Mowing bobcat 225

[timrpremier]

As i have read many threads on tbn talking about the bobcat 225 and rutting up the lawn while mowing. I have yet to actually read an answer to it. I live in central wisconsin. I have 2 acres of lawn to mow with another possible to acres to start mowing with this tractor upgrade. But to all you bobcat 225, 230, or 235 owners do you have any problems with rutting up the yard using either belly and/or 3pt mowers. Let me know.. i guess thats my biggest concern about stepping up from the lesser weight machines. If i knew that wouldnt be a problem then its a no brainer. But would like to hear what some of you guys have experienced. Thanks for you help

timrpremier

 

[wallace]

Are you just using the tractor to mow?
Will there be a loader on the machine?
Are you going to have the rear tires loaded?

 

[VictorW]

Your soil would make a difference too. I'm not familiar with what it's like in Wisconsin and in your area. My soil has a good bit of clay in it and the tractor does fine as long as it's not after an average rain.
What type of tires were you thinking, Ag, Ind, or turf?
A little more info and the members can give you a better answer because there are some variables.

 

[MoKelly]

I mow approx. 10 acres using a CT235 and rear discharge 3 point finish mower.

I have turf tires (filled only with air) and I have absolutely no problems with the tractor messing up the grass. It works perfectly.

There have been times I even mowed when it was a little damp and it was fine.

For me, turf tires were a great decision. I only do occasional non-mowing work like moving rock and mulch.

MoKelly

 

[lilranch2001]

I have filled GP tires on my 235 and if there is any real moisture in the ground I stay off of the grass.
It will rut the lawn even just going straight

Clay and muck soil here

 

[galaxie428]

I think as someone else mentioned, your soil is going to have a lot to do with your situation. I live in IN and my soil is a little sandy so it drains pretty well. I have not had any issues making ruts with my 230. These machines outweigh a lot of the other brands though which has is benefits for certain types of work.

I have GP tires on mine and will say that the grass in my tire tracks gets mashed down a little and doesn't look as nice as the rest when cut with my 3pt finish mower. I am not going for yard of the year though so it does not bother me. I mow about 4 acres.

 

[timrpremier]

thanks for you help. I would have the intentions on having a loader for the tractor but i would try to only have the loader on for the times when i need it. I thought i would have to do this for the simple reason the tractor weighs enough i wouldnt want anymore weight then i have to have while mowing. Also i was thinking going with the R4's which i believe are the GP as you guys are mentioning. I dont think i would have them filled for the same reason. Just dont want the extra weight on the grass while mowing. Where i am in wisconsin it is a lot of clay. I wanted to have the dealer bring one out so i could try it out but we just got 2 inches of snow and the ground froze hard within the last week and a half. so i will probly have to wait till spring to try it. You guys that dont have much for problems, is any of your soils clay? I am hoping that some of the low spots i have in my lawn (4 years ago it was a corn field) i will be able to level out and keep from getting so wet with the tractor. Hopefully helping when i mow over it. My next question for you guys as far as mowers with your bobcats have you ever used flail mowers? I have read a lot of threads on here about flail mowers and that they actually work well as finish mowers. Just woundering if any bobcat guys have tried them yet. Thanks

 

[Gittyup]

I have a CK25 with loaded tires and a loader. I don't mow with it, but when it's wet it can rut the lawn. My soil has a lot of red clay and can get real soft toward the end of winter after prolonged wet spells. More importantly, I used it in my vegetable garden to work an adjoining bank and it really compacted the garden soil.

So, if you only have four acres to mow, and mowing is the primary use for the tractor, then I'd go with something lighter in weight with maximum HP, like maybe a Kubota B3030 or a JD 2520. With the BCs, you might be alright, if you don't load the tires and don't carry any extra weight as in a loader or such. But, these machines aren't ideal mowers. Great for utility work, ground engagement, and bush hogging, but there are better options for finish mowing.

 

[Fred Barbour]

I have a CT 235 and use a 5 ft. 3 pt hitch finish mower for the lawns. I got my Bobcat April 2010 and it was delivered with the wrong tires (Turf), I ordered it with Ag tires. I complained, the Ags ended up on back order and to keep me happy they gave me the Ags and rims for free when they arrived.

While waiting for the Ags, I found the turf tires great to use and found they had more traction than I had anticipated. I can mow in 2wd with no problems with no slipping up a rather steep hill I have. In summer applications, the turf tires are great, no traction issues when using the loader etc. ( My tires are not loaded ). In addition, I pop off the 68in bucket before I mow to get around the trees. Also, it drives like a car with the turfs, real comfortable.

I changed over to the Ags for the winter last month and, I'd forgotten just how much you bounce around with the Ags. Wow, got a groin pull and a sore back the first day!!! (Just kidding). The Ags however are great for the snow.

If you can swing the extra dollars for both sets I would hazard to guess this is a best case scenario. I can tell you that as soon as the snow departs I will be switching over to the turfs.

Fred

 

[timrpremier]

I have a CT 235 and use a 5 ft. 3 pt hitch finish mower for the lawns. I got my Bobcat April 2010 and it was delivered with the wrong tires (Turf), I ordered it with Ag tires. I complained, the Ags ended up on back order and to keep me happy they gave me the Ags and rims for free when they arrived.

Fred what made you decide on going with a 3pt finish mower vs. the mmm? Can you see the tracks that the tractor leaves? Have you ever contemplated a flail mower instead of just the finish mower?

 

[VictorW]

Wow, getting the extra set of tires and rims was great. That's over a 1k add-on. Having both would be the perfect way to go. I chose the Ind tires (R4) to split the difference. Not to bad on grass and not to bad in snow but they'll pack up in sticky mud. I do need chains when Winter settles in and things start to ice up. Pushing a foot or better of snow does need some traction.

 

[Fred Barbour]

Timrpremier;

To answer your question, I bought a finish mower 10 years ago. At that time I had a Kubota 16 hp tractor. The finish mower was rated 15 to 25 hp and weighed 550 lbs. ( a real heavy well built puppy!). My Kubota couldn't even lift it off the ground but it pulled it all those years without problem and most important, without breaking the tractor. (Kubota recently replaced with my Bobcat CT 235)

Over the years and while mowing the property I hit numerous rocks, bottomed out, you know how this goes when developing your property. As time passed, trees were trimmed up about 8ft., the small ones were taken out, the dips and doodles were filled with horse manure (we have 10 horses), lots of grass seed, and well, 14 years later I have a Park, at least that is what people tell me.

If you plan on just keeping the grass down then anything other than a finish mower will be fine, however, if you want it to look great (like a golf course)and want to spend the time then a finish mower may be better suited to your needs.

I opted for a heavy duty rear discharge finish mower, spent the bucks and it paid off. I nailed a crap load of rocks etc and no real damage to the mower. I sharpened the blades a couple of years ago and they hardly had any damage and I found that hard to believe considering what I had put it through in the first few years. I no longer hit anything due to the filling etc.

Tire tracks, yes you can see them a bit with the turfs but WAY better than Ag tires. By the way, mow your lawn with a push mower and you can also see wheel tracks, although only 1 inch wide. I prefer sitting on my rear using the tractor.

I bought a real heavy duty 5 ft finish mower knowing that I would eventually do what I did with the property. I am however a slave to the land,, but I enyoy it and I am retired!

Fred

 

[powergod]

Fred it correct, finish mower is a good choice, i have just about 20 acres i mow. I use a flail mower does a good job for me. its not as refined as a finish mover but does a much nicer job than a brush hog.

 

[timrpremier]

Fred it correct, finish mower is a good choice, i have just about 20 acres i mow. I use a flail mower does a good job for me. its not as refined as a finish mover but does a much nicer job than a brush hog.

Powergod what type of knives do you have on your flail mower? Are they shaped like a Y or a T? Because from what i understand there are different types of cutting knives?

 

[powergod]

I have the Y shaped knives

 

[DG 225]

I have a 225 with a King Kutter 5 ft. Finishing mower and I have never had any issues with ruts in my yard. I have industrial tires.

 

[timrpremier]

so a king cut thats a 3pt? or a mid mount? While looking at tractors im also debating the after market mower or a bobcat brand name mid mount mower. Just woundering how you like that mower?

 

[lilranch2001]

so a king cut thats a 3pt? or a mid mount? While looking at tractors im also debating the after market mower or a bobcat brand name mid mount mower. Just woundering how you like that mower?

The midmounts have issues as well, from what I understand there is not much "lift clearance" on them and there is always the issue of the belly mower being a pain to remove and then re hook up the mount and the belt if you are going to take it off

If I ever do start to use mine as a mower I would only consider a 3ph finish mower

 

[wallace]

There is no belt that needs to be hooked up on the mid mount mower. It is a drive shaft.

 

[DG 225]

My King Kutter is a 3 point. It works great, cuts clean, and gets the job done quickly. I only mow about 2 acres and I get it Doberman in about 30 minutes.