RunninOnEmpty
Bronze Member
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- Apr 28, 2011
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- Tractor
- Kioti CK20S
I have a CK20 w/loaded R4's & would like to buy a 60" finish mower. Question is: will this be too heavy of a machine for front yard? Will it make ruts & compact soil?
CK20 Finish mower
- Thread starter RunninOnEmpty
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kubotalinc
Bronze Member
i've got a rm59 with loaded tires on a ck 20 no probems unless turning too tightly, and if your not mowing that offten plan on changing the belt a lot if you mow too close.
JonKioti
Silver Member
I seem to get more ruts just driving my CK20S over the lawn. Some areas will be soft and will show marks. I have the loaded R4 tires.
My original solution was to take the $$ for the finish mower and buy a zero turn once my White 17hp gives out. This plan was superseded when my wife fell in love with the workout she got using the 20" reel mower I gave her as a birthday present:
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=10190&cat=2,2160,51170&ap=1
Do you have a finish mower you are considering? I recall they were rather pricey.
Jon
My original solution was to take the $$ for the finish mower and buy a zero turn once my White 17hp gives out. This plan was superseded when my wife fell in love with the workout she got using the 20" reel mower I gave her as a birthday present:
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=10190&cat=2,2160,51170&ap=1
Do you have a finish mower you are considering? I recall they were rather pricey.
Jon
RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
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- Nov 17, 2001
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- 23,144
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- Bethel, Vermont
- Tractor
- John Deere 4052R Cab,, Deere 855D UTV, Z920A Zero Turn Mower and assorted implements
As far as weight, the typical 60" rear finishing mower is about 500 lbs +/- 50 lbs. The weight wasn't a problem with me, when I had a 60" BEFCO RFM.
What can be a problem is the four caster wheels. As they pivot, they can occasionally drag...that will rut the lawn.
As the other folks wrote, your tractor will leave impressions when you mow. These (in my experience) are gone in a day or so. However, your tractor can tear up the grass if you turn too quickly (especially if in 4WD). If you mow when the grass is wet, you can (probably will, actually) lose traction and your tires will spin. This will rut your lawn.
What can be a problem is the four caster wheels. As they pivot, they can occasionally drag...that will rut the lawn.
As the other folks wrote, your tractor will leave impressions when you mow. These (in my experience) are gone in a day or so. However, your tractor can tear up the grass if you turn too quickly (especially if in 4WD). If you mow when the grass is wet, you can (probably will, actually) lose traction and your tires will spin. This will rut your lawn.
OP
RunninOnEmpty
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2011
- Messages
- 76
- Tractor
- Kioti CK20S
I haven't prices the RFM yet, but considering one thru my Kioti dealer. We cut 6 acres & I use a 48" JD in front of the house which is about 1/2 acre. From what I'm hearing maybe I should stick to the JD In front.
RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 23,144
- Location
- Bethel, Vermont
- Tractor
- John Deere 4052R Cab,, Deere 855D UTV, Z920A Zero Turn Mower and assorted implements
If you want "lawn beautiful" instead a yard (like mine), yep...I'd stick with the Deere lawn tractor.
I Just bought a ck27 to replace my old 8n. that being said I was going between a ck 20 with a deck also. with the r4 tires I think you would be ok as long as your yard is not perpetually wet. just for reference my 8n had loaded tires and I mowed my lawn with it. it was probably close to 3600 lbs and it never caused me any problems. even the rear r1s didn't do much damage to my lawn but you just have to be careful and not mow when it is wet. also the casters can at times hang up and gouge things a bit so be careful and good luck.
