Confused with mower choice

[IslandTractor]

How handy are you and do you mind turning a wrench? The Caroni (and all flail mowers) require a bit more routine maintenance than Zero Turns or rotary mowers. It is pretty routine stuff but is necessary. The bearings need to be greased with each mowing (3 minutes) and the belts need to be checked each season and replaced every 3-5 seasons (check 10 min, replace 20 min). The flails themselves require little maintenance but if you hit rocks you may lose a set and that requires raising the mower to highest point on 3PT, blocking it for safety, getting underneath with wrenches to remove the old bolt, put in new blades and new bolt, tighten and then go mowing (about a half hour procedure start to finish once you've done it once).

 

[Sparky67]

While flail mowers and finish mowers are good choices a reel mower has a much better finish if you really want the manicured look.

jenkinsph, thanks for this input, I will have a look to see what reel mowers are available. My understanding is that reel mowers require a lot more maintenance, however I am sure the cut quality is superior. Thanks

 

[Sparky67]

How handy are you and do you mind turning a wrench? The Caroni (and all flail mowers) require a bit more routine maintenance than Zero Turns or rotary mowers. It is pretty routine stuff but is necessary. The bearings need to be greased with each mowing (3 minutes) and the belts need to be checked each season and replaced every 3-5 seasons (check 10 min, replace 20 min). The flails themselves require little maintenance but if you hit rocks you may lose a set and that requires raising the mower to highest point on 3PT, blocking it for safety, getting underneath with wrenches to remove the old bolt, put in new blades and new bolt, tighten and then go mowing (about a half hour procedure start to finish once you've done it once).

IslandTractor, No problem with the maintenance as I am a pretty hands on guy. I don't mind doing any of what you stated as necessary maintenance. Think the flail is a great option but am looking into the reel mowers but am struggling to find a commercial quality product. Everything I see is for very small garden tractors.

 

[IslandTractor]

IslandTractor, No problem with the maintenance as I am a pretty hands on guy. I don't mind doing any of what you stated as necessary maintenance. Think the flail is a great option but am looking into the reel mowers but am struggling to find a commercial quality product. Everything I see is for very small garden tractors.

There is a reason that gangs of reel mowers are not commonly used outside golf courses etc. Super cut and fuel efficient (but only if towed behind an ATV) but hard to back them up, many blades need sharpening, not useful if grass gets long and transport is difficult too. When's that last time you saw a big gang of reel mowers in action? Barely even discussed on TBN as they just ain't practical in the non commercial arena IMO.

 

[kebo]

My property is fairly hilly, but not too difficult and the back of the home has huge 28' high glass panels approximately 90' wide. I am terrified of spitting a rock out of the back of a rotary finish mower, however I do want a manicured lawnBrad

Holy smokes! You have more window space than I have floor space LoL!!! Sounds like you have a really nice house, hope you get your mower situation figured out. Good luck.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I haven't even seen the Kubota front mount flail mower, so take this with a grain of salt. But one thing you should consider is whether you will be able to see what you're doing with the flail from the seat of the tractor. Can you see how close you are getting to objects? Or will the hood of the tractor be blocking your view? One advantage of a rear mounted mower of any type is being able to look behind you and see exactly where the mower is relative to objects, drop-offs, fences, etc.

 

[Sparky67]

I haven't even seen the Kubota front mount flail mower, so take this with a grain of salt. But one thing you should consider is whether you will be able to see what you're doing with the flail from the seat of the tractor. Can you see how close you are getting to objects? Or will the hood of the tractor be blocking your view? One advantage of a rear mounted mower of any type is being able to look behind you and see exactly where the mower is relative to objects, drop-offs, fences, etc.

Poopdeck Pappy, I have not seen it in person myself however my Kubota currently has a front mounted hydraulic snow blower and it is completely fine so I assume the same would apply with a flail. The L6060 hood is sloped and very car like with this design, so I think it will be ok. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[jenkinsph]

There is a reason that gangs of reel mowers are not commonly used outside golf courses etc. Super cut and fuel efficient (but only if towed behind an ATV) but hard to back them up, many blades need sharpening, not useful if grass gets long and transport is difficult too. When's that last time you saw a big gang of reel mowers in action? Barely even discussed on TBN as they just ain't practical in the non commercial arena IMO.

Kesmac makes some tractor models that seem to work well. The OP started this thread to get some options, reading through the various replies I saw that reel mowers had not been mentioned. I should also add the large area of 5 to 6 acres might lend itself to this type mower. You can back these up, you can transport them with the reels up.

I am not selling them and I don't have one as I mow at 4 inch height with a Deere x749 with a rotary deck. But for a large lawn area where a manicured look is important and a mower that does not throw rocks a reel mower is a good option.

Pull Behind Reel Mowers - Bing Videos

and Kesmac Inc. :: Kesmac Inc. Sod Harvester Turf Harvester Transportable Reel Mower Turf Roller Truck Mounted Forklift Pest Sprayer Sod Installer

 

[buickanddeere]

Why mow the grass, in particular in the spring and summer ? The grass is full of bird nests, bunnies and fawns etc? One trip over in August and September with a rotary cutter is fine.

 

[IslandTractor]

Why mow the grass, in particular in the spring and summer ? The grass is full of bird nests, bunnies and fawns etc? One trip over in August and September with a rotary cutter is fine.

That is exactly what I do in pastures/fields. It is amazing how much wildlife inhabits the fields when grasses are allowed to grow knee high. Turtles, Praying Mantises, birds, rabbits and who knows what else thrive in our unmown fields. I wait until a all wildflowers have finished blooming before making any cuts and often cut only once in the fall. Keeps the invasive briars and saplings well in control and allows many interesting grasses to flourish. Watching the grasses waving in the wind is another benefit. Large lawns are boring and virtual biological deserts that eat up large amounts of time, water, fuel, fertilizer and herbicides. They should be discouraged.

 

[Sparky67]

That is exactly what I do in pastures/fields. It is amazing how much wildlife inhabits the fields when grasses are allowed to grow knee high. Turtles, Praying Mantises, birds, rabbits and who knows what else thrive in our unmown fields. I wait until a all wildflowers have finished blooming before making any cuts and often cut only once in the fall. Keeps the invasive briars and saplings well in control and allows many interesting grasses to flourish. Watching the grasses waving in the wind is another benefit. Large lawns are boring and virtual biological deserts that eat up large amounts of time, water, fuel, fertilizer and herbicides. They should be discouraged.

Unfortunately the property is currently a nice manicuredlawn (not a pasture) otherwise I would just leave it like buickanddeere suggested.

 

[IslandTractor]

Unfortunately the property is currently a nice manicuredlawn (not a pasture) otherwise I would just leave it like buickanddeere suggested.

Buy a few pounds of wildflower seed, spread it and let nature take its course.

 

[Sparky67]

Buy a few pounds of wildflower seed, spread it and let nature take its course.

OK IslandTractor, only if you would be willing to be the one to tell my Wife....hahaha

 

[IslandTractor]

OK IslandTractor, only if you would be willing to be the one to tell my Wife....hahaha

It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Show her some photos of wildflower filled fields, wild grasses waving in the breeze and remind her of all the fuel use, global warming and wasted mowing time that can be avoided. I know it isn't an easy decision but we love ours and so do our neighbors.

 

[KenB2920]

Just my opinion from my experience.

I mow roughly 4ish acres.

I first used a B2920 with a MMM and although the cut was fine the tractor was heavy. It got close to where I needed to be but still left a good amount of string trimming.

I then purchased a L3540 cab as I have allergies and being climate controlled is nice. I pulled a 7' rear discharge deck from bush hog. Did a great job in the fields. It was simply to difficult to get close with turns and left a lot of string trimming. Also with weighted tires and on clay, the tractor was just heavy and would cause "ruts" (over exaggeration) but cause waves or slight bumps. When the clay dried out the was actually a rougher ride.

So I then decided to use a 50" walk behind close to the house and the 7' everywhere else.

Being I like my grass manicured the tractor is the wrong choice (At least for my situation) (weight 5000 lbs vs 1500 lbs , speed, overall finish and cost ratio). I also aerate my lawn (huge improvement with the soil compaction from the tractor). So I picked up a scag cheetah 60". This ztr cuts excellent and leaves my grass in much better shape. I can also cut my property in less time the if I used the tractor with 7' deck. Being I can get super close, it leaves very little string trimming. I'm not promoting scag, (although I like it) but as mentioned above, a high end ZTR would probably be best.

I sharpen blades often on all equipment and like to try things for myself. I'm not trying to push you anyway, just saying I've kind of been there.

Also, your 6060 I think is 9" longer than my 3540.

I'm also in the market for a flail but definitely not for my lawn. ( the manicured areas). I've read a lot about them and look forward to using them to keep fields looking good monthly. (I also do a lot of cutting / brush work ) for others. Right tool for the job. So I am acquiring all the tools.

 

[Sparky67]

Ken,
Thank you very much for this reply. Very helpful as you are in the same scenario. I have gone ahead and asked my former landscaper to maintain the lawns as I believe the L6060 will be awkward and heavy for the manicured lawns around the home. My landscaper uses a Zero Turn with a bagger and it is much quicker and easier to deal with. I will look at this for my long term plans when I have more time in the Fall, but in the meantime will get some turf tires on my 6060 as I need to get on the lawn for other things Chipping wood, etc. Thanks again for your input, looks like the Zero turn is the best long term solution.

 

[KenB2920]

Absolutely!!! Happy Tractoring !!!

 

[Gary Fowler]

A professional grade or near commercial grade zero turn mower will last you a long time and do a quick and fast job. You may want to look at the F series of front mount Kubota mowers with diesel engines if you have the money to invest in a high end mower. I would love to have one for my rough lawn because I think they would be much smoother riding than a regular ZTR and for me much easier to see where the deck is so less overlap. I think TBN member John Thomas can advise you on those compared to other mowers.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

A professional grade or near commercial grade zero turn mower will last you a long time and do a quick and fast job. You may want to look at the F series of front mount Kubota mowers with diesel engines if you have the money to invest in a high end mower. I would love to have one for my rough lawn because I think they would be much smoother riding than a regular ZTR and for me much easier to see where the deck is so less overlap. I think TBN member John Thomas can advise you on those compared to other mowers.

And you can also get the Kubota front mount mowers with a rear discharge deck, which would solve the worry about rocks thrown at windows. A Grasshopper front mount would do the same thing, but you can get the Kubota in a 4wd model if traction is a concern.