Best choice for 4x4 mower

[skidoo]

I have a 2520 with FEL, LX4, rear blade, and a rake. I considered a MM mower and Rear Finish mower. But, I have decided that it will be too much hassle to swap the MMM and I don't want to remove the FEL. With the RFM, it leaves the tractor very long and bulky to mow slopes as steep as 30-40 degrees with trees. I can clear the area carefully with the LX4, but I will need a finish mower to keep up so I can spread seed.

To mow these slopes, I know that I will need 4 wheel drive. So, I am thinking about another dedicated mower, perhaps a 2305 or X748. With this, since I already have the 2520, I will not need any other accessory except for mowing.

I presently mow with a Toro 520H garden tractor. I have had it for about 12 years and have wished for something better for the last 10. It is 2 wheel drive and some slopes are impossible with it. It has been certainly better than the Craftsman 12.5hp however that the land gobbled up...

So, I am looking for a 4x4 mower with the best stability. What would be best; 2305, X740, other JD, other color?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I would think with slopes like yours, I'd be wanting something with a low center of gravity. This is where I'd recommend a dedicated rider or even a Powertrac.

Do you mow up and down or across the slopes?

 

[skidoo]

I mow only up and down the steep stuff. Some, I have not yet tried...

Here are some pictures of the areas to be mowed.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

That's steep!

My wife says to look into some Billy goats.

You might want to look at the powertrac for steep slopes. If you're comfort level is that good, you could try a 4WD rider. I always worry about oil scavenging in the bottom of an engine on steep stuff.

 

[VABlue]

That is steep!

I was going to reco an X500 series, but I don't think they come in 4wd. I also think you're better off with a rider becuase they are smaller. The 2305 would certainly do the job, and if you're comfy on a 2520 mowing that stuff, you should be that much more comfy on the smaller 2305. But again, if you can stand the price of the X748, that's probably the best choice. I have no idea about Powertracs... Any chance you could get both the 748 and 2305 brought out for a test drive?

 

[jcmseven]

Skidoo,

I think a lot depends on how much you wish to spend. The best riding-type mower for these slopes would be either a Steiner or a Ventrac. Power Trac's are fine, too, but are multi-purpose machines--more so than the Steiner for example. I have had an X 595 which is the predecessor to the 748 mentioned and eye-balling your pictures I think it would do OK also, but lacks a stock roll bar, so if you roll you likely will be injured or killed. The 2305 is fine also, but you can get a used Steiner for that price. Our hospital uses two Steiners for mowing and they have given good service. They are also exceptional on very steep hills and can mow things I would not put any conventional tractor on. The new ones are pretty expensive, but used they might be reasonable and competitive price wise with what you are checking into. Ventrac's are good also, but I do not know of anyone locally that sells them. I know our hospital deals with Mullins Tractor in Mullins, SC for the Steiners. It might be worth calling them at least for information. They also have roll-bars as a factory option. Another option is to find a GOOD used Gravely walk behind with dual wheels. My uncle has one that is 12 hp and has a rough cut mower. You would walk behind it on hills like that but it would have no difficulty handling those slopes and is quite safe to use.

John M

 

[circlelake]

I've got a 2305 and mow a ditch a little steeper than your 3rd picture of a ditch. Pic 2 I wouldn't try except up and down and its probably to steep for that. Pic 1 maybe.
When doing steep slopes I take my time and actually stop and try to rock and tip the tractor. If its stable I figure I can do it. Probably would help to put some ballast in the tires to keep the center of gravity lower. There is also a tilt meter they sell on here.
I have turf tires which are not too good for steep climbing.

 

[skidoo]

I have never heard of the Steiner or Ventrac until now. Thanks for the tip. However, it looks like the closest dealer is 500 miles. Seems like used equipment is non-existent anywhere near.

In picture 3, I can take my 2WD WheelHorse downhill. But, it often will loose traction and slide for a little way. Not far, but it tears up the grass. For a while, I kept chains on all year. That helped, but I'm tired of the chains. With 4WD, it should not slide.

Picture 1 is a little steeper and I am just beginning to clear the brush. I will only go down hill with the 2520. (I discovered it looses hydro when going up) Picture 2 shows perhaps the most extreme possibility of which I may never try, unless I can even out a flat area at the bottom. Right now, near the bottom, it flattens out some and then drops off like a cliff about 3-5 ft high to the driveway.

So, it sounds like the X748 would be more stable, but no ROPS. The specs show a significantly tighter turn radius than the 2305 which would be nice...

Is there anything like the Ventrac sold in Montana?

I may also just reconsider a RFM for the 2520. Would I be happier with the X748? It would be like a $10K difference...

 

[JDFANATIC]

The specs show a significantly tighter turn radius than the 2305 which would be nice...

skidoo,

This is not true, unless you are talking about the 4WS model, which isn't 4WD. However, I have heard rumors of a new X7xx that will have both. You might want to check with your dealer. Maybe he will let you test drive the two models to see what you're most comfortable with. As a dedicated mower, it's hard to beat the pricey X748.

 

[jcmseven]

I think you would be happier with the 748, but not $10K happier. If I were planning to choose between a 2305 and a 748 for your purposes I would go with the 2305 due to its stock integrated rollbar. It is not quite as good a mowing machine as the 748 would be, but the difference is close and your situation calls for it over the 2305 in my opinion. Interestingly, the Steiner dealer is six hours from our hospital (400 miles) but our head groundskeeper feels the machines are so much better for what he is doing and where he has to mow that he makes the drive. I am not a Steiner "fan" I have just seen how they perform on really steep inclines and they are clearly the choice for this type work if one can obtain one. There are, as we see, other choices as well and even though a 2305 is not as stable as the Steiner on your terrain, it might do quite well. Be sure to demo 1st though.

John M