Buying Advice Greetings

[Citydude]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and am looking forward to your advice! I have been researching tractors to do some contract mowing in a mid sized city. My question: are the compact tractors up to this task or do I need to look at mid sized tractors?

 

[Depmandog]

Why don't you start by giving us more specifics. What are you planning on mowing? Abandoned lots - requiring a brush hog or large expanse manicured lawns?

 

[Citydude]

Why don't you start by giving us more specifics. What are you planning on mowing? Abandoned lots - requiring a brush hog or large expanse manicured lawns?

Thanks for your reply. I will be mowing right of ways and walking paths for the city that aren't manicured. There could be some undeveloped areas as well.

 

[Depmandog]

I guess my best advice would be to start with what size of rotary mower (brush hog) you planned to use and then size the tractor accordingly. Also consider if you want a cabbed model.

Around here, state contracted right-of-way mowing - they mow lots and lots of acreage. I assume the city's right away would be less acreage.

So, how wide of a mower are you looking at?

 

[Citydude]

I'm looking at a 5-6 foot mower. My budget restricts a cab model and I don't want a fixer upper which makes me lean toward a newer JD 3038 or a Kobotta L3800dt. 20K is the limit on the budget.

 

[Depmandog]

I will share my experience. Couple of years ago, I found my 05 Kubota L5030, with FEL and 6' Land Pride RM for $18,000. It only had 300 hours. Bought it off Craigslist. Plenty of power for mowing - even thick 7' tall Johnson grass and other nasties. No doubt this size of machine would work for you.

Enough power that I would not hesitate upgrading the mower by a couple of feet. I do have an old iron BushHog - 13' three gang flat RM...never tried it behind the Kubota...would probably do ok on flat ground light growth, but I mow some wide right away ditches and it's all my old Farmall wants.

Personally I would recommend something in the 38 - 50 hp range. That should do you fine.

Don't get discouraged looking on CL. Man I searched for months. Honestly thought my tractor was a scam...didn't even call on it for two weeks...it just seemed "to good to be true". Glad I called.

Good luck!

 

[Citydude]

Thanks for the information and advice. I was wondering if I needed more horses to pull a larger mower. I'll keep looking!

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

If you're going to be mowing right of way, you'll encounter all manner of nasty "surprises." You'll need a quality, heavy duty mower to stand up to the abuse. Size your tractor accordingly.