Mowing I need a new lawn mower, is PT the right choice?

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red"> The 35 degree slope is for real, but it is only a short run. </font>

Bob: I know you've only asked for mower suggestions. I have the PT1845, which is rated to 40 degrees with duals. I only have single turfs, so I suspect I'm limited to under 30 degrees. Since the mower's in front, I'm driving on fresh-cut grass, so side hill mowing on steep slopes results in some side slide and crabbing. Going up, I can run out of traction. I haven't used chains.
I bought this machine because of some sliding rides down hill on a JD 950 with 72" rotary. I've come to the conclusion that no machine is fun to mow at steeper than about 20 degrees. I therefore recommend you do some really expensive terracing and retaining walls so the mowing will be required only on the newly level ground. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I've no experience with the Steiner or Ventrac, but have heard that they are good on hills and have nice decks. I have not heard that they will handle 35 degrees, however, which at first glance looks to most of us like a cliff. Whatever you consider, I recommend a thorough test on your own place before signing the check.
Good luck.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I would consider a cover crop, except the steep areas that we mow are wide paths that are cut through the woods and are the only way for us to get from the top of the hill to the bottom of the hill. I did put in some limestone stairs in one area. But I have 3 other areas that I use constantly when we move things up and down. The only other way to get down to the valley area is to go out the front of the property, drive down the road, and then drop down the roadside, which is about a 20' drop from road surface to valley floor and about a 20 degree slope, but that is a fairly long route to take just to get down to the pool, or garden or field or where ever.

The Steiner 230 looks like it might be a nice choice if it has the traction. Again, most of the mowing is basically on relatively flat or rolling land, but there are the really steep spots that we need to maintain. The Cub has done a good job and is still a good tractor, but it is not the best choice for mowing. I credit the direct drive shaft, wheel weights and chains for getting up the hills when comparable JD and other machines simply died on the slope. I have lived with the tire chains spinning and scalping the hillside because it was/is the only solution we found. But as it is starting to show its age I am looking for something that would be better suited to mowing. When I originally bought the Cub, it was also my all purpose tractor and did everything. Now we have many colors and choices so I decide on the job and then go start up the tractor that is best suited to that task.

I like the PT design, but the overall size seems to be much longer than a small, H.D. garden tractor, and that is a problem. The Steiner 230 seems to be similar in overall length. It may end up being the better choice, if I can prove that it has the traction. The mowing duties will be about 5+ acres, and of that 0.20 acres is slope. But that 0.20 acres is the part that causes all the problems. A dedicated slope mower is out of the question because I still have a lot of regular land to get mowed as well and in any case, the wife is the one who will likely use the unit 90% of the time so it must be simple and easy for her.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Ed
I would be interested in exploring a unit that comes off a lease, can you forward me information? I am exploring now, but not planning on buying until summer.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Bob:
With the 1845, I mow pastures, using the 72" rough-cut mower and a 58" Acrease wing mower. I do a lot of other things with the PT, but bought it primarily for mowing. I've been completely satisfied once Sedgewood and I did some evaluation of mower blade configurations and mitigated a minor overheating phenomenon. There are threads on both issues.
If you start looking at a bit bigger machine, the 1845 is certainly worth a look.

 

[MossRoad]

Bob,
I'd offer to let you test drive my 425 over here, near South Bend, but my yard is pool table flat... I have some fairly steep hills out on our other property, but they are covered in trees, not grass. I can run up and down the road on that hill with a bucket full of dirt, but have never mowed up them. The bucket doesn't siphon off any engine power as the mower does, so that wouldn't be a valid test, either. I have brush hogged up them with no problems, but the brush is not nearly as draining to the engine as thick grass is when using the mower. Eventually, I will have some of the hill cleared and grass planted after we build. I already know the tractor will climb the hills without the mower. So, if I can't mow up the hill, at least I know I can mow down the hill.

Again, the problem with the PT425 is the angle(up, down or sideways) is limited by the oiling system in the Kohler engine. In really steep areas, I've run out of traction before running out of power, but I have turf tires. The newer PT425s have different wheel motors than mine, so that should be even more power. I'll have to get a level and measure the overall angle of the hill someday. I suspect it is close to 20 degrees at the steepest parts and averages out about 15.

 

[eambrose]

Sure Bob - I will check out used sources and get back to you - one thing you might consider - usually you can have the dealer bring the Steiner to your property to test - (even if you don't end up purchasing one) I think Charlie really has a good point - I made the mistake of purchasing without testing on my property which is very important for mowing slopes - Now of course this delays your purchase till the Spring - but it may be well worth it. Of course you can't test the PT beccause they have no dealers

I totally agree with Bob on the 1845 - I love the unit - and it is so stable and confortable on slopes - you feel safe and it is safe - the problem of course for you is that it may be little large - but for mowing 5 acres especially if most of it is open I would choose the 1845 in a heartbeat - it would be ideal and for its size - it is very nimble - I am 110% sure that if you put a Cubcadet on a hill and it did not slide down even with chains - the 1845 will go up it, down it, and across it with no problem

As for the 230 - it is a very nice unit and practically zero turn (14inch radius) I am sure it is good on slopes as they say due to its low center on gravity - but the 430max will be better for a number reasons - four wheel drive - the option of dual wheels etc, - and the 430max is really compact and very very nimble - easy to drive (hydrostatic) - you wife will love it - also, it did great on my slope (25degrees) with only the single tires - very stable - with the low gear setting it will climb a mountain - it will probably climb something you should not be on

Also - if you are interested - I am going to sell my 1845 - I love the machine - it is in perfect condition - only one year old - I have entered a little side venture with a partner - putting up one or two custom homes - I really need a more dedicated backhoe - I can't keep the 1845 and buy another new machine do i am going to sell it - I don't use it to mow (I compromised - I bought a Walker and do the steep part with a hand mower) I only mow one acre so the 1845 was overkill for mowing.
Anyway- you will see my 1845 on E-Bay in the next month or two. Talk to you soon