Comparison Grasshopper vs Ferris vs John Deere vs Snapper
- Thread starter palanzana
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Sawyer Rob
Super Member
Poopdeck Pappy
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2013
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- 2,627
- Location
- Dallas, Texas
- Tractor
- Kioti DK50SE Cab, Kubota BX23, Kubota BX2660, Grasshopper 729BT
No, they're not. The deck is out in front of you so it's easier to see what your cutting, especially when you're trimming next to a fence or going around a tree.
The front mount mowers are longer and the tail wheels stick out the back, so you have to remember that when you're turning next to a fence or building. If you turn too sharp you can swing those tail wheels into the fence or building. But you get used to it pretty quickly.
The front mount mowers are longer and the tail wheels stick out the back, so you have to remember that when you're turning next to a fence or building. If you turn too sharp you can swing those tail wheels into the fence or building. But you get used to it pretty quickly.
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AxleHub
Elite Member
One of the things to note about a grasshoper front mount . . Especially if you get power lift . . . is hwyou can acess the blades for easy maintenance AND tilt the deck for trimming and tree/fence/culvert access for cutting.
But stability on slopes with a front mount is good. Deck is in front, rear trailing wheels are behind, and you and engine and drive wheels are all in the middle. Normal zero turns are drive wheels and rngine in rear. Grasshoppers combo gives you better leverage on slopes and spinn from center means easier on turf and better slope stability. And if you have a snow situation . . What a snowblowing machine. If you see a front mount with a snowblower attached . . you'll instantly see why.
I saw that in the side slopes, the mid-mount tends to slide sideways
with the front-mount I have the same problem of slippage?
example Grasshopper 428-61R - YouTube
with the front-mount I have the same problem of slippage?
example Grasshopper 428-61R - YouTube
woolyAcres
Platinum Member
Are these units built for the kind of mowing/brush cutting shown in that video?
I've got similar terrain, roughness, and brush I'd like to get cleaned up and mow a few times a year. It's under trees and on slopes so tractor with brush hog is difficult and slow. I've been watching for a ventrac or steiner with a rough cut mower, but if a zero-turn could handle this occasionally, they seem to be more available and that would be nice to know.
AxleHub
Elite Member
I watched the video you linked to showing a mid mount grasshopper attemoting to be a bush hog of branches and small tree stumps. That mower is not a front mount as I have discussed and that land is not a yard or lawn or even pasture. Its not even suitable for a rear finish mower.
A mid mount grasshopper is a world of geometry apart from a front mount grasshopper.. a front mount has the weigjt in the center and a mid mount has the weight in the rear. Its a world of difference
Poopdeck Pappy
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2013
- Messages
- 2,627
- Location
- Dallas, Texas
- Tractor
- Kioti DK50SE Cab, Kubota BX23, Kubota BX2660, Grasshopper 729BT
The machine in the video is a 428D with the Kubota diesel engine. It's a great machine that probably costs $13,000 - $14,000 these days. I would be proud to own one, but I'd sure take better care of it than the guy in that video.
As AxleHub said, they are tough, dependable machines, but they are not designed to replace a brush hog. Mowing over large branches and small trees is abusive.
As AxleHub said, they are tough, dependable machines, but they are not designed to replace a brush hog. Mowing over large branches and small trees is abusive.
AxleHub
Elite Member
In the world of Grasshopper . . Users talk in 1000s (with an S) of hours. Espevially in front mount units in lawn care businesses . . We're talking 3000 and 4000 hour benchmsrking . . .
