Buying Advice Is an SCUT overkill?

[Apastron]

Greetings all,

I was hoping for some advice from the experts here. I've been reading posts for quite a while, trying to narrow things down with little success. My time is about to run out though, so I need to make a final decision soon.

I just moved to a newly constructed home on a 2 acre lot. I need some type of "tractor" to take care of things with--but yes--90% of its life will probably be spent mowing. The wrinkle is that most of the lot (1.5+ acre) is newly sodded (Floratam) with an irrigation system, so I'm a little concerned about weight. It's also quite soggy right now. I'm not sure if that is going to be the long term state, or just a consequence of recent heavy rains and getting the sod established. The other major hurdle is a large wet retention lake (a.k.a. pond) in the back with about 175 feet of bank that needs (hopefully minimal) maintenance. There's also about 600 feet of drainage ditch to keep cut and cleared. It's only a few feet deep, but it is pretty steep at points--which is my single largest concern. The ditches are way more than I want to try and push mow, so I really need something that can handle the slope.

I was originally considering something like a Deere X530 hoping that the locking differential would help traction on the slopes. I'm not sure that will be enough though with the soggy ground, so that pushed me to consider something like the Kubota GR2120 with 4WD (X700 seems too expensive). I also have plans of doing a lot of future landscaping in the back yard (patio, fire pit, planters, small garden, etc.), so something like a Kubota BX (or another small SCUT) with FEL sure sounds like it would be useful.

What would you get? I'm open to other options as well. I know many people love zero turns, but I'm not sure that would work well for me (and really just isn't my preference). Most of the dealers are about an hour away and aren't open on weekends, so it's been difficult to get hands on anything so far.

Thanks for the input!
Dave

 

[murphy1244]

Take a look at Ventrac. Ventrac Compact Tractors & Attachments

 

[Tompet]

It would only be overkill if you think so...I certainly don't! I'm one of those that think ztr's are great, but for what you described a small scut with FEL and MMM with turf tires would be very useful. Whatever brand you choose. My neighbor has a MF gc2300 and the MMM mows perfect and his turf tires are very "light" on the lawn and wet areas. With the slope and ditches you mentioned the FWD would also help.
One time I had a problem and my neighbor came over with his MF2300 and mowed my ditches and I was surprised how quick and simple his unit handled the chore.
Best of luck.

 

[TSO]

I think a SCUT would be just fine for you. Since mowing will be your primary task, I would focus on the lightest SCUT you can find, with the easiest to remove FEL to help reduce overall weight even more while mowing.

 

[Harvey9]

From what you describe, a scut would be ideal. They're not cheap, if it's within your budget, go for it.

 

[ajd187]

I have a similar sized lot with similar uses. No pond or ditches here.

I started with a Deere X320. It did well, but got to be a bit slow. So now I have a 1025r.

Its perfect sized for me. Gets jobs done a ton faster. I have an 18 month old in the house and would rather be with her than cutting grass or moving snow.

 

[ovrszd]

And, unless you need the manufacturers finance wizards, go for used. Speaking of Wizards, beware of 0% financing. It's an illusion and does not exist.

To stop the nay sayers, show me a buyer that started a transaction by negotiating a "cash price" on a tractor, then got 0% financing at the same price.

You can buy a used SCUT with a few hundred hours or less for 60% of new price.

 

[jenkinsph]

For what you describe a 700 series mower with 4x4 would work well. Keep it light, no fel and no ballast as that would be more likely to track up your new lawn. Everyone seems to want a fel from what I see but the tractors with them need to have loaded tires and or extra weights to use them safely. Building a patio with pavers might require a plate compactor but I don't see everyone running out to buy one. Give some thought to how much you would need a fel before going there. I have a fel on my tlb but don't wan't one on my mower.

With the ditch bank you might consider having the banks tapered enough to allow mowing with less risk if this is a concern. As far as the scut tractors they are very handy but most have mfwd which can tend to scuff the grass when turning. The Simplicity and Deere mowers are available with hydraulic front wheel drive which vary the wheel speeds as you make turns so no scuffing. Scut's are a good choice for the guy's with rough lawns that need to be tamed but it sounds to me like your new lawn with sod and sprinklers is more in need of a light mowing tractor.

 

[grm61]

Take a look at Ventrac. Ventrac Compact Tractors & Attachments

Never looked at those before, they are pretty cool.

 

[94BULLITT]

I think you definatley need 4WD since you said you have slopes. If you want a real nice mower look at a X700 that is 4WD. If you want a nice mower and something that better suited for a FEL look at a SCUT like a Kubota BX2370. Depending on how the drainage ditch is you may be able to run up and down it. If you have the cash to purchase the machine most of the time you can get a rebate. In a lot of cases you can get a new SCUT for less than a used one.