Kubota F series

[Oathkeeper]

For those who have had the F series, how have they fared over time?

Has anyone had the opportunity to compare the F series mower with a Ventrac for mowing slopes sideways?

Thanks!

 

[Rip]

I purchased my '09 F-2880 in late 2011 as an ex-municipal unit with about 1300 hrs of hard, but reasonably well maintained usage. It has about 1900+ hrs on it now and have replaced the starter and had a rear (steer) axle shaft break in hard use on a very steep property where 4WD is almost always being called on. I added 3 inch wheel spacers on the mains and fluid-filled them as well for added stability, and doubled the rear counterweight, but was very stable and good traction in stock form. Some of where I mow is 35+ deg. It will slide well before it starts to tip....fairly new turf-tires.

These F-Series Kubotas are very common with the municipal/councils around Australia, much more so than the JD, NH or others including Ventrack, so that says a lot....they are also Very expensive new, so second hand is only way I could have considered such a machine, but nothing less would work on my 4+ acres. If mine were to totally die sudenly, I would get another....perhaps with 72" deck and few more ponies. Wish at times it had steering brakes, but parts are available to add them.

For additional versitility, I fabricated a tipping Carry-All that mounts in place of the 60" mower deck....swaps out in few minutes....also a 250 L (60 US Gal) fire tank w/Honda & 12v pumps & hose for ember attack in fire season....also swap out in a few minutes. A 30 L 12V spray tank mounts on the mower deck for weed control. Has a heavy duty aluminum canopy attached to the ROPS....fitting sunvisors to it soon for these low-sun-angle winter days.

Cheers from way-downunder Tasmania

 

[Oathkeeper]

I purchased my '09 F-2880 in late 2011 as an ex-municipal unit with about 1300 hrs of hard, but reasonably well maintained usage. It has about 1900+ hrs on it now and have replaced the starter and had a rear (steer) axle shaft break in hard use on a very steep property where 4WD is almost always being called on. I added 3 inch wheel spacers on the mains and fluid-filled them as well for added stability, and doubled the rear counterweight, but was very stable and good traction in stock form. Some of where I mow is 35+ deg. It will slide well before it starts to tip....fairly new turf-tires.

These F-Series Kubotas are very common with the municipal/councils around Australia, much more so than the JD, NH or others including Ventrack, so that says a lot....they are also Very expensive new, so second hand is only way I could have considered such a machine, but nothing less would work on my 4+ acres. If mine were to totally die sudenly, I would get another....perhaps with 72" deck and few more ponies. Wish at times it had steering brakes, but parts are available to add them.

For additional versitility, I fabricated a tipping Carry-All that mounts in place of the 60" mower deck....swaps out in few minutes....also a 250 L (60 US Gal) fire tank w/Honda & 12v pumps & hose for ember attack in fire season....also swap out in a few minutes. A 30 L 12V spray tank mounts on the mower deck for weed control. Has a heavy duty aluminum canopy attached to the ROPS....fitting sunvisors to it soon for these low-sun-angle winter days.

Cheers from way-downunder Tasmania

Thanks for the reply.

Are you saying you mow 35+ degrees sideways? That’s amazing!

 

[Rip]

I usually do those 35 deg slopes downward, but have done them up....and turned around mid-slope. Routinely do 25 to 30 deg sideways though....but can still side-slip bit more than I like at times (damp or very dry grass) ....the main parts (75% of which are quite steep with 20 to 30 Deg sections) I do closing-the-square (so blowing out), so get to deal with all angles from all directions. Experimented all ways on the very steepest section when I first got this machine and before any mods....satisfied that Could Do everything....but bit more peace-of-mind (and for the wife, who still does not like to watch me on 'Bracken-Fern Hill') with the 6" wider main-track, loaded tires, and more counter-weight. Several friends tried to talk me into sheep....and others still hardly believe I actually Mow the steep hill.

Do not tell anyone, but I also bypassed the seat safety-switch....going down the steep slope one's butt gets light on the seat and can (has) shut down the engine....and of course also the HST....not a good feeling as the brakes on my machine are mainly for parking, not smooth controlled desent from near-panic mode! I also engage the diff-lock and locked-4WD mode to maintain full control. I am quite safety consious, but keeping the engine/trans running is safer than shutting off!

These Kubota F-Series are great commercial-duty mowers....but mainly just mowers....(they do have a snow-blower and snow/leaf rotary brush available)....and as you have probably figured, can tackle much more severe terrain than any ZTR. The Ventrac machines are more multi-purpose with a range of factory attachments.... but still great for steep terrain... with dual wheels....both quite $$$$ new....would seriously factor in local service & support in your ultimate decision.

Back in Colorado I had an articulated PowerTrac 1845 for our very steep property there (see a pattern?)....and seriously considered shipping it down here, but few of the attachments I had for it would have been useful here....and I did NOT have a mower head....so sold it with that place and got the Kubota for here. That PowerTrac is sold as a commercial Slope Mower and rated to 40 Deg with dual wheels F&R. Mine only had the foamed-singles, but had 3" wider track front & rear. Only factory-direct with no local dealers or service, but is really only an engine (Duitz) and hydraulics... and lots of heavy steel plate....very few special parts.

Cheers, Rip

 

[Oathkeeper]

I usually do those 35 deg slopes downward, but have done them up....and turned around mid-slope. Routinely do 25 to 30 deg sideways though....but can still side-slip bit more than I like at times (damp or very dry grass) ....the main parts (75% of which are quite steep with 20 to 30 Deg sections) I do closing-the-square (so blowing out), so get to deal with all angles from all directions. Experimented all ways on the very steepest section when I first got this machine and before any mods....satisfied that Could Do everything....but bit more peace-of-mind (and for the wife, who still does not like to watch me on 'Bracken-Fern Hill') with the 6" wider main-track, loaded tires, and more counter-weight. Several friends tried to talk me into sheep....and others still hardly believe I actually Mow the steep hill.

Do not tell anyone, but I also bypassed the seat safety-switch....going down the steep slope one's butt gets light on the seat and can (has) shut down the engine....and of course also the HST....not a good feeling as the brakes on my machine are mainly for parking, not smooth controlled desent from near-panic mode! I also engage the diff-lock and locked-4WD mode to maintain full control. I am quite safety consious, but keeping the engine/trans running is safer than shutting off!

These Kubota F-Series are great commercial-duty mowers....but mainly just mowers....(they do have a snow-blower and snow/leaf rotary brush available)....and as you have probably figured, can tackle much more severe terrain than any ZTR. The Ventrac machines are more multi-purpose with a range of factory attachments.... but still great for steep terrain... with dual wheels....both quite $$$$ new....would seriously factor in local service & support in your ultimate decision.

Back in Colorado I had an articulated PowerTrac 1845 for our very steep property there (see a pattern?)....and seriously considered shipping it down here, but few of the attachments I had for it would have been useful here....and I did NOT have a mower head....so sold it with that place and got the Kubota for here. That PowerTrac is sold as a commercial Slope Mower and rated to 40 Deg with dual wheels F&R. Mine only had the foamed-singles, but had 3" wider track front & rear. Only factory-direct with no local dealers or service, but is really only an engine (Duitz) and hydraulics... and lots of heavy steel plate....very few special parts.

Cheers, Rip

Thanks a lot, Rip, for all the details! Appreciate your time.

 

[Hay Dude]

F Owners who also have/do run a zero turn:

I have a unique, large customer property I am admittedly doing some damage to by a zero turn with bar tires. Turf tires will not hold on the hills. The property is steep and there are a decent amount of trees to cut under. On top of that, the turf is mostly weeds and grass mixed, so the root system is not all that strong. I’m getting a smattering of complaints about tire marks.

Is an F the answer to my needs? I missed out on a chance to get a 3680 72” last year.
Over the winter, should I make the switch?

 

[LouNY]

I'm well pleased with my old F2000 that I purchased well used. It still mows well and the 4wd will walk it up most slopes and also mow sideways on them.
The steepest that I mow is about 26-28 degrees, mine only has a grab handle on one side I keep thinking about adding one to the other side,
for now I just lean over and grab under the fender.

 

[Hay Dude]

I'm well pleased with my old F2000 that I purchased well used. It still mows well and the 4wd will walk it up most slopes and also mow sideways on them.
The steepest that I mow is about 26-28 degrees, mine only has a grab handle on one side I keep thinking about adding one to the other side,
for now I just lean over and grab under the fender.View attachment 661271

Any trouble in tall or thick grass ?
Not tippy sideways on steep slope?

 

[LouNY]

I have a 72"side discharge deck, in tall or heavy grass it will leave a windrow at times,
Mine I can't find the gator mulching blades so it does leave a visible residue at times.
The mower seems to be more comfortable on slopes then I am,
I added the rops when I bought it as it seemed to have no issue traversing side slopes that I have a bit of a pucker factor with.
I tend to run in 2wd when side hilling as I would expect the uphill tire to warn me a bit by spinning..
I mow at a low speed quite often as I am on rough ground with rocks and lots of tree roots that are half out of the ground.

 

[Xfaxman]

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Is an F the answer to my needs? I missed out on a chance to get a 3680 72 last year.
Over the winter, should I make the switch?

There are several front deck mower brands, and I recommend four wheel drive.

Mine is a Toro 328D with a tractor canopy that I added 5 years ago: