Four wheel driver lawn mower thoughts

[kthompson]

We are very much level ground here other than where branches run and ditches are dug. My mother in laws lawn has both and both are issue when wet. I have compact tractor and rear finishing mower can use and do for both but trying to get away from that setup.

Her yard has gentle slope from a ten acre field that when it rains a good bit of water runs across her yard but more so seeps through to a branch on the side and road ditch on the front. ZTR mower bogs in each of these. Have pulled them out toooo many times. Also when the branch side is seeping my ZTRs with turf tires will not climb the slope. At same time her yard is not far away but far enough mower needs to be trailered and the hooking up trailer, loading mower, unloading and reloading, come home unload, park trailer and unhook has gotten my attention. Maybe I am getting smart or old.

Am considering a mower for her yard and we have work shop there to store it. Total yard there is about two acres and only about small area is an issue but is can be issue most of the mowing season. My son in lay has a cheap tractor style from Wal Mart that will climb the slope when my ztr does not want to. However it bogs, just seems to have more clearance. Also he does not cut the west parts as it does bother him, not his yard.

Have considered more aggressive rear tires and looked on the internet and frankly found very little options. Anyone use any tread other than standard turf and if so how does it pull and how about when turning any issue with tearing the grass? How about four wheel mower? Husky's articulating mower with AWD has my attention but 41 inch deck and the max speed would be slow. Do want a mower that can turn reasonable tight maybe a three feet circle.

Thanks for any recommendation.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Same problem with my Husqvarna GTH 26Vl52LS. When new with turf tires it simply could not make up up a 20*+ degree bank around my pond. First 'fix' was to add the factory 50 lb. wheel weights. Better but not 100%. Switched the rear tires for ATV style mud/snow tires. That took care of 98% of the getting stuck on slick grass problem. No problem with the mud grips tearing up the lawn with normal conditions.

Yeah, I've still managed to stick it 2 or 3 times even with the mud grips, but common sense could have avoided that. Back when I bought it, there was no 4 wheel drive. I'd love to have that.

Even better would be a 4WD ZTR. I read about an experimental one Ted with Everything Att. built. About $200 in parts and a ton of know-how. I'm not seeing the market come out with one yet, but a 2WD ZTR simply would not cut it (pun intended) on my acreage.

Oh, and BTW, Husqvarna does have a 4WD model like my Husq Rider 155, but it is pricy. The Rider has a 4 inch turning circle; not a ZTR but close, and its a front mounted deck. Great little 42" mower that has puffed along for 22 years under abusive conditions.

 

[TractorGuy]

It's only money.

X7 Signature Series Tractors | Lawn Tractors | John Deere US

 

[sandman2234]

Steiner/Ventrac?

 

[ruffdog]

It's only money.

X7 Signature Series Tractors | Lawn Tractors | John Deere US

I have the x744 AWS and dad has a x749 AWS and 4x4 with the aggressive tires. :thumbsup:

They have reduced the number of models:

4-Wheel Steering Lawn Tractor | X739 | Signature Series | John Deere US

 

[i7win7]

Consider a front mounted mower JD or Kubota. If Kubota, avoid 33hp - same engine as B3350, regen issues.
Here's one with a/c
Commercial Mowers | 1585 TerrainCut™ Front Mowers | John Deere US

 

[oosik]

Well- I just bought a new riding mower - JD X570. It's 2WD and, so far, a great mower. And, well it should be - $$$$. I looked at the JD 4WD gas and diesel. WoW!!! 2X + the price of the X570. Fortunately, all my lawns are flat, although some are pretty rough & bumpy. I have a large meadow that I mow and call it a lawn. A couple more years of mowing and it will fill in and be like the rest of my lawns.

 

[CADplans]

The next time it rains,, SLAP ON A SET OF CHAINS,,, .. - . . . :shocked:

then, come back and tell us how nicely it goes right through the bog areas,, and up the slopes,, :thumbsup:

 

[ChuckT]

If they really are a "bog" I suppose they could be encouraged to drain better?

 

[ericm979]

A locking rear diff might be enough, and tractors with them cost a lot less than 4wd ones.