Buying Advice SCUT/CUT for a newbie on 2.5 acre 15d slope, what should I think about?

[Slowpoke Slim]

OP,

Just a few random thoughts...

I don't think 15 degrees of slope is as big a deal as you think. Whichever SCUT you end up with will be able to handle that slope. You may have to run in 4wd when the grass is wet to keep from spinning your back tires. But you will have significantly better traction than when running your 2wd riding mower. I think turf tires would be fine in your application.

After looking at your picture of your land, and seeing all of those trees, are you sure you wouldn't be better off mowing with a zero turn? You have a lot of stuff to steer around.

Also consider when you are doing things other than mowing, that belly mower is going to significantly reduce your ground clearance.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Any sub-cut with loaded tires should do fine. A drive over deck is a good thing. A standard belly mower can be pretty tough to deal with.

 

[Opti-Mist]

Depending on the convenience, or lack thereof, of hitching up the 3-pt implements, you might consider a quick hitch for the SCUT. Mine is miserable and the quick hitch saved a lot of bad words. The one I got is specifically designed for a SCUT.

 

[allthebacon]

Thanks @Slowpoke Slim @MESSMAKER Yes I'm coming to that conclusion re the slope, 4WD and some weight and I'm golden. A zero turn... you're not wrong but none of my neighbours use them. They complain about slipping downslope when grass is damp, clearance and comfort over rough ground (like exposed tree roots). I expect I'll take the belly mower off when doing tractor stuff and we only have to mow six months of the year.

Here's some pics of the land in case you're curious and a funny one of a shovel I found when clearing it up, and yeah that's me having to winch my mower up to the driveway after my gravel path washed away recently. That was the final straw!

 

[shetland sheepdog]

Just my opinion, but I would think long and hard about a 3 point hitch finish mower, as opposed to a belly mount!
This based on the other uses you have in mind, and I would opt for the R-4 tires, if not R-1s!

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Thanks @Slowpoke Slim @MESSMAKER Yes I'm coming to that conclusion re the slope, 4WD and some weight and I'm golden. A zero turn... you're not wrong but none of my neighbours use them. They complain about slipping downslope when grass is damp, clearance and comfort over rough ground (like exposed tree roots). I expect I'll take the belly mower off when doing tractor stuff and we only have to mow six months of the year.

Here's some pics of the land in case you're curious and a funny one of a shovel I found when clearing it up, and yeah that's me having to winch my mower up to the driveway after my gravel path washed away recently. That was the final straw!

I'm thinking a lot of the areas in your pictures are such that you won't want to run a finish mower over them. At least not the first few times anyway. Belly mowers are like finish mowers in that they don't tolerate cutting down a lot of brush or skipping the blades off of rocks or debris. If your end goal is to have all of it finish mowed, you may want to start off in some of that rough stuff with a brush mower instead of a belly or finish mower. Once you've cut it all down a few times, then it should lesson up in the brush, sticks and twigs, give you the chance to dig out any rocks etc and eventually you'll just be mowing grass.

 

[allthebacon]

Just my opinion, but I would think long and hard about a 3 point hitch finish mower, as opposed to a belly mount!
This based on the other uses you have in mind, and I would opt for the R-4 tires, if not R-1s!

Yeah I did. The MMM has some benefits for my jobs. I need to mow the dog run and the 'nice grass' close to the house and I think the MMM will be easier for visibility, turning around and reverse operation in those tighter areas. The 3 point hitch swings out when I turn, hitting the 'nice fence' posts.

And yeah R4's are the go.

Thanks mate.

 

[Wagtail]

Here's something to be aware of regarding a SCUT:

The 3PH Category system is pretty much standard around the world. Cat 1,2 & 3 have many implements. Cat 0 have a VERY limited number of implements... and BEWARE of the "Cat 1 (Limited)" advertised capability, which basically means that it will/sort-of take a Cat 1 implement but you'll be pulling out your hair and cursing a blue-streak getting it on & off.

There are 3PH Quick-Hitch systems too. (highly recommended)

 

[allthebacon]

they don't tolerate cutting down a lot of brush or skipping the blades off of rocks or debris.

I've been bush bashing this Simplicity Broadmoore around here for a few years now with a mulching kit installed. It's held up to the abuse but it's clearly not the best tool for the job. Much debris has met it's match under this deck, and more than one belts have died because of it!

 

[allthebacon]

Here's something to be aware of regarding a SCUT:

The 3PH Category system is pretty much standard around the world. Cat 1,2 & 3 have many implements. Cat 0 have a VERY limited number of implements... and BEWARE of the "Cat 1 (Limited)" advertised capability, which basically means that it will/sort-of take a Cat 1 implement but you'll be pulling out your hair and cursing a blue-streak getting it on & off.

There are 3PH Quick-Hitch systems too. (highly recommended)

Thanks mate, @Opti-Mist also recommended the 3PH quick hitch as well.

Something odd I wonder if you could give some insight on. The FEL and 4-in-1 buckets that come with most of these SCUTS (Kubota included) here in Victoria are not SSQA/Euro Quick Attach, they are Pin On. Once a month, I expect to want to swap the bucket for some forks. The dealers look at me funny when I ask about Quick Attach *and* 4-in-1. Am I missing something here?

 

[13gef13]

I am in Oz (Qld) on 10 acres. I use a Kioti DS3510 and a 5ft Nugget slasher. My slope is less than 15 degrees (less ths 10 degrees) and with damp ground/grass I have to use 4wd (2wd slips too much) on R1 tyres (unloaded). The DS3510 is probably too big for 2.5 acres but the tyres are important. Both of my Kiotis are Euro quick hitch for the 4in1 bucket. The slasher is medium rated and is very useful for sticks, regrowth etc. I would suggest if you go for a slasher to get a hydraulic top link. I mow at about 100mm, tht way I don't pick up small sticks and rocks.
I store all my 3pt accessories on concrete so I have made up wheeled trolleys to store them on, makes it much easier for hooking up. I use a Ferris 400S zero turn for around the house. I like to do it easy.

 

[Wagtail]

Thanks mate, @Opti-Mist also recommended the 3PH quick hitch as well.

Something odd I wonder if you could give some insight on. The FEL and 4-in-1 buckets that come with most of these SCUTS (Kubota included) here in Victoria are not SSQA/Euro Quick Attach, they are Pin On. Once a month, I expect to want to swap the bucket for some forks. The dealers look at me funny when I ask about Quick Attach *and* 4-in-1. Am I missing something here?

You're not missing anything and the Salespeople you've been dealing with certainly don't know their products.

The John Deere product will be "John Deere Quick Attach" (JDQA), which is a simple hook, post & pin system. My 4105 FEL has this system. I run a 4in1 bucket and a fork/hay-spear off of the FEL, both implements are by a separate manufacturer (Fieldquip, a mob out of QLD) and were made to be compliant with the JDQA. Practically ALL implement manufacturers will produce their products with whatever attachment system/dimensions you want, including the basic pin-on.

The SSQA and Euro QA (also known as a Global QA)require each implement to have a welded on metal plate, that corresponds to locking-on latches (SSQA) or singular latch (Global/Euro) on the FEL. IMHO, these systems add undue weight to the FEL and it's lifting ability.

 

[bitseeker]

A couple of thoughts:
My Kubota 4-in-1 Quick Attach bucket is MUCH heavier than the original pin-on bucket that I reinforced to add removable teeth and a removable grapple.
I did not like (could not learn effective operation) of the 4-in-1 and mostly its extra weight and lower capacity.
I cut off the pin-on and welded on a QA plate and converted it to QA. The 4-in-1 is unused for over a year, and I should offer it for sale.

When turning on a 15-degree sidehill, lower everything, watch for dips and bumps, and prepare to pucker.

 

[airbiscuit]

Some manufacturers seem to be making a 1/2 size up from the SCUTs. Kubota LX2610HST, Kioti CX2510SE. I'd also consider getting the R14 tires.

 

[allthebacon]

I cut off the pin-on

Thanks for the share. What do you mean you ‘cut off’, why not just unpin it?

And duly noted on the ‘lower everything’ thx

 

[allthebacon]

Some manufacturers seem to be making a 1/2 size up from the SCUTs. Kubota LX2610HST, Kioti CX2510SE. I'd also consider getting the R14 tires.

Those both look great and I’m a fan of both brands, Kioti is great value… but… neither of those models are available in Australia.

 

[bitseeker]

Thanks for the share. What do you mean you ‘cut off’, why not just unpin it?

And duly noted on the ‘lower everything’ thx

Sorry for the slow reply.

I cut the pin-on attachment method off the BUCKET. I then welded a QA plate to the bucket, converting the bucket from pin-on to Quick Attach.

If I had left the pin-on attachment method on the original bucket, those would have interfered with the QA on the tractor.

Now, Forks, Snowplow, and Bucket exchanges are just a few minutes.

 

[allthebacon]

off the BUCKET.

OOhhhh. Ya know, by brain hadn't even considered modifying the bucket itself. I was just thinking about the FEL or the system as a whole. Yeah, I'm new to machinery. Thanks mate.