Finish Mower vs Belly Mower

[CPTKILLER]

With the droughts we have been having, our grass (lawn or pasture) tends to be dry unless it is after a rare rain storm.

 

[nknelsen]

I sold my small ranch a few years ago and now an in the market for a subcompact utility tractor. My question is finish mower vs belly mower for 1 acre or so.

I am very familiar with rotary cutters or shredders. Since this will be for some lawn mowing, what are users experience with both.

I like the idea of being able to drop the finish mower when I am hauling stuff with tractor or doing other projects. My concern is dragging the belly mower when working on a backyard slope cleaning my wife’s chicken coops (she has over 150 egg laying hens). I would be hauling feed weekly from the front of our property up a slope to the barn.

I expect to till a garden and maybe dig some post holes.

The utility is why a finish mower appeals to me.

The brand of subcompact tractor is still open.

I had a kioti CS2410 subcompact with the mid mounted mower and it was simply awesome. But I found it to be a little small for loader work so I bought a compact kioti CX2510, again with a mid mounted mower. The bigger tractor is much more capable than the subcompact was. Close to Twice the hydraulic flow for anything you may use that for like a wood splitter or grapple, 1100 pounds of loader lift instead of 700, Suspension seat, tilt steering etc.

If you are planning on a post hole auger attachment, the compact would handle that work better I think as well.

I've owned a kioti since 2013 and have had a great experience owning one.

 

[BrkMstr]

I've had both, issue with the belly was taking it off / on, on the Kubota BX it was a Pain, had to lift the front end to disengage the PTO, if you did not have garage / hard surface it was not a pleasant task. The rear finish on the Kioti eliminated the frustration of attachment, once I got use to it, it was very easy to maneuver, easily did everything the belly did, one of the greatest advantages of the rear was the difference of the dust / dirt, I like an open cab having the cutter in the rear was a lot cleaner up front. The rear allowed quick disengagement and easy maintenance. The final decision would have to be based on lawn obstructions / challenges for movability.

 

[Dennis59]

I sold my small ranch a few years ago and now an in the market for a subcompact utility tractor. My question is finish mower vs belly mower for 1 acre or so.

I am very familiar with rotary cutters or shredders. Since this will be for some lawn mowing, what are users experience with both.

I like the idea of being able to drop the finish mower when I am hauling stuff with tractor or doing other projects. My concern is dragging the belly mower when working on a backyard slope cleaning my wife’s chicken coops (she has over 150 egg laying hens). I would be hauling feed weekly from the front of our property up a slope to the barn.

I expect to till a garden and maybe dig some post holes.

The utility is why a finish mower appeals to me.

The brand of subcompact tractor is still open.

For @ the same money you can buy a ZTR. One thing you need to under stand if you have a loader on the tractor it will be in the way when mowing in tight places. From experience you would be happier with a separate mover then having it as an attachment to the tractor.

 

[TugHillDog]

All good info. Lots of hours of experience in the previous posts. I will only add this: I opted for a craigslist find of a 3pt hitch finish mower [LandPride] and have never once missed the belly mower my previous Massey had. This mower has survived a couple tractors and is very easy to use/maintain. I have had little issues with maneuverability on my [currrent] Mahindra 2645. The mower is right side discharge. But I have always used a push mower to do trim work [I can use the walk]. COnsequently, I have NEVER taken the loader off for mowing.

Good luck with your choice and I hope you find our opinions helpful.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I have a 72" belly mower on a Kubota tractor. It beats a 3-point finish mower in every way. I can drop it and connect it in 5 minutes easily. It doesn't swing around behind the tractor with every turn. It's built like a tank and can handle anything you need to mow. Most maneuvarable mowing option for a tractor accessory. Also, very easy to work on and access due to ability to remove it and just lift it up with the loader.

I wouldn't even consider using a 3-point mower behind that same tractor. I can't think of a single advantage to a rear mower.

Having said all that, I'd recommend getting a zero turn mower to mow your lawn. It's ready to go whenever you need it and does a better, faster job. A small tractor with a beefy mower can be really handy, especially for large wide open areas. But for weekly mowing of an acre around your house, get a zero turn.

The newer Kubota mowers go on and off pretty quickly. I've never been overly impressed with the rear-mounted finish mowers, especially on uneven ground.

 

[Jkolton]

I agree with CH4Ohio Get a dedicated zero-turn mower for your lawn. I’m 67, and it’s getting harder for me to connect my belly mower on my Kubota. I’m seriously considering buying a zero-turn for my 3-acre lawn.

 

[Smokeydog]

Mowing our rough hillside property a rear finishing mower works best. Can back under trees, up/down banks, creek banks that other mowers can’t touch. Rugged and easy to service. Being 3pt can raise and do FEL work. Wife is comfortable doing most of the mowing.