F3990 vs newer F3710 4wd front deck mowers

[Brown Dog]

In a nutshell an F is a trade off of the speed of a Z for improved traction.

BUT if your weighted & fluid filled Zero WONT stay on the bank mowing horizontally when you cross damp soil areas then it’s useless & so frustrating !!!

Speed isn’t the answer

 

[workinonit]

You need a track machine.

 

[Hay Dude]

BUT if your weighted & fluid filled Zero WONT stay on the bank mowing horizontally when you cross damp soil areas then it’s useless & so frustrating !!!

Speed isn’t the answer

Right!!! Thats traction. An F gets better traction!

 

[braap736]

I don’t know who you are addressing your question to, but in my case my slopes are so steep that you need to be a very skilled operator or you will be sorry. I’d say 20+ degrees.

My F rides considerably worse than my zero turn, other may have different results

It surprises me that you say the F rides considerably worse than your zero turn. I've been reading a lot of threads on front mounts and when talking about grasshopper front mounts everybody mentions how they ride much better than traditional mid mount zero's. I would assume the F series is similiar in ride quality to a grasshopper front mount but maybe not?

 

[braap736]

I’d think if your bank is dry : a heavy zero will be enough
BUT U have to stay STRAIT going downhill & go as slow as possible.

IF you start pulling back on handles it’ll make the tires skid & youll slide like grease

So I currently mow this slope with a 1998 john deere 325 and I can go up/down and even stop in the middle and take back off going straight up without much spinning. And descending the hill I can let off the hydro forward pedal and apply reverse pedal to stop and reverse up hill. How would a mid mount zero turn with only 2 drive tires just like my 325 be any different as far as sliding down the hill in the situation that you mention?

 

[Hay Dude]

It surprises me that you say the F rides considerably worse than your zero turn. I've been reading a lot of threads on front mounts and when talking about grasshopper front mounts everybody mentions how they ride much better than traditional mid mount zero's. I would assume the F series is similiar in ride quality to a grasshopper front mount but maybe not?

No personal experience with Grasshopper, but the F has a solid rear axle and sits higher. Its a heavier more clumsy machine than a Hopper.
I find the F to be a great traction machine, but slow and punishing ride if you try to hurry. maybe the newer ones have improved seats.
My new ZD-1211 72 has a much improved seat.

 

[Brown Dog]

… How would a mid mount zero turn with only 2 drive tires just like my 325 be any different as far as sliding down the hill in the situation that you mention?

I’m saying IF you try TURNING going DOWN the hill / bank : Zero will slide.

IF your hill / bank is only 20* then your nowhere near as steep as my bank.

Again this is on a farm NOT a yard or lot like most applications.

 

[Hay Dude]

My take on all this is an experience zero turn operator can negotiate steep hills pretty effectively. I deal with this with a couple different customers.

When I was getting started, I had troubles with slipping & sliding. I put bar tires on my ZD331 and the problem was solved. 1 customer complained about small markings on lawns, so I had to remove them.
I bought the F to replace the zero turn on slopes and the slipping problem was solved, but then I found my mowing was taking much longer.
Then I bought the ZD-1211-72 and along with my experience cutting the hillsides, I also was delighted to get improved traction with the low profile tires.

I realize everyones cutting conditions are different.

 

[braap736]

I’m saying IF you try TURNING going DOWN the hill / bank : Zero will slide.

IF your hill / bank is only 20* then your nowhere near as steep as my bank.

Again this is on a farm NOT a yard or lot like most applications.

Ok that makes since

 

[braap736]

My take on all this is an experience zero turn operator can negotiate steep hills pretty effectively. I deal with this with a couple different customers.

When I was getting started, I had troubles with slipping & sliding. I put bar tires on my ZD331 and the problem was solved. 1 customer complained about small markings on lawns, so I had to remove them.
I bought the F to replace the zero turn on slopes and the slipping problem was solved, but then I found my mowing was taking much longer.
Then I bought the ZD-1211-72 and along with my experience cutting the hillsides, I also was delighted to get improved traction with the low profile tires.

I realize everyones cutting conditions are different.

Yeah that large wheeled kubota Z chassis might be the ticket for these hills as there not quite as steep as the OP's