OK Guys, what should I do here?????

[jcmseven]

Well, it's about that time of year again, that being time to think about mowing. I love to mow!!! It gives me a chance to be outside and ride around on my tractor/mower and make things look nice. When I sold my 3720 last year, the RFM went with it and now I need to have something to mow WITH. Here is my situation: I currently have no grass on my heavily wooded property, but I mow about five acres at an athletic field for our local school/athletic team. It is about one mile from my home and I mow it every other week, splitting time with another guy who mows also there. I like to make it look nice, but I do not have a great deal of time, so I also want to mow fast. I have a 4520, so it could power up to a 7' deck easily. Second, I mow some for my father. He has 2 acres at my old home and another 3/4 acre at he/mom's cabin. Both places are about two hours from me and involve taking my machine on a trailer, or using his 335 JD GT, which does great (just a little slow). I also help one of my business partners at his home down the road (he has about eight acres) on occasion, but not regularly. Since I enjoy mowing, I am trying to figure out what I should do as far as a mower. I can get a RFM for my tractor, in either 6' or 7', which is OK except tougher to haul and a bit too much tractor for my parents' one lawn; I can do nothing and just not mow for the school this year (I do not get paid) and just do my dad's with his mower; I can get a ZTR (but more than I really want to pay unless I get a good deal); or I can find smaller tractor to fit the bill (2210, or 2305, Ventrac???) but again, I do not wish to overspend (not much expendable income after the twins we have), but I do find mowing these places fun and wanted some thoughts and comparisons from the panel at large.

Thanks.
John M

 

[Garrabo]

lets see, you have new twins,(congrats) and dont want to over spend but you mow a field for free. Is that correct? you seem reluctant to make a move. would the financing of a suitable mower be an option?
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[jcmseven]

Yes, you are correct. The reason I started doing this mowing was that one of my friends is the director of the local youth soccer league and has two children who play soccer there and use the field. He is the other person that mows, so we split the duty. Essentially, it is volunteer work for me, but I really like doing it, and last year had the field looking like Wrigley. I like to use this sometimes also as just a "get away" where I can ride around and not to think too hard about life. The only problem of course with it is that with my new family responsibilites, I cannot go and spend an afternoon doing it, but maybe 2.5-3 hours is doable.

John M

 

[dubba]

I think that my friend would understand the responsibilities of twins.

As far as the get away for a few hours, maybe your friend would let you use his mower for a couple of hours.

Don't forget to reciprocate the get away time with the other half /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[hunterridgefarm]

John,
This is something I would consider; but not necessarily the best choice.

Buy a RFM for your 4520. I take it you dive the tractor to the school since it is only 1 mile away.

Buy the smaller tractor 2210 or 2305 for your dads place and haul the RMF only. It would be easier and quicker to strap the RMF to a trailer than the tractor. Easier to haul, you could load it with your FEL and back the 2210 on the trailer to attach. That is if the 2210 is big enough to pull a 6' RFM. If not look for a good used 25-30 HP tractor for your dads place that will pull the 6' RMF.

You could also use it to push a little snow at his place instead of hauling your tractor.

David