One more chance for John Deere

[plowhog]

I would be nice to have something "John Deere" at our property to accompany two Massey tractors and a Husqvarna mower.

The tractor rotary cutters cut acres of tall pasture stuff just fine. The Husqvarna GT48DXLS mows lawn like a beast. But, I have an in-between need that maybe a new John Deere machine can fill?

I have many fruit trees in the pasture, each surrounded by tall weeds under the canopy. Hidden in those weeds are some branches which have fallen off. I need to mow under and around those trees, and using a weed eater is getting really old. The cab tractor can't get close enough, and the fallen branches would probably be trouble for the Husqvarna. My massey SCUT with a 4 foot rotary cutter does the best at this, with ROPS down and backing toward the trees, but that machine is usually is at a different property.

And, I have two sloping areas steep enough that using a tractor or the Husqvarna seems unwise or dangerous. One is near the lawn, and although I did successfully use the rotary cutter "backing up" the slope for cutting, its a very slow process. The other steep slope is above the pond. If I was brush hogging there and lost traction, I'd end up rolling into the water.

I've seen pictures of Ventrac and PowerTrac units. Those look better suited to this need but I know nothing about them. I've also seen a front mount diesel mower from Kubota. For visibility the front mower seems best considering the tight spaces and canopy above? I'd prefer diesel, but would consider gas. I've never owned a zero turn but it sounds like they can be dangerous is you lose traction on a slope. My needs are to mow in tight spaces under and around trees, in areas with up to 1 inch branches. I can manually remove any larger branches. And, mow/brush hog on slopes.

What is the closest John Deere machine that could fit these needs?

 

[rekees4300]

What is the closest John Deere machine that could fit these needs?

Would a sickle bar mower work?

John Deere SB31 Series Sickle Bar Mower Hay Equipment JohnDeere.com

 

[leonz]

Your describing what you have to mow would make me want to have the Series one JD with NOKKIAN ag tires and nothing else and loading the front and rears using wind shield washer fluid for ballast and rear chains.

The rule of thumb for mowing slopes while crossing them is no more than 15 degrees and backing up steep slopes while mowing and driving down on the second pass is best.

I suppose if you looked at the Fort Galaxy 16 horsepower tracked tractors from Ferrari C.I.E. from Gridley, California with a rear flail mower sized for the 1.2 meter width dimensions would be best only because of the tracked tractors low center of gravity and high traction available. It has roll bar, seat belt, a mechanical transmission, disc brakes, catergory one three point hitch and three speed Power Take Off and according to them its offered for $16,000.00+tax+freight in California.

A flail mower that is 1.2 meters wide is 3.93 feet - 4 feet wide and much shorter in length than a rotary finish mower.

A series one with no options and .with tax will approach that cost real quick without a mower or the Nokkian farm tractor tires.

Short of that an X series with four wheel drive may be an option but the issues with stability will be there and without a roll bar you would be in a lot of danger.

The Ventracs would also cost more and even though they have articulated steering the a set of chains on the front would be a must for mowing across slopes if you have a lot of dew on the ground.

A tracked mule like the Fort with a Vrisimo 4 foot flail mower would be very easy to trailer and use as long as you have a landscape ramp deck for the trailer. The flail mower would also be very easy to use when shredding larger branches as well
where the rotary mower would be damaged and become plugged.

 

[beenthere]

An X7xx with all wheel steer (AWS) would be my choice.. no doubt about it.

Or re-landscape it with terraces and remove the danger element of going into the pond.

 

[plowhog]

Thank you for the responses. I know little about sickle bar mowers, and the JD picture of one isn't very good. I need to research?

Regarding a Series one JD, I presume that is pretty equivalent with my Massey SCUT. My SCUT comes closest to filling this need, but I am still looking for an improved experience.

The Fort Galaxy 16 horsepower is interesting. I had no idea it even existed. The tracks would be great on slopes, but a rear Vrisimo 4 foot flail mower seems more limited than my 4 foot brush hog behind the Massey SCUT. Due to low branches, I'd have to be backing the flail mower for access, and it doesn't extend back as far as the rotary cutter (although is offset 6 inches to the side which might help.) The Vrisimo calls for 18hp minimum but I'm guessing the 16hp Fort could drive it? If the Fort could drive a front mower that would be ideal?

I looked at the X7xx on line. I think it was an X758. But that has the same functional problem as the Husqvarna-- the center mount mower isn't ideal for mowing around trees under a canopy, and the wheelbase would be a real problem if I was going down a slope and dropped a wheel in a hole.

Does Deere make any diesel powered front mowers?

 

[aczlan]

Does Deere make any diesel powered front mowers?

Yes, they make a few models, some with cabs, some open station:
Front Deck Commercial Mowers | John Deere US

Aaron Z

 

[leonz]

Thank you for the responses. I know little about sickle bar mowers, and the JD picture of one isn't very good. I need to research?

Regarding a Series one JD, I presume that is pretty equivalent with my Massey SCUT. My SCUT comes closest to filling this need, but I am still looking for an improved experience.

The Fort Galaxy 16 horsepower is interesting. I had no idea it even existed. The tracks would be great on slopes, but a rear Vrisimo 4 foot flail mower seems more limited than my 4 foot brush hog behind the Massey SCUT. Due to low branches, I'd have to be backing the flail mower for access, and it doesn't extend back as far as the rotary cutter (although is offset 6 inches to the side which might help.) The Vrisimo calls for 18hp minimum but I'm guessing the 16hp Fort could drive it? If the Fort could drive a front mower that would be ideal?

I looked at the X7xx on line. I think it was an X758. But that has the same functional problem as the Husqvarna-- the center mount mower isn't ideal for mowing around trees under a canopy, and the wheelbase would be a real problem if I was going down a slope and dropped a wheel in a hole.

Does Deere make any diesel powered front mowers?

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I would call the folks at Ferrari at Gridley, Ca., and they would be able to tell you that over the phone as I think you would be a lot better off with the Fort tracked tractor. The Fort 4 wheel drive articulated tractor has a front PTO but it its center of gravity is higher and has the AG R1 tires.

 

[plowhog]

Seems that Deere does not have a good solution for this/these particular needs. But it also seems that few do ....

 

[swines]

Does Deere make any diesel powered front mowers?

Do you mean a zero turn mower? If so, yes they do. All you have to do is take some time and search the Deere website for Ztrak mowers. The Ztrak 997 is a diesel, John Deere zero turn mower.

If that's not what you're looking for, then I'd suggest going to the John Deere golf course equipment website and look at the TerrainCut series. They're commercial, front mounted mowers.

Another alternative would be a John Deere skid steer with the front mounted rotary cutter. The skid steer mower is made for heavy cutting including clearing brush.

 

[plowhog]

I looked at the Deere offerings, including the TerrainCut. The Deere products are nice, as always, but it seems the orientation of those models is more cutting lawn than rough brush.

Someone posted a similar question in a different forum. Seems the mower from AS (Sherpa?) or the Grillo climber are good options ... although maybe with limited distribution and support in the US?

Climber 9.22 Grillo Spa - Agrigarden Machines