Need advice on mover for 2 acres plus some rough stuff along drivewway

[Big Forest]

Well it has been a long time since I have had to buy any type mover. I still have an old Toro push mover that I got for trimming and it still works and after 27 years my old John Deere STX 38 still works, but is basically falling apart piece by piece. It owes me nothing so no complaints and it is time to get something new that does not need a re-build and has a larger mower deck than 34" and gives a better cut.

I need some type of new riding mower and have about 2 acres of grass surrounded by woods and a lot of driveway edge that has some grass and weeds that needs cutting from time to time. I do have some hills, but nothing radical. While I can change the oil and clean air filters I am not particularly handy and would like to have dealer backup for service.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Big Forest

 

[Big Forest]

Well it has been a long time since I have had to buy any type mover. I still have an old Toro push mover that I got for trimming and it still works and after 27 years my old John Deere STX 38 still works, but is basically falling apart piece by piece. It owes me nothing so no complaints and it is time to get something new that does not need a re-build and has a larger mower deck than 34" and gives a better cut.

I need some type of new riding mower and have about 2 acres of grass surrounded by woods and a lot of driveway edge that has some grass and weeds that needs cutting from time to time. I do have some hills, but nothing radical. While I can change the oil and clean air filters I am not particularly handy and would like to have dealer backup for service.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Big Forest

Well, I guess my request was too general to get a response.

So now I am looking at a John Deere 300X. Most folks love the engine, the transmission, the grass cut, and the features, but some bitterly complain that the new lawn tractors are real belt throwers.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I also looked at the Kubota B series, but most of the other sites did not have much good to say about them either compared to the more expensive BX series.

 

[jeff9366]

I also looked at the Kubota B series, but most of the other sites did not have much good to say about them either compared to the more expensive BX series.

The BX series are Kubota's smallest three point hitch tractors. They have the same engines and transmissions offered as your Kubota 1100C. They have the usual 60" mid mount mowers that give an excellent cut and the ability to pull a mounted 48" Bush Hog for rougher stuff. While many BX owners will dispute this, the BXs are primarily (great) finish MOWERS and secondarily reliable very small TRACTORS. Great for gardeners.

The 'B' series are larger. I had a B3300SU tractor-loader for two years/400 hours and it was faultless, although light for my needs. I sold it to buy my Grand 'L'. The local Baptist Minister mows his church property and rectory lawn with the B3300SU weekly. He pulls a finish mower. He is very happy with it.

If you buy a new diesel tractor with less than 25-hp the engines are exempt from all the Tier IV emissions paraphernalia and are hence simpler and cheaper.

The ultimate dedicated finish mower is a Zero turn.

Lawn tractors like the Deere 300X are sort of like vinyl records. (Deere does not make the Deere 330X, it is purchased in Deere colors.)

Much will depend on whether you are willing to pay the diesel premium and HST transmission premium, again. You get what you pay for.

How do you like engine/transmission/performance, reliability, fuel economy and dealer service for your RTV 1100?

While I have no experience with them, finish mowers designed to be pulled behind utility vehicles, with a separate engine powering the mower blades, are available.

 

[Gafn]

I need some type of new riding mower and have about 2 acres of grass surrounded by woods and a lot of driveway edge that has some grass and weeds that needs cutting from time to time. I do have some hills, but nothing radical.

Big Forest

I second the BX - I owned a BX2660 for 2 years and it is a fantastic little tractor and a great mower with the mid mount deck. It turns real nice for getting close to stuff, has a 3 cylinder 26HP diesel that provides a good mowing speed, and some power to pull stuff. You can run some attachments off the PTO, but ground clearance is an issue, so you can't get anything to large. The 4WD pulls nicely on the steep hills, and it feels really stable. The seat is comfortable and the controls are decently laid out. I put nearly 100 hours on mine in 2 years, and will not complain about it as a mower. The BX has the option of a front end loader for doing really light weight work, you can lift about 500lbs, and it comes on and off the tractor in less than 10 minutes. I always mowed with mine off so I could get closer to things. I mowed 4.5 acres, and the BX never had an issue. When I sold it I actually came out ahead, so they hold their value really well, and Kubota had zero % financing for 4 years when I bought mine.

The only reason I sold mine was - I needed more tractor for tilling and doing tree work, I needed a FEL lift capacity of 2000lbs. I did not sell the BX for any negative reason - I just outgrew it.

Good luck with your hunt.

 

[bcp]

Mover?

I thought you were talking about these, then the responses were about mowers.



Bruce

 

[Sheldon Hamblin]

I have a X310. Used it last winter to throw a whole bunch of snow. Using it now to mow. Just make the belt is square on the pulley and each belt should last at least a season without coming off.

 

[AaronS]

Will you be using the machine for anything besides mowing?

If yes, I'd go with a BX or similar subcompact (I had a BX2200 for several years and it was a great machine, New Holland, Deere and all brands have similar machines). I used my BX to mow 3.5 acres, spray, till, brush hog, and even pulled a small disk once.

If no, I'd look at zero turns. That's what my next mower will be. There are several good threads on the site regarding zero turns.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I suggest that if you only want to mow, then get a dedicated mowing machine like a commercial or at least professional grade zero turn mower. They are much more stable on hills than any tractor and will slide before turning over in all but most radical situations. They will be much faster than any tractor also. I have 2 tractors and 2 zero turn mowers and I mostly use my mowers even for cutting the pastures. I can cut my small 4 acre pasture in the same time as using my 7 foot bush hog and at the same time mow areas in the trees that I cant get to with the tractor, mow closer to the ditches than I am comfortable with doing on the tractor and go as fast or faster than I can comfortable do on the tractor. The mowers are both 52" so 32" narrower than the bush hog but just as fast time wise.

There are lots of commercial grade machines and owners will swear by the brand that they have so rarely would one be better than the other. Just do some comparison shopping and try some out and get the most heavy duty one that you can afford. Stay away from those with a stamped steel deck. Get one with a heavy fabricated deck so it wont rust out in your lifetime.

 

[davesl708]

My BX2200 is going on thirteen years old and 1325 hrs. No problems and with MMM and FEL takes care of everything. Five ft. tiller reworked the lawn just great.

 

[Big Forest]

Sorry for the slow response. I did not get any responses initially so I thought this thread was dead.

I already have a Kubota 1100C so I did not need anything for towing or snow plowing. The Kubota does a great job at both as well as helping me maintain the wooded trails around the house and hauling stuff like soil, gravel, and tools. I may also use it for a tow behind brush cutter in the future

I ended up with a 300X JD that cuts my lawn in half the time that my old 38X took. The power, speed, and the quality of the cut is a major upgrade from what I am used to. I looked at the BX series, but it was a bit pricey and I think it was the less expensive L series that did not get good reviews for its quality or cutting abilities. With my lawn and having the RTV I did not new a 4X lawn tractor. I did like the BX with its wider rear wheels and better traction ratings, but it was more than I needed.

My old Toro walk behind also died and I got a Honda self powered walk behind for the tight areas and for trimming in areas that a lawn tractor can't get into like around my wood piles, trail heads, and shed. It is a pleasure to use compared to my old 2-cycle Toro.

The only thing I don't like about the 300X is the lighter gage steel cutting deck though I don't think it will be a problem with my lawn and driveway now that it is clear of the rock and roots that we had the first couple of years after we cleared our lot and planted the lawn. So far it is doing great on the minor grade hills and it's giving us a great cut even in heavy grass. Getting the deck wheels and mower deck adjusted correctly was fairly easy though I was surprised that the dealer did not want to do it.

Time will tell if it holds up like my old JD lawn tractor. I was sorry to hear JD does not make it.

Sorry about the Mover typo: That might explain the slow response. Duh!