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Tractors Used For Home Landscaping
The smaller tractors used in home gardening projects, also known as lawn tractors, are very handy to have around if your plot is up to 2 acres. They come with a variety of tools that are designed to reduce your workload and increase the efficiency of your labor, while maintaining your garden to a perfect standard. They usually have between 7 and 10 horsepower, and are designed with the smaller plots in mind with a zero-turning-radius, or ZTR. Before choosing the model that is right for your needs, you need to consider a number of issues such as prices and whether you are able to operate a tractor safely.
A Flexible Tool
Whether you need a lawn tractor to dig for a fence, mow, till or roll the lawn they are very adaptable tools that can handle a multitude of jobs, through power take off spindle. Lawn tractors really are a godsend for the gardener.
How To Buy A Tractor
The process is similar to that of buying a car. The basic price corresponds to the basic trim, and it goes up as you add accessories. It is really important that you think all your options through before buying accessories that you may be able to add if needed at a later date. Like with a car you should take the tractor for a spin at the dealership, find out how easy and time consuming attaching accessories may be, and if the tractor is suitable for you to get in and out without a problem.
Purchase Price
The basic cost without accessories can vary widely, from the cheapest Bolen 762F76 that retails for about $900 through to $6000. Mid range models such as the Poulan Pro PK185H42ST go for about $1400 and expect to pay around £3300 for a John Deere Spin-Steer SST-16. These prices are for the basic trim only: expect to pay an additional $110 for a canopy, around $300 for a grass collection bag and carts can go from $110 to $220 depending on size. This can make a fully kitted out tractor expensive and you may consider a more basic lawn mowing option if your plot is under an acre and you are not planning to do anything but mowing with it.
Safe Operation
The center of gravity on a lawn tractor is low, which reduces the risk of accidents and rolling. This said you need to take some extra care to operate tractors safely. It is not advisable to drive at speed, even the more so going uphill, as there is a risk of injury if you hit even a small stone that can throw you out of track. Also take precautions when getting in and out: the engine should always be switched off, and all attachments should ideally be resting firmly on the ground.
Follow our simple guide to buying lawn tractors, and you will be mowing your way to a perfect lawn in no time.
Buy a lawn tractor that is the proper size for the amount of land you have.
Oftentimes, people purchasing lawn tractors get carried away, and but more mower than they actually need. They do not take into consideration where they would store a large lawn tractor, or the fact that they could have bought a smaller one at a smaller price, and it would have got the job done just as well. It is a rule of thumb that lawn tractors are only needed for properties that are a quarter of an acre of more.
Determine how much horsepower you actually need.
Having a lawn tractor with a great deal of horsepower doesn't always mean that you will get the mowing done faster. Experts agree that there is not much difference between lawn tractors with 15, 16, or 17 horsepower. However, if you will be adding attachments such as plows and tillers to your lawn tractor, more horsepower will make a difference.
Do you have the need for speed?
The speed of lawn tractors depends not upon horsepower, but rather upon ground speed, turning radius, cutting blade rotation rate, and the mowing deck width. For example, lawn tractors with a small turning radius can cut faster around trees and plants, thus making mowing faster.
Will you use attachments?
When researching lawn tractors, find out what models will take what attachments. Keep in mind that not all models will be able to use attachments, and some attachments may be too outdated for the lawn tractor model. Bagging and mulching kits are available for almost all lawn tractors. However, more heavy-duty attachments such as snow plows and tillers are not.
What drive type are you looking for?
There are four types of drive type: hydrostatic transmission, gear-drives, pedal-drives, and manual-drives.
Hydrostatic transmissions are smooth-running, and are operated by foot pedal. Lawn tractors with hydrostatic transmission need a good amount of horsepower.
Gear-drives are operated by a clutch which requires you to shift between gears. Therefore, you need to know how to drive a vehicle with manual transmission in order to drive this type of lawn tractor.
Pedal-drives also require shifting, but they use a foot pedal as well. And manual-drives use a lever instead of a foot pedal. Manual-drive lawn tractors are often the most challenging to drive.
With a reasonable amount of research, and the ability to compare the features that matter to you, you will have an easy time picking out the perfect lawn tractor for your yard.