Best choice for 4x4 mower

[VABlue]

Skidoo,

The MMM decks and FEL both come off in 5 minutes or less. The 2305 and the X-series GTs use the same decks. The front bracket, two rear lift arms, and the shaft drive are all it takes. Reaching under to connect the shaft is the most difficult part. Still, less then 5 min to go off and back on. The FEL is even easier - lift the front tires up, disconnect the arm locks, lower the FEL until its standing on its own, and disconnect the hyd QCs. A couple of minutes and you're done...

 

[locknut]

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?

If you haven't decided what to do yet,I can pesonally recommend the Kubota GR series for mowing hilly terrain.They will mow up/down safely at 30deg,across slopes at 20deg.With the standard power steering and Glidesteer,they handle like a go-cart and turn on a dime(44"uncut circle Gr2000,36"Gr2100).I have 50hrs on my 2000 and no problems mowing some very rough,hilly terrain.

You might try to do some actual measuring on the hilly parts.If there's a lot of 30deg+ mowing to do,only a dedicated slope mower/walk-behind should be used for saftey's sake.

Here's my webpage with the GR in action,and pics of my cheap homemade slopefinder.

http://community-2.webtv.net/GregBarker/KubotaGR2000/

 

[LBrown59]

If you haven't decided what to do yet,I can pesonally recommend the Kubota GR series for mowing hilly terrain.They will mow up/down safely at 30deg,across slopes at 20deg.With the standard power steering and Glidesteer,they handle like a go-cart and turn on a dime(44"uncut circle Gr2000,36"Gr2100).I have 50hrs on my 2000 and no problems mowing some very rough,hilly terrain.

Is this a 2 or 4 wheel drive?

 

[skidoo]

Locknut,

I have considered looking at a GR, but haven't yet. Nice web page. It shows the slopes similar to mine. I will definitely take a close look at one...

How is the pucker factor on your slope?

 

[LBrown59]

Locknut,

*I have considered looking at a GR, but haven't yet. I will definitely take a close look at one...

*Look at the Kubot G series too.
I like the looks of them much better than the Kubota GR series.
Other than that I don't know what the advantages / disadvantages would be between them.
Perhaps other members can enlighten us on that.

At the JD Dealer where I priced these 2 tractors.
The X748 Garden tractor was $8300 & the 2305 Sub Compact was $9000.
Neither of these prices included a mower.
I also got a price On a new Kubota BX1500 Sub Compact for $7500 including a 48" mid mount mower.
I don't figure that price can be beat on a new tractor..
I have my doubts that you can touch A Kubota G or GR series for $7500 but I could be wrong.
I also ran into a used BX 1500 Sub Compact with a 48'' mower for Only $6000.It only has 350 hours on it.

 

[LBrown59]

If you haven't decided what to do yet,I can pesonally recommend the Kubota GR series for mowing hilly terrain.

Why did you chose A GR series over the G series?

 

[LBrown59]

Well, I stopped by a dealer who had an X728 to look at. Looks nice.
*But the wife says it looks too big for her ! ...

*Congradulations on the smart wife.
It is too big so I'd recommend A kubota BX 1500 sub compact
I done some size comparing of it and my CC GT2554.
I bought the CC because I thot being a garden tractor it was a lot smaller than the Kubota BX1500.
Come to find out by doing the comparison they are both nearly the same size.
Boy O boy do I wish that I'd have gotten the bx1500 instead.
Especially since the BX1500 sub compact would have only cost about 1000 more than I have in the CC garden tractor.
The BX 1500 S-cut is worth a whole bunch more than a $1000 more than a CC garden tractor.

 

[LBrown59]

1~ 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.
2~The 2305 is fine also,
3~but you can get a used Steiner for that price.

1*A Kubota BX 1500 S-cut comes standard with a ROPS.
2*I have a BX23 S-cut that I won't take on some of my slopes but the smaller CC garden tractor works great on them and isn't a bit tippy.
Looks like the op has lots steeper slopes than mine and more of them.
So I'd say a 2305 is really to big for his application.
Besides his wife didn't like the x748 cause it was to big.
I can imagine how she'd feel about the 2305 that's even bigger than the x748.
3*Or I can buy a brand spanking new Kubota BX1500 s-cut with a 48'' mmm for $7500.
Or a used one with 48'' mower for $6000.
Ideally the Smallest S-cut of them all the BX1500 meets his requirements 4wd roll over protection and all.
On the plus side for his wife it's almost the exact same size of most any garden tractor and has the extra bonus it's built with the extra beef and brawn of a sub compact thus offering the extra performance and capability that Sub Compacts have over garden tractors.
All of this for about $2300 less than the x748 gt and about $3000 under a 2305 s-cut.
The CC 2554 would except it's 2wd

 

[locknut]

Locknut,

How is the pucker factor on your slope?

Not too bad up to 20deg across.After that it gets very uncomfortable,plus the fact if you encounter a dip or bump on a 20deg slope things can get out of control really quick.Going up at 30deg is fun,going down you have to brace yourself cause it feels like you're going to fly out over the hood.I do have one spot going downhill where there is a 4-6inch depression.If I forget and drop a front wheel into it the tractor pitch/rolls a few degrees and gives me a really nauseous feeling.

These tractors are a blast to mow with.Your wife would like one I'm sure.The power steering is very precise and you can turn the wheel with one finger.The GR2000/48 deck is around 6K.Diesel/54 deck around 7K.

 

[LBrown59]

Not too bad up to 20deg across.After that it gets very uncomfortable,plus the fact if you encounter a dip or bump on a 20deg slope things can get out of control really quick.Going up at 30deg is fun,going down you have to brace yourself cause it feels like you're going to fly out over the hood.I do have one spot going downhill where there is a 4-6inch depression.If I forget and drop a front wheel into it the tractor pitch/rolls a few degrees and gives me a really nauseous feeling.

These tractors are a blast to mow with.Your wife would like one I'm sure.The power steering is very precise and you can turn the wheel with one finger.The GR2000/48 deck is around 6K.Diesel/54 deck around 7K.

Why did you chose A GR series over the G series?