Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site cbosgd.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!cbosgd!djb From: djb@cbosgd.UUCP (David J. Bryant) Newsgroups: net.garden,net.consumers Subject: Re: Garden/Lawn Tractors Message-ID: <925@cbosgd.UUCP> Date: Thu, 2-Feb-84 21:06:27 EST Article-I.D.: cbosgd.925 Posted: Thu Feb 2 21:06:27 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 8-Feb-84 01:57:49 EST References: <144@hou2f.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus Lines: 38 I too am looking to buy a garden tractor. My wife and I just recently bought a house on 5 acres and we are definitely going to need far more than your typical push mower to keep it trim. Here is what I have learned so far (much of this is comment from my neighbors): * For 5 acres, get at least 16 HP and 44" cut. * Sears lawn/garden tractors come highly recommended, as does their maintenance agreement (corollary: repairs can be VERY costly). * Get headlights * All-Aluminum engine blocks aren't as durable as aluminum blocks with cylinder sleeves. I have lots of other questions, to wit: 1) What brands/models are good? Which are bad? 2) What types of transmissions and drive trains are best? Which should I avoid? 3) I am prepared to pay up to $2500 for a good garden tractor. Is this reasonable? If no, why not? 4) How practical are these gizmos for other work - snow removal, tilling, etc? What lawn/garden tasks do they do well? 5) How does cutting velocity (M.P.H) vary as a function of horse power? Do I really need 16 HP? At what speed can I expect it to cut? (I can readily translate M.P.H into hours needed to cut 5 acres.) As I understand it, this is a good time to go shopping for garden tractors, so I'd really appreciate pointers that will help me get a good deal on a quality tractor. * * David Bryant (make that "Farmer Dave") AT&T Bell Laboratories * Columbus, OH 43213 * (614) 860-4516 * . . djb@cbosgd.UUCP cbosgd!djb@Berkeley.ARPA * *