Mowing Speed Kubota L2501

[Atchuuu]

Yesterday and today I cut the property for the second time. I hope there will not be a third time using my 42" Exmark. Uncomfortable, dusty and loud. (Quest Residential unit)

Halfway through the job I decided that I would just hire it out a couple times a year. Toward the end of the job I thought buying a tractor is the way to go. WTH, it's like this property is giving me split personalities.

I am trying to be logical and rational about the decision but somehow keep finding reasons to justify owning a tractor.

 

[check]

I will take a slightly different look at this situation.... Why does everyone look at 10 acres of perfectly green well cut grass and say it is beautiful? OK. It may look really nice but it is basically a desert when it comes to natural wildlife other than providing some food for deer, ground hogs, and rabbits. Animals can't nest there because you are cutting it all the time. And since you are cutting it there will be little or no wild flowers to support natural pollinators. I don't know if you have followed this in recent history, but our natural pollinators are in severe stress due to over development and destruction of their habitat. Pollinators are extremely important to our environment and support roughly 30% of our food supply if not more. Personally, I think it is time for all of us to reconsider how we interface with our environment. On my property, I basically have two fairly large fields. One I let a local farmer cut for hay. The other I let grow wild and cut one time a year in the fall after the frost has killed off the last of the flowering plants. That provides natural forage and habitat for all kinds of insects and animals and yet the area remains a field. If you were to add up the time to cut once vs. cutting multiple times during the year, I bet you would at least break even if not do better. And at the same time, you are improving your natural environment. You could always make the field more attractive by spreading wild flower seeds that are local to your area.

Very good points! In fact, I think I will plant more wildflowers the season.

 

[CobyRupert]

I will take a slightly different look at this situation....

Why does everyone look at 10 acres of perfectly green well cut grass and say it is beautiful? OK. It may look really nice but it is basically a desert when it comes to natural wildlife other than providing some food for deer, ground hogs, and rabbits. Animals can't nest there because you are cutting it all the time. And since you are cutting it there will be little or no wild flowers to support natural pollinators. I don't know if you have followed this in recent history, but our natural pollinators are in severe stress due to over development and destruction of their habitat. Pollinators are extremely important to our environment and support roughly 30% of our food supply if not more. Personally, I think it is time for all of us to reconsider how we interface with our environment.

On my property, I basically have two fairly large fields. One I let a local farmer cut for hay. The other I let grow wild and cut one time a year in the fall after the frost has killed off the last of the flowering plants. That provides natural forage and habitat for all kinds of insects and animals and yet the area remains a field. If you were to add up the time to cut once vs. cutting multiple times during the year, I bet you would at least break even if not do better. And at the same time, you are improving your natural environment.

You could always make the field more attractive by spreading wild flower seeds that are local to your area.

Most thinking here is along the lines of: "So... should I buy a 100 gallon or a 250 gallon (poison) sprayer?"

 

[oosik]

Around my house and toward the SW I have a little over 1.5 acres of grass. A somewhat optimistic effort to deflect a late summer wildfire - along with a "fire break" on the SW edge of the property.

Anyhow - I have a JD G100 riding mower. I don't have a seat belt on this unit - any attempt to mow at 7 mph would quite quickly eject me from the mower. I know that my mower CAN NOT go 10 mph. IMHO - 10 mph is reserved for my tractor going down the paved county road.

 

[Atchuuu]

Around my house and toward the SW I have a little over 1.5 acres of grass. A somewhat optimistic effort to deflect a late summer wildfire - along with a "fire break" on the SW edge of the property.

Anyhow - I have a JD G100 riding mower. I don't have a seat belt on this unit - any attempt to mow at 7 mph would quite quickly eject me from the mower. I know that my mower CAN NOT go 10 mph. IMHO - 10 mph is reserved for my tractor going down the paved county road.

As many on TBN have pointed out- There is paper specs and there is reality. Reality hit me today when testing a 26 hp and 38 hp tractor. At full speed in mid range I ran the 26 hp mower. On the pavement it was no problem. As soon as I hit the dirt it was a wild ride. My guess is I wasn't even going 7 mph. No way could I run full speed in mid range on that tractor on my property.

The 38 hp tractor had large wheels and the speed in mid range was much faster than the 26 hp. It also handled the same dirt parking lot much better. Guess this is due to the higher weight of the tractor and the large wheels, width, etc.

Thinking larger tractor with larger BB or finish mower is the way to go. I can cut the property fewer times, use the extra HP for loader work and have a more comfortable ride.

 

[teg]

What model numbers are we talking about now... 26 hp and 38 hp can be in different size "classes"...

 

[Atchuuu]

What model numbers are we talking about now... 26 hp and 38 hp can be in different size "classes"...

Teg - you are correct. Different classes/size for sure. I was referring to the Mahindra 1526 and 2538 and Kubota L2501 and L3901. They each have their pros and cons but I am looking for something that will help me maintain the property quickly. I admit a ZTR mower is the quickest but I'm leaning toward a tractor. The 1526 at full speed in mid range was a bumpy ride. The 2538 wasn't too bad. Just my impressions.

 

[Rubicon1000]

Depending on any future plans for property maintenance I would definitely look at something with a front loader. It's amazing how much work you can get done with a 30 to 40 horsepower tractor.
We have a Kubota M4900, L3301, and a bx2670. I sold my L2800 when we bought the 3301. We have a woods 6' finish mower and a couple land pride 5' brush cutters and we use a ztr for mowing around the house. The ztr is definitely faster but it's a rough ride compared to the bigger tractors. I have a front loader on all three and a 60" mower deck for the bx. We actually use the bx more than the other ones. Something to think about if you ever want to do any kind of work on the property besides mowing, a tractor can do just about anything you want even if it takes a little bit longer.

 

[Atchuuu]

It has been a couple of months since I posted this thread. I have learned a lot on TBN but have also learned how much more there is to learn. Since the original post was about cutting as quickly as possible here is an update.

I ended up with a 40 hp and a 72" Land Pride BH. The tractor is not a easier, more comfortable, ride than my Exmark at any significant speed. It is still very bumpy and at times much worse. The speed that I am able to travel is much lower than I anticipated so even with a much larger deck, 42" vs 72", it appears the tractor will take as long or longer to cut the property.

Of course with a tractor and BH I can cut less frequently if I choose too. Still very happy with the tractor purchase and feel it was the right choice for my needs,

 

[4570Man]

Are you running with the loader on. I’ve been mowing with the loader on for years and I discovered by accident that it rides mulch smoother with it off.