Need guidance in selecting Mower vs Yard Tractor

[2ndhalf]

Probably a dumb question, but what would be the difference in a belly mower vs buying a pto mower? I found a couple finish mowers nearby for less than $1000. Massey dealer wants $2300 for the belly mower

Manuverability and probably cut quality unless the rear mount mowers are good quality finish mowers. I mowed 5 acres with a landpride 72" finish mower behind a Kubota B7800 for a summer. It did ok but we had a small push mower that we went and trimmed around things before mowing. It was not that bad and my wife often used it. It was certainly not a ZTR but it was better than a garden tractor also.

I have a tractor with no belly mower and just a loader and I like not having a belly mower to worry about ground clearance.

This isn't a bad option and then you could buy a ZTR if necessary later down the road so you keep the hours off the tractor. Your grass would get mowed and look decent. But if you are picky about how your yard looks I think a belly mower will do a little better job.

Whatever you do I highly recommend trying to finance a FEL with the tractor. They are pricey to put on after and a tractor without a loader is very close to just a heavy lawn mower.

 

[cford36]

I would suggest loaded rear tires verses the ballast box..

I don't think loaded tires on sub-compact are enough. Too small.

 

[cford36]

Back to your Limited Cat 1: the 3pt does not lift to standard cat 1 height. Not an issue except maybe for a post hole digger, may not lift high enough to get the auger straight.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

John Deere 214 225 tractor/loader/mower

Check this out lol

And this

JOHN DEERE LOADER 4WHEEL DRIVE LIKE NEW!!

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

MF GC26 Tractor

 

[paulfun9]

Probably a dumb question, but what would be the difference in a belly mower vs buying a pto mower? I found a couple finish mowers nearby for less than $1000. Massey dealer wants $2300 for the belly mower

If your property is laid out well the rear mower is the best option. Cuts better/faster and gets closer with much more ease and also is better for cutting under trees (simply back it under and your not getting close to lower hanging branches which means less trimming and in some cases no trimming at all).
The PTO speed difference between the mid PTO and rear PTO doesn't matter as the gear box on the Mid mower has different gears than a rear mower so no matter which you go with the speed of the blades is what needs attention paid when purchasing. My rear finish mowers actually spin faster than any of the mid mounts I ever owned.
Some think its hard to cut with them due to length but everyone I ever knew who switched had no problems. Just a couple cuts taking it a little slow till you get used to it and for some figuring a different cutting pattern and they all have stayed with the rear mowers even after getting new tractors.
When it comes to having a mid mount on while still using the 3 point I honestly only know one person who uses a sweeper behind while mowing and their sweeper is attached to the draw bar not the 3 point, the rest wouldn't leave their mid mount on when using any attachment on the 3 point. All of the tractors I have owned got the mid mount mower pulled before I ever mounted anything on the 3 point as it only serves to lessen my ground clearance and get me hung up if its left on when working my 3 point attachments
Also all the tractors I have owned previously when lowering the 3 point the mower also gets lowered as it worked off the same lever and to keep it on you would have to actually tie the mid mount up or disconnect part of the linkage Not sure if all are built like that now days but its been my experience so far.

 

[dnmccoy]

I think I am going to look at the Massey 1705 or 1715. The JD dealer is closer but the difference for similar product is thousands more, and Id have to look at a 2000 series to match the HP,Torque and PTO ratings on the 1715

Im still waiting on a call back from the local Kubota dealer with a quote

 

[piercedtiger]

When it comes to having a mid mount on while still using the 3 point I honestly only know one person who uses a sweeper behind while mowing and their sweeper is attached to the draw bar not the 3 point, the rest wouldn't leave their mid mount on when using any attachment on the 3 point. All of the tractors I have owned got the mid mount mower pulled before I ever mounted anything on the 3 point as it only serves to lessen my ground clearance and get me hung up if its left on when working my 3 point attachments
Also all the tractors I have owned previously when lowering the 3 point the mower also gets lowered as it worked off the same lever and to keep it on you would have to actually tie the mid mount up or disconnect part of the linkage Not sure if all are built like that now days but its been my experience so far.

FWIW, I don't bother taking my mower off to use the loader. If I'm lifting things with forks, cleaning out the barn, or dumping compost on the garden I don't leave the lawn or driveway so clearance is not an issue. What IS an issue is weight with a full loader so I will routinely hook up the ballast box or my tiller for counterweight. Depending on the weight of the 3pt mower that might do the trick, but a box is shorter so watching the loader swing around can take focus. (I know I'm constantly looking around with my rear blade, and I assume a mower sticks out about the same.)

As for the deck, the Massey's have a height adjustment for the deck. Spin the knob all the way up and it locks the deck from dropping with the 3PT. The deck also drops further than the 3PT, so you can lower the deck and still have the 3PT implement off the ground (and lift it a few inches before the deck lifts with it).

Edit: There's also a 3pt lowering speed adjustment knob. Tightened all the way prevents the 3pt from dropping. So it can be raised part way or all the way and "locked" in place while the mower is dropped.

 

[piercedtiger]

MF GC26 Tractor

That looks like a great deal! About 4k under my price minus the tiller, but those can be had for $1000-$1600 I think.

 

[JK22]

Yeah I dont see anything that shows they are standard.

Right now the Massey GC1715 is my front runner, it has the most power of all the machines. I got a quote of 15,450 for the tractor,fel and belly mower from the local dealer

I would suggest that you are now at the stage where you should go to Everything Attachments and start clicking through various implements to get an idea of what you can really do with a tractor. They have videos on almost every attachment they make showing it in use. This will give you a feel for why all of us are screaming Tractor, Tractor, Tractor!

It's not just what you can do with it, it's what you can make it do later. When matching 3pt attachments to HP, you need to use the PTO HP, not the crank HP. Not suggesting you need to buy anything now, but it will be good for you to get an idea of what else is out there and what you might want your tractor to do in the future. Although I would wager that after your first good rain storm, you will probably be back here asking whether you should go with either a box blade or land plane & landscape rake to attack the washboard.

Unlike zero turns and lawn tractors, these SCUTS hold their value well. Unlike like a car, you might have this machine for 10-20 years or more. Your kids will likely grow up using it once you decide to let them take over some of the work. Tractors are really an investment. In the long run, you will save $1000s vs paying someone else (and get that sense of accomplishment from working your own land).