2410 vs 2710/2910 ??

Anonymous Poster · Apr 23, 2002

Is the turning radius shorter on a 2410 ? The Kubota brochure I have shows the turning radius being the same for the 2410 & 2710/2910 even though the wheelbase is different.

I am interested in the 60" Mid Mount Mower for weekly mowing and thought the 2410 would be more maneuverable. However, the 2710/2910 appears to be better suited for running a 5' brush hog, and I could move up to a 72" MMM instead.

2710/2910 owners: Are you satisfied with the MMM & the turning radius ? Do you recommed a 60" or 72" deck ?

Thanks in advance! I am moving up from a JD318 garden tractor for brush hogging and light FEL work.

TresCrows · Apr 23, 2002

Some of the stuff in these tractor brochures is suspect--that is one of them. Increasing the wheelbase nearly 6 inches will affect the turn radius and considerably I think. I did ride a 2910 around when I got the 2410 just in case! It was only about 5 minutes on it but it did take more room to turn--they had a dirt lot--parking lot and I spun the tractors around in it going this way and that. I followed the 2410 tracks with the 2910 and when I got to the spot I had made a full left turn with the 2410 I did the same with the 2910--predictably I was well outside the turn of the 2410 looking at the tire tracks in the ground. Not scientific but a darn good indication. I think, however, that with the 72 inch MMM the uncut circle may not be much more than that of the 2410 with the 60MMM. My opinion, if you want a tractor that large then go ahead and get the 2910 but do not get the MMM. Take the 3,000 dollars (?) over to Lowes and get your self a Cub Cadet mower and a new push mower for the same price. Use those for the lawn area and your brush cutter for the rest--is this practical? Just a thought. J

Pks · Apr 23, 2002

I don't have a brush hog (one spindle mower). But my B2400 easily handles our 6 ft 3 spindle finish mower.

PaulT · Apr 23, 2002

I have a 2710 with the 60 inch mmm. I am extremely happy with my choice, and mowing was the top consideration, including weight (ruts and shredding of the lawn). I was concerned about going up in size from the 2410, but that proved to be unfounded. With R4s I have not had any problems with lawn destruction, provided I am careful and not in 4wd during full lock turns. WRT to the 60 inch deck, I was concerned about maneuverability. After I purchased, I figured out that the 72 inch deck will actually decrease your effective mowing radius while mowing in tight spots, since it sticks out further toward the center of the turning circle. Also, I have heard that the 72 inch is considerably easier to put on and take off - you just drive over it. If I had it to do over again, I would opt for the 72 MMM with the 2710 (2910 would be nice, but not worth the extra $$s for the few ponies and adjustable 3ph). Do NOT be afraid of the maneuverability of the 27/2910 frame size over anything smaller - I had a JD LX172 that, while it could turn tighter, I had to tug the wheel, so it couldn't turn faster. Going into a tight turn, I would have to clutch down my speed, turn, then speed up, resulting in overall slower turn times. In my opinion, turning response time is more important than turning radius (within reason). Also, keep in mind that I am not mowing a suburban lot, even though I am mowing around my house. I have 4 acres of lawn, peppered with trees, shrubs, deck posts, swingsets, well heads, and houses, so maneuverability over several hours of mowing time 1-2 times a week was a big consideration.

Kelvin · Apr 23, 2002

Farmboyron,

Hopefully you are also aware of the optional Bi-Speed turn option available only on the B2410. It was previously available on several other discontinued models including the B2150 and the B1700/B2100/B2400 series.

The 4wd Bi-Speed turn system forces the front wheels to turn faster than the rear wheels, with the net effect being a tighter turn with no turf damage.

To me, the ideal situation is to have two tractors; one with a rear finish mower and one with a mid-mower. I have two older tractors with that configuration. They each have their advantages as has been discussed many times on this board; if had to limit myself to just one type of mower, I would probably go with the 3-point hitch style because it is easier to get on and off when not in use. The mid-mower is more maneuverable.

Regardless of whether you go with a mid-mower or rear mower, if your lot has uneven spots that could cause a mower deck to gouge in then the 60' would be better than the 72"; otherwise, I'd recommend the 72".

Kelvin

AltaLawnCare · Apr 24, 2002

I'm looking hard at the 2910, now. One main thing that swayed me to Kubota is the weight is lighter than JD or NH for that size (for me this is good). I like the 2910 out of these three because of the nominal price difference, the seat. adjustable hitch arms, and extra power for hogging...
But I'm still researching.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 24, 2002

I also ruled out the JD 4x10 series due to size & especially weight (~3000lbs vs. 1500-1800lbs). If I were primarily plowing/pushing/pulling, then the added weight would be important. However, for mowing over the 60x30 septic field that was just put in for $8K, I hesitate getting a heavier machine when I don't really need it.

As for the new 24HP version of the JD 4100, the 4115, the cost increase over the B2410/JD4110 isn't justified as far as I can tell. Also, the 4115 & 4110 have the FEL control lever mounted near the front right side of the seat, which I disliked because is got in the way when getting on/off the tractor on that side.

I have borrowed a 2710 with a 5' rotary cutter for the past few years in my field, and was very satisfied with its performance. As was stated in a prior posting, the 2910 with couple more HP at the PTO might allow me to slow down less often in the thick areas, but saving time is not that critical with just 3 acres to tackle. As for a 2410, I would not consider anything larger than a 4' rotary cutter for my field given my experience with the 2710.

Von · Apr 24, 2002

Farmboyron,I have a B2710 with the 72"MMM and love it. I can put on, or take of the deck in under 3min. on blacktop or on the shop floor. I mow 5 acres of yard at home and would not want anything smaller than the 72" deck. I use a 5ft. rotory mower at my shop to cut 3 acres with no problems. I would get the larger tractor, if you have alot to cut.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 25, 2002

Are the 60" & 72" MMM decks "suspended" on the 2710/2910 (similar to a BX) -or- do the decks "ride" on the casters like the 60" MMM on the 7500 & 2410 ?

TresCrows · Apr 25, 2002

They are exactly the same as the ones for the 2410 and 7500 in that they are ground contact type. To my knowledge the only Kubota with a suspended deck is the BX, excluding their GT, LT and ZTR stuff. There is more to it than just the decks, the BX has a height control knob for the deck below the seat and it is graduated in 0.5 inch increments and it has a lock position that locks the mower deck up so the 3-point can be used. On the remaining larger Kubotas there is no means for adjusting cut height except with the wheels on the deck which support fully the weight of the MMM. The wheels on the BX suspended deck are anti scalping rollers only and are intended to glide along--on smooth ground--approx 0.5 inches above the ground thus the weight of the suspended deck is--suspended--as in that it is fully carried by the tractors much larger wheels. There is no height control knob, there is no lock up control except you can insert a variety of pins in difficult places to lock the deck in the up position, also the BX I think has more ground clearence with it's deck up and locked than my 2410 --just eyeballing it sorta--there is not a lot of difference. A suspended deck and a tractor designed from the get go to fully integrate the advantages of a suspended deck is a superior mowing machine. There is a suspended 54 inch deck but alas the tractors are not designed to fully utilize it's advantages like the BX and 54 is to small anyway.
J

glennmac · Apr 25, 2002

I have a 2910 with the 72" deck like Von. I highly recommend it over the 60" deck. You can cut closer to things, cut closer circles, cut mowing time, and cut install/removal time. The 72" Kubota mmm on the 27/2910 is the easiest to remove and install of any mmm on any of the Kubotas and any of the JD's I have seen.

It is a "ground contact" deck that rides on 4 spinning caster wheels on each corner. The four wheels are what make it (relatively) easy to maneuver under the tractor.

It is not a suspension deck like the BX. However, I often use it like a suspension deck on part of my land that has low stumps and roots. I just raise it off the wheels about an inch and mow.

I tested the mowing circles against the 2410 when I bought and could notice any significant difference. Particularly when you mow with the FEL off and nothing on the rear, the 2910 is extremely maneuverable around trees and bushes. That, and its light weight, make it a great lawn machine. Don't get R4's.

Having said all that, if I had it to do all over again, I might choose a rmm for even easier removal and because of certain configurations on my land. With a rmm it is a lot easier to mow backwards under bushes and young trees and along the hundreds of feet of creek banks I have. I do that now with my brush cutter.

Rover · May 14, 2002

I have the B2910 with the 60" MMM. I got the 60" because I wanted the grass catcher option and the 72" does not support the Kubota grass catcher. I cannot recommend the 60" MMM. The deck does not cut as well as my previous tactor, B8200 with 60" deck. The deck blew grass out on the left side. I noticed a BX 60" deck at my dealer after I bought my tractor and saw it had a metal strip bolted through the water drain holes on the left side. I made a similar piece out of angle iron and greatly helped the problem. Before, when using the MMM with the grass catcher to pick up leaves it made a real mess, now it looks like a vacuum cleaner. Obviously someone messed up the design of the deck. I don't believe the deck "picks the grass up" (i.e. suction) as well as my other tractor did either.
Go for the 72" deck and if you want a grass catcher, get an after market one. Kubota's grass catcher is somewhat of a Rub Goldberg design.

As far as the turning radius. The 2910 turns short, but scuffs the ground very badly.

Bob

PaulT · May 21, 2002

Rover,

It sounds like your deck isn't set up properly. I have the 60, and it mows like a vacuum cleaner. If I would bother to mow 2x/week, I'm sure you wouldn't even see the grass clippings. It is a high-lift design, so I don't think mulching blades would improve on the already great cut. To all of you other 60 owners, am I just lucky, or should Rover check his install/level?

crown · May 21, 2002

PaulT,
My Woods RD 6000 works exactly like yours, sounds like Rover should check his install/level.

Rover · May 21, 2002

PaulT and Crown,
The deck is installed correctly, if I hadn't had the previous tractor, I probably would not have know any better. I not saying it was that bad as far a grass cutting was concerned but the older 60" inch was much much better. The same deck is on the BX series and comes with the fix installed (the ones I saw last year). PaulT, you might check your deck and see if the "fix" has been installed on your deck or maybe you are cutting your grass short, I like mine a little long.

The real problem was the leaves not getting to the grass catcher.

Rover

Bayrat · Jun 3, 2002

I have the 72" 2910 and think the extra H/P and operator conveniences are worth the money. The deck makes the lawn look like a carpet, no problem with it. We have had sooo much rain here, I have to take a bit of the weight off the casters in some places due to the soft ground. I actually had a water mist shooting from the discharge last week it was so wet. The R-4's will tear up the soft sod, so I try to avoid sharp turns until it dries up.