One tractor with mower and loader, or separate tractor and mower?

[Jay4200]

Was thinking of a Kubota BX2200 or similar with mid mower for tractor and mowing duties. Found several around $5000 with just mower, can find some around $6000 with mower and loader. Loader wont be strong but will be useful, although I do have access to a bobcat. Mower supposedly cuts well but will never replace a zero turn mower.

Then I had a thought of doing a separate tractor and mower to split up duties. Maybe a $3000 tractor like an older Deere 850, IH 444, Massey 135 etc for tractor duties, and then a used walk behind or zero turn for $3000 for the yard. Tractor would move hay bales and stuff better, but would be heavier for when I need to use it to aerate the pasture/yard. Zero turn and walk behind would obviously be the best at mowing grass.

Separate if at all possible. I bought a BX2200 to use as a mower as you are considering, and it was a mistake. A BX is too heavy to do a good job mowing (tires stripe the lawn, especially if it is fescue), and it is too light with too small tires to do any meaningful tractor work. I regret buying it - would've been far better served buying either a zero-turn OR at least a B-sized tractor (slightly worse mowing, infinitely better tractoring).

 

[jenkinsph]

Separate if at all possible. I bought a BX2200 to use as a mower as you are considering, and it was a mistake. A BX is too heavy to do a good job mowing (tires stripe the lawn, especially if it is fescue), and it is too light with too small tires to do any meaningful tractor work. I regret buying it - would've been far better served buying either a zero-turn OR at least a B-sized tractor (slightly worse mowing, infinitely better tractoring).

I see that as a common mistake with subcuts, they are heavier than needed for mowing. Not heavy enough for most tractor jobs either. If I had my choice it would be a front mount mower (mow the grass before you drive over it) and then tractors suitable for the jobs at hand.

 

[4570Man]

I mow an acre with a non-zero turn lawn mower (ride on type) with a 42 inch deck. I can mow it in about an hour. ZRT would cut that down, but not by much. .

That's where you're wrong. I could cut it twice as fast on my ZTR.

 

[Bigeclipse]

With that budget definitely one machine

 

[GPintheMitten]

If a person can afford it, I like separate machines. But I too have my doubts about getting 2 for $6 grand that would be dependable.

I would get a BX with a loader and mid mount mower to go with the other 2 machines.

I suspect you are more particular about your lawn than peculiar. Haha.

 

[jenkinsph]

If a person can afford it, I like separate machines. But I too have my doubts about getting 2 for $6 grand that would be dependable.

I would get a BX with a loader and mid mount mower to go with the other 2 machines.

I suspect you are more particular about your lawn than peculiar. Haha.

I agree with the separate mower and separate tractor. I find a lot of people to be impatient, not willing to save up for the right equipment and buy it when you can afford it. So if the lawn areas are in nice shape I would recommend getting a good mower first to maintain the lawn. Use a wheel barrow to move mulch and stuff.

For the larger ag projects I would save up enough to address this later with a good down payment.

 

[LD48750]

Wife has her 22 horse riding mower and cuts ~ an acre / acre & a half around the barn & house.
For years I used the 2N with a 6' finish mower for the ex pastures, ~6 or 6 Ac.

Worked great. Picked up a MF50 to do work in the woods that the N couldn't do or I didn't feel like unhooking the mower for.

Now I have a 4x4 CUT (in addition to the other two & rider) with a Mid Mount Mower that I LOVE for the pastures and the 3pt is available for use when needed.

Don't think I would know how to get along with only one unit to do it all anymore, I've been spoiled.

Only thing I really miss is a FEL.
Maybe someday .

 

[CADplans]

My SIL and daughter moved in next door,, they have 13 acres and he has access to my machines.
I did buy him a JD 855 with a loader and RFM as a house warming gift,,
That is the perfect tractor.

I also gave him a Cub Cadet 2284, 60" inch cut GT.
That tractor just sits due to the high amount of gasoline consumption.
He does use it weekly, but, usually only for pulling a cart, NEVER any mowing.

One other machine that he uses about once a month,,
when he has time to fight vine encroachment,,

My 584 IH has been used a half dozen times at their place,,
plus we used the rotary plow on the Gravely to install some gutter run-off pipe.

In the future, I think if he blows up the JD 855,, he would go out and replace it with a similar sized machine.

I doubt he would get one much bigger,, a larger machine would not fit the storage shed he purchased,,,

The previous owner of the house owned a Kubota with 26 inch tall rear tires, and more HP than the JD 855
He told us horror stories about how it took him 3X as long to mow the grass.
The JD 855 gets the grass cut FAST, mostly due to the tire size,
it can go over the rougher areas without killing the operator.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

My SIL and daughter moved in next door,, they have 13 acres and he has access to my machines.
I did buy him a JD 855 with a loader and RFM as a house warming gift,,
That is the perfect tractor.

I also gave him a Cub Cadet 2284, 60" inch cut GT.
That tractor just sits due to the high amount of gasoline consumption.
He does use it weekly, but, usually only for pulling a cart, NEVER any mowing.

One other machine that he uses about once a month,,
when he has time to fight vine encroachment,,

My 584 IH has been used a half dozen times at their place,,
plus we used the rotary plow on the Gravely to install some gutter run-off pipe.

In the future, I think if he blows up the JD 855,, he would go out and replace it with a similar sized machine.

I doubt he would get one much bigger,, a larger machine would not fit the storage shed he purchased,,,

The previous owner of the house owned a Kubota with 26 inch tall rear tires, and more HP than the JD 855
He told us horror stories about how it took him 3X as long to mow the grass.
The JD 855 gets the grass cut FAST, mostly due to the tire size,
it can go over the rougher areas without killing the operator.

I wish someone bought me a tractor lol generous gifts

 

[CADplans]

I wish someone bought me a tractor lol generous gifts

My daughter got a full ride athletic scholarship for 4 years of college,,,
we kinda owed her something for her hard work.

She wanted a new Mustang convertible,, I think I got off cheap!! :laughing:

I figure she will be blackmailing me the rest of my life,,,
That is OK,,, we enjoy the grandchildren,,, :thumbsup:

Hopefully, this year,, they will plow their own snow,

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

,

Awesome pic

 

[Gary Fowler]

That's where you're wrong. I could cut it twice as fast on my ZTR.

Likely you could cut more than twice as fast especially if there are lots of bushes and trees to mow around. I cut my 6 acres in about 2.5 hours and I have more than 100 obstacles to mow around. About an acre of it has only 4 trees and it only takes me about 15 minutes to mow it with a 52" mower deck.

 

[4570Man]

You're probably right. My yard is about 2 acres and I can mow and weedeat it in 40 minutes.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

You're probably right. My yard is about 2 acres and I can mow and weedeat it in 40 minutes.

I bought 3 of the best lawn mowers around, all I had todo is install fence for them. My cows keep the grass at a nice height.

 

[94BULLITT]

I would go with one machine. I would start out with a SCUT or a small compact. Then later on if you get the money you can get a lager tractor for bigger jobs and keep the scut for the small stuff and mowing. It sounds like you already know how useful a SCUT is.

I think if you go with a used ZTR and larger tractor, the tractor will be too heavy for lawn care.

 

[number9L]

I do all the things with my tractor that OP needs and more on our 82ac. Mow yard, maintain drives, clean / build ditches, grade / clear land, etc but don't have hay bales to move. Don't know the used market in his area, but don't see why it can't be done with 1 machine if his budget can cover it.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

My conclusion... a tractor isn't good for mowing, and a mower isn't good for tractoring. If you can swing it get one of each.

 

[2ndhalf]

SRS what did you end up doing..? Curious. This is the time to buy a used ZTR.. you will get a killer deal.


Here's a great mower right in your back yard.. if it is still there.

Toro ZTR Timecutter Zero Turn Lawn Mower

 

[ShowroomShine]

I purchased a used Ford tractor for $2800, and I am working on picking up a zero turn for around $2500-$3000. The tractor isnt perfect, and the mower wont be perfect, but perhaps it will do a better job separately than one machine together. I've already had that option at one time, and found it to not do either task well.

 

[Jimmy in NC]

I'm in Raleigh, can probably help you out on a mower at a good price and leave more for a tractor budget.