3520 too heavy to finish mow?

[prowley]

I don't finish mow, but I live outside Seattle on sloped ground with springs and I use a 6 foot field mower with my 3520 and loaded R1s for around 6-7 acres. From what I can see, if my R1s would damage the turf from weight then spinning R3s would likely do it less good. If you have lots of flat land it might be different.

Though if the ground is soft from the wet you'd be best steering clear. Don't ask me how I know that.

 

[thespaugh]

I don't finish mow, but I live outside Seattle on sloped ground with springs and I use a 6 foot field mower with my 3520 and loaded R1s for around 6-7 acres. From what I can see, if my R1s would damage the turf from weight then spinning R3s would likely do it less good. If you have lots of flat land it might be different.

Though if the ground is soft from the wet you'd be best steering clear. Don't ask me how I know that.

Sorry for being dense - are you saying you think I should stick with R4's or that the 3520 is too heavy? My land is flat, by the way.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[gjsnow]

Hi Chris,
If you want a high end finished lawn with beautiful stripes you will want a machine that has a front mount deck or a ztr. I have mowed with a MMM on a Kubota 2410. Driving over the lawn first and then cutting it is not as neat as cutting it first.
On the other hand, the 7-iron decks are SO good that when used in the belly position under a 3520 you may be happy enough with the cut.
I have had similar concerns. I have soft shade lawn and many hunderd year old oaks with lots of leaves. I chose the no compromise collection of toys.
Deere 1435 commercial front mower, 7-iron, MCS600, 60 inch HD blower.
(swapped 24hp engine to 36hp for supreme performace.)
Bunton Z handle 17 hp 54" deck walk behind
JD 2320, 200cx loader 60" HD bucket.
Good luck.
GJ

 

[Nuru]

Nuru,

Did you get these from the JD Dealer? I take it they require special rims too?

I got the tires from a JD dealer used with the Rims for $700 bucks. The tires were essentially brand news - someone bought them and then brought them back as they needed some R1s or R4s for dirt work. They were sitting around for over 1 year and I happened to learn about them by watching eBay - negotiate directly with the dealer after watching them not sell on eBay. When i switched from my 4310 to my 3520, I had to get new rims as the lug pattern is different, so that cost me `$550 for the rear rims, but every thing is fine.

 

[KennK]

I routinely mow grass with my JD 3320 with FEL, MMM, and R4 tires. I stay off the lawn after rainy days and avoid MFWD, but beyond that, I don't do anything special and I've had no problems. I remove the bucket from the FEL, but not the arms. I find it best to avoid really really sharp turns or you notice some turf tearing. Oh, and do note that the height of the ROPS makes it impossible to go around low-hanging branches.

I've seen several people say that we shouldn't be using a FEL with anything less grippy than R4's (such as turf tires). The R4's are a nice compromise.

To make up for that, about a year after buying the 3320 we went to Home Depot and got the smallest cheapest hydro JD cutter they sell. My wife uses that for trim (we have LOTS of trees on the lawn) and the two work very well together.

 

[prowley]

Sorry for being dense - are you saying you think I should stick with R4's or that the 3520 is too heavy? My land is flat, by the way.

I'm saying I don't think the tractor is too heavy since I see no turf damage even with R1s unless a) I'm in MFWD, b) take a sharp turn too quickly, or c) the ground is soft enough I'm glad I have Ags.

I chose Ags because I was concerned about getting stuck and have since learned you get stuck anyway, only more thoroughly

 

[LBrown59]

I don't finish mow, but I live outside Seattle on sloped ground with springs and I use a 6 foot field mower with my 3520 and loaded R1s for around 6-7 acres. From what I can see, if my R1s would damage the turf from weight then spinning R3s would likely do it less good. If you have lots of flat land it might be different.

Though if the ground is soft from the wet you'd be best steering clear. Don't ask me how I know that.

I've dug more ruts in the yard with the front turfs on the BX1500 than I have with the AGs on the BX23.

 

[LBrown59]

I see no ill effects on lawn from mowing on flat with 3320 / 72" MMM, Turfs even with the extra weight of FEL and BH which I usually don't bother to remove. There is sometimes minor damage to turf on county ROW with reasonably steep slope when going down hill in 4WD.

I mow with a BX23 with R1s while the FEL and BH are on it.
Hasn't hurt my yard,even in 4 wheel drive.
The worst damage I'v done is the front wheels of the BX1500 with turfs on them spun out and cut ruts in the yard.
The worst damage to my lawn was last Feb when a dollar general semi got hung up in the front yard.

 

[LBrown59]

I had to look it up and man, that F935 is one fancy ride, definitely the Cat's "Rear End"

The 3520 is for sale does not come with a mowing deck. I've poked around and I've routinely found great-condition, name-brand rear 60" PTO finish mowers for $700 - 1000 while 72" have been running $1000-1500. My thought was to go with something like this rather than the MMM (or a separate lawn mower). I know this makes the tractor long but fortunately I will not have many obstacles to avoid.

I leave the BH on the BX23 so a rear mower wouldn't get it for me.

 

[Nuru]

I routinely mow grass with my JD 3320 with FEL, MMM, and R4 tires. I stay off the lawn after rainy days and avoid MFWD, but beyond that, I don't do anything special and I've had no problems. I remove the bucket from the FEL, but not the arms. I find it best to avoid really really sharp turns or you notice some turf tearing. Oh, and do note that the height of the ROPS makes it impossible to go around low-hanging branches.

I've seen several people say that we shouldn't be using a FEL with anything less grippy than R4's (such as turf tires). The R4's are a nice compromise.

To make up for that, about a year after buying the 3320 we went to Home Depot and got the smallest cheapest hydro JD cutter they sell. My wife uses that for trim (we have LOTS of trees on the lawn) and the two work very well together.

While my unit was in the shop getting a warranty fix, i finally decided to pick up a used GX 245 and use that for trimming and around a couple of small trees and the Septic tank. I use to mow around the septic tank, but started wondering if it might be risky - builder said it would not be but I have grown a bit chicken. So I do the trim and one other spot that is slow to mow with the tractor. I noticed that, by doing that, it sped up my Mowing time considerably.