I dont think I agree that Joyce needs a tractor the size of the 3710, which is a significantly larger frame size than the 27/2910 or the JD 4200-4400's. The reason I say this is because in her first post she says she has an old TLB, which is why she doesnt need a FEL on the tractor she is now considering. So, the additional hydraulic strength of the 3710 would be of no use to her, while the additional bulk and weight may be worse for her mowing chores.
I recently came to the same conclusion after 2 months of re-shopping for a larger tractor. I like the 3710 a lot, but for my needs it is simply to big to serve as a practical lawnmower. In addition, the Kubota 3010, 3410 and 3710 midmount mowers are compatible only with turf tires, which I dont want. (Joyce has yet to raise this bear of an issue.) Finally, as much as I may like a midmount mower, I dont think I would want to wrestle with the one that goes on the 3X10's unless I would very rarely take it off. I'd go to a rearmount and sacrifice maneuverability completely.
Of course, if Joyce want to sell her TLB too, then we have a different can of worms.
Joyce, the additional hp and torque will allow you to pull through some conditions where a smaller engine would bog down.
I may be the one who said the ground contact deck wheels can leave marks. That is true in wet conditions. Of course, in those conditions the tractor wheels will leave even bigger marks. Dont mow in wet conditions. The ground contact wheels can also leave marks in the soil in the boggy ground conditions I have around my low-lying creek. To avoid this, I either wait until the ground is drier and/or simply raise the wheels slightly off the ground with the position control hydraulics and run the deck as a suspended deck. (You need to understand that the Kubota 2910 control labelling will give you better visual "position control" for your 3ph than the JD4200 layout.) Mostly, I simply dont care, because this is far from my house and real lawn. In normal dry mowing conditions it is a trivial to non-issue.
I have never had any grass clumping at all. These are powerful decks running at high speeds. As long as I dont let my grass grow too long and dont mow when it's wet, the grass evenly distributes and "disappears". I also understand the clippings are good for the lawn. I wouldnt buy a big, expensive, klutzy blower/catcher thing just to collect some mulch. But to each her own.
The 2910's have only been out for about a year and when I bought mine the dealer didnt even know it had a toolbox. The place under the seat where the other B's have them is taken up by the suspension system for the improved seat. The toolbox is tucked under the left fender next to the 3ph. You unscrew the knob you see, and slide the box out like a drawer.
