Mower size

[70boss]

I am buying a rear finish mower, the question is what size? I am getting a B7500 Kubota on Wed. and I initially thought a 60 rear mower would be good. My propety is not wide ope, and I have trees and curves to mow around. While a belly mower would be best, the cost savings of a 3 point is worth the difference. So the question, is a 48 inch mower better suited for rougher lawns and tighter turns, or is the wider footprint of the 60 inch benificial.
Thanks

 

[cowboydoc]

I'd go with the width of your rear tires.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I'd go with one that has some overhang beyond your rear tires. It comes in handy when mowing the edge of a ditch and getting under trees, etc.

 

[bpence]

Might want to take a walk around the yard with a tape measure and figure out how much room you have between your various mowing obstructions. If you can easily fit a 60" between the obstructions and turn and manuver, might want to consider it as you'll probably cut your mowing time with the 60", assuming you can manuver OK. Have you looked at a 54"? Might be a good compromise between the 60 and 48. Also, you can probably adjust your rear wheels out to about 48", so you'll want to at least cover your tracks with the mower.

Bob Pence

 

[RichZ]

I just went through this, and got my 60" rear discharge Thursday. I used it for the first time Saturaday, and found it extremely easy to manuever, and I have a 50 year old tractor without power steering. If you can fit 60" between all your obstacles, you won't go wrong. The 60" covers alot of ground, and allows you to get the job done very quickly!
Good luck!!
Rich

 

[GlueGuy]

I'd vote for the "walk-around" method too. Also, don't forget that the rear wheels on a B7500 if equipped with R4's is about 50". They look to have at least another 3" outward adjustment per side, so could (I estimate) be as wide as 56" when set all the way out.

The GlueGuy

 

[Kelvin]

If there is not a particular area that you know that the 60" would not work then I would definetly buy the 60" mower. The B7500 should handle either just fine.

In addition to what has been mentioned, here are a couple of points to consider...

(1) From every observation that I've made, the 60" and the 72" mowers are far more popular than the 48" models. Because of this, it would be easier to trade from a 60" to a 48" rather than the other way around if you were to change your mind in the future.

(2) In most cases this "increased popularity" usually equates to an increase in parts availability (blades, belts) when needed (meaning they may be on the shelf versus having to order the part).

Kelvin