Compact Diesel Engine Tractor vs Gas Engine Riding Lawn Mower For Mowing

[MossRoad]

What other definition is there for spending way more money to maybe prevent something than fixing it cost?

The alternative to Preventative Maintenance (PM) is called Crisis Intervention Management Style. CIMS (I just made that up, but I claim it forever and eternity).

Anyone that's worked for a business that doesn't perform regular PMs, and just waits for stuff to fail then runs around in a panic trying to meet production schedules knows exactly what I'm talking about.

It's usually penny-wise and pound-foolish to skip scheduled PMs.

With that said, it may not show up on a small engine for years and years, if ever. But I wouldn't say doing scheduled PMs is stupid.

 

[4570Man]

The alternative to Preventative Maintenance (PM) is called Crisis Intervention Management Style. CIMS (I just made that up, but I claim it forever and eternity).

Anyone that's worked for a business that doesn't perform regular PMs, and just waits for stuff to fail then runs around in a panic trying to meet production schedules knows exactly what I'm talking about.

It's usually penny-wise and pound-foolish to skip scheduled PMs.

With that said, it may not show up on a small engine for years and years, if ever. But I wouldn't say doing scheduled PMs is stupid.

I never said changing engine oil is stupid I never said changing hydraulic oil in anything except a wood splitter is stupid. A wood splitter is probably the simplest and cheapest engine driven hydraulic system in common existence. Do you change the oil in your hydraulic jacks after you get done doing that? I do change the engine oil in my small engines pretty often since there’s no filter.

 

[DieselBound]

I never said changing engine oil is stupid I never said changing hydraulic oil in anything except a wood splitter is stupid. A wood splitter is probably the simplest and cheapest engine driven hydraulic system in common existence. Do you change the oil in your hydraulic jacks after you get done doing that? I do change the engine oil in my small engines pretty often since there痴 no filter.

Anecdotals are fine, and people are free to do what they want. BUT, this doesn't alter the FACT that (some) manufacturers have maintenance guidelines stating that hydraulic fluid should be changed.

Per the manual on my log splitter:

Every 100 hours or every season change hydraulic fluid and filter.

I have limited amount of time to do things. If equipment breaks down while I'm in the middle of using it it's not so much the COST as it is the disruption in time. Yes, maintenance takes time, but maintenance tends to be scheduled (for when one has made time available). I don't ask people to come by and help me with maintenance on my equipment, but I DO have people come by and help me with operating equipment (such as cutting and splitting wood) and if I'm staring at a broken pump on a splitter I now have multiple people whose time isn't being used as planned.

Again, people should consult the maintenance manual for their equipment.

 

[wcampbell47]

I currently use a Husqvarna HST drive, side discharge, 24HP gasoline riding lawn mower (garden tractor style, not zero turn) with a 48" deck. The first mowing of the season, wet grass up to a 1+ foot tall REALLY bogs down the mower and requires a very slow speed to mow. How would an HST drive, 26HP Diesel Tractor with a 3pt/PTO driven, 54" rear discharge finish mower compare? Would it still bog down like the gas/side discharge mower? I want to keep the loader bucket size at 54" to maneuver around fruit and ornamental trees on a 2 acre property. Also want to see if I can avoid the HP that requires a DPF, but if I need the HP, then I'll deal with the DPF

Several years ago I replaced my 17hp gas rider with a 21hp B7210 (3 cyl diesel) and rear discharge finish mower. In tall wet grass I just raised the mower with the lift arms a bit and kept on going. Way outperformed the gas rider. All the multi bladed finish mowers I know of drive the blades with a belt even if the PTO drives the gear box. My FEL is removable for tight areas. I eventually got a mid mount side discharge mower for the tractor. I like it around trees and tight areas. Does a great job. That setup is basically a large rider mower on steroids. Equipped with 4WD so wet areas are not much of a problem. The FEL and PTO allow me to tackle so many other projects than just a plain gas rider.