I’m not disagreeing with you, it just depends on the tractor speed and the size of the rear finish mower. My 7’ RFM mows apprx 2’ more than my zero turn. My zero turn is flat out faster speed wise, but 3 passes with the zero turn equals about 2 passes with the tractor. The only other factor not taken into account is this, a week or two of rain. I guarantee that the zero turn doesn’t hold a candle to the tractor in those conditions. You have to slow the zero turn speed down, make sure the unit is at high rpms, and likely raise the deck. On a decent sized tractor, deck isn’t raised at all but you might slow a little (pto rpms will be high).
Make sure you crawl onto the workstation on any unit you are considering. Not all tractors have the same work platform. Some have funky lever positions, some have terrible seats, some are just flat out knee knockers.
No lies, I only get into my tractor from one side, the other side is just too narrow. I crawled onto several different units, but mine and the kubota were the best as far as comfort and space. You can always add an ammo can on your FEL for small tool storage etc, and there are 100 other mods you can do for storage of doo dads and what nots, but having it the way you kinda want it from the factory is nice.
Small add ons like telescoping rear links seems insignificant, until you start unhooking and hooking up implements regularly. I love being able to raise and lower my 3 point arms from behind the tractor with the lever while hooking stuff up, and if it isn’t just right I extend my links. This is where people get hurt, putting meat between heavy iron. My .02, if you don’t have a level spot in your yard now where you are putting your tractor and implements, make one as soon as you get it. A level area makes it so much easier and safer. Concrete isn’t required, gravel or compacted shale will do fine.
If you buy a tractor and FEL (front end loader) make sure it is quick attach and hopefully easy pulling levers. Try them out at the dealer.
FWIW Iron was kind of hard to come by earlier this year and like everything else, the prices spiked.
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Update!
No tractor yet 
BUT I did just score a smoking deal on a Kubota TG1860 lawn tractor with the diesel engine. It’s a start. We’re leasing 75 acres starting next year to run cows so I’m still on the hunt for a good tractor but it’s probably going to be bigger than what I was initially shopping for so now the cycle starts all over. I found a really nice Kubota L2800 here locally but the guy is stuck on his price and I think he’s about five grand too high.
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Never owned a tractor in my life or know what your talking about but I could listen to tractor talk all day long.
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don’t know if you know, but feed and fertilizer prices are set to skyrocket, with a possible shortage of fertilizer. That’s what the people are saying. Apparently the ukrainians and the russians were providing most of the fertilizer on the market. I don’t know this for a fact, but it might be something an aspiring rancher might need to know.
I have to go to the local farm soon to see if I will be able to get some poop. If fertilizer goes to the moon they may not sell their poop anymore and just liquify it for the fields. 10 bucks a pickup load was cheap, they load, but stinky.
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Yes, I’m aware. We had initially planned to start this year but I’ve been yelling recession at anyone who will listen so we decided to wait another year and see what shakes out. If it gets ugly we’ll hold off until the time is right for us. Luckily, I have a good friend that has a few thousand head of cattle and he’s helping guide me through all of it. Right now I’m just accumulating supplies and equipment and biding my time.
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Thankfully the 75 acres I’m leasing is dirt cheap and I have first option to purchase it should he decide to sell. I don’t think he’ll sell before he does but his daughter has agreed to honor his agreements so I should be covered there.
I read you loud and clear, you seem to be weighing your options and making informed decisions, good for you and it should bode well for your future.
A handshake between people is nice, but I like a handshake and a signed letter better. My personal example is that my neighbor (didn’t live on land) told me he would let me buy 2 acres off him before he sold (just wanted to extend my land a little for water runoff and drainage). A couple of years pass and the property sold at auction. I was unaware they weren’t paying their taxes, and I didn’t know about the auction (no signs). Pissed me off. I had even offered to pay for the surveyor and the court fees. Apparently they were too embarrassed to talk to me. You just never know what is happening next door. The new guy that owns it also owns the land behind me and just didn’t want anyone else buying it. He also doesn’t want to lease/sell me the 2 acres. Now I’ll never own it. Lesson learned the hard way.
I also learned one other lesson the hard way, survey the property (can be quite pricey depending on the size), put the stakes/posts out, bury rods or other devices in the ground that they don’t see. Apparently people like to move markers (heck even a fence line) to steal land. depending on your state laws, if you don’t reclaim it in a certain period it becomes theirs. People tried the same thing with my buddy’s property (bought a farm), they actually moved the fence line over to try and steal a couple of acres (before he bought it). They have called the EPA on him several times trying to get him in trouble for spreading fertilizer on his land to grow crops with. It is crazy what you have to deal with. People riding their side by sides on it, like they own it. You can get sued if they wreck on your land (depending on your state laws)
You are probably aware of all this. I just put it out there in case, so you learn from my mistakes. I’m sure you have heard stories, but they are real. People covet what they don’t own. Here I am on the forum rambling because my knee hurts and I’m bored. time to sign out.
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If I had them I’d take them to the Milk River and leave them for Newt and Pea eye to look after. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about we can’t be friends
Lol I know who you’re talking about. I’m more of of a Louis L’amour fan myself but we can still be friends
I love his westerns, but Mathurin Kerbouchard was a man’s man
I haven’t read that one yet. I’ll have to see if it’s on Audible and check it out. No time to actually sit and read anymore so I have to listen while I work.
Listen to The Walking Drum by Louis L’Amour on Audible. https://www.audible.com/pd/B004CTGKKO?source_code=ASSORAP0511160007
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Geez Louise. It’d take me a year to listen to all that. I recently listened to the Count of Monte Cristo. Almost 60 hours long. Great book but holy cow it took me almost two weeks to listen to it all.
That’s really why he drove to Alabama the other day…
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I got a solid twenty hours in lol. I listen all day while I’m washing.
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Got a few mows in with the new (to me) machine. Cuts great for being almost 20 years old. Runs like it just rolled off the assembly line. Can’t beat these little diesel engines.
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I like that
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