Buying Advice Is an SCUT overkill?

[Apastron]

Greetings all,

I was hoping for some advice from the experts here. I've been reading posts for quite a while, trying to narrow things down with little success. My time is about to run out though, so I need to make a final decision soon.

I just moved to a newly constructed home on a 2 acre lot. I need some type of "tractor" to take care of things with--but yes--90% of its life will probably be spent mowing. The wrinkle is that most of the lot (1.5+ acre) is newly sodded (Floratam) with an irrigation system, so I'm a little concerned about weight. It's also quite soggy right now. I'm not sure if that is going to be the long term state, or just a consequence of recent heavy rains and getting the sod established. The other major hurdle is a large wet retention lake (a.k.a. pond) in the back with about 175 feet of bank that needs (hopefully minimal) maintenance. There's also about 600 feet of drainage ditch to keep cut and cleared. It's only a few feet deep, but it is pretty steep at points--which is my single largest concern. The ditches are way more than I want to try and push mow, so I really need something that can handle the slope.

I was originally considering something like a Deere X530 hoping that the locking differential would help traction on the slopes. I'm not sure that will be enough though with the soggy ground, so that pushed me to consider something like the Kubota GR2120 with 4WD (X700 seems too expensive). I also have plans of doing a lot of future landscaping in the back yard (patio, fire pit, planters, small garden, etc.), so something like a Kubota BX (or another small SCUT) with FEL sure sounds like it would be useful.

What would you get? I'm open to other options as well. I know many people love zero turns, but I'm not sure that would work well for me (and really just isn't my preference). Most of the dealers are about an hour away and aren't open on weekends, so it's been difficult to get hands on anything so far.

Thanks for the input!
Dave

 

[murphy1244]

Take a look at Ventrac. Ventrac Compact Tractors & Attachments

 

[Tompet]

It would only be overkill if you think so...I certainly don't! I'm one of those that think ztr's are great, but for what you described a small scut with FEL and MMM with turf tires would be very useful. Whatever brand you choose. My neighbor has a MF gc2300 and the MMM mows perfect and his turf tires are very "light" on the lawn and wet areas. With the slope and ditches you mentioned the FWD would also help.
One time I had a problem and my neighbor came over with his MF2300 and mowed my ditches and I was surprised how quick and simple his unit handled the chore.
Best of luck.

 

[TSO]

I think a SCUT would be just fine for you. Since mowing will be your primary task, I would focus on the lightest SCUT you can find, with the easiest to remove FEL to help reduce overall weight even more while mowing.

 

[Harvey9]

From what you describe, a scut would be ideal. They're not cheap, if it's within your budget, go for it.

 

[ajd187]

I have a similar sized lot with similar uses. No pond or ditches here.

I started with a Deere X320. It did well, but got to be a bit slow. So now I have a 1025r.

Its perfect sized for me. Gets jobs done a ton faster. I have an 18 month old in the house and would rather be with her than cutting grass or moving snow.

 

[ovrszd]

And, unless you need the manufacturers finance wizards, go for used. Speaking of Wizards, beware of 0% financing. It's an illusion and does not exist.

To stop the nay sayers, show me a buyer that started a transaction by negotiating a "cash price" on a tractor, then got 0% financing at the same price.

You can buy a used SCUT with a few hundred hours or less for 60% of new price.

 

[jenkinsph]

For what you describe a 700 series mower with 4x4 would work well. Keep it light, no fel and no ballast as that would be more likely to track up your new lawn. Everyone seems to want a fel from what I see but the tractors with them need to have loaded tires and or extra weights to use them safely. Building a patio with pavers might require a plate compactor but I don't see everyone running out to buy one. Give some thought to how much you would need a fel before going there. I have a fel on my tlb but don't wan't one on my mower.

With the ditch bank you might consider having the banks tapered enough to allow mowing with less risk if this is a concern. As far as the scut tractors they are very handy but most have mfwd which can tend to scuff the grass when turning. The Simplicity and Deere mowers are available with hydraulic front wheel drive which vary the wheel speeds as you make turns so no scuffing. Scut's are a good choice for the guy's with rough lawns that need to be tamed but it sounds to me like your new lawn with sod and sprinklers is more in need of a light mowing tractor.

 

[grm61]

Take a look at Ventrac. Ventrac Compact Tractors & Attachments

Never looked at those before, they are pretty cool.

 

[94BULLITT]

I think you definatley need 4WD since you said you have slopes. If you want a real nice mower look at a X700 that is 4WD. If you want a nice mower and something that better suited for a FEL look at a SCUT like a Kubota BX2370. Depending on how the drainage ditch is you may be able to run up and down it. If you have the cash to purchase the machine most of the time you can get a rebate. In a lot of cases you can get a new SCUT for less than a used one.

 

[Apastron]

Thanks everyone for the great input! I'm still struggling to figure out how useful the FEL would actually be for me. If I lived further north with snow, I think it would be a no brainer, but in Florida I don't have that need (...or excuse). The Kubota dealer north of me also carries Massey Ferguson, so if I can make it there I can hopefully see both first hand. I definitely want to stay on the lighter side if I do go with an SCUT, so a quick detach FEL and ballast would probably be a great idea to help minimize weight. Are there any SCUT brands that are better than others for hill stability--like a wider stance or lower center of gravity? It's hard to tell from the limited spec sheets.

I really liked the idea of the X738 on paper in that it had 4WD, but it seems pretty pricey at the $10900 list price (without mower deck!). If I just need a 4WD mower, the Kubota GR2120 seemed like a better bang for the buck at $9388 list (including diesel engine and 54" deck). At that price though (and close to 1000 lbs), I'm not too far from SCUT territory.

 

[jenkinsph]

Apastron,
Have you measured the slope angles to see what they are? That would be good information to have. Pretty sure my x749 has a lower COG than a subcompact.

 

[Apastron]

Apastron,
Have you measured the slope angles to see what they are? That would be good information to have. Pretty sure my x749 has a lower COG than a subcompact.

I suspect you are quite right about the lower COG if I went with the x700 series.

I haven't really been able to get a good measurement of the slope yet (everything still in boxes). The rear bank (by the pond) is probably only 15 to 20 degrees, so I suspect that won't be too much of an issue for the GR2120/x700 or an SCUT. The side ditch that really concerns me isn't that deep--maybe 7 to 8 ft of slope, so two passes should do it if I can get in there (and out). Based on the drop, my best estimate would be around 25 degrees for most of it--peaking to about 35 degrees near the front. There's also a small section near the bottom (about 2 feet by 10 feet) that is probably closer to 45 degrees, but if I can get everything else I'd be happy using a string trimmer on what doesn't get cut there.

 

[dave1949]

That sounds fairly steep slope-wise since you probably have to mow along it lengthwise (not up and down?).

You can fix that with a SCUT, or hire it done and never have to deal with it when mowing. Just a thought.

 

[DeereMann]

Apastron,

If you have significant landscaping work you enjoy doing yourself, a SCUT w/FEL is a must (that's why i choose it just this year). If not, and your primary work is groundskeeping mowing, then the X700 series is the answer.

At these prices, the difference between the premium L&G and SCUT is not much if financed, so the principal usage intent is the paramount decision criteria. I also use my FEL for brush cleanup.

Most of the SCUT brands are very good nowdays, I think it comes to which brands you have dealers for nearby (if local service is important to you), then go try them. It comes down to personal preferences for little things.

Best wishes..........

 

[chim]

With regard to the FEL, it's surprising how many times it gets used. Our wheelbarrow found a new home. Heavy things are moved around easily and loaded or unloaded from the pickup.

Overkill? Heck, I'd be looking at something the size of a Kubota B. Of course some of us here tend to tool up more than those who hang out on other non-tractor forums.

 

[94BULLITT]

I suspect you are quite right about the lower COG if I went with the x700 series.

I haven't really been able to get a good measurement of the slope yet (everything still in boxes). The rear bank (by the pond) is probably only 15 to 20 degrees, so I suspect that won't be too much of an issue for the GR2120/x700 or an SCUT. The side ditch that really concerns me isn't that deep--maybe 7 to 8 ft of slope, so two passes should do it if I can get in there (and out). Based on the drop, my best estimate would be around 25 degrees for most of it--peaking to about 35 degrees near the front. There's also a small section near the bottom (about 2 feet by 10 feet) that is probably closer to 45 degrees, but if I can get everything else I'd be happy using a string trimmer on what doesn't get cut there.

You may want to go to the Kubota forum and ask about the G sereis. I remember some of them had weak hydros and would not pull a steep hill, I can't remember what model/s it was.

 

[Apastron]

Well... I've been checking around and I haven't found anyone with a GR2120 to see. I did find a lawn shop nearby that supposedly has a Kubota BX1870 with loader as well as a Kubota dealer with a couple of BX2370s an hour south. There is also a Deere dealer down that way that I suspect will have the X700s (and probably the 1023E) but I'm still checking on that. So it looks like those are pretty much my options at this point.

I have to be careful with any slope modifications. Anything related to drainage in Florida seems to quickly require all kinds of red tape and permitting. I'm not sure if the X738 could handle my slope--but it likely wouldn't be any worse than than the BX (and probably better). The MSRP for the X738 with 54" deck is $12599 and $13799 for the X758 (diesel). The BX1870 lists at $11640 with similar deck (and NO loader), and the BX2370 is $13443 with a 60" deck (and NO loader).

If the X738 was a couple thousand less, I'd probably be leaning that way. With it this close though it's a tougher call (especially if I can add a loader to the Kubota for not much more). Perhaps I'm just missing the greatness of the X700 though--but I suppose the only way to know is to take the drive down and get hands on and some real quotes.

Thanks again to everyone for the great comments!

 

[94BULLITT]

If you look at a BX look at least a 2370. The loader is stronger the 1870 and it has larger tires.

 

[dragoneggs]

If you look at a BX look at least a 2370. The loader is stronger the 1870 and it has larger tires.

Yep, good advice... to me, a SCUT is your ticket if you plan to do much landscaping at all. I do understand your concern about mowing soft ground and can only suggest you get turf tires to help save the wear and tear on your grass.