Four wheel driver lawn mower thoughts

[kthompson]

We are very much level ground here other than where branches run and ditches are dug. My mother in laws lawn has both and both are issue when wet. I have compact tractor and rear finishing mower can use and do for both but trying to get away from that setup.

Her yard has gentle slope from a ten acre field that when it rains a good bit of water runs across her yard but more so seeps through to a branch on the side and road ditch on the front. ZTR mower bogs in each of these. Have pulled them out toooo many times. Also when the branch side is seeping my ZTRs with turf tires will not climb the slope. At same time her yard is not far away but far enough mower needs to be trailered and the hooking up trailer, loading mower, unloading and reloading, come home unload, park trailer and unhook has gotten my attention. Maybe I am getting smart or old.

Am considering a mower for her yard and we have work shop there to store it. Total yard there is about two acres and only about small area is an issue but is can be issue most of the mowing season. My son in lay has a cheap tractor style from Wal Mart that will climb the slope when my ztr does not want to. However it bogs, just seems to have more clearance. Also he does not cut the west parts as it does bother him, not his yard.

Have considered more aggressive rear tires and looked on the internet and frankly found very little options. Anyone use any tread other than standard turf and if so how does it pull and how about when turning any issue with tearing the grass? How about four wheel mower? Husky's articulating mower with AWD has my attention but 41 inch deck and the max speed would be slow. Do want a mower that can turn reasonable tight maybe a three feet circle.

Thanks for any recommendation.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Same problem with my Husqvarna GTH 26Vl52LS. When new with turf tires it simply could not make up up a 20*+ degree bank around my pond. First 'fix' was to add the factory 50 lb. wheel weights. Better but not 100%. Switched the rear tires for ATV style mud/snow tires. That took care of 98% of the getting stuck on slick grass problem. No problem with the mud grips tearing up the lawn with normal conditions.

Yeah, I've still managed to stick it 2 or 3 times even with the mud grips, but common sense could have avoided that. Back when I bought it, there was no 4 wheel drive. I'd love to have that.

Even better would be a 4WD ZTR. I read about an experimental one Ted with Everything Att. built. About $200 in parts and a ton of know-how. I'm not seeing the market come out with one yet, but a 2WD ZTR simply would not cut it (pun intended) on my acreage.

Oh, and BTW, Husqvarna does have a 4WD model like my Husq Rider 155, but it is pricy. The Rider has a 4 inch turning circle; not a ZTR but close, and its a front mounted deck. Great little 42" mower that has puffed along for 22 years under abusive conditions.

 

[TractorGuy]

It's only money.

X7 Signature Series Tractors | Lawn Tractors | John Deere US

 

[sandman2234]

Steiner/Ventrac?

 

[ruffdog]

It's only money.

X7 Signature Series Tractors | Lawn Tractors | John Deere US

I have the x744 AWS and dad has a x749 AWS and 4x4 with the aggressive tires. :thumbsup:

They have reduced the number of models:

4-Wheel Steering Lawn Tractor | X739 | Signature Series | John Deere US

 

[i7win7]

Consider a front mounted mower JD or Kubota. If Kubota, avoid 33hp - same engine as B3350, regen issues.
Here's one with a/c
Commercial Mowers | 1585 TerrainCut™ Front Mowers | John Deere US

 

[oosik]

Well- I just bought a new riding mower - JD X570. It's 2WD and, so far, a great mower. And, well it should be - $$$$. I looked at the JD 4WD gas and diesel. WoW!!! 2X + the price of the X570. Fortunately, all my lawns are flat, although some are pretty rough & bumpy. I have a large meadow that I mow and call it a lawn. A couple more years of mowing and it will fill in and be like the rest of my lawns.

 

[CADplans]

The next time it rains,, SLAP ON A SET OF CHAINS,,, .. - . . . :shocked:

then, come back and tell us how nicely it goes right through the bog areas,, and up the slopes,, :thumbsup:

 

[ChuckT]

If they really are a "bog" I suppose they could be encouraged to drain better?

 

[ericm979]

A locking rear diff might be enough, and tractors with them cost a lot less than 4wd ones.

 

[CADplans]

A locking rear diff might be enough, and tractors with them cost a lot less than 4wd ones.

A ZT is the perfection of a locking rear,, you can have both tires go the same, or whatever speed you desire,,

 

[Industrial Toys]

The LAST thing you would want in difficult or slippery terrain. A friend once brought over a big Diesel commercial ZT that he picked up from a Golf Course for Demo. He said it would do the hill behind my house. Skidded all the way down the hill and probably left a skidmark in my friends shorts for sure. Loaded it back on the trailer and we never spoke of it again. I can do circles on that same hill with my 4wd Cushman.

 

[kthompson]

We have two ztrs and like them very much. However they are not perfect for all slopes or wet slopes or boggy dirt. Reason if no other is the front wheels are only casters and do nothing to help steer or prevent sliding down a slope. I have been there more than I care too. Slid off of side of road and dropped at least four feet. No harm to mower or me but was blessed there was not. Realized the mower was going to slide and all you can do is turn into it so you don't roll over.

You know I really thought about one of the JD mowers with the cab and ac. Happened upon two or three used ones from a golf course believe in Ohio. Price was reasonable.

 

[rademamj1]

You might consider the Cub Cadet lawn tractors. The XT2 SLX50 FAB ENDURO SERIES. It's got extra wide tires, a 54" deck and a very strong 671cc Kholer Vtwin engine. Only comes in yellow. Saw it less than 3k at a home depot. I already got a Gravely Proturn 460 ZTR, but this Cub Cadet tractor sure impressed me. Great value for the price.

If price is not an issue, review the Kubota GR2120 lawn tractor. It can easily handle 25 degree slopes, and the high torque makes it feel like a 4wd lawn tractor.

 

[GeneV]

A locking rear diff might be enough, and tractors with them cost a lot less than 4wd ones.

I'm thinking that too.

 

[4570Man]

AT 101s make a world of difference on a ZT. Running wet hills is no problem with them and I can run in mud until the deck bogs. No mower is going to survive that without getting stuck either.

 

[oosik]

My new JD X570 has rear diffy lock. It's a great feature when I get sideways in a depression. Pulls the mower right on thru.

 

[ArlyA]

We have a dated awd, center actuating Husky which are no longer being built. Love the darn thing on our super hilly yard and would buy another if we could. What to do, what to do, what to do..

 

[Rebeldad1]

lot of entry level new tractors at a great price. get one with a belly mower and loose the loader. 4x4, locker and diesel.
example
CS221 Sub Compact Tractor | Kioti Tractors about 1600lbs with mower

 

[MossRoad]

What's your budget?