I used to have a Gravely walk behind with a few implements.  It was great for the acre parcel I was living on at the time.  That was about twenty years ago and all the Gravelys and attachments are twenty years older (me too ).  

I guess the deciding factor with machines is time vs money with consideration to the tasks you want to perform.  With the Gravely I could cut the lawn (50" finish mower), rototill, plow and throw snow and brush hog.  It was a huge labor and time saver vs doing it all by hand but it did require some strength to muscle the machine around.

I did like that there was only once machine to maintain vs a separate mower, tiller, snow thrower, etc.

Anyone still use a Gravely or more modern equivalent?

I didn't really know these were a thing until a year or two back when there was a thread on here about them.  If it wasn't Kitties that started it, she posted a bunch in it.  The consensus, IIRC, seemed to be that they were tough, well made machines and worked well for someone who didn't/couldn't own a tractor, but you needed to be pretty able bodied or they would beat the hell out of you.  I didn't look, but I bet the thread is long archived.  I'm thinking there were a few HF&G folks who either had them or used to have them.  I seem to also remember that sourcing parts and/or accessories was a little challenging.

Thanks for the positive feedback Feral.  It's appreciated.

I just watched a few YouTube vids and was impressed.  Handlebars adjustable for height and even offset is really great.  Good assortment of implements but they seem a bit on the expensive side.  I'd rather spend once for quality than twice for junk.

I think one would help keep me active and help me sleep better at night

I did search before I posted for walk behind tractor and came up empty - I may not be doing it correctly.

One downside I can think of is there's not likely a source for used implements like there once was (or maybe still is) for Gravelys.  It can be fun picking through Craigslist hunting out used 'bargains'.

Edit to add:  I used the googles and found the archives

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Outdoors/URGENT-Gravely-L8-Walk-Behind-Tractor/19-694446/?page=1&anc=bottom#bottom

I had a BCS. It was old as hell and beat to shit. It still started every time, but it lacked the refinements of the models sold today.  I sold it and bought a Kubota BX. That said if I was going to do a large high tunnel or small 1-2 acre intensive gardening plot I’d happily spend the money on a new BCS.

Thanks.  I've been down the YouTube rabbit hole on and off all day looking at them.  I can't believe the number of attachments.  Hay rakes, balers, etc.  Huge variety.  Honda engine seems super.

I'm sure a compact or subcompact tractor is a great thing to have.  Money is tight so I'd rather not spend more than I have to but then again I'm sure I'd find chores for a grapple, land plane, etc.   Besides a four wheel tractor is just cool.

I can see a spreadsheet or two in my future for deeper study.

I still can't get over this:



Not the most efficient but a hell of a lot better than not having a baler if you need one.

I can't see how you could justify one of those over a bx tractor. There is an order or two of magnitude difference in capability between them.

I'd hope there is as there is a price difference of at least $8K.

I haven't been around tractors so this could be that I don't know what I don't know.  I have had a Gravely was always impressed with how much work it could do.

The least expensive BCS walk behind has a MSRP of $1,705 and the least expensive Kubota BX series has a MSRP of $9,863 for a difference of $8,158.00.  

The most expensive BCS walk behind has a MSRP of $5,330 and the most expensive Kubota BX has a MSRP of $14,585 for a difference of $9,255.00.  

Both those comparisons are bare with zero implements.  I don't know if either could be purchased for less than MSRP.

My BCS is back in action after a long health related brake. It is a 11 hp beast. 0.12 acre tilled right now, it is overkill for my needs at this stage.