'm sure someone on LJN will have some solutions, we on the other hand have increased our original choice (Mountfiled 1430) to the 1436 and juts hoping we can make it last for a couple of years and maintain it well but I'm not convinced after listening to a few comments recently. Good luck Neil
Benjamin O'Neill September 19, 2012 at 11:07pm

as ive said before if you havent got the money for the machine save it up then buy it, dont go wasting your money on stuff thats gona break down all the time coz you will end up paying the price of the machine you originaly wanted in the first place.
Lawncare-4u.co.uk September 20, 2012 at 3:44pm

dont you need a cylinder gang mower for that type of job ? do you know what your doing ?
PRO

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk September 20, 2012 at 5:30pm

2 - 3 k wont get you a machine capable of doing that area of grass efficiently. You will need at least a 72" cutting decked machine if you opt for a rotary deck. Their are cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain. I have a Ransomes 72" rotary and it eats grass areas that size before it's had breakfast. But you wont get a good condition one for your budget. You will need to go to 3500 - 4500k on your budget and do not think about a cylinder machine, massively expensive to maintain the blades on a cylinder, a better cut but so much £££££ in maintenance.
Increase your budget if you can, you will be far better off than settling for a smaller machine which will a) take an age to do the grass and b) will probably burn out with the work load. Look for Ransomes Kubota Toro John Deere or Iseki machines. Its coming to the end of the season and there are bargains to be had if you search hard enough. Good luck.
Neil Hogan September 20, 2012 at 7:23pm

Sorry but did you read all of my post. The tractor would be for the areas EXCLUDING our playing fields. Blimey I wouldn't use a 80-90cm deck for all that grass, a goat would be quicker.

Thanks for the other input. I appreciate it's not much money' I'm just trying to do the most with what we have.
PRO

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk September 20, 2012 at 7:30pm

Ahhh !!!! Well wouldn't it have been better ( for the responding posters) for you to have outlined the actual grass areas you need the new machine for ?? If your just going to do the wee futery bits then the husqy will be suffucient

Neil Hogan said:
Sorry but did you read all of my post. The tractor would be for the areas EXCLUDING our playing fields. Blimey I wouldn't use a 80-90cm deck for all that grass, a goat would be quicker.

Thanks for the other input. I appreciate it's not much money' I'm just trying to do the most with what we have.
PRO

Gary RK September 20, 2012 at 7:36pm

Could pick up a good Etesia Bahia or Hydro 80 for that sort of money. Worth considering....?
PRO

Gary RK September 20, 2012 at 7:53pm

Can even get a new one for £3375 inc vat from a dealer and presumably warranted...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Etesia-MBHE-Lawn-Tractor-/221000777047?pt...
PRO

Gary RK September 21, 2012 at 8:38pm

Another one gone up, 2nd hand :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/etesia-Ride-On-Lawnmower-/160886290804?pt...