??? Belly mower or finish mower

[Phillip w]

I'm pretty much retired and down sizing. Not bad, it has been a heck of a push to get where I'm at at my age. Anyway, I sold the far, a nice 7 digit figure, and I am buying a small acreage with a house.(a tinker plot more or less). My question is with is the best way to go??? A belly mower or a pull behind finish mower? Any thoughts,ideas,suggestions? What are is the pro and con of each ??? I've never been around either one.

 

[4570Man]

Since you’re not broke neither and buy a zero turn mower. Then buy a tractor if you still need one.

 

[widefat]

How do you define "small"?
A belly mower or ZTR requires much less space for turning and maneuvering than a pull behind.
I learned the hard way that having a pull behind means when the tractor turns, that 7 feet of stuff behind it swings way out and is liable to take out
your wife's prized rosebushes.

 

[morris lipham]

I have used both, I bought an L185 Kubota with a 5' Woods belly finish mower 23 yrs ago. Just like cutting with a big riding lawnmower, I use it now in rougher areas that I only cut about once every 2 or 3 weeks, since I cut about 8 or more acres. 5 years ago I bought a Yanmar YM1700 that had a 5' finish mower with it, did not like cutting with it going around trees and bushes etc. Last year I sold the pull behind mower and bought a Husqvarner MZ52 zero turn mower. I cut my mowing time to less than half with addition of the zero turn. Now I use the Yanmar for bush hogging and planting food plots, before I got the Yanmar I removed the belly mower from the Kubota and used it for the food plots.

 

[Phillip w]

Since you’re not broke neither and buy a zero turn mower. Then buy a tractor if you still need one.

I have a cub cadet zero turn mower. I plan on buying a new little John Deere tractor. I have a five foot brush hog that I saved. But, what is the fundamental difference between a brush hog and a finish mower???

 

[prof fate]

you can get a nice new zero turn for 3500. A MMM mower for a kubota can run nearly that - for JUST the deck.

A ZT will cut nicer, faster and is more fun. not the best choice on some hills. but cub cadet makes ZTs with steering wheels for such applications.

Tractor belly mower - if it's a hydrostatic, fine. geared..sucks for mowing, will take you a lot longer (30% or more epending on your yard) Went from a sears geared to snapper hst to zero turn at the house, and the farm used an MTD hst then a kubota L175 with woods L59 deck (geared).

Rear mower - much easier to get on/off than belly mower, BUT mowing next to things (fences, buildings, etc) is difficult as the deck is BEHIND you - you have to turn to see it so you don't hit the fence, but then you're not looking ahead. a mirror can help. I have a brush hog and mow along fence lines...sucks.

 

[Phillip w]

How do you define "small"?
A belly mower or ZTR requires much less space for turning and maneuvering than a pull behind.
I learned the hard way that having a pull behind means when the tractor turns, that 7 feet of stuff behind it swings way out and is liable to take out
your wife's prized rosebushes.

The property is about 3 1/2 acres.

 

[4570Man]

I have a cub cadet zero turn mower. I plan on buying a new little John Deere tractor. I have a five foot brush hog that I saved. But, what is the fundamental difference between a brush hog and a finish mower???

That wasn’t the original question. A bush has is a heavier built unit to cut tall grass and light brush. It doesn’t do a very good job on lawn mowing. A finish mower is essentially a mower deck on gage wheels. It has similar capabilities as your riding mower and probably does an equivalent grade cut.

 

[WranglerX]

Get decent riding mower, I have 5 acres and a MF GC 1715 and have found for small acreage ( I have about 3 acres mowable) I should have not talked myself into the tractor, a new (simple) $2000 to $2500 48 inch rider mower would have been sufficient... There is nothing wrong with tractor, it's a good subcompact, its just to big for small acreage, and too expensive to outfit... $12,500 for tractor another $1000-$1500 for mower then there is all the other things you have to have to make tractor useable... Quite frankly I was pretty happy with chain saw, shovel, rake, and small $99 trailer behind riding mower... IF you really "need a tractor" go for it, but I think a riding mower is big enough for you acerage...

Dale

 

[TractorGuy]

It's going to be personal preference. I had a 50" Craftsman zero turn that threw dust and dirt out the front. I even made a dam out of lawn edging but was still subjected to more dust and dirt than I wanted. Sold it last year and bought a finish mower that I am very pleased with.

The difference between a brush and finish mower is obvious. A finish mower is built much like any LAWN mower except a little heavier. You can use it on ground that is less even but it is not intended for rough areas with wood or heavy brush.

 

[morris lipham]

you can get a nice new zero turn for 3500. A MMM mower for a kubota can run nearly that - for JUST the deck.

A ZT will cut nicer, faster and is more fun. not the best choice on some hills. but cub cadet makes ZTs with steering wheels for such applications.

Tractor belly mower - if it's a hydrostatic, fine. geared..sucks for mowing, will take you a lot longer (30% or more epending on your yard) Went from a sears geared to snapper hst to zero turn at the house, and the farm used an MTD hst then a kubota L175 with woods L59 deck (geared).

Rear mower - much easier to get on/off than belly mower, BUT mowing next to things (fences, buildings, etc) is difficult as the deck is BEHIND you - you have to turn to see it so you don't hit the fence, but then you're not looking ahead. a mirror can help. I have a brush hog and mow along fence lines...sucks.

Don't buy a zero turn with sealed RZT pumps, they won't hold up, get one with at least # 2800 Hydro-Gear pumps with spin on oil filters that can serviced.

 

[widefat]

The property is about 3 1/2 acres.

I would vote for a ZTR, or, a SCUT with a belly mower.

 

[prof fate]

Another consideration, is usage conditions, so to speak.

I mow about 2 acres, it's maybe 50 hours a year. My zero turn has 115 hours and going int' it's 3rd summer. Half my hard is smooth, half a mess - previous owner farmed it at one time, had it brush hogged - so ti's an acre of field. Hard on a mower.

I got 2 years out of a craftsman 'tractor' (their low end line). Then I was welding parts on it every other mowing...
Went to a snapper, other than a frame weld at about 6 years it was great.
After 13 years moved up to a toro zero turn. LOVE IT. No issues so far.

HOWever, my girlfriend has a horse farm and wears 'tractors' out like nobody's business. Spindles, belts, blades, wheel bearings...She says it's about 2 acres to mow - but much of that is around the fences (two passes inside and outside). Taking hay out to the horses, pulling a trailer of this and that. Nothing too hard - just a LOT of use.

SO - if you're gonna mow 3 plus acres weekly get a 'good' mower - not something from a big box store.

My toro ZT is one step below the 'changeable fluid' HST - a gamble, but the snapper went 13 years with no issues. I use it, but do not abuse it. If I had 50% more to mow I'd likely have gone up a step.

A used low hour pro model would be a consideration perhaps. Much more beefy and built for 30-40 hours a week, not a year.

 

[wawajake]

I have a rear mount 60 inch finish mower for my BX Kubota.....it replaced a Husky garden tractor mower. I love the rear mount and you get used to the length of unit and get good at cutting close to fences etc. (I even leave the tractor bucket on , just lift it up when needed ) The bigger question for you is do you have jobs for a small SCut tractor.....if you do and you enjoy getting a few attachments for tractor so you can be more self reliant. (maybe woodchipper, or rototiller etc.) then if you are of that mindset, then focus on a tractor. After that you decide if Mid mount or rear mower. I didn't like idea of it hanging underneath when I was digging or working in rough areas . So rear mower works for me five minutes to take off and leave in garage for two weeks while grass grows and I use tractor for something else .

 

[Phillip w]

I have a rear mount 60 inch finish mower for my BX Kubota.....it replaced a Husky garden tractor mower. I love the rear mount and you get used to the length of unit and get good at cutting close to fences etc. (I even leave the tractor bucket on , just lift it up when needed ) The bigger question for you is do you have jobs for a small SCut tractor.....if you do and you enjoy getting a few attachments for tractor so you can be more self reliant. (maybe woodchipper, or rototiller etc.) then if you are of that mindset, then focus on a tractor. After that you decide if Mid mount or rear mower. I didn't like idea of it hanging underneath when I was digging or working in rough areas . So rear mower works for me five minutes to take off and leave in garage for two weeks while grass grows and I use tractor for something else .

I plan on getting a little tractor. I just don't want to buy some foreign made piece of crap like a mf. Some of this foreign made stuff guys are having trouble getting parts for. I'm going to take my chances with a deere this time. All these little tractors are foreign made any more. I kept all my implements, so I should be good to go. I don't have a belly mower or finish mower. I do have a cub cadet zero turn. But, a tractor is definitely a piece of the puzzle in my retirement.

 

[dnw64]

I plan on getting a little tractor. I just don't want to buy some foreign made piece of crap like a mf. Some of this foreign made stuff guys are having trouble getting parts for. I'm going to take my chances with a deere this time. All these little tractors are foreign made any more.

Well said.

 

[Rcsask]

Comparing Finish Mowers (midmount VS 3-point) - Kubota B2601 - YouTube

Good video explaining the difference between them.

 

[Phillip w]

I appreciate all the feedback including the video. I think I'm going to use my brush hog when I need it, and buy a belly mower when I pick up the new tractor. Thanks guys!!!

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

A finish mower has a gear box that then uses a belt to turn multiple spindles. A brush hog has a gear box that directly drives a blade bar or blade pan to which the blades are attached. There's no belt with the brush hog. If you get into overgrown thick grass or any brush with a finish mower, you can smoke the belts (i.e., cause the belts to slip, which glazes them and makes them slick).

 

[KennK]

Phillip, I've had a JD 3320 with a belly mower and front end loader (FEL) for a while now. In my view the benefit of the belly mower is the maneuverability - ability to turn tighter corners and get close to objects (edging) with more accuracy. The only real concern I've had is (1) the risk of catching the getting the tractor stuck via the belly mower if the wheels sink into mud or deep snow, and (2) the trouble of removing/installing the belly mower before/after winter (I use a rear blade and the FEL to clear snow).

I also like that I can keep the belly mower on while still moving trailers using a three point hitch trailer hitch attachment (from Northern Tool) and pulling our ground-driven manure spreader. I am careful to keep the hitch as low as possible and move slowly.

Though I've not used a rear finish mower I suspect that it would be similar to the pull behind mower I use with my ATV on a different property I own. It requires broad turns (very inaccurate) and I have to steer wide of objects - especially buildings or other objects that can be damaged if rubbed up against.