Dilemma.. Decisions.. Decisions.....
 

Today, I located and agreed with the seller on a price for a 1772. While talking with my wife about it, she told me she had saved to get me a new Deere. While talking things over my son interjected we need one of those zero turn LTZs. WOW! what a day, now I need to make a decision. What complicates things is that I was expecting to have the 1772 added to the stable with the 1572 and the 782D and being able to share parts and implements between them all. What do you think?

I just bought this.

What's the question?

On one hand my son says the zero turns do a faster and better job. He's probably right, but I think old school and like a conventional tractor.
So going down the road of a conventional tractor, one one hand is a 1772 is a Cub Cadet I am familiar with from working with them for years. On the other hand, the Deere my wife wanted to get is a totally different animal, and a lot more expensive. Any implements I need will have to be purchased for this tractor. Ideally I would love both, but only have room (and cash) for one of them.

So that is my dilema

Go with the Deere. If you ever had to sell or trade for any reason...they hold resale value real well! You already got a 1572 and the gas equivalent.

I bought a John Deere F252, front mounted mower not really a zero turn, just for mowing. It is small, nimble and cut my mowing times around house and buildings by a third.
When I move the mowing operations to the large obstacle free area I bring out the Cyclops 1862. It's like driving Cadillac compared to the Deere. Foot control on the Deere doesn't bother me around the house, kills my ankle trying to hold it steady in the open.
Just broke a belt on the John Deere, dealer wants $77 for one. Amazon $35 shipped for a Gates belt. Deere is really proud of their parts.

The correct answer is ALWAYS "Cub Cadet".

THAT, was my point.

Besides. If a small tractor is what you are looking for, there are just as good of tractors for WAAAAAYYYY less money than green. Kubota, New Holland (my choice), Cub Cadet, Kyote, Mahindra, Case IH....... Never a good reason to go "green". :bash2:

Frank

Just my 2 cents but I do recall you busting your butt with snow last year. Pic is my BX pushing 24" of snow from last winter.

ZTR's cut grass fast but they suck at doing anything else. Take some time and check out a few tractors with a FEL. I'm happy with my BX but I wouldn't rule out a JD 1026R big thing is a good dealer that will stand behind it.

Since this is turning into a what should I buy thread I'm moving it to the general section.

That's exactly it. If you have lots of mowing to do with lots of obstacles, nothing beats a ZTR, but its a 1 trick pony. Dealer's choice on manufacturer. Seems to be good and bad out there from everyone after you get out of the box stores.

Since you already have good garden tractors I would be leaning toward a ZTR if you have no need for a FEL.