Finish Mowing

[CWP37]

My father in law just bought 30 acres down the road from me. He has an old Massey with a 7' shredder and I have a 5103 with an MX-6, so we have the pasture mowing covered. He's interested in a smaller tractor to pull a 5-6' finish mower or a MMM. He wants a tractor, rather than a ZTR or riding mower. He's leaning toward green so that his tractor will match my implements. My questions are:

1) What tractor/mower combo would be best for finish mowing 2-3 acres? Mostly open, with a few areas to weave in between trees. Also, one hill to mow straight up and down.

2) What kind of money are we looking at for the different models that fit?

3) What horsepower range? His current riding mower gets bogged down and won't cut very well, so he wants plenty of power for a good cut.

Thanks in advance.

 

[VABlue]

Any of the subcompact deisels will work just fine. I have a 2305 (24/18HP) w/a 54" mulching deck and it will power through 8" high grass/clover, wet, and not skip a beat. It will cut just as fast as I can stand the ride. It also manuvers very well - much better than I had thought it would. Get a 62" deck, though - easier to get around tree's and over edges. That setup, w/ a FEL, will run ~$13K-14K. It will handle anything you can throw at it on 3 acres, cutting wise.

Implement wise, the 'limited' cat 1 hitch means it doesn't lift as high. It also has a far lower lift rating than your 5103. So if you're looking to share implements, look for something bigger than a 2305...

 

[CWP37]

Thanks for the reply. How much bigger should he look at? Sounds like a 3120 would be a good fit, but maybe more than he's looking to spend.

What does anyone think about a 990 with a 6' finish mower?

 

[AKfish]

CWP, the 990 should have more than enough muscle to handle a 6' finish mower. I looked at that model real close before I ran into a great deal on a low hour JD 970.

It's just slightly larger than the 970 and maybe 100 lbs heavier. But it's 5HP more at the PTO.

So, if you're not working in real thick or tall stuff -- likely go bigger on a finish type mower.

And (as you know...) it should handle your MX-6 real well, too!

AKfish

 

[AKfish]

Nuther note --- the 990 is probably more machine than needed for 3-4 acres of finish mowing.

But if your Dad has ideas about the rest of the 30 acres, then having a 990 in the barn would be a good move. (And you might just like working that tractor a whole lot on your place, too!)

Best of luck in your decision.

AKfish

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks for the reply. How much bigger should he look at? Sounds like a 3120 would be a good fit, but maybe more than he's looking to spend.

What does anyone think about a 990 with a 6' finish mower?

The 790 can handle a 72" finishing mower, so there's another one to look at. For just mowing, I'd think real seriously about a 2WD machine. For 2WD and power sterring, probably about $10K.
Also the 3203 too (but only if there's no chance it would be used as a stationary power unit)

How steep is that hill, BTW?

 

[CWP37]

It's about a 20 degree grade up a house pad. My 5103 did fine, I'm assuming a 990 straight up and down would do fine.

What price should I be looking for on a 990 w/out a loader?

 

[RoyJackson]

It's about a 20 degree grade up a house pad. My 5103 did fine, I'm assuming a 990 straight up and down would do fine.

What price should I be looking for on a 990 w/out a loader?

About $16600 if you go MFWD (MSRP per Deere's website). Make sure you get front weights as part of the deal.
I'm sure you can get 10% knocked off though.

 

[EddieWalker]

I know I'm missing something here, but why not just buy a really good, big finish mower and use the tractor you already have? If it's big enough to handle a 7 foot shredder, you should have no problems with a bigger finish mower.

I have a 6 foot bush hog that I've been using for about four years. It works great, cuts through everything and I'm happy with it. It does take allot of effort to keep the height just right and I do scalp the ground from time to time, so for that reason, I've wanted a finish mower.

A month ago I bought a used 7 foot finish mower and can't believe the diference in the cut, how fast I can cut and how much nicer everything looks.

If you've been cutting with the shredder, then there's nothing in there that you can't cut with the finish mower. Once you start using one, there's no need to pull out the shredder any more. I know mine will be sitting for a very long time and I might even sell it. There's just no need for it where I can run the finish mower.

Eddie

 

[CWP37]

That's a great idea, except his current tractor with the 7' shredder is about 20 years old and needs a total $6000 diesel overhaul. We figured a new tractor would make more sense.

I'm waiting for the Deer salesman to call me back with a quote, I'll post it for opinions and input when I get it.

 

[CWP37]

Just got off of the phone with the JD salesman.

JD 990 2WD with JD 272 finish mower: $16700

JD 990 MFWD with JD 272 finish mower: $19300

No loader, but tires filled and sealed.

Any opinions?

 

[RoyJackson]

Just got off of the phone with the JD salesman.

JD 990 2WD with JD 272 finish mower: $16700

JD 990 MFWD with JD 272 finish mower: $19300

No loader, but tires filled and sealed.

Any opinions?

Well, how much do you want to spend? Do you really need MFWD? (did you Dad's Massey have MFWD?)

The 990 does have a lot of horsepower for the dollars, but do you need all that horsepower for the mowing you described?

It's your money...and your decision.

But my opinion is the 990 (as great a machine as it is) is more then he needs for 2-3 acres of finish mowing.

 

[CWP37]

I would say that you are 100% correct thaty a 990 is overkill to mow 2-3 acres.

I guess I forgot to mention that I have a 6' box blade, 7' rear blade, and 7' rake ready for his 990 Imatch to pick up and borrow when needed.

 

[jcmseven]

I would say he should consider a 3203. It is basic, just not as much so as a 90 series. It has hydro, and plenty of power. It would not notice a 6' RFM (or really a 7' for that matter). It is in the same price range if not a little less and has four wheel drive. Roy, who knows a lot about tractors, is not a big believer in four wheel drive necessarily. He is correct (and a lot like my dad) when he says, "Why pay for something if you don't need it?" I, on the other hand, am very good at spending other people's money and I say having four wheel drive is a VERY nice thing even if it is not used much. Before I committed to the 90 series (990) I would really consider the 3203. I do not particularly like them for my use, as the two ranges would not fare well on my steep hills, but for fairly flat use with one hill, it would make a nice machine, that still has some nifty features.

John M

 

[Nuru]

If cost is not option, then I would go larger, but then again, I believe in overkill when it comes to tractors as there is always so0mething that end up doing that might require more power.

 

[AKfish]

CWP37 -- you never said much about what plans you or your Dad might have for the remaining 37+- acres. Or if it's hilly or if you might use the MFWD tractor on your own property.

Establish pastures, raise some hay, board horses, grass feed a steer or two....

Lot's of possibilities --- and of course that plays heavy into whatever decision you make.

Maybe you should look at a 5105-5205 series? I understand that JD is dropping them and there are some good deals out there for the remaining units that are on the lot's.

Oh yah, why no FEL? I use my loader for everything from picking up other attachments (PHD, tiller, etc.) to plowing snow and horse manure or adding more gravel to my road that I don't think I'd ever consider a tractor without a loader.

Keep us posted on whatever decision you and your Dad work out.

AKfish

 

[CWP37]

All good questions.

Basically, I live a mile and a half down the road and what's mine is his. So, he has a 5103 with a MX-6, FEL, 6' BB, 7' RB, 7" rake at his dosposal.

He's looking for something to complement the 5103 for finish mowing and implement use.

I'm pretty sure he's close to a 990 2WD with a Woods 6' finish mower. That way he can mow pretty and use all of my implements. I'll post an update when he pulls the trigger on the deal.