Mowing How big is too big.

[Scott85]

I am looking for a tractor for a food plot and would to be able to mow the grass with a rfm. What would be the prefect tractor to do it all? Is a 40hp 3500 pound tractor to much for cutting the grass? Please help me pick the perfect tractor to do it all.

 

[Arc weld]

That would be an excellent choice for what you need. Not too big, not too small but big enough that you have the power any job that might come up.

 

[Scott85]

That would be an excellent choice for what you need. Not too big, not too small but big enough that you have the power any job that might come up.

Thank you I'm just trying to justify the cost of a tractor and using it 4 times a year wouldn't cut it. Let's see if other people agree with you but it's nice to know I'm on the right track.

 

[tractchores]

It depends a lot on what your mowing job looks like. If it's a open area without obstacles and clear sides then you're probably ok. If it has flower beds, irregular edges and objects to go around you'll probably find the tractor too big. I have a kubota B series and it's too big to mow my lawn with (have trees and flower beds), it just isn't maneuverable enough. You may also find that depending on soil type you will rip the grass in turns or compress the lawn. I have heavy clay soil, with some loam on top of the lawn, so it doesn't hold up well and there's times when I won't drive my 2k lb tractor on it with turfs. If you are mowing on a septic field you may also want to consider how much weight can be safely put on that. A removable FEL can reduce weight and help with manueverability and a mid mount mower can help with maneuvering.

 

[Scott85]

It depends a lot on what your mowing job looks like. If it's a open area without obstacles and clear sides then you're probably ok. If it has flower beds, irregular edges and objects to go around you'll probably find the tractor too big. I have a kubota B series and it's too big to mow my lawn with (have trees and flower beds), it just isn't maneuverable enough. You may also find that depending on soil type you will rip the grass in turns or compress the lawn. I have heavy clay soil, with some loam on top of the lawn, so it doesn't hold up well and there's times when I won't drive my 2k lb tractor on it with turfs. If you are mowing on a septic field you may also want to consider how much weight can be safely put on that. A removable FEL can reduce weight and help with manueverability and a mid mount mower can help with maneuvering.

I used to cut the grass with a Ford 1210 and a 5'RFM the tractor with filled tired weight about 1600 pounds. There is no septic tank to worry about and a few trees which I normally weed eat in between. The grass is at a hunting camp and I think the first couple of times with a RFM you learn HHS best way to cut the grass and what works. I cut 15 minutes off my cut time when I got the ford vs a 44" zero turn.

 

[tractchores]

I used to cut the grass with a Ford 1210 and a 5'RFM the tractor with filled tired weight about 1600 pounds. There is no septic tank to worry about and a few trees which I normally weed eat in between. The grass is at a hunting camp and I think the first couple of times with a RFM you learn HHS best way to cut the grass and what works. I cut 15 minutes off my cut time when I got the ford vs a 44" zero turn.

Nice I suppose there's a big difference in 'cutting the grass' too. If it's just trimming a field or keeping the weeds at bay VS mowing some kind of super manicured lawn (mine is in between). Probably a good situation to sit on the tractor and get a feel for it, or even better rent a similar model and see how it does.

 

[Scott85]

Nice I suppose there's a big difference in 'cutting the grass' too. If it's just trimming a field or keeping the weeds at bay VS mowing some kind of super manicured lawn (mine is in between). Probably a good situation to sit on the tractor and get a feel for it, or even better rent a similar model and see how it does.

That's why I am asking for help on here. I could go with an old 2wd for the food plots but what if I down the road need a loader of 4wd. I could go with a BX and it could do it all just take a little while with the food plots. I could go with the biggest tractor I could afford as long as it fits the trails. I asked this similar question on another tread and Soundguy gave some great advice. There are just 1000 different routes and I'm just trying to get some ideas on what would be best for me.