F3990 vs newer F3710 4wd front deck mowers

[5030]

Flat as a board here. Only 'banks' I have are by the creek and they get the shredder.

 

[arto98607]

We have had Grasshopper front deck RD mower since since 2003 and never overheated it, also added F3060 front deck RD mower about 5 years ago and never overheated.

Yes the radiator screen should be checked every couple of hours but that's not a big deal - I do that in my tractor also when running a flail mower.

They all have temperature gauges.

I am ready for few minute break anyway after mowing grass for couple of hours, but I can see it could be a problem if hired help was running the equipment...

 

[Brown Dog]

...

Yes the radiator screen should be checked every couple of hours but that's not a big deal …

I am ready for few minute break anyway after mowing grass for couple of hours …

Lol I’d never get done stopping every 2hrs.

It takes me 9hrs to mow this place not counting the bush hogging with 15ft batwing.

I mow about 3 days week to keep 20acres under control

 

[Hay Dude]

Great information - interesting and very helpful. I don't want to make a panic purchase mistake. I'm disappointed with the ZD1211 overheating, but I'm slowly getting over it. Perhaps swapping the RD for a SD and give it another chance.

When I bought my 1211’s the salesman emphasized to me these are great zero turns so long as you use them for their intended purpose only (lawns).
He said “if youre going to mow tall grass, you’ll be low on power and have to go slower”.

When I mowed tall grass, I was prepared to be disappointed, but instead thought it did exceptionally well.

Couldn’t imagine mowing tall grass with a RD deck. I feel like the clippings would be all over you.

 

[Brown Dog]

When I bought my 1211’s the salesman emphasized to me these are great zero turns so long as you use them for their intended purpose only (lawns).
He said “if youre going to mow tall grass, you’ll be low on power and have to go slower”.

When I mowed tall grass, I was prepared to be disappointed, but instead thought it did exceptionally well.

Couldn’t imagine mowing tall grass with a RD deck. I feel like the clippings would be all over you.

My old ZD1211 bogged pretty bad in thick grass on steep hills.
It was disappointing to me.
It was ok on flat ground.

the RD deck will keep you clean as a pin mowing BUT the radiator fan sucks a lot of it into the screen.

Every application is unique tho.

 

[9973720wb19]

When I bought my 1211’s the salesman emphasized to me these are great zero turns so long as you use them for their intended purpose only (lawns).
He said “if youre going to mow tall grass, you’ll be low on power and have to go slower”.

When I mowed tall grass, I was prepared to be disappointed, but instead thought it did exceptionally well.

Couldn’t imagine mowing tall grass with a RD deck. I feel like the clippings would be all over you.

good to know. I agree, going up hills did not present a power issue.

and I don't know about the clipping on me but I can assure you they were all over the radiator...and what the deck didn't put there the tires made sure to...the mower was not happy about all that and started yelling at me.

 

[arto98607]

The right tool for tall grass.
It's not much and it's almost 40 years old, but it works well on my small pasture!

 

[Brown Dog]

@arto98607 is that a flail mower ?
Looks stout

 

[arto98607]

Yes it's an old 5 foot Ford flail mower with side slicer flails.
Perfect match with this small tractor.

 

[Brown Dog]

That’s the exact same setup as Pulverizer us chicken grower use