Need mowing tractor, no FEL, no 4WD....

   / Need mowing tractor, no FEL, no 4WD.... #1  

_RaT_

Super Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2000
Messages
5,813
Location
Peoples Republic of Northern CA.
Tractor
Kioti 3510-SE HST
Our association needs a tractor to replace a beat up old 40 HP JD. Its sole purpose is to run a 72" flail mower. I want 2WD, no loader, just a simple mowing tractor. Any recomendations. 35 to 45 HP should be fine. The old JD we have is wonderful in some respects. A super 3 cylinder diesel with lots of power. Its 4WD that is operated by a solenoid that needs replacing. The turning radius is terrible. It is extremely loud. All the electrical is shot. Thanks
 
   / Need mowing tractor, no FEL, no 4WD.... #3  
If you want new I would be looking at the JD 5103, 2007 or earlier model, hopefully on closeout for $13k or less. Basic 2wd with 9x3 gear transmission, about 44 PTO hp, 3 cylinder turbodiesel which is fairly efficient, should be perfect. Also, though a lot less common, the 5105 in a 2wd model would be very similar but is a slightly more powerful 3 cyl non-turbo engine, 47 PTO hp, and has an 8x4 gear transmission with a shuttle lever (combined with hi/lo range lever). Not sure what price would be - I don't think dealers ever ordered a 2wd 5105 when the 2wd-only 5103 was so cheap. Both use a 2.9L 3-cyl which I assume is basically the same architecture, but the 5105 despite being non-turbo makes more power than a 5103 and is a bit more efficient based on Nebraska test lab tests. Either one is going to be more efficient than most other tractors in that power range, based on reading those same tests for those and similar models from NH, CASE, Kubota (what few tests are available), etc. I have 95 hours on my 5105 (with MFWD and FEL) and it is an extremely solid, simple to use tractor, with amazingly low fuel consumption (approximately 1 gal/hr in my use, which has been somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 mowing with a 6' cutter, and the rest a mix of FEL work and tillage with plow and disc; I haven't been thinking my use has been all that easy on it!).

Kubota MX5000 is also available in 2wd around that same price. It has comparable hp but a smaller 4-cyl engine that may be less fuel efficient. Definitely worth a look though. It is based on a prior L-series frame and is a bit smaller and lighter, which could be good or bad depending on your exact use.
 
   / Need mowing tractor, no FEL, no 4WD.... #4  
You should be able to pick up a 500 series MF at a pretty good price since they are pushing the 3600s now.
 
   / Need mowing tractor, no FEL, no 4WD.... #5  
_RaT_ said:
Our association needs a tractor to replace a beat up old 40 HP JD. Its sole purpose is to run a 72" flail mower. I want 2WD, no loader, just a simple mowing tractor. Any recomendations. 35 to 45 HP should be fine. The old JD we have is wonderful in some respects. A super 3 cylinder diesel with lots of power. Its 4WD that is operated by a solenoid that needs replacing. The turning radius is terrible. It is extremely loud. All the electrical is shot. Thanks

Are you looking new? Used? Jerry already hit upon my first suggestion. 533 MF's are selling for $14,000 and under. Old school simplicity with just enough modern features, very fuel efficient, and very capable. You simply cannot beat a 3-cylinder Perkins for reliability and efficiency.
 
   / Need mowing tractor, no FEL, no 4WD.... #6  
_RaT_ said:
Our association needs a tractor to replace a beat up old 40 HP JD. Its sole purpose is to run a 72" flail mower. I want 2WD, no loader, just a simple mowing tractor. Any recomendations. 35 to 45 HP should be fine. The old JD we have is wonderful in some respects. A super 3 cylinder diesel with lots of power. Its 4WD that is operated by a solenoid that needs replacing. The turning radius is terrible. It is extremely loud. All the electrical is shot. Thanks

Don't know what your budget is, but in July06 I bought a 1964 MF-135 diesel (45 hp) orchard tractor for $3600. The tractormeter was working and showed 4630 hours. The previous owner used it for nearly 30 years to mow his olive orchard with a flail mower and to do discing in the orchard. It's one solid machine.
 
   / Need mowing tractor, no FEL, no 4WD.... #7  
flusher said:
Don't know what your budget is, but in July06 I bought a 1964 MF-135 diesel (45 hp) orchard tractor for $3600. The tractormeter was working and showed 4630 hours. The previous owner used it for nearly 30 years to mow his olive orchard with a flail mower and to do discing in the orchard. It's one solid machine.

Flusher, it's probably as old as his old JD. Not necessarily bad, as the MF is a good rig, but not much of a step up.

A 6 foot flail generally runs nice on even 25 PTO HP, so I would think somewhere around 35 engine HP would be more than adequate. I use a 84" Vrisimo flail in my orchard with a 3215 Mahindra with no issues at all. Of course I mow regularly.

The 3525 Mahindra is a lot of tractor for the money. Simple, dependable. Email or PM me for more info.
 
   / Need mowing tractor, no FEL, no 4WD.... #8  
All good suggestions especially the Mahindra.

If looking new, I would suggest Long Farmtrac. Simple, proven design (essentially an older Ford) and reliable. The 435 (35 pto hp) sounds to be right in your wheelhouse and can be had for under $10k in 2wd, standard tranny form. Nothing wrong with it at all and if I was buying a new one I would aim for it myself.
 
   / Need mowing tractor, no FEL, no 4WD.... #9  
I would also suggest a 5103 2007 model (black frame), they have some amazing deals out on them right now. There have been some other good suggestions in this thread but in my view the 5103 wins because no other competitor in this class (besides the new NH TDA series I believe) offers gear shift levers on the side, all the others are right between your legs...having been around tractors all my life I know which design I prefer. Good luck shopping!
 
   / Need mowing tractor, no FEL, no 4WD.... #10  
Its a dog eat dog competition for this kind of tractor and all are pretty much good depedable tractors. JD, NH, MF, Case, Mahindra, Farmtrac, Kubota, Kioti in no particular order -all offer options . Its mostly personal preference. Go test drive a couple and see whats most comfortable. For me it comes down to dealer proximity/service, turning, and direction changes ease. All offer power steering but shuttle shift is smoother for some than others. Visiting a few dealers and seeing whats on the lots and what they will deal with for tires maybe best route to follow. Also financing varies if you are so inclined.
 

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