Mowing Weight

[lmreed]

I am very early in my search for a tractor that will fit my needs. I mow about 1-2 acres and am wondering if anyone has in mind a weight over which mowing is more difficult due to turf destruction. I think I would be OK getting a tractor that was light enough to mow and then add weights for the heavier tasks such as backhoe work, grading, etc.

I know that tire type is also important and have read lots about R1 vs. R4 and of course the benefit of turf tires for grass.

Thanks for any input. So far the posts I have read have been very informative and helpful. I can tell this will take a long time to sift through all the information necessary to make a good decision.

Lane

JD LX188 garden tractor

 

[JiminGa]

if you do the math on it, a 1500lb tractor won't put as much weight per square inch as a 250lb man...

 

[flusher]

I am very early in my search for a tractor that will fit my needs. I mow about 1-2 acres and am wondering if anyone has in mind a weight over which mowing is more difficult due to turf destruction. I think I would be OK getting a tractor that was light enough to mow and then add weights for the heavier tasks such as backhoe work, grading, etc.

I know that tire type is also important and have read lots about R1 vs. R4 and of course the benefit of turf tires for grass.

Thanks for any input. So far the posts I have read have been very informative and helpful. I can tell this will take a long time to sift through all the information necessary to make a good decision.

Lane

JD LX188 garden tractor

Are you mowing lawn, weeds or both?
Do you want a tractor with a backhoe for sure?
How much backhoe work are you planning compared to mowing, etc?
Do you want/need a FEL?

If you want the complete package, something like a BX-series Kubota with backhoe is a nice package. Add a 4 or 5-ft rotary mower for weeds and/or a finish mower for lawn work. Your total cost will be in the $20K range for all new equipment.

 

[RussMan]

If you are concerned w/ destruction of the lawn, another important factor is 2wd vs. 4wd. Most MMM can be supported by the hydraulics to take some of the weight off the wheels when the ground is soft. I have a Kubota 3030 w/ a 72" MMM and it seems to do fine on turf - I have the R4 tires as well. This MMM weighs about 450-500# but doesn't seem to be a problem. It has about 5-6 wheels that share in weight distribution.

 

[MossRoad]

I am very early in my search for a tractor that will fit my needs. I mow about 1-2 acres and am wondering if anyone has in mind a weight over which mowing is more difficult due to turf destruction. I think I would be OK getting a tractor that was light enough to mow and then add weights for the heavier tasks such as backhoe work, grading, etc.

I know that tire type is also important and have read lots about R1 vs. R4 and of course the benefit of turf tires for grass.

Thanks for any input. So far the posts I have read have been very informative and helpful. I can tell this will take a long time to sift through all the information necessary to make a good decision.

Lane

JD LX188 garden tractor

Welcome to TBN! Goshen is just 20 minutes away.

 

[bill6]

Hi Moss; when mowing and concerned about turf destruction, the issue is not total weight. It is weight per square inch, and tire tread type. For example, it wouldn't matter if you had a 30,000 lb machine mowing the lawn, as long as the weigth was spread out sufficiently. Anyway, here are some tips to avoid chewing up the grass:
1) Use 2wd while mowing, not 4wd
2) Definately get a set of turf tires
3) Mow when grass is dry, not wet
4) Be cautious, don't turn TOO sharp
5) Alternate directions each time you mow

Turf tires are generally a little wider, and are specifically designed to be more gentle on grass.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hi Moss; when mowing and concerned about turf destruction, the issue is not total weight. It is weight per square inch, and tire tread type. For example, it wouldn't matter if you had a 30,000 lb machine mowing the lawn, as long as the weigth was spread out sufficiently. Anyway, here are some tips to avoid chewing up the grass:
1) Use 2wd while mowing, not 4wd
2) Definately get a set of turf tires
3) Mow when grass is dry, not wet
4) Be cautious, don't turn TOO sharp
5) Alternate directions each time you mow

Turf tires are generally a little wider, and are specifically designed to be more gentle on grass.

Do you wax your tires too?

 

[bill6]

Hi Mr. Junk; No, but I wax the wheels (on both sides) to make them look shiny and protect from moisture & corrosion. For the tires, I use tire-shine, which makes them look "wet", but also helps keep the rubber soft & pliable for long life.......

 

[Rara Avis]

Hi Mr. Junk; No, but I wax the wheels (on both sides) to make them look shiny and protect from moisture & corrosion. For the tires, I use tire-shine, which makes them look "wet", but also helps keep the rubber soft & pliable for long life.......

I've got a 1970s JD2640 with the original rear tires without any treatments other than use and they still have lots of tread on them...

You need more land and more tractors to occupy your time...

 

[bill6]

Hi Paul; it's not a matter of tread life. In my example I'm referring to the sidewall. Some tractors, especially those sitting out in the sun, have tire sidewalls that become dry, light-colored, and very hard. They crack and look awful. Rubber dressing keeps them black & soft. Many trucks and tractors have sidewall failures far in advance of any tread issues..... Plus, it just looks nice.

 

[Rara Avis]

Hi Paul; it's not a matter of tread life. In my example I'm referring to the sidewall. Some tractors, especially those sitting out in the sun, have tire sidewalls that become dry, light-colored, and very hard. They crack and look awful. Rubber dressing keeps them black & soft. Many trucks and tractors have sidewall failures far in advance of any tread issues..... Plus, it just looks nice.

Gee Bill, I would just assume you put your tractors away...out of the sun...

When I refer to tread life...I include sidewall deterioration in the equation...on a farm...tire failure is tire failure regardless of the cause...

I've noticed that equipment residing north of the Mason-Dixon Line, normally, doesn't seem to have the sun damage that the South experiences...

 

[PA hayseed]

nothing wrong with a purty tractor

 

[art]

I am very early in my search for a tractor that will fit my needs. I mow about 1-2 acres and am wondering if anyone has in mind a weight over which mowing is more difficult due to turf destruction. I think I would be OK getting a tractor that was light enough to mow and then add weights for the heavier tasks such as backhoe work, grading, etc.

Lane

JD LX188 garden tractor

The goal has been roughly 70lbs per horsepower in the past but with many lawn tractors horsepower skyrocketing because of the snap from electric pto clutches this reference is a little off today.
To look at tillage tractors for big farms they only recommend 110 to 130 tops!!! That is for tillage work, if construction work comes in the weight will go up more but they are more sluggish machines to operate and definitely will destroy turf!

 

[Bob_Young]

Welcome Mr. lmreed,
Answers to a few questions will help us:
1. Do you have a lot of obstructions to mow around? Or are your lawns pretty much "wide open spaces"?
2. Are the lawns manicured and smooth or a bit rough?
3. Are there any steep slopes on your lawns that need to be mowed?
4. Is the whole two acres lawn or is part of it pasture, haylot, or whatever?

I have around 2.5 acres of residential lawn to maintain plus snow to move in winter. The land has lots of trees, the lawns are rough, and there are a couple of short but steep slopes to mow. For me, the Kubota B7610 with loaded turf tires has worked out well.

If the lawns were smooth, probably a BX would do just as well. The larger tires on the B-series will get you over rough ground with less jostling. The B-series Kubotas are being updated in 2008. You might be able to pick up a B7510 or B7610 at closeout prices.
FWIW
Bob

 

[LBrown59]

I know that tire type is also important and have read lots about R1 vs. R4 and of course the benefit of turf tires for grass.



Lane

JD LX188 garden tractor

I don't think turf damage from AGs is a concern on smaller tractors such as the Sub Compacts.
Since that's not a concern for me I prefer to go for the ultimate traction with AGs on my BX23 and 1 of my BX1500s.
Besides AGs make a tractor look like a tractor.
I do have Turf tires on my other BX1500- makes it look like a golf cart.

 

[rpoage]

If the lawns were smooth, probably a BX would do just as well. The larger tires on the B-series will get you over rough ground with less jostling. The B-series Kubotas are being updated in 2008. You might be able to pick up a B7510 or B7610 at closeout prices.
FWIW
Bob

I think I may have underestimated this one when I bought the BX. I have a similar property. 2.5 acres with 2.2 to mow. At the present it is reclaimed field and is quite rough despite my attempts to fill in ruts and low spots. It is next to impossible to mow at moderate speed (high range/mid position) without beating myself to death. Anyone with rough ground should look at the B series as the tire size will be a help and the $$$ may be worth it.

 

[rtdiggr]

Okay here is my take, i agree with Bill6. I have a MF 1433 weight is about #2900 loader #900 84"mower #900, my tractor in the summer has turf tires on it. I have never had a problem.
Having said that, i have 68acres 5 of which i "take care of" i went out and bought a ZTR to go around trees and over the septic bed [i will not take my big tractor over the bed, other views my vary but i do not want to replace an broken tiles]
I now do the whole lawn with the ZTR mower my has a 50" cut, it is faster [for safety reason over the tractor] and the biggest time saver is going around things and turning around.
My 84"tractor mower was $3000, my ZTR was $3800 i wish i had never bought the 84"mower.
ZTR mowers are whole other topic about which size etc. i went with CubCadet 50" 22hp kawasaki engine[that is what sold me]. Prices are all over the place from $2000 to $20000. There is a few threads in the Lawn section of this form. I posted a few weeks ago why i went with a CC.

Shane

 

[LBrown59]

I think I may have underestimated this one when I bought the BX. I have a similar property. 2.5 acres with 2.2 to mow. At the present it is reclaimed field and is quite rough despite my attempts to fill in ruts and low spots. It is next to impossible to mow at moderate speed (high range/mid position) without beating myself to death. Anyone with rough ground should look at the B series as the tire size will be a help and the $$$ may be worth it.

What's yer hurry it's still faster and easier than a push mower right??