5 acres - Subcompact vs Compact & Suggestions

[zachofalltrades]

I had a few people mention continuing to use my GT for mowing, so I値l give a little more info on what made me look in the first place. Its a banged up GT225 that I bought for $100 with a bad transmission, bent mower deck and a stuck starter. Got it running and put a nice Piranha deck on it, and have been using it ever since. Hour meter is broke so I have no idea how much abuse it has seen, but I壇 guess a lot. Motor is showing its age, seems down on power, smokes sometimes, and I think the alternator is on its way out because the voltage light comes on when mowing through tall grass and sometimes the PTO won稚 engage. Rear tires are dry rotted to the point where chunks are falling off and theyæ±*e leaking.

So at this point, I知 debating the upgrade as a means of avoiding putting $$$ into a GT that doesn稚 do everything I would like.

Financially speaking, I will NOT be a cash customer and I don稚 want multiple equipment loans because I bought a new mower AND a tractor. I did go and look at a used 1023e and sat on it, and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought I would wind up wanting the 1025r for the seat and tilt steering, but I was immediately in a comfortable position. Seeing it in person, I知 not sure I壇 want something bigger, either.

 

[CADplans]

I mow over 4 acres every week,,, and I have owned many tractors to mow with over 35 years,,

I now have my "keeper" a JD 4105,, and Woods PRD7200

The mower is heavy duty enough to mow pastures,, and leaves a perfect cut on lawns,,

This should be my last mower purchase,, barring some major failure,,

 

[ning]

How much lawn do you have to cut, and how often do you have to cut it?

Here, we've got probably 2.5ac that gets cut, but it's only cut in the mid-spring to early summer - perhaps a total of 5 times. If you're similar, I'd keep the garden tractor mower (probably also useful to pull a small trailer around for small jobs). A MMM setup may mow as well as the garden tractor, but it probably costs more than that tractor did, and brings its own inconveniences.

Overall I'd guess a subcompact (similar to Kubota's BX) to a small compact (B)... but seriously consider not getting a MMM and put that money into something you don't already have covered.

 

[shooterdon]

If the dealer is "lazy" selling, he will be awful if/when you need servicing. In my limited experience, having just gone through the purchase experience, the dealers of less prestigious brands seemed more customer oriented. Consider that when buying.

If you want a jack of all trades machine, a SCUT is not a bad option. Just understand the limitations and compromises. Buying for needs that are years down the road does not always make sense. You need to address your current needs and budget.

You have received good advice about getting two machines, and that is what I have. It should be possible to get a decent used riding mower for $1000 so consider that. It would permit you to get a more capable tractor.

One last thing. Prices for used under 30HP tractors are high in my area. If you will be financing, many brands offer 0 percent on new machines. It is nice to have something with a warranty, and that has not been abused.

Good luck!!

 

[dragoneggs]

If the dealer is "lazy" selling he will be awful if/when you need servicing. In my limited experience, having just gone through the purchase experience, the dealers of less prestigious seemed more customer oriented. Consider that when buying.

As to your needs, there is a reason I see a lot of SCUT's on lots...they are too small for many people. I think if you want a jack of all trades machine, it is not a bad option. Just understand the limitations or you will be selling it too. Not a bad thing as they retain value well.

The reason there are so many SCUTs on my local dealers lots (JD and Kubota), is they sell them more than any other size tractor around here and at a pretty good clip.

 

[nards444]

If the dealer is "lazy" selling, he will be awful if/when you need servicing. In my limited experience, having just gone through the purchase experience, the dealers of less prestigious brands seemed more customer oriented. Consider that when buying.

If you want a jack of all trades machine, a SCUT is not a bad option. Just understand the limitations and compromises. Buying for needs that are years down the road does not always make sense. You need to address your current needs and budget.

You have received good advice about getting two machines, and that is what I have. It should be possible to get a decent used riding mower for $1000 so consider that. It would permit you to get a more capable tractor.

One last thing. Prices for used under 30HP tractors are high in my area. If you will be financing, many brands offer 0 percent on new machines. It is nice to have something with a warranty, and that has not been abused.

Good luck!!

Good points. leaving room to grow makes sense, but I think all to often its carried away. My buddy has 20k worth of equipment that he bought to use down the road, most of it is never gets touched.

 

[dalola]

The best advise is get the biggest tractor you can afford. Start there, then deconstruct based on current/future needs.

Weigh your final budget against what you can actually get for it..... A new CUT with all needed attachments? Maybe a new SCUT & a used ZTR? It's a tough call for an outsider to advise on your personal needs/wants. All brands build good machines, shop the dealer & what you enjoy operating.

Personally, a SCUT & ZTR combo is perfect for my budget & property needs. You'll need to closely asses yours.

 

[dragoneggs]

5 acres - Subcompact vs Compact & Suggestions

I don’t subscribe to the advice of getting the biggest tractor you can afford. Maybe very large properties with wide open spaces and lots of seat time expected, this advice applies.

Property size and constraints I think are the two main drivers. On my property there are multiple places I could not get anything bigger than a SCUT.

I like my set up with a SCUT and dedicated mower (z turn).

 

[not2old]

All I want to add is that you might want to consider the cost of wear and tear using the tractor for mowing when a mower would be much less. I'm only on an acre but have nearly 800 hours on my GC2610 tractor with loader and hoe after nine years. My tractor cost me just over $20,000.00 and has lots of life left. I bought my zero turn MZ 54" for $3900.00n with 30 hours on it and still had 2 years of warranty. I may need to replace the mower some day, but the tractor will last the rest of my life.

 

[finn1]

Another vote for a ZTR and a compact tractor.

My reasoning for a compact over a sub is the larger tires and wheels will perform better in the wooded area and the larger frame size is more suitable for maintaining your quarter mile driveway.

A friend has 40 acres and a subcompact. It’s great for snowblower work, but useless in the rough.

By the way, he bought a dedicated rider for mowing.

My Kioti 4010 SE is, in my experience, quite maneuverable in tight quarters. I wouldn’t go smaller than that for serious work.

 

[dragoneggs]

Yep... CUT for higher ground clearance and more serious work. Just saying, one must take a hard look at present and future requirements.

 

[bdog]

ZTR for mowing. Skid steer for everything else. For what you describe I wouldn’t even get a tractor.

I have a tractor, a skid steer, and a ZTR. All my tractor gets used for is plowing and planting. Mowing is done with the ZTR and dirt work, snow, etc is done with the skid steer.

 

[finn1]

ZTR for mowing. Skid steer for everything else. For what you describe I wouldn’t even get a tractor.

I have a tractor, a skid steer, and a ZTR. All my tractor gets used for is plowing and planting. Mowing is done with the ZTR and dirt work, snow, etc is done with the skid steer.

I think you are correct. A skid steer is more useful than a
Tractor.

 

[doneill127]

I have 7 acres 5 wooded and 2 what some might call a lawn. I have a Mahindra Max which is a little bigger than a scut and a little smaller than a cut and after 350 hrs still happy with my choice and I think you’d be happy with either size. It’s a compromise between maneuverability and capacity.I have a mmm and not sure what all the bashing is about. Sure it would be nice to have another machine always ready to mow. But I have a drive over deck and it only takes me about 5-10 mins to get the FEL off and the same amount to get the mmm on. Worst part and I’m sure aging has something to do with it is getting the pull ring type pto shaft connected. It’s a 60 inch deck made for Mahindra by Ameriquip and I’m very happy with it. Built like a brick sh@#$& house weighs around 500 lbs

 

[Tractorable]

ZTR for mowing. Skid steer for everything else. For what you describe I wouldn’t even get a tractor.

I have a tractor, a skid steer, and a ZTR. All my tractor gets used for is plowing and planting. Mowing is done with the ZTR and dirt work, snow, etc is done with the skid steer.

How much does the skid steer tear up the ground? My uncle has a skid steer that he uses on his mountain side property full of rocks, but seems to me on my mostly open grass covered property it’d tear up the ground whenever I turned around.

 

[art]

I have seen plenty of people in your situation use a sub compact tractor. There is good caution in the decks being used in the woods but there are difference in the heights thee decks can be lifted under the tractor by several inches.
The handy easy connect decks sacrifice the height that a deck can be lifted off the ground from one make to another a couple of inches of clearance can be given away and from one brand to another with curbs and such you might increase your mowing times!!!!

I would figure that your wooded area would be more finished then the typical woods out in a farm field and you would have a path that is typically navigable.

The larger the the tires and tractor the less maneuverable you will be! This is where you might settle on a zero turn in the end as I have seen people remove the decks and go to the zero turn because of the maneuverability after they purchased.

 

[edgarrian]

I have a few more acres than you and its mostly wooded except for the areas we mow. We have 8 acres. About 2 acres of mowing. I have a 1705 with a MMM. It does fine. Its easy to take on and off. You simply drive over it, pin it at the three points and hook up the pto. Its very simple. I went this route as i didn't want a bunch of motors to take care of. Somebody said that it would be extra wear and tear on the tractor when mowing. Thats ridiculous. Thats what it's for. Its a diesel. It will last a long long time. I use mine for driveway, snow removal, cutting wood, landscaping, and all other small jobs.

 

[Ortimber]

5 acres - Subcompact vs Compact & Suggestions

Unless your property is 'pristine' having a belly mower on your tractor is a headache. The pretty commercials so a MMM on a tractor on a manicured yard. How many times do you see a MMM going through the woods? .... .... Never. Two dedicated machines. Don't try to compromise and do it with one. Just basing this on your terrain description which is similar to mine.

This is exactly my feeling as well. MMM looks good on paper and commercials, but my experience is that they are always in the way we you need to use your tractor as a tractor.
I also don’t care for the smallest sub compacts (BX, 1025, etc). Again, unless you have fairly flat, smooth ground, they just lack stability, ground clearance, and weight for loader work.

I now have a zero turn and love it. My land is not flat and the mower doesn’t care.

 

[nards444]

I have 7 acres 5 wooded and 2 what some might call a lawn. I have a Mahindra Max which is a little bigger than a scut and a little smaller than a cut and after 350 hrs still happy with my choice and I think you’d be happy with either size. It’s a compromise between maneuverability and capacity.I have a mmm and not sure what all the bashing is about. Sure it would be nice to have another machine always ready to mow. But I have a drive over deck and it only takes me about 5-10 mins to get the FEL off and the same amount to get the mmm on. Worst part and I’m sure aging has something to do with it is getting the pull ring type pto shaft connected. It’s a 60 inch deck made for Mahindra by Ameriquip and I’m very happy with it. Built like a brick sh@#$& house weighs around 500 lbs

I think the issue with the MMM is usability and efficiency. Im not saying they cant mow good, but in terms of speed and efficiency they simply dont beat other products specially a zero turn. I am currently shopping and have a zero turn and was thinking ditch the zero turn and get a MMM with the tractor, like others on paper it seemed to make sense, once less piece of equipment to store and maintain. But after thinking about the on and off of the MMM and have to store that too, and the fact after selling or trading my zero turn it would be a zero sum game, it really didnt make sense. Even if I didnt have a zero turn the cost of the MMM vs a low end zero turn or used one is about the same.

 

[LostMy65]

All I want to add is that you might want to consider the cost of wear and tear using the tractor for mowing when a mower would be much less. I'm only on an acre but have nearly 800 hours on my GC2610 tractor with loader and hoe after nine years. My tractor cost me just over $20,000.00 and has lots of life left. I bought my zero turn MZ 54" for $3900.00n with 30 hours on it and still had 2 years of warranty. I may need to replace the mower some day, but the tractor will last the rest of my life.

Now that's a point I hadn't thought about. Using up tractor hours to just mow doesn't make sense.