Deere "lawn tractor" OK for cultivating/soil prep?

[coyotefred]

Howdy everyone-

I'd like some opinions on this whole 'garden tractor' versus 'lawn tractor' business. My old riding lawn mower just went down for good and I'm looking to buy a replacement. I live on small farm and need something to do some general mowing (1/2 acre or so, not many hills) around the house and outbuildings. I also need something that I could run some small ground-engaging attachments on like a sleeve hitch cultivator, small plow or harrow for a garden and for breaking up some weedy ground around my outbuildings to plant some grass into. My soil is very fine loamy sand-pretty easy to break up.

I'm looking at one of the lower-end John Deere "lawn tractors" like the 115 or 125. When I asked the local JD dealer about sleeve-hitch kits for one of these to do this sort of ground-breaking stuff, I was told that these models "aren't made for that" and that I needed to get a real "garden tractor" for this sort of thing. Of course their "garden" and "utility" tractors are several thousand dollars more than their "lawn tractors." I've heard/read similar comments in other places.

What's the real story here? I guess I'm wondering whether this is more of a sales pitch than good advice. I'm sure that a true "garden tractor" or "utility tractor" would likely do a BETTER job-as it should since it costs several times more. But can I do an OK job with the lower-priced "lawn tractors" (without harming the tractor of course)? So long as I can find a decent sleeve-hitch kit for the 115 won't this work? The other thing I like about the "lawn tractors" is their smaller size...with some of those "garden" and "utility" tractors it makes it tougher to operate in 'tight spots' around trees, next to buildings, etc.

I guess I'm a little skeptical about this whole "you need a garden tractor" idea because I know people who have been doing this sort of thing for years with old Sears 13HP riders with no apparent problems. And weren't the "garden tractors" of 10 years ago often less-powerful than the "lawn tractors" of today? I suppose the larger tire size for traction on the "garden" and "utility" tractors might also be an issue though...

'Any thoughts appreciated-thanks!

[Srgnt Billko]

I can't even picture my "lawn" tractor pulling a little moldboard plow. I use an old Sears 12 hp Suburban & an old Cub Cadet both with the cast iron transaxle, They weigh considerable more than a 115 and I still need wheel weights and chains. Those pot metal transaxles can't possibly stand up for much of that. Size wise there isn't much difference and the horsepower is not the concern.

[夜之魂]

Dear sir My name is Rock from China.and i have pleasure in introducing myself when i see your topic from google.want to know do you want a new lawn tractor with good quality and cheep price from China.if you want contact me by email/MSN [e-mail].I do international business in China. Best regards Rock email/MSN: [e-mail]

[Peter Huebner]

Transmission and Traction.

Our lawn tractor's transmission wouldn't stand up to pulling anything much. And the traction is so bad, it can't even get itself out of one of the holes the dogs dig in their run area if it drops one drive-wheel in, it needs a push.

Does that answer your question?

-Peter

[coyotefred]

Somewhat. Are the transmissions really that different on the garden tractors? I haven't been able to find much specific info when I compared the two (e.g. at Sears the other day). Is the traction difference from tire size...or gearing or both? I see most of the 'garden tractors' have 23" tires while the lawn tractors are 18-20" (and wider)...

[grassStain]

You must mean cheep quality and good price.

[Peter Huebner]

Yeah, right. Maybe cheep cheep cheep as in: for the birds. I have yet to see any half way decent quality tool or machine come out of PR China. To think that that was once a Great Country. Well, a long long time ago, I suppose. (And don't anybody start upbraiding me for taking cheap shots).

-P.

[sockiescat]

You must mean cheep quality and good price.

Yeah, right. Maybe cheep cheep cheep as in: for the birds. I have ye to see any half way decent quality tool or machine come out of PR China. T think that that was once a Great Country. Well, a long long time ago, I suppose. (And don't anybody start upbraiding me for taking cheap shots).

-P.

-- ========================================= firstname dot lastname at gmail fullstop com

i asked my hubby his thoughts on your question he said that it wouldn be a good idea to use a regular lawn tractor for the work u want t do. for one the garden tractors weigh quite a bit more than the law tractors, the gears are a heavier in comparison and on top of that th tires are wider for more stability and are designed for what they ar to be used for and thats in the garden. he suggested either looking for a good used garden tractor o considering a john deere model, as he has seen them stand up longe than a lot that are on the market now and on top of that for resal value u would get a better payback on a john deere something more t consider. good luck with your choices. cyaaaaa, sockiescat:)

-- sockiescat