Ventrac 4500 vs Steiner 440

[Raw Dodge]

Bearsden ,both the 4500 and 440 are relatively new models.so it's not easy to speculate as to what will go wrong outside normal wear items such as belts,blades,hoses, etc.The Ventrac 4500 is more of a refinement of the 4200 series,the steiner 440 is almost entirely new,and appears to be a longer larger unit than Ventrac. the one thing I like about the steiner in theory anyway is th fact that it has dual hydraulic pumps,so the lift and turn functions have more hydraulic flow,this has always been an issue with both ventrac and steiners,especially as they age and the hydraulic system starts leaking more internally...if it were my money,based on my experience with both previous ventrac and steiner products,my educated guess is that you will likely get better reliability and less breakdowns from the Ventrac 4500. Based on my past experience Steiner has always used its customers as beta testers,this is my opinion of course but I'm not the only one who feels this way,ventrac spends more time before releasing a product testing it and I feel on average the ventrac attachments are of a higher quality,and perform better.There are a few exceptions but I'm happier with my ventrac attachments overall...If it was me I'd get the 4500, just not sure what engine I'd get,torn between the Kawi 31 DFI and kubota gas..

 

[Bearsden]

I probably should have asked the question differently. I know the 4500 series is relatively new and probably doesn't yet have much of a history to draw from, but for those of you with the 4200 series, what has been your experience/cost of repairs that are outside the realm of fluids, filters and any other lubricants and over how many years?

Can I expect the kind of experience I've had with my Kubota which is now 11 years old? I have not put a single penny into either the tractor or mower deck, beyond fluids, filters and grease and it still has the original battery. However, I've had more than my share of wrenching on the snow blower.

 

[Industrial Toys]

A friend who happens to be a very particular individual recently got a Steiner 440. He had a 430 Diesel Max that got burned. He just loves the 440 and has nothing bad to say about it. Only problem was the bolts in the engine to pump coupling broke or came loose and was repaired under warranty. I guess he got the Steiner as he wanted to stay with the same dealer so I can't say it was a choice over the Ventrac, just that he is VERY pleased!

Just for what it's worth. My friend runs Duals on his Steiners all the time. He in fact just go another used 430 max for his wife to cut grass, also with duals. I have duals and just love the way they look, but find they detract from the small footprint of the tractor which is why I own one, and the fact that the duals make the machine wider then most of the attachments make them useless in my opion.

If it was me, I would consider nothing other then a Diesel in such a commercial environment. Not that it matters now, but I found my 430 Diesel underpowered, and yet would STILL pick that over the available gas. Pretty much everything I own runs on Diesel and having to keep fresh Gasoline on hand is a pain!

 

[Industrial Toys]

View attachment 414656

Why I got duals. An oopsie in the wetlands! Here cut quality doesn't matter, so I don't care if the deck isn't as wide as the wheels.

Hey Raw Dodge. What can you tell me about ehe 60" rear discharge mower? I hate side discharge mowers, on account of flying objects and having to only go one way to avoid blasting structures, gardens and driveways with grass. I have heard they will not cut higher grass, as you might get in the middle of growing season if it has rained, and you could not get to it. Plus, I don't have any excess power with my 60" side discharge. Will it even run a rear discharge deck? Thanks

 

[BKBrown]

Since 2004 I have had 2 Ventrac 4231 Tractors - both of mine have been Briggs 3 cyl. Gas Liquid Cooled. I've got quite a few both powered and non powered attachments and general oil, filter, and grease is nearly all I have had to do. I have changed a couple belts and adjusted the safety switch for having it in gear. The only reason I have the second one is because I heard that EPA was going to over regulate the engine and Ventrac was not intending to use them any longer... So I traded the first one at around 900 hours and now have over 650 hours on the second with no engine or other real problems. I do change the oil and filters (both oil and Air) at or before recommended intervals. I have slopes and work the tractor hard with mowing, snow removal, grading and digging, aerating, blowing leaves, lawn prep, log skidding, towing, and many other assorted jobs.

I probably should have asked the question differently. I know the 4500 series is relatively new and probably doesn't yet have much of a history to draw from, but for those of you with the 4200 series, what has been your experience/cost of repairs that are outside the realm of fluids, filters and any other lubricants and over how many years?

Can I expect the kind of experience I've had with my Kubota which is now 11 years old? I have not put a single penny into either the tractor or mower deck, beyond fluids, filters and grease and it still has the original battery. However, I've had more than my share of wrenching on the snow blower.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

View attachment 414656

Why I got duals. An oopsie in the wetlands! Here cut quality doesn't matter, so I don't care if the deck isn't as wide as the wheels. [....]

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I do not know if the attachment is valid or not.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

View attachment 414656

[....] Hey Raw Dodge. What can you tell me about ehe 60" rear discharge mower? I hate side discharge mowers, on account of flying objects and having to only go one way to avoid blasting structures, gardens and driveways with grass. I have heard they will not cut higher grass, as you might get in the middle of growing season if it has rained, and you could not get to it. Plus, I don't have any excess power with my 60" side discharge. Will it even run a rear discharge deck? Thanks

I bought the 60-inch rear discharge mower when I bought my 4500Y. I took delivery on December 27, so I have not yet had the opportunity to mow any grass. All of the grass is under a layer of dense, compacted snow and ice. So, while I have no practical experience, I can tell you that my dealer, who seems knowledgable and who has been a Ventrac dealer for a long time (and was a Steiner dealer before that), told me that I would have no problems powering the 60-inch rear discharge mower.

I bought the 60-inch rear discharge mower mainly for the reasons that you mention.

Best,

JJM

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't know what happened to that picture. One moment it was there and then gone, saying only attachment.

I would love to try a 60" rear discharge mower before making a commitment, but I have little funds for this and won't be buying one from a dealer.

 

[Raw Dodge]

Why I got duals. An oopsie in the wetlands! Here cut quality doesn't matter, so I don't care if the deck isn't as wide as the wheels.

Hey Raw Dodge. What can you tell me about ehe 60" rear discharge mower? I hate side discharge mowers, on account of flying objects and having to only go one way to avoid blasting structures, gardens and driveways with grass. I have heard they will not cut higher grass, as you might get in the middle of growing season if it has rained, and you could not get to it. Plus, I don't have any excess power with my 60" side discharge. Will it even run a rear discharge deck? Thanks

I haven't run a rear discharge deck on a ventrac or steiner so I really can't comment from experience. We run side discharge, although I love my Toro 4000d 's mulching decks they are a great safety feature when mowing a golf course that has play..i much prefer the 72 inch deck over the 60, so I'd get the 72 even if it couldn't be ordered in a rear discharge.There is just alot more trimming capabilities, and especially on a ventrac the 72 feels right, the 60 is
too small IMO unless you really can't fit a 72, I'd get the bigger deck.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

View attachment 414835

I don't know what happened to that picture. One moment it was there and then gone, saying only attachment. [....]

It's back!

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

I haven't run a rear discharge deck on a ventrac or steiner so I really can't comment from experience. We run side discharge, although I love my Toro 4000d 's mulching decks they are a great safety feature when mowing a golf course that has play..i much prefer the 72 inch deck over the 60, so I'd get the 72 even if it couldn't be ordered in a rear discharge.There is just alot more trimming capabilities, and especially on a ventrac the 72 feels right, the 60 is
too small IMO unless you really can't fit a 72, I'd get the bigger deck.

In my case, the 60-inch deck is the widest that the two strips alongside most of the length of the driveway will accommodate.... and even 60 inches is pushing it unless I clear out a good bit of brush. Also, some areas close to the house would not accommodate a 72-inch mowing deck. Everyone's situation is unique, and for many people, a 72-inch deck would be better.

 

[johara1]

When i had my PT. with a rear discharge it would wind row and leave piles if the grass was a little long or wet. When i got the ventrac they didn't want to sell me a rear discharge for the same reason, now they are all right? they healed or cured the problem? Now i have a 440 coming because of the weak hyd. on the VT. it i hope is a little better and you don't have to add weights to a already heavy machine just to pick up a mower deck. Maybe the little longer machine is why you don't need them……. we will see

 

[Industrial Toys]

Well, I just came home with a used (but nice) 60" Steiner Rear discharge deck (MX 460) to replace my side discharge 60". I do not have a lot invested in this experiment, and look forward to trying this with my 430 MAX Diesel, come cutting season!

I find that the 60" is quite a chunk of equipment hanging on the front of that little Steiner. I can't see going to 72". Many times I can't squeeze that 60" between trees. I also came home with a 48" side discharge, but that is another story. lol

 

[johara1]

I know you can get a rear discharge 60" VT decks, They had them there with 10 hrs on them traded back in for a side discharge. The rear discharge is wider than a side discharge with chute removed??.

 

[Industrial Toys]

That's why I am glad I don't have much money tied up in this experiment. Do the VTs have a rear roller like the Steiner? I have other rear discharge mowers and see how the stuff shoots out rearward. I am having a hard time predicting how this will work with a roller. I mean, ultimately, the same amount of grass ends up on the lawn. My Steiner dealer told me that with the Rear discharge, you have to be on top of your grass cutting and can't let it go too long. But he couldn't really explain why.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

That's why I am glad I don't have much money tied up in this experiment. Do the VTs have a rear roller like the Steiner? I have other rear discharge mowers and see how the stuff shoots out rearward. I am having a hard time predicting how this will work with a roller. I mean, ultimately, the same amount of grass ends up on the lawn. My Steiner dealer told me that with the Rear discharge, you have to be on top of your grass cutting and can't let it go too long. But he couldn't really explain why.

My Ventrac MC600 60-inch rear-discharge mowing deck does have a rear roller bar. I have not yet had the opportunity to mow any grass with it. I will get back to you in a month or so.

JJM

 

[murphy1244]

I was talked out of getting the rear discharge deck as i'm told it would clog up the radiator with grass.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

I was talked out of getting the rear discharge deck as i'm told it would clog up the radiator with grass.

I was told that if the protective screen for the radiator is cleaned on a regular basis, I should not have a problem with overheating.

JJM

 

[murphy1244]

I was told that if the protective screen for the radiator is cleaned on a regular basis, I should not have a problem with overheating.

JJM

We shall see what we shall see. I hope your right.

 

[prs]

I have the 84" rear discharge contour deck and each of the 3 sections has the rear roller. I cut light grass with it on its maiden voyage 10 days or so ago, medium-thick fescue with it last weekend, and fairly heavy damp lawn grass today. All work so far at highest setting which is just a tad over 3 1/2" if I recall correctly. No problems, yet. The radiator screen has some clippings on it, but no more prone to that than my CUT with mid mount mower. The Kubota gas engine handles the big mower very well on moderate slopes. The big slopes are too wet now to tackle, but I bet they will tax that engine a lot more. The rear discharge is my first, and so far I see it as a big advantage for avoiding messing sidewalks and drives and avoid tossing black walnuts as if they were grape shot.

prs