Mowing B2710 too big for lawn mowing?

MarkLeininger · Feb 10, 2004

We have 6 acres, one acre is lawn around the house, 5 are pasture and several horses to chase after. I have rented an L35 and a B20 to dig foundations in the past. The L35 is too big for what I need, the B20 is about right, but I only used them on a construction site and never drove them on grass or tried to mow with them. The BX is just a bit small and I don't want to be forced to buy a backhoe now, but will need one in the future. I was sort of decided on a B7500 but am looking at a used 2710. My question is whether this machine is too heavy to mow the acre of lawn around my house? We don't have many trees to mow around, but I'm concerned that it will leave depressions in the grass and also wonder about compressing the soil above my septic field. Any thoughts on that? This is a country lawn, not a suburban lawn, but I don't want to end up tearing it all up. I also don't know if it's required that the tires are filled to use the loader. This machine doesn't have any rear implements on it but it has a loader. Filling the tires can only make the rut problem worse.
thanks

MattB2710 · Feb 10, 2004

Have had a B2710 since 1999. Mow 2 acres. In 2000 purchased a loader. Haven't needed to fill the tires to use the loader for snow removal or moving wood chips.

ronjhall · Feb 10, 2004

Mark
I have a B2910. Same tractor as a B2710 with 3 more horsepower. It has a 72” MMM. I mow about 2 acres with it. I can cut and trim the lawn in 1 hour.
To use the loader I have a Kubota rear weight box.
Many TBNer’s use a heavy 3PH attachment for counterweight. I do not have loaded tires because I do cut lawn with the tractor.

EastTexFrank · Feb 10, 2004

I had the same problem about 4 years ago. I needed a machine to cut the lawn (a country lawn) and also cut about 8 acres of pasture. I only wanted one machine to do both jobs and finally decided on the B2400. It does a good job on the lawn with no real tearing or compaction problems and I run it over 2 septic systems. It was probably the ideal compromise because if I were to be honest I would say that it is probably more tractor than I need for the lawn and barely big enough for the 4' shredder on my hills. The B2710 wasn't available when I made my decision and I think I would have been happier with it as it would have enabled me to use a 5' bush hog on the pasture and still not been too big for the lawn. I don't have my tires filled and I've never had a problem using the FEL. I don't know what the weight difference is between the B2400 and the B2710 but I don't think it will be enough to tear up the lawn provided it isn't too wet.

Bird · Feb 10, 2004

Maybe it depends on how firm the ground in your yard is, but I sure liked my B2710 with a Bush Hog RDTH60 finish mower for my yard and I had antifreeze filled R1 tires. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Von · Feb 10, 2004

I have 5 acres of lawn at home and 3 very hilly acres at my antique shop. I have loaded turfs on my B2710 and I can't tell from my older tractor that didn't have loaded tires. Takes about 2 1/2 hrs. to cut all 5 acres at home with a 72" MMM.

BobinCols · Feb 10, 2004

We've used a 3010 and now a 3130 with turf tires and a 72" RFM with no problems with ruts or driving over the leech field on our 5 acres.

SacandagaBrad · Feb 10, 2004

( I also don't know if it's required that the tires are filled to use the loader. This machine doesn't have any rear implements on it but it has a loader. Filling the tires can only make the rut problem worse.
thanks )

I have a TC24D with a FEL that I bought in October, so I have yet to mow with it, but have worked in the yard quite a bit. My yard is extremely wet, especially this year. One of my first projects involved moving #2 stone, a scary proposition without the rear turfs loaded even with a blade on the back. I could bounce the rear end with no problem. I even declined an offer from the dealer for free loaded tires because I didn't want the extra weight on a soft lawn. After feeling the rear end get light, I had those tires loaded within a couple of weeks and never looked back.

And here's the interesting part - prior to loading the rear tires, it was the front tires that left impressions in the lawn, even with the loader empty, just due to the weight of the loader and the smaller tire. Now with the rears loaded with washer fluid, it leaves little if any marks except if there is standing water on the lawn. The tractor is now better balanced to distribute the weight over the large turfs, if running with the loader installed. I don't think there will be any problem even with the loader off. Of course this may be different with R4s or R1s.

I personally would not run a loader again without the tires loaded or some form of wheel weights. The removable weights offer more flexibility but require effort. It also always helps to have something on the 3PH. Even a light load in the bucket can get things tippy in a hurry if you raise it very high. The extra rear weight on my machine made it much, much safer in my opinion.

Hope this helps.

Brad

riptides · Feb 10, 2004

I'd say no.

I run my B7800 with filled tires and a 72" BrushHog all over my place. In the deep woods, over my fine front yard, over my pastures, over my septic system. Over anything in my way.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I even back into things with it,,, /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

So far, my front looks good, my pastures look better....

I really should get a RFM, but the 'hog does the job.... Oh, I have a Garden Tractor to for the finishing touches....

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

art · Feb 10, 2004

The Grand L-s work on many lawns and they don't have any trouble and I'd doubt that you will. I can see with the pasture where you might feel the need for the added weight. You might try three point hitch attachments to offset the load in the bucket. I have some customers doing far more with their BX than you have described.