How heavy is too heavy to mow?

[BizDoc]

I started out with a 21 HP NH with a 5 foot MMM mowing 7 acres, and plowing a 200' drive way. It was just taking too long and on the steeper hills it bogged down. So after two years I looked at upgrading. I looked at JD (32 HP), NH (35 HP), and Kubota (B3030), Both the NH and JD dealers stated that their machines, in their opinions, were too heavy for mowing any lawn that you didn't want tire marks in, especially a front lawn, as opposed to a field/yard. All the dealers, who were incidently aware of what I was comparring, recommended the B3030 due to its 30 HP and lighter weight. They felt it would perform admirably for all functions, allow for a larger mower deck, 6 foot, and cut down the mowing time and not leave tire marks in the yard. I have been tremendously pleased with my purchase. I liked the NH also, but at 21 hp it just didn't have enough HP for my applications.

 

[shane]

I mow with a JD3120, loaded R4's, using a Landpride rear discharge finish mower. I also mow 3.5 acres. I am very picky about my "lawn". My neighbor is a commercial mower and has the same size lot. He uses various zero turn mowers. The only difference that you can tell between our lots is he can do the pretty strips. I do, as recommended, alter my mowing paterns.

If your dirt work is a one time thing you'll probably come out better to hire that out and only focus on buying a tractor for your mowing needs.

 

[kozak]

You never know what the future hold's. One thing about tractoring.....there is ALWAYS something in the future that needs to be done that you never thought of that requires a heavier more capable machine. Strictly for mowing....yeah you can go for a low 20'ish HP tractor. However, I bet that in the future your inherent ambition will get the better of you & naturally you will want to tackle some small project that you will wish you had a slightly bigger machine. Been there....done that. It is very frustrating doing a task with a tractor that is inadequate. Has less to do with HP. It's incredible the power that even a small 18 HP tractor has. What it does have to do with is how well built & strong a tractor is which leads to physical weight. The heavier the tractor, the heavier the tasks you can perform.

Now everyone is different. If you really believe all you will do is cut grass in the future then maybe that's all you need. You can save yourself some money & go for a smaller tractor & contract out any bigger jobs you need done in the future. Unfortunately you will miss out on alot of fun & satisfaction being able to do most of the work yourself.

Just wanting to make sure you don't buy too small.

Good Luck,

Vic

 

[chh]

I think either tractor would work very well for you. The smaller would have the edge on just mowing it seems,(lighter, less yard damage) but it you want a FEL and want to do much else the heavier one would have a definite advantage. Front wheel assist or MFWD is a big asset also especially with a loader. I really don't think the septic tank or drain feild will be a big problem. I drive a 95 hp tractor across mine and haven't ever worried about it. I don't think I would want to park on top of it though. Just think about what kind of projects you are going to want to do and go from there.

 

[MossRoad]

How about you mow the yard with the mower of your choice and string trim over the septic tank?
I would do that
Jim

I put more PSI to the ground with my feet than my tractor does with its turf tires. (So, I either have really big tires, or I am really overweight.)

 

[clundog]

I have 3 acres and mow about 2.5 of it (mostly clay type dirt). I use a Mahindra 2615 HST, it weighs aprox 2800 lbs with 72" MMM. It also has industrial tires(not loaded). I don't have any problems unless I try to mow to soon after a rain, even then it doesn't leave ruts but the grass seems to stay mashed over longer. Also my dad mows a 3 acre pasture which is where his septic field is at, he uses a MF 175 (fairly heavy machine) and hasn't had a problem!
One other thing to consider are there going to be any obstacles in your yard trees, flowers, flag pole, etc. Sometimes I wish I had something smaller to go around that kind of stuff.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[dillo99]

You could consider a ZTR mower to do the mowing and then go ahead and get the bigger tractor for tractor work. Mid mount mowers cost about 2k which gets you half way to a nice zero turn radius rider. You will also find that you save a ton of time as the ZTR will make your mowing much much faster - you will not need to trim at all.

Of course "she who must be obeyed" might not agree with my logic!!!!!

 

[75H2]

You could consider a ZTR mower to do the mowing and then go ahead and get the bigger tractor for tractor work. Mid mount mowers cost about 2k which gets you half way to a nice zero turn radius rider. You will also find that you save a ton of time as the ZTR will make your mowing much much faster - you will not need to trim at all.

Of course "she who must be obeyed" might not agree with my logic!!!!!

Interesting suggestion. I considered a ZTR. However, I was told by practically everyone I spoke with they are not good on slopes. I don't live on a ski slope. But there are some areas that have a bit of a drop off. Anyone out there with experience?

Yeah, I don't think the wife would go for 2 machines. However, it would increase my cylinder count nicely

 

[AMR]

I can offer my own experience. I mow around 2 acres or so, up to a 13% grade and it can get pretty soft. I started out with a Kubota BX23 and 60" mower, the machine was 22 hp and I think it weighed in somewhere in the 1,700 pound range with the mower and bagger. It did a great job but it didn't handle the slopes very well and I found that I wanted a smoother ride and more clearance for some limited brush hogging and tilling.

I moved to a Kubota B3030 with loaded turf tires and a 60" deck. I am guessing that with the mower and loaded tires it is somewhere in the 2,500 pound range. I couldn't be happier, while it does leave a little more pronounced tire path the cut looks great and I have reduced my mowing time by about 20%. I intended on a bagger but opted not to, my one regret is that I would have gone with the 72" deck. I find that it does not tear the yard up and I am not concerned at all going over the septic system, they are made to handle loades like this.

I like my lawn to look great. Compared with the neigbours Scagg it takes me slightly longer and I would say that my cut is about 90% as good as his. But the difference is when he is done he can't drop his deck and then move a few yards of soil or put the hoe on to pull a few stumps or hog an acre or two and then till up the garden.

 

[Ford850]

Interesting suggestion. I considered a ZTR. However, I was told by practically everyone I spoke with they are not good on slopes. I don't live on a ski slope. But there are some areas that have a bit of a drop off. Anyone out there with experience?

Yeah, I don't think the wife would go for 2 machines. However, it would increase my cylinder count nicely

75H2,
Check out the Lawn and Garden forum below these tractor forums. I have asked the question about mowing on hillsides a couple times in that forum. There are also some great posts and reviews of mowers Dargo (TBN member). It was very helpful to me. From my research, Scags and Grasshoppers are excellent on hillsides. I'm not trying to talk you out of a tractor, but you could get a new mower and a used tractor and have the best scenario.