I am not familiar with what you have, but it sound like a really nice unit. Why step down, when a few modifications can solve the problem.

Change out the tires or get a second set. Then also get a pull behind self powered deck or a three point mounted deck to operate off the PTO.

The other nice option perhaps might be a gang reel mower. They really cut beautifully.

I know it is hard to believe, but you will really miss that tractor once it is gone. Several years ago, I had a YardMan, WheelHorse, and bought a Walker ZTR. I also had 3+ acres. I wanted to build a new house, so I bought a BobCat Skid Steer. Well my acreage has gone down quite a bit. Down to 1, and now down to 3/4 acre. I still have all the equip. but the YardMan.

I use the old wheelhorse to pull yard stuff, mow with the ZTR, and Garden with the BobCat. I am constantly adding to my landscaping.

My thought is "it's all paid for, why bother to get rid of it, as soon as it is gone, I will need it back for something or other". Plus taking the loss on the sale.

If you are bound and determined to buy a ZTR, do it and keep the tractor for the time being. You will be surprized at how handy it will be.

My Yanmar is an subcompact tractor. It has 4 wheel drive with a locking differential. I have moved at least 150 yards of dirt with it in the last month, and have comletely graded and leveled my yard. It is a great unit, but wouldn't make for a good mower. My yard will require a mower that maneuvers and trims well. It will be sad, but I have decided to let it go in another 2 or 3 months.

How about a little more confusion? If once the grass is in you will never do any other landscape tasks I suppose I could understand getting rid of the Yanmar. If there was any room I'd say get snapper's 26" high wheel or a used commercial walk behind for grass cutting and keep your Yanmar for all the other work. Even if you put turfs on it, I'd say your still money ahead than buying a rider.

Build a shed and keep the compact tractor.... you will regret getting rid of it... buy a used simplicity or deere and fix it up to save on the money issue... Having a great main tractor is really a plus..

I agree with "quantico" don't unload the sub-compact.
I'd love to have one. I bought a JD x300 but it was not inexpensive (I consider it an investment as is your Yanmar)

I'll take the other side, being too often in pepacker's position myself with great equipment that I will never use. 1 acre isn't a lot when you throw a house, driveway, sidewalks, ect on it. Your tractor is simply too big and poorly suited for what you need done. You can sell it and buy a very good garden tractor (any color you want - green, yellow, orange, whatever) and buy all the attachemnts you'll imagine you need and still have money left over. I say get the right tool for the job.

Regarding the your thoughts on the Kubota GR2100. Two years ago the GR2100 was the least expensive 4WD tractor on the market. I don't know what competition exists today, but I had seen the price go down to $5400 here in Maryland.
Also, I can remove the deck within two minutes. I'm not sure what Simplicity offers but two minutes isn't bad.
I bought the diesel with a 48 inch deck. The tractor is incredable on hills. I let friends test mine all the time and they are amazed. The glide steer is close to a zero turn.
It does not have rollers for striping. I don't like to stripe, but I know many prefer the look. Good luck and I would be glad to answer any questions.

Paul

For me in this application it would be a choice between the 4WS X304 and one of the new Deere ZTRs they are selling this year.
$3500 or so for either.
I would find a friendly Deere dealer who would let you try both out. Some people take to the ZTR system: others not. But the X304 would certainly be a nice alternative to that.

D

Well it's not a diesel, but you could get a great Simplicity Conquest (even comes in 4wd now) with a snowblower, garden cart, Johnny bucket for less than $7500. It would be more than you really need to maintin 1 acre, but would last a long time. It also strips, since it sounds like your intersted in striping. I can't say enough abot the unit I own. I originally started with 3/4 acre to mow and my new property has about 1.5 acres of lawn. Sometimes I'll even mow the pastures with it if I'm too lazy to hook up my rotary mower on my compact tractor. The Simplicity is a real workhorse and I abuse the heck out of mine and it keeps on ticking.

1 more thing, you can get a nifty snowplow from Johnny products now.

Here is a link that might be useful: Johnny Bucket

Thanks everyone for the advice. It seems to be about 50/50 on the keep the Yanmar thing. That is about how I feel right now also. I am still leaning toward getting rid of it (I was on it for 9 hours yesterday smiling the whole time). How well do the johnny buckets work? After the yard is in, I will only need to move mulch and stuff occasionally.

'How well do the johnny buckets work? After the yard is in, I will only need to move mulch and stuff occasionally.'

I've never used one, but I hear a lot of people love them for your type of application..ie moving mulch and other fairly light materials. The video's on the website make them look like they work fairly well. They sure do look better than a shovel and wheel barrow.

Just remember the JB is not a FEL that you are used to on the Yanmar, but it does well at what it was intended to do.

Keep the Yammar and pick up a decent lawn tractor for mowing in the $1200-$1700 range, maybe a Sears 28714 or a Deere L120

It wont hurt anything keeping a spare tractor, heck i have 15 of them ( that im not parting with), sides you never know when some project will come along where y might need it or a neighbor.
Kidd