Do I need 4wd on a new F2690?

[Sigarms]

I have some decent hills out back I mow (located at the base of the foothills in NC).

I only needed 4x4 one time, going down a pretty steep hill slow, and had to back up.

If you have pretty flat ground or even just some standard hills, 2 wheel is fine as that's all I use at all (and honestly I figured I would of needed 4x4, but no where close to being the case).

That said, the one time I needed to put it in reverse to get myself out of trouble (again, pretty steep hill) I was GRATEFUL I had 4x4 LOL

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have some decent hills out back I mow (located at the base of the foothills in NC).

I only needed 4x4 one time, going down a pretty steep hill slow, and had to back up.

If you have pretty flat ground or even just some standard hills, 2 wheel is fine as that's all I use at all (and honestly I figured I would of needed 4x4, but no where close to being the case).

That said, the one time I needed to put it in reverse to get myself out of trouble (again, pretty steep hill) I was GRATEFUL I had 4x4 LOL

In NC and Ky, when we say "steep" we mean STEEP!!! So don't you flatlanders be thinking that we are talking about a gradual incline in the terrain, we're NOT! We're talking billy goat/mountain sheep steep. I also have one small corner place that I have to engage the differential lock pedal to get into but it's so steep grass won't hardly grow on it so I only hit it a couple of times a year. The 4wd is a confidence factor for some of us that mow/tractor "hillsides" but the 4wd isn't always needed. I do love the 4wd on my tractors especially when coming down the steep hills.
So, no for the original OP, 4wd isn't needed. These Fs don't do good in wet/mud areas with 2wd or 4wd. I used to mow a semi swamp corner with the F2680e but stopped short of "going in" and never got stuck. Sold the F2680e 2wd and got a F3080 4wdand went a small bit further into the wet area and had to have it pulled out with a truck. The tires load up with mud and become balloons which spin in mud.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yep, in our sandy soil after a rain, those turf tires become drag slicks.

 

[daugen]

My first quote from the local dealer from a p/t salesperson was a laughable 3 percent off list.
Sure will be getting lots more quotes.

I do notice there is no optional seat, only the oem which looks like a Michigan seat, same as on my John Deere. A decent seat, but no optional seat.

A question, the cruise control would be important to me for long straight hauls. Does that just hold the hydrostatic linkage in one place or can you control the speed of the
mower similar to how Kubota does it with their tractors?

 

[lostcreekranch]

My first quote from the local dealer from a p/t salesperson was a laughable 3 percent off list.
Sure will be getting lots more quotes.

I do notice there is no optional seat, only the oem which looks like a Michigan seat, same as on my John Deere. A decent seat, but no optional seat.

A question, the cruise control would be important to me for long straight hauls. Does that just hold the hydrostatic linkage in one place or can you control the speed of the
mower similar to how Kubota does it with their tractors?

Drew, as John Thomas suggested, get a quote from Brady at Barlow’s. They beat my local dealer, for a Kubota ZD1511 significantly.

As far as cruise control question, I expect they use a magnetic type cruise control on the throttle pedal? Ask your dealer?

 

[4570Man]

I've had my F2560 stuck a bunch. I've also had my ZTR stuff a bunch. I often have to resort to my B7200 to get something mowed. If you mow like a normal person you'll be fine on the 2wd one.

 

[daugen]

Very early this morning I sent the specs to Barlow, Messick and a dealer in Delaware where sales tax is not charged.
Will be interesting to see who gets back first, and what kind of response I get.
Base unit, 72 RD deck, cruise control and sunshade. They want a silly amount of money for a tachometer but I really like that feature.
Hopefully it won't be the thirty dollar one we can buy anywhere tacked on with the Kubota insignia...I'd like a real gauge. Digital would be nice.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Very early this morning I sent the specs to Barlow, Messick and a dealer in Delaware where sales tax is not charged.
Will be interesting to see who gets back first, and what kind of response I get.
Base unit, 72 RD deck, cruise control and sunshade. They want a silly amount of money for a tachometer but I really like that feature.
Hopefully it won't be the thirty dollar one we can buy anywhere tacked on with the Kubota insignia...I'd like a real gauge. Digital would be nice.

Drew, I believe the engine speed is indicated on the digital panel. See the bottom of page 9.

https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/f90.pdf?sfvrsn=7f159fba_4

 

[daugen]

Drew, I believe the engine speed is indicated on the digital panel. See the bottom of page 9.

https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/f90.pdf?sfvrsn=7f159fba_4

that would be good, wonder why they show as option. Even if they say to run at full speed, I won't. Always go full speed, then back off a little. Since I keep my blades very sharp,
I don't need max blade tip speed or max anything. It's a liquid cooled diesel, running slower isn't going to hurt it.

 

[lostcreekranch]

that would be good, wonder why they show as option. Even if they say to run at full speed, I won't. Always go full speed, then back off a little. Since I keep my blades very sharp,
I don't need max blade tip speed or max anything. It's a liquid cooled diesel, running slower isn't going to hurt it.

I’m pretty sure the digital panel is standard kit Drew. Maybe John Thomas, who owns and has owned several, can confirm.