L5030HST w/ TW96 Lift Type Mower??

JohnZ · Sep 7, 2004

I'm ready to buy my FIRST TRACTOR for mainly mowing 80 acres of flat pastures and 4 miles of level roads on my 344 acre ranch. I wanted to use an 8 foot lift type mower, but the dealer only suggests a 6 foot on the L5030. If I want to use an 8 foot lift type mower he suggests a M4900. Looking at the specs, the weights of the two models is almost identical, and the wheel base of the M4900 is only 3 1/2 inches longer.
I read where one post mentions using a 17 foot bat wing mower on a compact L series Kubota tractor.
The PTO should have enough HP to drive the 8 foot mower, and the hydraulics will easily lift the mower, so the question is STABILITY. So if my pastures are flat and level, and the roads are level, the question is: Am I asking for trouble by using a mower 2 feet larger than the dealer suggests?
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

txdon · Sep 7, 2004

JohnZ, Welcome to TBN! The owners manual for the max size and weight for a rotary mower on the 5030 is 84" and 1058 lbs.

I have the 6' - TW72 and at 1029 lbs. it is near the max weight capacity.

The TW84 is 1215 lbs. and the TW96 1634 lbs.

The Dealer is right not to suggest anything above the "Implement limitations" of the manufacturer.

MessickFarmEqu · Sep 7, 2004

If you want somthing wider just use a pull type instead of a 3pt mount.

DK45C_Dave · Sep 7, 2004

A semi-mount 8ft or 10ft / twin blade mower would work well. They are becoming quite popular and do a very nice job.

jmc · Sep 7, 2004

By the term "FIRST TRACTOR" do you mean "only tractor" or do you mean you'll get a bigger one later? Personally, I wouldn't want to face 344 acres with only a compact tractor, even if its a big compact tractor.

Also, when comparing weights, consider weight distribution too. 500 lbs of beefier frame, distributed forward of the rear axle, is going to counterbalance a heavy implement much better than 500 lbs of cab centered over the rear axle.

JohnZ · Sep 7, 2004

Thanks for the responses. Of the 344 acres, 260 is heavily wooded wildlife habitat, and 80 acres is pasture which I will mow with my first and only tractor. I will eventually cultivate 5 acres or so, but not until 2006.
I'm in love with the HST on the L5030, so perhaps I'll comprmise and get a pull type mower.

_RaT_ · Sep 7, 2004

It's easy to love the HST. I am a converted fan of it. Besides the incredible manuverability, I love the ability to instantly control the tractor speed when mowing over rough ground. The pedal on the Kubota I have found is the best for modualting the speed on rough terrain. The Kubota HST is of all the HST's I've tried, still the best. It will be interesting to see what the new JD's 4X20's will be like. The more you use HST, the better you become with it. I have neighbors that are amazed at the speed with which I can manuver my tractor. None of the shuttles I drive can match it for manuverability. With 300 hours on my L3830, I'm still in awe of it's abilites.

txdon · Sep 7, 2004

JohnZ, What about a SE7 the weight is 1067 (close enough). The TW is a really heavy duty mower that can cut 2" diameter. Sometime heavy duty is not needed, especially the weight. The SE cuts 1". Sometime I wish I had an extra foot width instead of an extra 1" cutting capacity.

This mower will also add a foot length so watch the swing out on the turns.

JohnZ · Sep 7, 2004

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll run out and take a look at an SE7 and talk to my dealer about that compromise. Not quite 96" but I'm not getting an outpouring of endorsements saying that the TW96 will run ok on the L5030HST... so maybe I should take a step back.

_RaT_ · Sep 7, 2004

I would agree. If your mowing pasture, the impact to the mower and tractor is minimal, the worst seems to be mounds of dirt left behind by squirrels, gophers etc. As I mentioned in the PM to you, the L5030 should spin the 96" just fine. Your speed of cut will depend on conditions.