bushhog vs Finishing Mower vs Belly mower

[DPForumDog]

I love to bushhog on my JD 5203 tractor, but thought I might want a better finish closeand a little more manuverabilty around the house. . So I bought a little gasoline riding mower with a 54" undercarriage. The finish is not that much better and it so slow. I want to cut as fast as my JD 5203 tractor. so now I am looking for a smaller used tractor (because my husband is always hogging my JD 5203) . I want a tractor that is FAST as my JD 5203 tractor but smaller maybe 16-20HP diesel. But what kind of mower do I want?


Finish? I noticed that some of these 16-20HP have both a belly mower and a finishing mower? What is the differences/advantages of one over the other?

Speed? I want to go faster than the dinky gasoline tractor. What should I look for?

Attachments: I would want to be able to use other implements on this littlte tractor, so I am wondering if could still use a tiller or box blade etc, on a tractor that has the belly mower? I certainly dont want to have to remove the belly mower each time.

Thanks
Granny DP
DPForumDog

 

[brasco426]

Some higher end Garden Tractors have a rear pto for being able to handle a rear tiller etc. JD x700 can handle a small box blade and has a wide variety of implements. However most SCUTs are way more capable for not much more money. Mine has a 60" mid mount mower, loader, and box blade. It has both mid and rear ptos. Will also handle a tiller. The mid mount mower either is driven over, or slid in and out by lifting the front end by the loader, which is definitely dangerous and difficult because they are heavy. A pull behind is probably more like you are used to where you bush hog. Might be easier for you to just back to the mower connect and go. It's personal preference I guess, I decided to go with a mid mount. For me I wanted it to fit in tight spaces easier with nothing hanging off the back because I'm a newbie. Good Luck

 

[Steave]

This is just my opinion but for what I have seen the belly mowers on small tractors usually give you a lawnmower type finish at a slightly higher speed. I use a 6' finish mower that gives me a descent finish on about 2 acres around blueberries, plums, and a few trees. I like the finish mowers' versatility over a belly mower... hook it up cut and take it off ready for another implement, not quite as smooth of finish as a lawnmower but a lot faster. It's a little large to use around the house and I also have Ag tires so don't want it in the yard.

I use my dad's 31 hp tractor to pull the finish mower and works with no problem. If your grass is thick and going to use a 20 ish,, hp you might want to think about a 5' finish mower. It don't take any kind of special tractor to run a finish mower if you're cutting every two weeks or so but buy the best mower you can find and afford (lot less repairs). I use the landpride 2572 AT and have a lot of hours on it and never replaced the belt. Had to replace 1 spindle last year (cost $122.00 new) not bad for that old of a mower.

I've never owned a belly mower but I'm almost sure if I had it all to do over I'd still go with the finish mower.

As far as using the 20 ish,, hp tractor for a tiller and other equipment I'm sure you can find something to fit your pulling power. Good luck on trying to decide which way to go.

 

[newbury]

I love to bushhog on my JD 5203 tractor, but thought I might want a better finish closeand a little more manuverabilty around the house. . So I bought a little gasoline riding mower with a 54" undercarriage. The finish is not that much better and it so slow. I want to cut as fast as my JD 5203 tractor. so now I am looking for a smaller used tractor (because my husband is always hogging my JD 5203) . I want a tractor that is FAST as my JD 5203 tractor but smaller maybe 16-20HP diesel. But what kind of mower do I want?


Finish? I noticed that some of these 16-20HP have both a belly mower and a finishing mower? What is the differences/advantages of one over the other?

Speed? I want to go faster than the dinky gasoline tractor. What should I look for?

Attachments: I would want to be able to use other implements on this littlte tractor, so I am wondering if could still use a tiller or box blade etc, on a tractor that has the belly mower? I certainly dont want to have to remove the belly mower each time.

Thanks
Granny DP
DPForumDog

From the other thread.

Have you investigated a ZTR?
They are made for mowing.

Many SCUT's have "drive over" mid mount mowers which are reportedly very easy to put on/remove. And they should all be able to operate a tiller or box blade.