Upgrading my lawn tractor to something bigger

[kiotiken]

Your main goal is to save time on mowing and snow removal. I don't think any SCUT is going to save you a significant amount of time cutting grass. A ZTR or other commercial mower will cut mowing time down to roughly 1/3 of the time it's currently taking. If you don't have any other tasks that require a FEL, PTO and 3pt hitch, I'd keep the JD lawn tractor and put a snowblower attachment on it, that set up works very well and isn't overly pricey and I'd get a good used commercial ZTR or mower for the grass.

If you have other jobs for a tractor or you're convinced it's the way you want to go, I'd say I'm not a big fan of the 1/4" valve on the Kubota 3pt hitch, JD 1026R is a really nice SCUT with some great options, but really spendy, and the Kioti CS2410 seems like a good little tractor at a good price.

Here's a little comparison I put together for a friend of mine.

 

[ajd187]

Your main goal is to save time on mowing and snow removal. I don't think any SCUT is going to save you a significant amount of time cutting grass. A ZTR or other commercial mower will cut mowing time down to roughly 1/3 of the time it's currently taking. If you don't have any other tasks that require a FEL, PTO and 3pt hitch, I'd keep the JD lawn tractor and put a snowblower attachment on it, that set up works very well and isn't overly pricey and I'd get a good used commercial ZTR or mower for the grass.

If you have other jobs for a tractor or you're convinced it's the way you want to go, I'd say I'm not a big fan of the 1/4" valve on the Kubota 3pt hitch, JD 1026R is a really nice SCUT with some great options, but really spendy, and the Kioti CS2410 seems like a good little tractor at a good price.

Thanks, my wife shared this concern as well about a SCUT. Her concern is that we'd be spending a lot of money and just have something "bigger and bulkier but not any faster".

I was doing some math and figuring that it would be faster. 60" deck vs 48" deck, and the Kioti has a top ground speed of 10.5 mph vs 6.2 for the current Deere. Unless my equation is too simple and I'm missing something. Don't the most of the ZTRs have the same ground speed, usually in the 7-9.5 mph range? I realize they are a lot more manuverable but that's not a huge concern since we have lots of 100-200 ft straight lines to mow.

I don't currently have many other jobs for a tractor but I am sure I could find some...

 

[94BULLITT]

I don't currently have many other jobs for a tractor but I am sure I could find some...

I think you will. My SCUT almost got 100hrs more put on it in a year than what my garden tractor did.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I'm going to chime in here on the ZTR suggestion, though it sounds like we're of the same mind on the subject. I'm not a fan of the ZTR. It takes constant attention with both hands to keep from wandering. Speed is always promoted as their feature over tractors, but if your turf isn't smooth, that speed can translate into a really, really rough ride. I don't have ground speed stats, but I mow right at an acre around my house, and with my 455 I can do it in under an hour...closer to 45 minutes if I focus and keep the hydro pedal mashed all the time. It took me just as long with a commercial (Bobcat) ZTR, and the edges of my yard were always torn up from spinning the ZTR.

I imagine that most dealers would be happy to let you demo a machine or two on your property. When you get it narrowed down, I would certainly pursue that option.

 

[kiotiken]

Thanks, my wife shared this concern as well about a SCUT. Her concern is that we'd be spending a lot of money and just have something "bigger and bulkier but not any faster".

I was doing some math and figuring that it would be faster. 60" deck vs 48" deck, and the Kioti has a top ground speed of 10.5 mph vs 6.2 for the current Deere. Unless my equation is too simple and I'm missing something. Don't the most of the ZTRs have the same ground speed, usually in the 7-9.5 mph range? I realize they are a lot more manuverable but that's not a huge concern since we have lots of 100-200 ft straight lines to mow.

I don't currently have many other jobs for a tractor but I am sure I could find some...

Well, there's no way you'll mow at top speed for any SCUT, they don't have enough power to turn the blades and run full out. They also have 0 suspension and pretty hard tires. Even in my 45 hp tractor with suspension seat it's pretty hard on me and the tractor to be moving to fast unless you're on a road. I stay in mid range unless I'm on a road. I would say your realistic mowing speed will be slightly faster than the lawn tractor but much slower than a ZTR. I can boogy on my ZTR as it has a suspension and seems to just float over the lawn. I think you'll save some time with a SCUT, but not enough if it's the ONLY reason you're spending that much money. A SCUT will also handle a snowblower better than a lawn tractor, but not all that much, there's a big penalty for moving the added weight although 4X4 is a big plus. Also, there are lots of used snowblowers for your current tractor at a fairly reasonable price and new front mount snowblowers for a tractor, even for a SCUT, are very pricey.

 

[mikehaugen]

Your main goal is to save time on mowing and snow removal. I don't think any SCUT is going to save you a significant amount of time cutting grass. A ZTR or other commercial mower will cut mowing time down to roughly 1/3 of the time it's currently taking. If you don't have any other tasks that require a FEL, PTO and 3pt hitch, I'd keep the JD lawn tractor and put a snowblower attachment on it, that set up works very well and isn't overly pricey and I'd get a good used commercial ZTR or mower for the grass.

If you have other jobs for a tractor or you're convinced it's the way you want to go, I'd say I'm not a big fan of the 1/4" valve on the Kubota 3pt hitch, JD 1026R is a really nice SCUT with some great options, but really spendy, and the Kioti CS2410 seems like a good little tractor at a good price.

Here's a little comparison I put together for a friend of mine.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=324738"/>

I guess I never paid attention but it is surprising to see a higher fel capacity than 3-point on those small tractors

 

[ajd187]

Well, there's no way you'll mow at top speed for any SCUT, they don't have enough power to turn the blades and run full out. They also have 0 suspension and pretty hard tires. Even in my 45 hp tractor with suspension seat it's pretty hard on me and the tractor to be moving to fast unless you're on a road. I stay in mid range unless I'm on a road. I would say your realistic mowing speed will be slightly faster than the lawn tractor but much slower than a ZTR. I can boogy on my ZTR as it has a suspension and seems to just float over the lawn. I think you'll save some time with a SCUT, but not enough if it's the ONLY reason you're spending that much money. A SCUT will also handle a snowblower better than a lawn tractor, but not all that much, there's a big penalty for moving the added weight although 4X4 is a big plus. Also, there are lots of used snowblowers for your current tractor at a fairly reasonable price and new front mount snowblowers for a tractor, even for a SCUT, are very pricey.

That makes sense, with a PTO engaged and all that extra weight it probably won't be at top speed. A friend has a Deere 1023E that he uses for his property, I may have to go over there and mow with it just to see how fast it is. I could also use GPS to get my speed with the PTO engaged...oooh this is drawing out all kinds of nerdy scientist in me.

I was thinking I would go with a plow for a SCUT or just use the loader, and maybe a back blade, to push snow. It's rare that we get more than 6" at a time so I imagine I'd be OK in this scenario.

 

[ajd187]

I talked to the Kubota dealer, and they've got a leftover 2012 BX2320 model sitting there. It's priced at a pretty heavy discount too. I'm not sure it's going to be enough but I am going to talk to the guy about it. They've been a dealer here for 50-some years and are very well regarded (JS Blazey in Palmyra, NY). Coincidentally also about 0.5 miles from my house.

 

[KU Gator]

I agree with the thought that changing to a SCUT is only going to yield marginal reduction in mowing time. You will get a much more versatile machine and everyone will agree that you will find a FEL more useful than you will believe. Combined with a rear blade, it will also be a reasonable snow removal tool.

If you take one more step to the Kubota B2x20 line, you get the 3 speed HST. Contrary to another's comment, it will mow in the high range speed in some pretty heavy grass. The degree of roughness depends on the smoothness of your yard of course. The cut is ok, but certainly not lawn perfect.

Another option might be to consider the Kubota F series mower or JD equal. They are pricey and a FEL is not an option. But they mow at a quick pace, big decks, available with 4 wheel drive and diesel and you can put a blade or power brush on them for snow removal. I worked at a large University and they used the JD versions for most of the mowing and snow removal on the sidewalks.

 

[ajd187]

Looked at the BX this afternoon. The Kubota dealer here is pretty darn impressive.

He has the BX priced at $3000 under MSRP, AND you can use the 0% from Kubota. I shared my concern about mowing time with him - he estimates it'd be in the 30% range, which I can accept. Especially since I would also use it to clear snow. I have a 48" deck right now, and this would be a 60" so that alone would be pretty significant.

He answered all my questions and was very honest. I guess that's probably because it's a family owned business, and the guy I dealt with had his last name on the door. Actually seemd to want to meet my needs too, and not just sell something to make an extra buck.

I'm not 100% sure I'm going to do this but it's likely - the Deere dealership hasn't even gotten back to me yet and I sent them a quote request on Saturday.