upgrading my compact tractor

[searcyfarms]

I don't want extra tires engines or machines taking up more space, more machines means more maint too trying to reduce my headcount

 

[Omega Woods]

It seems that for the money you are looking to spend you could get a good used tractor and a zero turn mower and have the best of both worlds,

+1. Mowing grass with a tractor is a waste of time and money.

 

[searcyfarms]

zero turn stinks on slope in front yard and soft area/ditch I used the neighbors and a friends two different types, grasshopper front mount and country clipper mid mount - got both stuck trying to mow there and had to pull out so that is not an option for me - I would much rather mow on a compact for my area

 

[4570Man]

If you ditch the useless turf tires it’s a game changer for a zero turn. I mowed this ditch on my zero turn. The picture really doesn’t do it justice. It’s close to 40 degrees. There’s no way I’d take my B or L series tractor across it.

 

[searcyfarms]

I don't have anything that steep, and the ghopper I used had bar tires on it - 725K - I have had the 2210 and a separate mower and found I only used the 2210 and it worked great for my mowing other than all the issues ive had with it - not reliable - and undersized for some things so I ended up using my skid steer which then caused more issues with ruts/tearing up things so I need something in between as well as can mow not to mention reducing garage/shop space and so many things to break and keep up - I love zero turns for the right application like anything else but they are just not what I need. I have an area that stays wet because of limestone leeching/wicking of water and I have been stuck there many times with mowers of various types but with my fwa 2210 I was able to make it every time -

 

[searcyfarms]

well................much research and studying from you all has gleened a lot - if you are looking for a tractor with a MMM you are VERY limited by every manufacturer in their models/options. LS doesn't even offer anything in the larger hp only their very small compacts due to their loader/mower mounting - Mahindra is priced higher then the deer I priced in the SAME tractor size and they offer a smaller deck - Case IH is a wee bit smaller and the comparable NH unit is much the same, waiting to hear more back from the dealer on the specs/price.

Kioti only offers in 25hp and down - same with LS and the LS dealer said we really don't even mess with their MMMs as they handle Mahindra also and they stick with their offerings - myself/wife not fond of the teeter/totter pedal of Kubota/Mahindra - Kubota only offers the 33hp B model unit, no deck offered on the L unit with more hp.

Deere has more hp/deck offerings and personally I am more fond of the dual pedals - I have owned a Ford GT75 for many years with the teeter/totter pedal and it was tolerable but a lot of slipping on the pedal when wet trying to go from back to forward and it takes a lot of pressure with the heel so dexterity is a bit of an issue there. Don't like having to slip foot under the toe extension option to pull up either so that is a bit annoying.

I do like the Kubota/Mahindra and the skid steer quick attach on the loaders. Not fond of Deere and their holier than though attitude and buying their adapter to make things fit. I haven't been able to determine on the Case/NH if they are proprietary like Deere or if they are skid steer type like Kubota/Mahindra.

I did check on the MF units but I cant find any way to add a deck on a 1736HST - looks like may have to go smaller tractor? - it does say they do offer a mid pto though - they have suspended pedals so not sure what that would be like if you can rest your foot on deck to press or if you have to hold your leg up in the air to use them - any info on that?

So, waiting on more CASE/IH info and wish they put a 72 deck on their 35C but says u cant with R4 tires only turf ....... I guess the engineers forgot to account for that DOH!!!!

Since they are made by LS, the NH are of the same malfunction and only a 66 deck, hoping to get pix from a dealer with how far the deck sticks out past the tires to see how that will be for mowing around things - I don't want a deck even with tires, too hard to get close for the girls and I.

So my deduction is this........in higher hp units and bigger chassis you have very few options...........

just thought I would share if anyone wanted to know - with a MMM you definitely limit your options.

 

[rngrrymd]

Searcy, I feel your pain. I predict when u get all done shopping and looking you're either getting the Case/NH series or a Deere 2 series, my money is on the Deere for the mowing. Their proprietary loader connection is a pita but you can get a SSQA conversion piece so u can use SSQA attachments. I don't have the info handy but I was fixated on that tractor last year before I decided to go cab model and I did some research on it back then.

217 john deere 232R first mow - YouTube
Wife mows with 217 232R john deere - YouTube

 

[Tractorable]

You could buy LFH8451’s JD 955 that only has 1300hrs and has a 72” MMM: 955
Price Check 955

 

[searcyfarms]

no thanks, the case came in much more $$ so looks like maybe the used market is going to be more in play - or unless I can get my 2210 sold or my 560 soon.......I really like the case ih - hard to find used case ih with belly mowers - seems to be more deere for sure

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I did check on the MF units but I cant find any way to add a deck on a 1736HST - looks like may have to go smaller tractor? - it does say they do offer a mid pto though - they have suspended pedals so not sure what that would be like if you can rest your foot on deck to press or if you have to hold your leg up in the air to use them - any info on that?

Can't really comment on the full topic of the thread, but seems like the age old question of capability vs versatility. Anyway, what I can comment on is I do believe Massey does offer a mid-pto option on all the 1700 premium series machines except the 1759. But I also believe only the 1736 has a mid mount mower specd for it, just to be confusing, its model number is 1705. Its a 72" right side discharge. For those who aren't familiar with Massey, the smallest tractor they offer is the GC1705. They only offer things like a front blower and broom for the 1742-1758, no MMM.