Riding mower suggestions

[American Yeti]

* hills
* rough/rutted (3-6 inch ruts)field
* lots of trees/bushes
* 2 acres
* septic field

I'm looking for a mower/engine/transmission for the above. I have a tractor for the rest of the property but near the house I need something lighter and functional for mowing. I don't need attachments or ground engaging only what is shown above. My initial thought was HST but after thinking about it, it seems a CVT may be better suited for this job. Any insight/help would be appreciated.

ZTR is out
bushhog/finish mower for my tractor is not an option
Trying to keep as much of my money in my pocket with this purchase as reasonable.
CVT or HST (K56?)
What do I need suspension wise for the rutted areas?
depending on the solution, I'll need to be able to add wheel weights for the hills.

Thanks,
Yeti

 

[nybirdman]

Look at a Simplicty Broadmore;not cheap but very capable and has rear suspension.I had a friend purchase one and very impressed with it.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Chains will work way better than wheel weights for your hills. Ran them year round on a lawn tractor and never tore up our yard.

Used from CL to save money.

 

[American Yeti]

Chains will work way better than wheel weights for your hills. Ran them year round on a lawn tractor and never tore up our yard.

Used from CL to save money.

Yeah, I'll definitely be going the used route. I just need enough information to decide what would fit my requirements.

 

[American Yeti]

Just found a John Deere G100 in CL. Anyone have thoughts on it? Anything to look out for?

 

[nybirdman]

Just found a John Deere G100 in CL. Anyone have thoughts on it? Anything to look out for?

I purchased a G100 used(280 hours) a few years ago,currently has 511 hours(just did my yearly service)
it has been a very good unit.25 HP Koehler.54 in deck.I replaced the spindle bearings at 400 hours.Not many of them around,they sold for about $4800.00 new.

 

[Texasmark]

* hills
* rough/rutted (3-6 inch ruts)field
* lots of trees/bushes
* 2 acres
* septic field

I'm looking for a mower/engine/transmission for the above. I have a tractor for the rest of the property but near the house I need something lighter and functional for mowing. I don't need attachments or ground engaging only what is shown above. My initial thought was HST but after thinking about it, it seems a CVT may be better suited for this job. Any insight/help would be appreciated.

ZTR is out
bushhog/finish mower for my tractor is not an option
Trying to keep as much of my money in my pocket with this purchase as reasonable.
CVT or HST (K56?)
What do I need suspension wise for the rutted areas?
depending on the solution, I'll need to be able to add wheel weights for the hills.

Thanks,
Yeti

Don't expect any suspension system with any mower that is affordable. Only one I found with decent seat springs is the introduced in 2015 XR1 and up (X something) Cub cadet. I saw one sitting at TSC one day, flipped up the seat and ala, there they were the perfect spring. I bout a dozen sets and put them on everything I have......abut $5 each. Add to that balloon snow stud ATV tires for you hills as wheel weights don't help a turf tire on an elcheapo tractor....no tread depth to add to the slick turf pattern. Run your tires at less than 10 psig.

That will help somewhat.

The springs are available at Propartsdirect.net. and other places. Cub Cadet # is 732-05182A. I don't know why it took so long for a mower OEM to look at springs for rider comfort rather than the "engine valve return springs" that most used over the years. Besides that you wouldn't believe what I have gone through in an attempt to get a soft ride, but this afternoon.......it finally happened. Final mod. to my new Ferris and she is like mowing on a cloud.

Good luck.