Mowing Mid Mount (Belly) Mower with Gear Shift Transmission

[BeeMtnRanch]

Hi All,

I own river bottom land that has a campground on it which is located entirely below the 100 year floodplain and just above a flood control lake in Texas. We try to mow as much as we can with a zero turn but some areas require mowing with a small 30-35+/- tractor with finish quality results.

My mowing conditions dictate that I need high clearance, mfwd, R1/R4 tires, and because of mowing on a slant/slope, I definitely need the ability to brake steer at times which means selecting a gearbox tranny versus a hydro. Finally, I want a mid mount application because of natural barriers and obstacles we mow around. I'm using a 3 point finish mower right now but just doesn't maneuver well.....however, it's the best solution I presently have.

I want a quicker/tighter turning radius and improved maneuverability. I've been shopping for months looking for a compact mfwd tractor equipped with BOTH a gear shift transmission and a mid mount mower deck. So far, no luck. Any ideas? Does this application even exist? Does a mid mount mower application require a hydro tranny for some reason? Does a gearbox transmission mean I'm married to 3 point mowers?

Please share your thoughts. I would love to have a nice rugged little 30-35hp, tier 2 mfwd compact tractor (not a lawn tractor) if possible. Don't want a loader on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Maybe I need to look outside of JD brand???

Thanks,
Tony

 

[rademamj1]

Have you researched Ventrac mowers. These Ventrac mowers combine the speed and visibility of a Zero Turn with power of a diesel tractor in single platform. Handles slopes, tall grass, and can provide a finish mower appearance when needed. Also handles wet environments when required.

Ventrac Compact Tractors & Attachments

 

[Industrial Toys]

I sold my 770 with belly mower to a neighbor. It was hard to sell because everyone wanted a hydro, just as hydro compacts were becoming popular.

OK for long stretches. Lousy, because you should reduce RPMS to shift direction. And then only have two speed selections. Really only one, because the other speed requires a range change.

 

[jthibodeau89]

The JD 4300 has a mid mount pto, but mine is HST. I don't see where the mid pto was only available on hst. There were 2 manual trans options available as well.

I don't understand your comment about steering brakes and HST. I use my steering brakes regularly with my 4300 HST tractor. The HST pedals are on the right foot, and the steering brakes are on the left foot.

The 4300 HST, also has a cruise control that electromagnetically locks the forward hydro pedal position. Not sure how it works with the steering brakes, but i know that depressing the park brake pedal on the right foot side of tunnel disengages the cruise magnet.

 

[BeeMtnRanch]

I tried to buy a used Ventrac 4500 at auction awhile back but it went for a pretty high price. The other thing is that I'd still like to run a small brush hog for tight spaces that a finish mower couldn't handle.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My BIG mower is sitting in a puddle of oil so I had to use my Steiner to cut grass for a few hours yesterday. I ran back to the house for a back pain pill and a Beer every half hour, so painful was the experience on my neck.

 

[BeeMtnRanch]

I sold my 770 with belly mower to a neighbor. It was hard to sell because everyone wanted a hydro, just as hydro compacts were becoming popular.

OK for long stretches. Lousy, because you should reduce RPMS to shift direction. And then only have two speed selections. Really only one, because the other speed requires a range change.

View attachment 658546

Yes. My 790 is the same way. But I'd live with that any day in order to get gear shift with mid mount mower.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Sorry, I'm confused. So get a belly mower for your 790 and you get what you want, no? A gearshift and a belly mower.

 

[beenthere]

I definitely need the ability to brake steer at times which means selecting a gearbox tranny versus a hydro.

Plenty of HST tractors in the John Deere line that have brake steering and also HST. Not like some awkward brands that have HST with steering brakes on the same side.
And Deere has rear and mid PTO as well.

And for mowing and loader work, HST beats gear hands down.. IMO.

So also a bit confused as what you want.

 

[BeeMtnRanch]

The JD 4300 has a mid mount pto, but mine is HST. I don't see where the mid pto was only available on hst. There were 2 manual trans options available as well.

I don't understand your comment about steering brakes and HST. I use my steering brakes regularly with my 4300 HST tractor. The HST pedals are on the right foot, and the steering brakes are on the left foot.

The 4300 HST, also has a cruise control that electromagnetically locks the forward hydro pedal position. Not sure how it works with the steering brakes, but i know that depressing the park brake pedal on the right foot side of tunnel disengages the cruise magnet.

I've never owned a HST so I didn't know they built them with individual brakes on the left like you said. I've talked to several dealers and no mention of this in a belly mower application.....they apparently only want to sell me new and the 3r series doesn't offer that! Do you have a belly mower on yours? How high is the maximum you can you raise the deck off the ground.....if you know?