F3990 vs newer F3710 4wd front deck mowers

[Hay Dude]

@braap736 I just picked up a ZD-1211 and it is better on hills than the ZD-331 it replaced.
I just got home from mowing very steep hills with damp ground and it did very well. I think Kubota switching to a low profile tire/rim assembly makes a difference.

My F-3680 is getting used less and less each day.

I might sell it and go to 2 zero turns instead.

Nice machine, but for only a small amount of cutting it might be time to think about selling.

 

[braap736]

Thanks you guys, didn’t want to start a new thread because I have a hill very similar to the OP’s and am going back and forth on an f series/1400 series Deere or a zero turn.
Zero turn would probably be much quicker but unsure if it can handle these hills. Plus I have 2 ponds to mow around so if it slides sideways I’ll end up in the water. I need to find a rental zero turn to try before buying.

 

[Brown Dog]

@braap736 my ZD1511 with fluid filled tires does FANTASTIC on my steep banks as long as soil is BONE DRY.
This bank is the only reason I bought the 4wd & it too is going to need all 4 fluid filled.

You may aughta buy hay dudes front deck.

The Big Zero will still be doing 80% of my weekly mowings because it’s unbeatable all around.

With front weights & mentioned rear fluid filled : it rides pretty dang good for a Zero but it has Way bigger tires than all other Zero’s

 

[braap736]

Do you know what angle your steep slope is? Also does your f series ride smoother than your zero?

 

[Brown Dog]

Do you know what angle your steep slope is? Also does your f series ride smoother than your zero?

Kubota F series

Bounce around, my 2880 don't bounce around at all … Of course I don't mow at warp speed anyway. Again I’m mowing rough farm ground. Not a yard. I agree with HD but I’ve always thought those tiny lil ol front air tires would be way too rough on the deck & like you I don’t mow fast at all...

www.tractorbynet.com

My Post # 617

I hadnt really mowed enough with this F Series to tell which rides better but the deck bounces around pretty bad & im not mowing fast at all.

You have to take into consideration what diameter FRONT & rear tires on the Zero mowers because it makes a HUGE difference.

The Heavier the mower = the BETTER it Rides.

The ZD1211 & ZD1511 probably rides better than any Zero out there because they’re much heavier.

 

[braap736]

Thanks, steeper than what I got here. I measured 20 degrees at the steepest part. I’m going to have to rent/demo a large zero turn and I’ll know right away if it will work

 

[Brown Dog]

Thanks, steeper than what I got here. I measured 20 degrees at the steepest part. I’m going to have to rent/demo a large zero turn and I’ll know right away if it will work

I’d think if your bank is dry : a heavy zero will be enough
BUT U have to stay STRAIT going downhill & go as slow as possible.

IF you start pulling back on handles it’ll make the tires skid & youll slide like grease

 

[Brown Dog]

I’ll use my fingertips just BARELY moving forward going downhill staying strait as an arrow.
Turning around at bottom where it’s not steep.

I mow some horizontal swipes but it’ll slide like glass IF soil is damp.

THATS what I’m hoping this 4wd F will do …..

 

[Hay Dude]

In a nutshell an F is a trade off of the speed of a Z for improved traction.

 

[Hay Dude]

Do you know what angle your steep slope is? Also does your f series ride smoother than your zero?

I don’t know who you are addressing your question to, but in my case my slopes are so steep that you need to be a very skilled operator or you will be sorry. I’d say 20+ degrees.

My F rides considerably worse than my zero turn, other may have different results