LS MT125 -24.7 Travel Speed

[ryan86754]

I am seriously considering the LS MT125 TLB + MMM after seeing the loader capacity vs others and price. My top two contenders are the LS and Kioti CS2510. I cannot find any specs on the LS website indicating travel speed and ground clearance. Based on photos/videos, ground clearance seems similar to other SCUTs but travel speed seems to be harder to find. I plan to mow with this machine and would like to know how fast I would expect to be moving when mowing. Does anyone on here have experience with using their MT125 to mow? Does anyone know travel speed in high range and travel speed in low range?

Thanks

 

[Rock Crawler]

4 MPH max speed in low range on flat ground GPS measured. I went around measuring a bunch of SCUTs last fall and all were 4 MPH in low range, full throttle, full HST and flat ground.

The list of what I tested:
Massey 1710 and 1720 are both 4 MPH
LS MT125H 4 MPH
Kioti CS2510 4 MPH

CUT speeds measured mid range, full throttle, flat ground.
MF 1726E 5.5 MPH
Kubota B2650 6 MPH
Kioti CK2510 5.5 MPH Low Range (No mid range option)
Kioti CK2610 5.5 MPH mid range, 11 MPH high range.
Mahindra Max 26 4 MPH Low Range (No mid range option)
Mahindra 1526 6 MPH Mid Range.

 

[ryan86754]

Thank you. Is it possible to mow in high range?

My current Simplicity ZT1500 (46") tops out at 7mph (per brochure) but it is a dog when going up a hill. I'm trying to gauge if my mowing time will be reduced in going up to a 60" deck, even if the tractor is a bit slower. (which I'm not certain that it would be)

 

[Rock Crawler]

Extremely doubtful. High range can barely go up a mild slope on a paved road, let alone sucking PTO power away on softer turf and on a potential slope. Low range at 4 MPH is not up a slope, it WILL be reduced to 2-3 MPH depending on the slope.

You will add significant time to your mowing experience by trying to leave the fast moving Zero Turn or fast moving Garden Tractor and going to a SCUT or small CUT. There just is no way around it.

Step up to a 40 HP CUT with an 84" mower that can run 6 MPH on level ground in mid range and now your talking about matching the speed of your ZT. Likely not beating by much, if any.

I tried finish mowing with a tractor (72" Land Pride) and gave up that idea and sold it because of the issue that you are eluding to. Speed.

I was previously (and still am) running a 7 MPH Husqvarna Fast Cut garden tractor, I found that my 4 hour bi-weekly mowing would jump to 6-6.5 hours using my tractor and finish mower. I sold the mower and went and bought a Cub Cadet XT3 GSX mower that cuts at 6.5 MPH and I am now happy. All around, the Cub is a better machine for every measurable metric when talking about finish mowing grass compared to a SCUT/CUT. Also, now that I have the Craftsman (Husqvarna) Fast Cut (Hydro Gear G730) and have the Cub Cadet.... my wife and I can now BOTH be out in the pasture at one time and the time to cut is massively reduced. Screw the CUT and mower! 2 fast moving mowers is the kill deal!

Faster.
Less grass damage.
Less soft dirt tire ruts.
Much more maneuverable.
Much more stable on my severely sloped property.

 

[ThirdMan]

Here is the driving speed from the manual. We mow flat ground in high without a problem. Any slope over 10+ degrees will need to be mowed in low.


I know that Rock Crawler did a lot of research last year and would listen to his experience. His hill really is something to deal with.

 

[Rock Crawler]

No matter how you slice it, I'll bring my Cub or Craftsman over and nearly cut your best mowing time in half. That's a fact.

I spent a lot of money playing this game and learning hard lessons. A dedicated mower, be it a ZT or a fast cut garden tractor.... will literally run circles around a scut on anything but the most ideal flat surfaces.