Anyone used their MF TO 35 as a lawnmower?

[coss]

I need a machine to mow about 1.5 acres of lawn. The land is flat with some trees to negotiate around.

Has anyone used their Model 35 with a 6 foot finish mower as their primary lawn mowing machine? (I would put turf tires on it.) Does the lack of power steering make it ponderous enough to make it difficult to maneuver?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Mikeeemo]

Yes, I have. '59 TO-35 Gas Ag tires, manual steering, 6' foot rear discharge First Choice mower. I found this combination worked well overall. You have to slow down when making sharp turns or you can push up the tuff. This is a operator skill that needs to be learned.

Make sure your tractor is up to the task, mine has gotten weak. Also a finish mower is not a bush mower, cutting too fast or too heavy grass will overwhelm the mower and burn up the belts.

I bring this up since the more I used this setup, the more I would 'push it'. After 8 years I 'Pushed it', now I have a winter repair project on the mower.

The setup you asked about will work great, I just figure I would share what not to do.

Enjoy...

 

[coss]

Mikeemo,

Thanks for the reply.

I assume it is the front tires that tear up the grass on sharp turns, is that correct? Do the ag tires on the rear cause trouble as well?

What is the approximate ground speed that you find you can maintain with the 6 foot mower?

Also, is it your engine that is weak, due to low compression, or is it another mechanical problem?

Thanks again,
Coss

(an aside, the back story: I have a MH 50 with loaded and weighted rear turf tires, used for bush hogging. It is a very stable platform for that use, but it has a turning radius like the Queen Mary and it must weigh close to 5500 lbs with the cutter on it. It will likely be too heavy and unwieldy for the lawn. I know where I can get a TO-35 really cheap, for around $1000. It is an ugly duckling with multiple paint colors flaking off, rust, and primer spots. It also has a stuck hydraulic valve. The rear ag tires are just about worn out. However, the engine runs great. If I swapped the turf tires from my MH 50 onto the 35, fixed the hydraulics, and bought a finish mower, I could have a lawn mower for the same price as a disposable non-commercial zero turn mower from Home Depot. I would also have two tractors with similar mechanicals, so my maintenance knowledge would go further.)

 

[Mikeeemo]

I suspect low compression. I really have not had the time to investigate.

I have 3 rib tires on the front, since we like to plow with it.

The front will tear the turf a little like I said.

The rear can if your WOT and change direction, being gentle on the clutch solves that.

I was cutting in 3L or 4L most of the time, due to the weak engine.

Oh, my rear tires are loaded, so turf or unloaded tires would help.

All in all a good setup, I just need to gather some time and funds to freshen up the engine.

I also run the mower on my Kubota L4400, plenty of power...

 

[coss]

Mike,

I'll bet that Kubota is a beast with a 6 foot finish mower.

3rd gear at 3.4 MPH or 4th at 4.9 MPH would both be good choices for mowing with a TO-35. I could cover a lot of lawn at those rates.

How is your turning radius?

Bob

 

[bucktaker]

TO -35 doesnt have a 4th gear...... I had a gas 1963 MF 35 and 59 TO-35 they handle a 6 ft finish mower very well and I ran in High range1st with no issues unless It was early spring and I was behind in my mowing. Neighbor has used TO-20 with a 6 ft for many years he has since upgraded to a MHF-50 with the same Z134 continental gas mower. We ran old ag tires and very little issues with lawn ruts

 

[The kid]

I need a machine to mow about 1.5 acres of lawn. The land is flat with some trees to negotiate around. Has anyone used their Model 35 with a 6 foot finish mower as their primary lawn mowing machine? (I would put turf tires on it.) Does the lack of power steering make it ponderous enough to make it difficult to maneuver? Thanks for the advice.

For such a small plot of acreage a good used zero turn would get the job done in a fraction of the time. Trees have to be pruned to get proper clearance. Get too close to the Mrs prized flower bed could mean WWWIII. EVEN a good used Lawn Tractor would work better than towing a finish mower. If you have ever brush cut a field with a few unpruned trees you would probably agree with me. -kid

 

[Mikeeemo]

Bucktaker: your absolutely correct; a TO-35 only has 3 forward gears. I meant to say that I mow in 3L or 1H. I was thinking of my Kubota.

Imo a finish mower is a way to cut grass with the equipment you have. There are other mowers that can cut faster. A finish mower will cut a lot of grass at one time. I spent ~ $1600 for a 6' mower. The zero turn I want is ~ $6000, so finish mower, it is.

As far as using the Kubota to run the mower. The L4400 has power steering & more torque.

The TO-35 is lower to the ground and can slip under trees better. Plus I just like that tractor.

It has character.

Any of the options discussed will get the job done.

I hope everyone has a pleasant holiday.

Mike

 

[Ranchero50]

I had the use of a mid 40's IH Cub Cadet with a belly mower and I'd rather use that vs. a TO-35, especially if it's only an acre or so.

As I found out with my 35's hydraulics, if it doesn't work when you get it, expect it to be junk once you get it to move and parts are not cheap.

 

[coss]

Thanks for all of the replies. Please keep the advice coming.

My wife is working on me to consider a zero turn mower instead of a 35 with a finish mower. She might be correct, but the experience of those on this forum is useful.