Mower width

tag9889 · Jun 18, 2001

First, before I ask my question, I 'd like to thank Muhammad for providing this forum. It has been a valuable resource and entertaining as well.

I have 600' of drive to clear in the winter, about 7-8 acres of field (horse pasture) to mow, and plenty of rocks to move. (The rocks are not too big and very few in field.)

I am looking to buy a compact tractor. I have looked at the three colors as well as Kioti. Although all four lines can provide a tractor to fit my needs, I have narrowed my search down to New Holland and Kubota as my primary choices.

I had been considering a TC29D but I went to the dealership on Saturday and I drove a TC33D and was very pleased. From what the specifications say the only real difference between the 29 and 33 is 4Hp (3.3hp at PTO.)

So, I been looking on this site for information on New Holland, and specifically the Boomers.

My real question is concerning the mower the dealership recommended. They are suggesting using a Wood's RD6000. Their reasoning is that it would be just outside the rear tires. The rear tire width is 54" and the mower is 60". I'd like to entertain going to a 72" mower. What do you all think?

Any comments concerning New Holland, the TC series, or the mower would be greatly appriciated.

Regards,

Tim

Wheeldog · Jun 18, 2001

Tim,

You'd have no problem running a 72" with a TC29 or TC33 in my opinion, and the tractor is probably rated for an 84" finish mower. I use a Woods 60" behind my Kubota B2410 (18 hp @ pto) - the tractor is rated to use a 72" but I have some clearance issues in my yard that prevented me from that. You didn't say how much yard you have to finish mow, but I'd get the biggest that the tractor will handle and you can easily maneuver. I wouldn't think that the dealer is suggesting you use the Woods RD6000 to mow your horse pasture, since this is a finish mower (you should probably use a rotary cutter instead).

BTW I'm surprised that the TC29/33 only measures 54" wide at the rear tires - my B2410 is about 56" wide with turfs and with the tires set fairly wide. That measurement of 54" must be with Ag tires and set narrow. Be careful to account for different tires if you're buying implements based on the rear track.

Rob

tag9889 · Jun 18, 2001

Rob,

Thanks for responding.

Actually, I was planning on mowing the pasture/field with the finish mower. It's mostly grass and it is high right now but my intention is to keep it mowed down on a regular basis, maybe once a month.
I probably have another acre of lawn to mow, mostly trim work around the house, trees, gardens, and fences.
I could use the tractor to get most of that as well, but I have a good walk behind mower.

The specification on the width of the TC33D reads as follows:

Width (at rear with tires dished in) 54.3" (137.9cm)

Tim

Bird · Jun 18, 2001

Tim, where are you measuring the rear tire width? I've noticed that some of the literature uses the center of the tires. My B2710 is 54" to the outside edge of the rear tires (R1 tires). I'm using a 60" finish mower, but think a 72" mower would have been even better (except that it wouldn't fit onto my trailer when I want to transport it).

Bird

tag9889 · Jun 18, 2001

Bird,

I did not actually measure the tractor width. The information I have came from the product literature. "Width (at rear with tires dished in) 54.3" (137.9cm)"
As "Wheeldog" mentioned to me, this may vary depending tires used. I plan on going with R4's.

I had seem your earlier discussions on trailering, but did not consider it an issue for me because, I hope to keep it home.

By the way my Kubota choice would be either a B2710 or B2910. The dealership I am working with will have a 2910 for me to try out early this week, and they say they can get their hands on a 2710 from another dealership if I'm interested. Any words of wisdom on the B2710?

Regards,

Tim

Bird · Jun 18, 2001

Any words of wisdom on the B2710?

Tim, the only thing I can tell you is to try both the Kubota and New Holland and buy the one you like best. They're both fine tractors. I have the Kubota B2710 and my cousin has a New Holland TC29D. Each has a few features I like better than the other. Actually the only reason my cousin bought the New Holland (his first tractor and he'd never even operated a tractor before) was because he found out a former co-worker and friend of his wife's was selling New Hollands, but I think he's well satisfied with it. I wouldn't trade tractors with him, and he probably wouldn't trade with me.

Bird

Wheeldog · Jun 18, 2001

Actually, I was planning on mowing the pasture/field with the finish mower. 

OK, Tim. I didn't understand that before.

I took a look at my NH brochure left-over from my tractor buying days. It lists either 5' or 6' rear finishing mowers and 5' or 6' rotary cutters for the TC29/33. It looks like NH doesn't make a 7' rear finisher but it certainly looks like you could use one. The other consideration would be price - you could probably find a rotary cutter for less $$ than the finish mower if you could live with the quality of cut.

Rob

tag9889 · Jun 18, 2001

Rob,

Maybe the reason the dealer suggested a 60" was because I am mowing a pasture.

You are probably right that I should consider going with a rotary cutter. The conflict is, I want a fairway and my wife wants a pasture. I guess I can always hit the balls into the woods, I'm pretty good at that.

Thanks,

Tim

Hawgee · Jun 18, 2001

Here is another thought on mower width before you buy. In the attached photo, you can subsitute the trees for fruit, flowers, bushes or gate posts.
I have a neighbor that cuts tall and wet with a TC29 and 5' rotary. He keeps it looking good for his wife and horses. The look in his eyes and the finished homestead looks as good as a fairway. Good enough for ultralites during daylight hours. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)Edited by Hawgee on 06/18/01 08:12 PM (server time).

keithcom · Jun 18, 2001

I have no real experence with the rear mowers or cutters but have read two lines of thought on the width subject.
One was that for cutters if the cutter is no wider the the width of the rear tires then you can be sure the cutter will fit between anything the tractor can be driven through.
The other for finish mowers if the mower is wider then the rear wheels it will be easier to trim along side of buildings and fences. Also read that a rear discharge 3pt mower will funtion well as a leaf blower if you drive the tractor in reverse and for that use wider is also better. Some other advantages are cheaper purchase price, interchangeability with diffrent tractors, and the ability to back the mower into or under areas that cannot be reached with a mid mount mower and easier hook up to and removal from the tractor.
Down side seems to be it may be more diffulcult to manuver a 3pt mower in some situations due to it's need to swing in the opposite direction during a turn and the need to look over your sholder while mowing.
I mow with a LT166 now but when I can afford to move to a compact a 3ph wide rear discharge mower appears to suite my needs better then a MMM.
Think I'm starting to ramble. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Keith