Ferguson TE20 or lawn tractor?
Hi r/tractors,
I would be grateful for any insights on my current dilemma. We have a one-acre field (99% grass) that needs to be cut and kept reasonably tidy over the summer.
I inherited my Dad’s Ferguson TE20 (1946, I think), and I just about managed the field last year with this and a 4ft flail (also ancient) borrowed from a kind neighbour. Dad’s tractor really struggled, and I had multiple breakdowns and starting issues. I’ve cleaned the carb, replaced the battery, spark plugs, distributor leads, fuel tap and filter and several poor electrical connections. At the end of the summer last year, it would start and run well initially, then bog down and stall when working a bit harder (running the flail and going up a small hill). I thought fuelling was probably the issue. I found lots of rust in the tank, which I had a good go at cleaning out. This seemed to fix the issue initially, but a week later, it was back, along with some brown, dirty fuel in the fuel tap. I was so fed up that I just left it over winter. Predictably, the grass has grown again, and I need to work out what I’m going to do this year.
I’ve just ordered a new fuel tank, which may or may not fix my stalling under load issue. Despite this, I’m concerned that the flail is too much for the poor old tractor to manage - on one more successful mow, I realised the fuel was boiling in the tank (concerning, but apparently they do do this when working hard?).
I had thought the best way forward was a 4ft topper as it would be kinder on the tractor. My better half thinks that a lawn tractor might actually be a much more sensible buy and the Ferguson relegated to semi-garden ornament.
Our budget is about £2000. I enjoy fettling and am reasonably mechanically minded, but work and life doesn’t leave me a huge amount of time to fix the tractor when it breaks. It’s incredibly frustrating /heartbreaking to find myself with a few hours spare to do the field, only to break down with the tractor after about 15 mins.
Do you agree a ride-on is the best way forward? Are there any standout models in our price range? Or should I stand by the beloved grey fergie.