If mowing wasn't a factor

[Gio]

I am shopping for my next tractor and I had a thought...

What type of tractor would I buy if i wasn't concerned about mowing? Would I be better off buying a bare bones workhorse like a JD3005 or a stripped down Kubota and a separate zero turn or rider for mowing?

I could give up a little comfort and features in my working tractor if I wasn't spending long hours in the seat mowing. Maybe I could get more tractor if I didn't care about a mid PTO or Hydro trans (things I would want for mowing).

I only mow 4 acres but it is a major factor in my decision making.

Any thoughts?

 

[KennyG]

Isn't the real question what do you want to do other than mowing? If a good mowing tractor will do everything else you want, then you're set. If you're planning work that takes more like 40 hp than 25 hp, you might be better off with a separate mower. If you're regularly mowing 4 acres, I'd think you'd want a pretty good mower, so it won't be cheap.

 

[Gittyup]

What KennyG said. If you want a digger/ground machine and don't plan on mowing, the weight and hydraulics are king. HP is less meaningful when using the PTO is secondary. Just depends on what plan to use the tractor for. I have two machines. One ideal for mowing and snow plowing. The other is set up to dig and carry.

 

[txdon]

I mow with the '48 Farmall and do dirt with the Kubota. Even if I would mow with the Kubota there is nothing I would change about it. It works a FEL and a BH and 2 blades and a tiller. I would not do without HST or 50HP.

For mowing 4 acres I would get a ZTR, unless it was bunch grass on rough ground.

 

[TripleR]

I have pretty much come to the conclusion that any one machine to "do it all" well is like the Loch Ness Monster and Big Foot, some people claim they exist, but I sure have my doubts.

Some, in limited situations, may come close, but for the rest of us, two machines are the ticket unless you are willing to make compromises in one area or the other.

 

[wolc123]

TripleR is on the mark. The need to mow has hobbled up lots of folks and thier CUT's, primarily with R4 tires (mark up damp lawns almost as bad as R1's, and little more traction than turfs in mud or soft ground). Having a seperate tractor for the lawn frees you from that recipe for dissapointment and compromise, letting you get "real" tires - R1's for off the lawn and turfs for on. Depending on your off-lawn usage, you may also be better off with a gear transmission which is significantly more efficient for heavy ground-engaging work. If it is primarily loader work you will be doing however, a hydro would still be best for that, and is definitely the choice for on the lawn.

 

[NOTV8]

I was in the same boat as you last year... end up buying ZTR and CUT. And best decision I ever did. Not the chearper route but works for me. You have to sit down and really think what you want to do... Hope this help a little

 

[Gizmo2]

I don't think you can beat a ZTR in the mowing department regardless of what tractor you get they are just flat out mowing machines.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I don't think you can beat a ZTR in the mowing department

Unless you get a cabbed tractor with A/C...

 

[manganos]

I agree. I have a JD riding mower for a few acres. The only "mowing" the tractor does is bushhog

I used to finish mow 10 acres with a 72" RFM and it was time consuming.

 

[Gizmo2]

Unless you get a cabbed tractor with A/C...

If I could afford that, I would hire it done.

I agree. I have a JD riding mower for a few acres. The only "mowing" the tractor does is bushhog

I used to finish mow 10 acres with a 72" RFM and it was time consuming.

Been there done that also. That's why I went for a commercial ZTR. It also seemed every time I needed the tractor for some other work the mower was on or when I needed to mow , the backhoe was on.

 

[jenkinsph]

A separate mower is the easiest and most convienient way to go. Less turf damage when mowing with a dedicated mower setup for this task. Tractor for ground engagement isn't compromised near as much.

 

[Gio]

Thanks everyone. I am going to work up some numbers and I will keep you posted...

Any recs on a ZTR brand?

 

[JiminGa]

I love my z910 Deere, it's a mowin beast.

 

[Gizmo2]

Seriously consider commercial ZTR. I mow approximately 6 Acres with a Toro Z-Master 52 inch deck and it is just marvelous, does just fine.

 

[JP11]

I got into the one tractor idea.. and it didn't take long for me to forget it. The "auto hook up" deck on the JD was as expensive as an inexpensive ZTR. The inexpensive ZTR would mow better and faster (albeit less FUN than the cab tractor with stereo)

I'm sticking with a commercial ZTR.. and a cab tractor with No mid PTO, r4s that are loaded because weight is my friend now not the enemy of a lawn machine.

It's kinda like my part time job. I teach a guy to fly in a amphibious seaplane. It's NOT a good landplane, and it's NOT a good seaplane. BUT.. it is the best combination of the two that you are going to get.

Sometimes just because something CAN be done... doesn't mean it's the best or most efficient solution.

JP

 

[NOTV8]

Check BadBoy ZTR... see it in my avatar. I test others and found Badboy a lil' better built. You can order it also online with almost the same price of going to the dealer. I got one with Kawasaki liquid cool engine. Good luck on your purchase :thumbsup: whatever brand you choose.

 

[Will_C]

Well, it sounds like you have decided, but I too would recommend the two machine set up if you can swing it. I have a Toro commercial 52" ZTR-it makes mowing a breeze-I am not sure if a 72" belly or RF mower would be as fast.

A side benefit for me is that when I mow the property where I plan to build, my fiance uses the Z and I use a RFM behind my Kubota- so we have two machines working at once.

Will

 

[ispan1]

Great thread! Now you've got me thinking twice about the Kubota l3700 that was my compromise tractor. Should I buy instead an older industrial loader (there's a case 480 I've been thinking about for about $5000) and a ZTR for mowing instead? I'd still be at about half the Kubota price, I think. I mow about 3 acres but it's bumpy and weedy.

 

[jenkinsph]

Great thread! Now you've got me thinking twice about the Kubota l3700 that was my compromise tractor. Should I buy instead an older industrial loader (there's a case 480 I've been thinking about for about $5000) and a ZTR for mowing instead? I'd still be at about half the Kubota price, I think. I mow about 3 acres but it's bumpy and weedy.

Don't know about the condition of the Case 480 but these were used as landscape loaders and could be fitted with a TPH with several hydraulic circuits for top and tilt and more. Definately worth looking into.