We had it in for warranty service twice in the first six months, then I repaired it several times... we made do as long as we could, then we traded it in for $500 credit towards the $8,000 cost of the Simplicity with the blade. (The same tractor these days, with the same setup but with 25 horse diesel rather than 27.. is well over $15k)Tina was working part time here and there, managing horse barns and training horses, while the kids were in school, and was home when they got out. She might take them to the barn, let them do homework in her office then ride in the afternoons. But...she was there for them. SHE chose the tractor and made all the payments. It's hers. It is fifteen years old and still going. We have taken care of it and it still goes. It's got four wheel drive, locking rear diff, front and rear PTOs and front and rear hydraulics. It is set up for a bucket but at the time we bought, didn't think we needed one. NOW you can't find one and if you did, they are $4k. Back then, $1,800.
For the last couple years the tires you see in the first pic, turf tires, have been slowly leaking down, and were a bit dry rotted, but they are OEM. Not bad for fifteen years old.
- up the drive.jpg (264.91 KiB) Viewed 5501 times
We finally decided it was time for NEW tires. Miss Tina did her research, found the best price on Amazon, and ordered the barred tractor tires. Since we use the Garden Tractor as a tractor.
We take it into the pasture, drag downed trees, pull stumps, drag the gravel with the blade, and clear snow in the winter. The drive is 250 yards long.
UP and down hills. We parked the tractor in front of the woodshop, jacked er up and took off the wheels and took it to the local NAPA and had them mount the new tires. They are a bit taller, wider and the tread is awesome.
- New Tractor Tires.jpg (281.46 KiB) Viewed 5501 times
