I have an 06 Conquest, 44" deck with a 42" snow thrower - single stage. Simplicity didn't have the 4 x 4 one in 06.

The cut with the deck is excellent as is the ride and handling. Changing the oil and filter, air filter and the like is easy. Deck removal takes only a couple of minutes once you get the hang of it.

The single stage snow thrower does an excellent job of clearing my driveway which is a 1/4 mile long. By adjusting the skids on the thrower you get the snow off pretty good.

I would suggest you test drive both tractors. See if the dealers will bring them to your house so you can test them on your property.

In either case, both Simplicity and Kubota have excellent reputations. You really can't go wrong with either tractor.

Enjoy the journey.

eal51 in western CT

I'll bet my Ventrac 3000 was in that same ballpark on price, certainly when you add in the cost of a blower on those tractors. The plow is fully hydraulic. It mows beautifully. All models have AWD. It climbs like a goat. Plus I've got a scoop that has moved roughly 6 cubic yards of dirt and gravel this year, and will likely move another 10 yards before the year is out.

Dealer support for these tractors seems to be superb. At least my dealer was, and it seems to be true for the dealer in the CT area that I've heard of too.

John

Here is a link that might be useful: Ventrac 3000

I have the GR2100, but opted for the 48 inch deck. I wanted the diesel, however I have too many obstacles in my yard for the 54 inch deck. The diesel is fantastic. Powerful, efficient, and quiet. The glide steering is also a big plus. Like I said, cutting around all the obstacles made my decisions. The Simplicity will offer lawn striping. I don't stripe so this wouldn't be a factor in my decision. Simplicity didn't offer the awd when I was looking so I have nothing to offer except that Simplicity has a great reputation.

I did look at the ventrac and the number of attachments was incredible. However, the AWD Conquest with a single stage blower and 50" deck is about $7300, the Kubota 2000 with the single stage and 48" deck is about $7800 but they also have some nice financing available. The Ventrac 3000 (I think that was the model, the smallest one) was quoted to me at $8500 without a deck. the deck was like $1300. Getting close to BX24 price range with comparable equipment around here. (southwest PA)

Most of the enjoyment of a good machine will come from the quality of cut of the lawn. By far that is the most used task. Your post seems mostly concerned with the snow removal chore though and shaft drive would be an important consideration to me for that particular chore. Have you considered a Bercomac blower over the OE equipment? Consider the additional costs of weight and chains for either unit. I would want to know the difference between the front axle drive types. Does the Simplicity allow sharp turning radius like the Glide Steer?

I would also check out the CC 2500 and 3000 series.
Also have you checked out JD?

I did look at Cub Cadet, it was a model with locking diff and a 4-way hydraulics for the plow. but cost (with plow & 48" mower deck)was about $8700. I didn't price out a snowblower from Cadet. But it was not 4WD or AWD. I also went to a JD dealer, but with the JD's change to volume retailers, we lost the three dealership in our region that were known for their service, knowledge and yes, even price. Now there's only one, it's part of a large equipment/builders supply store. The salesman told me the best priced tractor with the features and attachments to do the jobs I wanted was in the $15,000 range. Like I stated above, the two I'm looking at are both AWD and under $8,000. The Simplicity corporation restructuring has me scared of buying one. I'm wondering if they'll follow the JD lead and my local reliable dealer will be forced out of business if they demand showroom upgrades, and/or triple inventory demands. And, Yes, the snow removal capacity is my biggest concern. If I only had to cut grass, I could get by with a smaller weight/cheaper unit. Plus if it broke I could let the grass grow for a while, however, if 7 inches of snow falls overnight, I still have to get out from the bottom of long steep and winding driveway to go to work. The driveway is crowned (as it needs to be) so a big (6' or larger) blade does more harm than good. I tried this twice and had to shovel the remainder and since it was packed into ice, well you get the picture. Therefore my questions about snowblowers since I've never used one. So, I also don't know anything about snowblower brands, attached to tractors or otherwise. However, I'm not interested in a walk behind.
I have been using a Sears Craftsman GT for 5 years, but the recent number of breakdowns, and the manual angling of the plow and the difficulty to remove the deck etc. has me lookinig to upgrade. It appears my Sears wheel weights and chains should transfer easily to the Simplicity, but the Kubota wants suitcase rear weights because of the torque sensing differentials. (according to the dealer) Chains should work though.

Now I'm thinking of BX1850 or Legacy 27XL. Equally equipped, 48" deck and loader. The best prices I got really favor the Kubota, $10560 VS $13500 for the Big Simplicity with LQ cool Kawasaki engine. I like the lack of the solid ROPS and the floating deck of the Simplicity, BUT $3,000 diff is hard to ignore and it's diesel too. But it is 27 HP vs 18 too. Any thoughts?
Also, Anybody use a FEL as a snow plow?
How well does that work?
It's more expensive, but also more useful in the other seasons. Also why I'm thinking of going bigger.
Thanks in advance.

The mowing quality on kubota are very good. I would recommend though if you do get the BX1850 you get the 54" deck because the 48" deck doesn't protrude enough on the non-discharge side and you can't trim with it. (I know because I just spent the last month looking at the blue, green and orange offerings)

Regarding 18HP diesel to 27 HP gas; I wouldn't get too excited over the on paper difference of 9 HP. Diesel's are workhorses and I'd be willing to bet you could pull the conquest around in circles with the BX1850.

$10560 seems like a very good price, best I got with a 54" deck was about $11500 (in NH)

I just got a NH TZ25DA with FEL and 54" deck. FEL work good for moving snow; it's also nicer to have the option to lift the snow up and over the banks.

The link below is how well my NH deck mows.

Don't get concerned about the "colors" though; JD, NH and Kubota are all awesome machines and I'd be happy owning anyone of them. Look at them all, do some research and buy what you like best.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:334946}}

I haven't considered New Holland, thought they were all too big/expensive. I'll check out the web. Is your NH in the similar price range?

The TZ25DA with loader and mid-mount mower is about $3500 more than the price you got on the 1850. A NH TZ18DA should be pretty close to the 1850 in price; certainly would be less than the Conquest price.

I went with the NH because it's a little bigger; little more capacity in the loader and subjectively I felt it was a little nicer than the comparable green and orange offerings.

The 0% financing for 60 months also wieghed into the decision as well.

One thing is for certain; this will be the last tractor you buy regardless of which color it is.

Make sure you get what you want!!

Happy shopping

I have to disagree with nhtzer about the quality of the cut on the Kubota. I have a GR2100 and the quality of the cut is crap. I do cut parallel along a slope, but the cut should not be as uneven as it is. I have a 20 year old Gravely that cuts flawlessly on the same slope. I can't say much good about the transmission eather. It does not seem to transfer enough power to the wheels, particularly in reverse. For those that are wondering, the deck and the transmission ahve been back to the dealer and according to him both are in perfect adjustment. FWIW.

Chris